Ferrara possibly back to DT
August 20th, 2009 at 11:39 PM ^
"how can't the coaching staff not make this move", I don't think that is what you mean...
August 20th, 2009 at 11:51 PM ^
Good point... maybe it proves my confusion over whether it's a good or bad move
August 20th, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
This was already posted awhile back. Under a different title mind you so I can see how you missed it.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/rr-press-conference-notes-freep
August 20th, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
if injuries or incompetence lead him to meaningful snaps on the DL, isn't the season already done? If his upside is higher on the OL, it makes sense to leave him there.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:49 PM ^
Or, if he sees time at Guard (in front of Schilling or Moosman) we are as equally screwed.
So, make the move for depth. Or keep him for a possible start at guard next year as a fifth year in Moosman's spot
August 21st, 2009 at 6:55 AM ^
Michigan's running game improved in the second half of last year.
That coincided with when Ferrara won the starting job at LG.
So...basically, it's the opposite of what you said - we'd be just fine.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:14 AM ^
which I don't know the answer to... was Ferrara a good d-line player or prospect before he moved? We don't (yet) need just a warm body on the d-line, we can always move him later after injury.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:39 AM ^
He earned PT as a redshirt freshman. He didn't make a lot of plays, but he wasn't a huge liability. That was the only chance we had to see him before he switched to OL last year.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:42 AM ^
I'm getting negged for this comment, so apparently nobody remembers how our offensive line improved as the year went. I guess that was a figment of my imagination (and Brian's and John Borton's and Everyone Else Who Paid Attention's)...
August 21st, 2009 at 9:14 AM ^
Sometimes the mob is wrong Magnus. But I do agree with you but I don't know if it had more to do with Ferrara or just more experience along the line/gelling/whatever. But I think that if he played it wouldn't be OMG DEATH like if someone important got hurt (I'm not even going to name names because I don't want to jinx anyone)
August 21st, 2009 at 9:20 AM ^
Yeah, I'm not saying Ferrara was the reason. I'm just saying that if the offensive line in the second half of the 2008 season was a reason for optimism, then you can't say Ferrara = death.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:46 PM ^
for Ferrara having to move back after spending so much time learning a new position, but I think it's probably best for the team.
BTW, this was discussed in another thread earlier today. It just wasn't included in the title. Beware those who might get rankled.
Edit: someone already beat me to it.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:56 PM ^
I am not rankled or anything, just letting the OP know. I have done the same thing a couple of times and have seen the negative reaction over such an offense. I hoped to let him know without being a dick about it.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:31 AM ^
I actually thought I'd be the first to respond, so I didn't even see your post.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:18 AM ^
There were some good points mad in this thread a few weeks ago.
http://mgoblog.com/content/questions-about-john-ferrara-and-his-position
August 21st, 2009 at 9:21 AM ^
"...I just (think) he (will) have a better chance at seeing the field again if he were to switch back. It's possible that he may never play another meaningful down if he stays on offense (although I hope he does win a spot, because it was a very unselfish thing he did last year). It seems if he switched back to D he would certainly get some serious playing time. I mean Carson Butler was on the field at DE at the end of last season (I know, different coordinator, system, etc.) I've also heard that defensive line, particularly DT, is the easiest position to learn. Not sure if this is true, but Mike Martin was doing pretty well as a true freshman last year (again different system, etc.)"
August 21st, 2009 at 9:49 AM ^
If Martin switched back to DT, he would probably move no higher than third on the depth chart. There's only one true DT on the field at most times, and Martin and Sagesse would both almost surely be ahead of him. So he'd be fighting with Campbell to be the third guy on the field.
It's possible that he could play Van Bergen's position in some packages, but he's not really a guy you want setting the edge. He doesn't have the speed or agility to do that, in my opinion.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:47 AM ^
I have to feel bad for him to be jerked around so much, but I bet he just wants to play.
Personally, I always thought he had a lot more potential at guard. At D tackle he seemed to lack the quickness to penetrate like Mike Martin and that strength/bulk to overpower/run stuff like Alan Branch.
I did think he had great body control, though, which would serve him well in those complex reach blocks and such.
Oh well, either way he was probably destined to be a career backup, but I hope he sees some time.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^
but Ferrara is one of my favorite players.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^
I feel bad for Ferrara that he may be asked to move back to defense. However, I guess playing on both sides of the ball during his college football career couldn't hurt his chances of playing in the NFL.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:18 PM ^
Well that is unless it prevents him from truly developing at either position and he is merely mediocre at both instead of good at one.