Since we'll have three down linemen this year (with Roh sometime putting his hand in the dirt), the optimal configuration of linemen would be Van Bergen, Martin, and Campbell/Sagesse. But you probably already know that. Patterson and Banks have "emerged" as senior leaders this year and will probably be the predominant backups, which doesn't leave Lalota many opportunities to see the field unless he blows up in the fall practices.
I'm hoping he's made some strides and got a bit bigger so he can be a contributor this year. I have high hopes for Anthony. Also, is it out of the realm of possibility that he could eventually make the move to OL?
Also with the potentially large class of OL that Michigan will be bringing in next year and the Red-shirt Freshman tearing it up in spring practice I would rather have the depth at DL than someone in the 3-deep on the OL.
Came in smaller than expected and raw, and has looked decent in practice so far. It could be another year before he is ready to be a major contributor.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
Indeed. He should see the field a lot next year.
In this defense he is most likely to end up at one of the umpteen safety spots.
1-1-9
Campbell(run)/ Martin (pass)
Roh
Everyone else
I loved when Belicheck used this against the Colts late in the 4th quarter in the mid 2000s. And sometimes the lineman would actually get to Peyton because the O-line were too confused.
There's been quite a bit of talk about Lalota on the premium sites. Nothing earth shattering. He was injured for the start of spring practice, so there hasn't been much time for him to show what he can do, but from what I've read he's been solid (as a backup). Patterson has NOT emerged as a solid backup, so I'm not quite sure what DGDestroys was talking about there (no offense DG), but Banks definitely has. In fact, from what I've heard Banks could be a starter if not for Mike Martin just being amazing. Will Heininger was the primary backup behind Van Bergen, but with him getting injured, Lalota has seen all of the second team reps at that spot. He's been fairly solid for a backup but he's nothing spectacular at the moment. This shouldn't discourage anyone though, as he's just a redshirt freshman who was very raw to begin with. He had only played football for one or two years before coming to college. He should be a pretty good player for us in the future, but right now he's pretty up and down as a backup that's just seeing his first real time getting reps.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^
Witht the depth we have on the defensive line this year I wouldn't expect him to do much. The guy still has a lot of potential and I will expect him to start down the line.
April 10th, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
Lalota came in nowhere near the 6'6" 250 lb. that the recruiting websites had him listed at. I believe he had significant elbow/shoulder injuries. He definately needs time to physically mature.
Banks is becoming a very good backup to RVB. Big Will is in fact big and makes plays strictly because of his size even if the techniques are raw. Sagesse can fill in behind Will. Martin is an animal, altough a short one. Simply due to being older and physically more ready Watson likely plays more than Lalota. Same with Patterson, who wows you briefly then disappoints.
a while now and has put on some nice weight. He's up to 263lbs, which is not small for a college rush end. Its not big either, but he seems to be progressing well and was always seen as a high ceiling prospect that needed lots of work.
http://mgoblog.com/content/spring-roster-overanalysis
April 10th, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^
C'mon, say it with me...LA-LO-TA...!!
Don't know if will ever beat "I...AM...KIROK!", but hey...
April 10th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
He'll probably replace RVB when he graduates; patience is in order.
In the future he should play. Maybe not this year, but he should be a solid player at the DE position by the time he is an upperclassman.
People sure are quick to get upset when they haven't heard new about second year players. Before MGoBlog, I didn't know the names of half the second year players on the team, especially the ones who redshirted their first year. He came in small and raw, and he's being coached up. Also, the people ahead of him were starters last year, and will be returning for 2011 too. We might not hear a lot from him until then, but that's OK.
In a perfect world would we care much about 2nd year players other than depth? If the cupboard hadn't been so empty a lot of these guys would just be known as future studs that are playing behind current studs.
I think that it's a good thing when the 2nd year guys start being under the radar...except on the blog sites.
...exactly. I really don't get this attitude that unless our players are contributing starters as freshmen than there's something wrong. That if they redshirt, then something's wrong. That if they don't play a big role their redshirt freshman or sophomore years, then something's wrong. Not everyone needs to be a shooting star.
[ed. Meant as a reply to WolvinLA2.]