Herron? M. Jones?
WLB starter was true freshman Morgan, with Hawthorne getting legit time too.
But I never saw Herron, or even M. Jones at all.
Injured? Special teams? Suspended?
Any insight?
And before anyone gets all uppity on me, no, I didn't dig through the in-game posts to see if this was discussed....
September 11th, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^
Hawthorne had to lock down a spot after last night. He is a monster on the pass rush.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
No clue, but i want to see more of Hawthorne.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
Seemed like Hawthorne deserved to be out there. That's all I got. We sure do love substitutions, though, so I guess it's a surprise to not see everyone out there.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:27 PM ^
injured
September 11th, 2011 at 12:29 PM ^
Coaches probably came to the same conclusion as Brian: Herron had some big plays but was largely out of position and made lots of errors during the Western game. Brian's UFR graded him out pretty poorly; the big plays were basically just being in the right place at the right time. Obviously I don't want to take anything away from that, because being in the right place at the right time is crucial, but it doesn't excuse the otherwise poor linebacker play.
I have no idea about M. Jones. Starting Desmond Morgan really worries me, true freshman and all. ESPN pointed quite clearly that in one of the first running plays, Morgan was just almost in the right position and should have stuffed the run, but just couldn't do it and Wood broke free. I don't think he is quite ready for the strength and speed of the college game to be a full time starter or anything.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:30 PM ^
...or Herron got injured last week.
I don't think Morgan's ready, either, but strength isn't really the issue. He's bigger than the other weakside linebackers.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^
I didn't mean his (Morgan's) strength, I meant the strength of the opposing team. It seemed to me he just wasn't ready to taking down a bursting back like Wood. On that play, it seemed like Morgan was making an arm tackle (a little bit better than an arm tackle, but nothing like a form tackle) and Wood just shrugged it off. He'll get better obviously as he adjusts to the college game, but unfortunately he didn't get the chance to get used to the game in garbage time reps and was thrown out there in a starting role.
September 11th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
morgan got victimized by ND early. he did not look like he was ready at all to be on a college football field.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:28 PM ^
Love me some number 7. He'a getcha.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:28 PM ^
the UFR may show some mistakes I didn't see, but what I did see was him flying all over the place, hitting people and just being an animal...still remember one play where he came on a blitz and just LAUNCHED himself at Rees...it was glorious
September 11th, 2011 at 12:30 PM ^
Play Jake Ryan more, he has a nack for making big plays. There was an awesome stop he made on third and short running around the defensive line to make the tackle.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
He played a lot.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:34 PM ^
I really like Jake Ryan and Brandin Hawthorne - a linebacker wearing #7 just looks awesome
September 11th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
Speaking of disappearing players, I think Roh must have mono. That's the only way his disappearance makes any sense.
September 11th, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
I agree 100%, I wonder what has happened to him. He was a very impressive freshman, but keeps fading for some reason.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^
Hawthorne concerns me being 200 lbs soaking wet. He did play great last night though, sign me up.
September 11th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
Hawthorne's significantly bigger than 200 lbs.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
He's listed at 214 and looks 220 to me.
September 11th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^
He lists out at 214 on the roster....
September 11th, 2011 at 1:06 PM ^
Hawthorne was the defensive MVP (or at least one of them) last night, as far as I am concerned. He was flying all over the field. I'm very glad that Hoke moved him back to his rightful position.
September 11th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^
According to the player participation release, Herron didn't play at all, while Jones did play but only on special teams.
September 11th, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^
That's why Ryan wasn't on the field (he's a run stopper or "traditional" down player...not a "and long" player)
People are on Morgan, but it was the kids first start and first signifcant PT...he's a freshman playing in what will likely be one of the 5 biggest games he'll ever play in...in his FIRST game.
Hawthorne was amazing. Don't care if the UFR tells me otherwise.
Marvin Robinson needs to stop being treated like he's Ed Reed. If anyone needs to be the run stopper/traditional down player it's him, not Ryan. We started the game in a 4-2-5 with Gordon, Kovacs and Robinson on the field. We used that package a lot during the game...IMO, we need to change that to Woolkfolk, Avery and Floyd (or Countess) on the field with Gordon and Kovacs.
If not that, play Tony Anderson or Carvin Johnson as the 5th DB...someone who can cover better than M-Rob. Robinson should be blitzing and stopping the run, that's it.
I'm surprised Mike Jones hasn't played more this season, he seems to be bouncing between WLB and MLB. I'd like to see Jones/Hawthorne at WLB, Demens/Fitz in the middle, C. Gordon/Ryan at SLB and Herron/Evans as the situational utility LBs as they can play all 3 spots. I hope both Beyer and Morgan can still redshirt.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
Interesing.
Thoughts.
And anaylsis.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
Both Beyer and Morgan have played this year, so unless you are hoping for an injury, the redshirt isn't happening for them.
September 12th, 2011 at 10:23 AM ^
Back problems...*wink* *wink*
I really don't know why Beyer played, because physically as a RS senior, he could be really special. Morgan is already big enough, and I don't think he has the ceiling Beyer has AND we're bringing in 19 LBs in this class. So I take back what I said on Morgan, I'm glad he's playing. But Beyer could be a nice WDE 4 years from now.
September 11th, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
was really impressive. I also think Ryan might have locked up the SAM as well.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
Let's wait until Cam hits the field. He was supposedly one of the better guys in fall camp. He was ahead of Ryan on the depth chart, so Mattison must think he's pretty good.
September 12th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
Hoke still called Gordon the starter over Ryan after the WMU game...even without him playing at all. We'll see if that holds true as Ryan seemed to have another strong game vs. ND.
September 11th, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^
The one play on 3rd and short where he shot through the line and wrapped up Wood was amazing! That was the play of the game for me. Hawthorne looks to moving at a faster speed, and really looks like a player to the naked eye.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Did Carvin play? I swore I saw him in street clothes on the side line????
September 11th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
He played on special teams.
September 11th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
I wonder if Hawthorne was injured last week vs. WMU? My hunch is he's fully recovered from his ankle tweak during camp based on his performance. Mattison had decent praise for him during camp. I think he played his way well ahead of Morgan, Beyer, and Jones in this game.
When Gordon returns we have 4 good options at LB with Gordon, Hawthorne, Ryan, and Demens.
September 12th, 2011 at 2:07 AM ^
My seats are in section 1 right next to the tunnel...Herron was visably limping as the team ran up the tunnel during warm ups. It looked worse at the end of the game...Cam is legit hurt....pinched nerve is what I am guessing...Jake Ryan is much better than I could hope for out of a redshirt WLB....Byer to green, but give him time....Hawthorne is quick, but will get pummeled against MSU...NEB...OSU...2 more years boys....need the bodies...need the talent...not there yet.