I think Obi Ezeh is going to have a good season...that's right, I said it!
******NOTE: The first half of this thread is meant to be humorous. Please read it as such. If you laugh, ponies will visit you in your sleep and bring you baskets of rainbows!*****
Hello Mgobloggers. I don't post a lot of threads in these parts, but all of this "impact player" and "season preview" and "Diet Dr. Pepper tastes like regular Dr. Pepper" talk has got me peeved. It seems that everyone out there is so infatuated with Jonas Mouton, yet, they forget (or at least ignore) the man who has been starting at middle linebacker for almost two seasons, Obi Ezeh.
Yes, I understand that you all think Mouton looked better than Ezeh at the end of last season, but honestly, how many of you would be saying that if it weren't for Brian's UFRs? None of you (except maybe Magnus) actually sits around and analyzes game film to see who was successful at their assignments. You have all piggybacked off of Brian's work to make it appear that you are smart. Unfortunately, we all know that you are not smart. Go sit in the corner of shame and hang your head in shame for a moment of silent shame, now.
Ok, I hope you feel better now that the burden is off of your chest.
My point is, Ezeh may not be the most athletic linebacker, but the last time I checked, your middle linebacker rarely is. His job is to eat up gargantuan, Beanie-sized runners and blockers that come up the middle. Ezeh has the ability to get that done this season. Fortunately for him, this season we play a lot of teams that specialize in sending Beanie-sized runners up the middle, so he will have plenty of opportunities to look good for the pretty ladies. He is going to have a great season.
In summary, Ezeh may not be an All-American, but he will be a damn-fine linebacker who deserves more credit than he is receiving. Stop comparing him to David Harris, few linebackers reach that plateau. Ezeh will absolutely be one of Michigan's best players this season. Appreciate him
August 11th, 2009 at 8:54 PM ^
"None of you (except maybe Magnus) actually sits around and analyzes game film to see who was successful at their assignments. You have all piggybacked off of Brian's work to make it appear that you are smart."
I'll take "Sweeping Generalizations" for 1000, Alex.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:56 PM ^
I apologize The Other Brian, you are actually smart and should in no way be grouped with the not smart folk. I gave you an apologetic +1
That emoticon is kind of awesome, btw
August 11th, 2009 at 8:56 PM ^
I didn't realize what a moron I am. I'm glad he told me.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:59 PM ^
I'm sorry that the line where I said shame three times wasn't enough of a hint that I was joking. If I hurt your feelings, I do apologize
August 11th, 2009 at 9:04 PM ^
Actually I was just being a little tounge in cheek there. BTW, you're right about Obi. Look for him to have a big year. I'm very comfortable with him at middle linebacker.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:55 PM ^
He better be, because we really need him to step up.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:16 PM ^
I'm a piggybacking son of a bitch ... Go Obi !
August 11th, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
I'd like to add gsimmons (who's been rather quiet) into the knowledgeable group.
I think your approach is a bit aggressive and can be perceived as off setting; but, I agree with the second part of your post.
(Edit: wasn't sure if you were joking. Now I see you were. )
The part about Ezeh. I (like everyone on this board) really want ezeh to have a strong year. I also happen to think he will have a good year.
.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
Initially this post was supposed to be totally serious, but then I added the line about Dr. Pepper and just couldn't help myself.
Many, many posters on this board are very intelligent. WolvinLA, ShockFX, GSimmons, The Other Brian, Magnus, chitown, Dex when he feels like it, the rest of the WLA, and all of you other guys who I haven't named but don't whine about being negged or make absurd claims about Tate being white Jesus as a true freshman. This is the best non-Pokemon-or-Sailor Moon-themed board on the webs, and I mean that.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:25 PM ^
I agree that Obi will be much improved this season, but I am still very much looking forward to seeing what Mouton will bring to the table this season. He was very reliable last season and I expect a step up in his production this year.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:32 PM ^
I really hope so. It will be very interesting if Brown has success after his position change, Mouton is as good as everyone hopes, and Ezeh makes his reads quicker and plays really well. Linebacker could go from one of our biggest question marks to one of our biggest strengths
August 11th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
I remember that he had a great game against Utah last year and I thought it was the making of a special season but he didn't have a perfomance like that the rest of the season. That being said though I think that he is going to have a pretty good season this year.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:48 PM ^
here's to hoping he is David Harris 2.0 this year
August 12th, 2009 at 1:25 AM ^
call me stupid, but i feel that i completely missed ur point. soooo, you are saying that because we based our past analysis of ezeh on ufr's that our findings are baseless. Its easy for somone to sit in the stadium and hear ezeh's name anounced repeatedly as the tackler and assume that hes having a good game. however, the ufr's give a true overview of his play. Despite whose efforts it was that afforded me my information, Ezeh's team leading tackles do not make up for his botched plays. stopping "beanie-sized" backs is not the sole responsibility of a mlb. but even if it was, i dont want somone who will squat 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and wait for the back to get to him to make the tackle. I want a mlb who will make quick reads and meet the pulling guard in the gap. i want the back to have to run over his own lineman or bounce it to the outside and get stuffed by our de's.
Ezeh did not have a good season last yr by any measure. Without improvement I would go as far to say that he would be the worst of our three lb's (behind S. Brown [based on personal expectation] and Mouton). I don't expect his pass coverage abilities being better than mediocre in the 2009 season. That being said, I hope he can make the mental adjustments needed to become an effective runstopper; however Im not nearly as optimistic as you. The strength of our DLine last yr should have been an ideal situation for a mlb, as he wasnt forced to face many blockers downfield. This season might be a different story, especially at times when we play a three man front.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:21 AM ^
Honestly, you got me. I'm one of those people expecting big things from Mouton this year, not because I actually witnessed his improvement over the course of the year, but because Brian and others told me it was so. I see a play and go "someone screwed up", while Brian and others pick them apart and tell us great unwashed masses what actually happened.
I'm one of those still developing my play-analyzing abilities (FWIW, I've learned more from UFR, GSimms, and SmartFootball than years of TV analysts and MSM journalists. Just one of the many reasons to appreciate the emergence of the blogosphere.)
I do have high hopes for all the LBs this year, and I think they will be the glue that holds this defense together.
And yes, I did hang my head in silent shame.