Donovan Warren to NFL
December 20th, 2009 at 3:01 PM ^
Dang beat me to it..but yes this really hurts..It's going to be interesting to see who steps up next year at the corner spots. Anyways i wish Donovan the best of luck. Overall, i believe he was a good, consistant corner for us and i'm curious to see where he goes in the draft.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:26 PM ^
I just don't see him going very high in this draft. In my opinion, this was a bad decision. If he wants to make money, fine, but even with the salary cap he'll make more money if he goes in the first round of a draft with a rookie salary cap than if he goes in the third round of one without a salary cap. I've always thought it was a bad decision to leave early for the draft if you're not for sure going to be a first or second round pick. At the worst, your draft stock won't improve the next year, but more than likely you will be able to raise it by staying another year. In the case of staying, the rewards greatly outweigh the risks.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:47 PM ^
I really believe a lot of these juniors are being told that there's going to be a lockout and a rookie slotting system. I'll bet the lockout is a major motivator.
I just heard on Fox Sports radio that there might be 75 juniors entering the draft this year.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:01 PM ^
Time for Turner and the rest of the boys to step their game up
December 20th, 2009 at 3:02 PM ^
ESPN's text: Dnvn 2 NFL. U shud cum 2 ESPN 4 more info.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:55 PM ^
UM's Dnvn Wrrn 2...[2 continue reading u must be n insider]
December 20th, 2009 at 3:03 PM ^
I wonder if he's making the right decision. Isn't he projected for the 3rd round? A bird in the hand, I suppose.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:10 PM ^
Losing juniors is not what we need right now and him leaving doesn't help. But I do wish him success in the pros, he's a great athlete and player.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:19 PM ^
I don't think this is a very good decision by Warren. I see this working out like it did for Shazor. Where is he now? I hope it works out well for him.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:42 PM ^
Well, at least Donovan isn't coming off of an absolutely terrible performance in the Rose Bowl. Shazor's pretty decent draft stock bottomed out after getting repeatedly torched by Texas. Just an atrocious game. Yet he went pro anyway.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:04 PM ^
I like Donovan a lot but I agree that there are some Shazor similarities. IMO Shazor had a better career yet he still needed that 4th year for some polishing. But good luck to Donovan, i'm hoping he gets a high draft pick and doesn't forget about UofM.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
I think Warren is a little bit raw, but I expect him to be a successful NFL player in a couple years. He has all the tools - speed, physicality, strength, size. Once he can get to the NFL and play in a system that doesn't change every 6 months or so, I think he'll flourish.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:36 PM ^
Facepalm.
Is Cullen Christian good enough to start opposite Turner next season? Seems like Turner and Woolfolk would be the probable starting duo, if Emilien can step into a starting safety role.
December 21st, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^
Did Cullen Christian commit?
/sarc
December 20th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^
... oh s---.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^
I wish I could "mess around" with the NFL. How bout getting some studs to step up immediately and shore up that porous secondary.
I don't think I've ever been more depressed with my sports teams than I am this year. Please Santa bring me something awesome this year.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:37 PM ^
Good luck to Donovan. Thanks for coming to Mich. Best of luck in the NFL and come back to get your degree.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:40 PM ^
Never again in a Michigan uniform will Donovan Warren crank that. I am a sad polar bear :(
December 20th, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
Justin Turner, Troy Woolfolk, Boubacar Cissoko, Cullen Christian, JT Floyd, Adrian Witty, Mount up...
December 20th, 2009 at 7:27 PM ^
It was a clear black night, a clear white moon.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
Warren, D. was on the streets...
December 21st, 2009 at 12:01 AM ^
Some footballs from the QB...
December 20th, 2009 at 3:52 PM ^
Was there some info out of the NFL, or some date, that triggered this? Donovan's enrollment for the next term?
["Denial" is always the first stage.]
December 20th, 2009 at 4:26 PM ^
"Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said the junior had asked the NFL Draft Advisory Board to project when he would be selected if chose to go pro. Warren says he was told he would be taken in the first or second round."
http://detnews.com/article/20091220/SPORTS0201/912200327/1131/U-M-s-War…
December 20th, 2009 at 4:39 PM ^
I knew that that was coming. But I wasn't sure how the Draft Advisory Board worked; whether it was strictly a matter of private communication between the Board and the draft prospects.
I wonder how many players that the Board can "project" in the first two rounds? The Board would lose credibility pretty quick if its projections were blown up. Does anybody track that?
December 20th, 2009 at 4:28 PM ^
I think the Sam Bradford injury has had an impact on many players' decision to leave early.
I also thought the NFL was considering a cap on rookie salaries after this year.
I wish him well.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:52 PM ^
guys who leave early always drop down a peg or two in my adoration. Despite the money, I don't see what the hurry is. Why give up eligibility when you have a chance to really cement your name in UM history. The Carters, Longs, Bradys, Edwards, Hennes etc. will always hold my favor over the Webbers, Roses, Manninghams, Hensons, etc. Few will ever be remembered as great pros, but they would always be remembered as great Wolverines.
