Freshman safeties/linebackers
There's an interview from Tony Gibson on Rivals:
On Mike Jones: "Mike is a big safety that we'll probably end up moving down [to linebacker].
On Isaiah Bell: "He's a physical kid, big enough that he could move down to linebacker if need be."
Obviously, the season isn't here yet, and anything could happen. But as I've said all along, I expect that Jones will be an OLB and Bell will stay at safety. In my opinion, Bell's ball skills are too good to put him at linebacker. But whether it's at linebacker or safety, I'm looking forward to seeing Bell on the field. I think he's going to be a good one.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:37 AM ^
Bell seems to be the perfect candidate to occasionally bring up in the box or on a timed blitz.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
I believe will be the determining factor whether or not Bell remain at the safety position. However if he can become our version of Taylor Mays...the ss position could become very entertaining to watch again.
February 6th, 2009 at 12:02 PM ^
The offseason always brings dreams of strong safety play...
February 6th, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
I spend the dawg days dreaming of Marcus Ray's play at ss...sigh!
Life simply isn't fair...when talking about ss play involving Michigan.
February 6th, 2009 at 12:11 PM ^
It seems that so many people question whether or not a freshman safety with no game experience is better than an upperclass Stevie Brown. Physical skills are just that, and the decision-making is certainly the bigger factor. Now with that being said, Brown's decision-making simply hasn't improved and things must change at both positions.
But I think the real red flag when it comes to freshman at key positions, like safety and quarterback, is the potential weakness they pose to opposing coaches. Tressel, for one, is good at exploiting a defensive freshman's inexperience and staying one step ahead of their anticipation.
I'm all for starting the kids back there if they tackle, instinctively follow the right angles, etc... but I think it goes without saying that a less experienced, or -gulp- freshman safety becomes part of the opposing team's game plan in ways that a veteran player would not.
I don't think we'll see Ike or Vlad back there this year... but hope they emerge as soon as possible.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
I don't think anyone's suggesting that they'll be major contributors this year.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:54 PM ^
A light in his head could miraculously go off and he could just finally "get it" at safety. I hope that happens because I want to see him succeed!
February 6th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
Not to be a nitpicker, but wouldn't the light come on??? We already know the light is off, but we wouldn't want it to go off twice.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:13 PM ^
yes, I didn't phrase it right. A light is off and I want the light to go ON! Thanks for point out my mistake. Obviously the light was off in my head as well.
Just call me the Stevie Brown of MGOBLOG posters.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^
No, you were right the first time. One of those situations where the person in question is blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche. Er, deuce.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^
Nah, it'll go off. It's one of those allegory of the cave-type lights. It's so bright and he can't see. Hence all the bad pursuit angles and lousy coverage.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:23 PM ^
Mama always told me not to look into the eye's of the sun.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:04 PM ^
that's where the fun is