I wish you well, Donovan. Go Blue!
December 20th, 2009 at 4:24 PM ^
Tripp Welborne, thats why guys leave early, I don't begrudge anyone leaving early because you never know whats coming on the next play...
Doesnt make it suck any less for UM though. Good luck Donovan I hope you have great success in the NFL.
Aug
December 20th, 2009 at 11:42 PM ^
And I remember him well. But, the players these days likely don't.
I agree with the statement that its more likely the Sam Bradford story. That had to get a lot of juniors thinking about the draft. Better to take a chance on a mid-level draft choice than get the career ending injury playing in a senior season.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:34 PM ^
So he should give up a realistic shot at millions of dollars to return and play another year for what projects to be, at best, a mediocre Michigan team, despite the risk of suffering a catastrophic injury that will end his pro career before he starts? And if he instead decides to do what is best for his and his family, rather than coming back to make your Michigan-viewing experience marginally better next year, he drops in your estimation? Mighty selfish of you.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:09 PM ^
that's why a lot of players do (or should) purchase it. i think he's giving up some bigger upside by not staying.
December 20th, 2009 at 7:06 PM ^
IIRC, it used to be a $3 million policy. I'm sure Donovan would qualify.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:39 PM ^
Looks like it's been increased to $5 million through the NCAA as of this year.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/05/12/insura…
December 20th, 2009 at 8:06 PM ^
don't worry about it
December 20th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
I liked how you left out Howard and Woodson from the leaving early list. Unless you forgot about them, it's kind of picking and choosing the players who that favoritism applies to. But I still agree on your main point. The part that makes me kind of angry is that he said he would be coming back. I don't understand why he would say that when he didn't intend to stick to his word.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:47 PM ^
"Angry"? He didn't "stick to his word"? Are you serious? He's a 20 year old kid who made the best decision for him and his family. He owes nothing to you. In any case, he never said he was coming back - he's always set he was going to consider the NFL, even if some of the Pollyannas on this board didn't take him seriously. And even if he had said he was coming back, what difference does it make to anyone if he changes his mind? It's not like the team avoided recruiting cornerbacks because they thought Warren was back for another year.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
I don't think he ever said he was definitely coming back. At least, I never saw that quote anywhere.
December 20th, 2009 at 7:07 PM ^
(The dinner, not the season.)
December 21st, 2009 at 1:07 AM ^
...then had to screw it up with the rest of it...
January 25th, 2010 at 12:28 AM ^
I guess "angry" wasn't the word I was looking for. Obviously he doesn't owe me anything and I didn't mean to make it sound that way. What I meant to say is that I had my hopes up that he would be staying after early reports I heard indicated he would probably stick around.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:02 PM ^
I am sure a number of players would play all four years if they could be guaranteed they would not be injured. But one bad play and millions can go out the window. Look at Bradford this year. He would have been the #1 draft pick last year. Now they are not sure if he will even be the first QB taken.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:07 PM ^
For a not insignificant number of players who come from poor families leaving earlier for the NFL means they can give a good life to their family an year earlier. That's nothing to be scoffed at. And of course the risk of your stock dropping, injury, etc.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
As disappointing as this is, I understand the decision. Because of the terrible depth he kept being asked to play like a Safety, and probably didn't want another season of that to affect his draft status. I hope he does well, but I hope even more that he reconsiders.
December 20th, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^
but I think we are still going to see an improvement in the secondary...
Justin Turner is a 5 star guy and will be in his second season.
JT Floyd will be a rs soph and hopefully can improve enough to be serviceable. If Cissoko can make it back, that would give us two third-year players to shore up that second position, plus a few good rookies to compete for playing time.
Woolfolk needs to go back to FS or we will be toast again.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:01 PM ^
I don't think he's ready personally, but I remember a few years ago Rich Rod was promising CB recruits that Warren would be 3 and out. So I guess he fulfilled his promise.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:17 PM ^
Good for him. While it hurts to see him leave early, he is probably making the best choice for himself and his future, and I'm not going to fault him for it. Another year playing a hybrid corner/safety on a bad defense probably doesn't look that appealing. I'll still cheer him on wherever he goes, and hopefully he can make it in the NFL.
Still, the DB cupboard doesn't look horrendously bare. Turner should be good, Cullen should be a nice addition, and Floyd and Wollfolk have proven to at least be competent. Will the secondary struggle next year? Sure. But here's hoping some continuity in the coaching staff will help to offset some of those struggles, including Warren's departure.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:42 PM ^
If you had a shot at your dream most of us would take it...and with the uncertainty in the NFL with the league/union it likely looks like the safer option at this point. If you were staring at potential NHL like rookie cap you would want to definitely get out before that came in. I agree the cupboard's not totally bare and hopefully one of the many DB's recruited will turn out to be an early dominant player.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:23 PM ^
The losses of Warren and Graham will hurt, but there should be enough improvement across the board to sustain the momentum gained by a strong performance against OSU. GERG needs to stay so that we aren't looking at four DC's in four years.
If that happens, they should be a pleasant surprise.