Lucky Socks

July 26th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^

Expectations are mild for this team, and that's probably good considering the last few years. Linebacker is defintely the deepest.  But we really have solid depth and talent at every position this season.  Lots of guys in their third or fourth year in the program too.  

I'm looking forward to the main page article where they compare last year to this years team in terms of what positions project to be better, the same, or worse.  Honestly, LT and RT (maybe #2 WR too) are the only positions I can see being worse.  And I'll be cautiously optimistic that lots of competition, and a few guys who are in their third year in the program* can emerge to be above-average players by the meat of the schedule.  

*I think it's been proven in a diary or something, but I think there's something about the third year in the program.  Physically and mentally, it's when I expect that the light bulb might turn on for a lot of guys - with or without game experience.

I'm cautiously optimistic about this season.

Double-D

July 26th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^

I agree with you on your position assessment. On D my only concern is losing Gordon but I would not be surprised to see Peppers end up there and we are end up stronger on every position on D. I also expect the O- line to play better overall despite our LT/RT losses. I think the scheme changes and growth on the inside will allow the unit to be more cohesive. I am expecting this team is going have a great season and surprise the doubters.

alum96

July 26th, 2014 at 10:42 PM ^

Add the second safety to that list - Cam Gordon was a loss.

TE is also downgraded; last year we started with Funchess and a young Butt.  This year it is AJ Williams and a converted DE.  No offense to those guys but they are not Funchess (granted who blocked horribly) or Butt.  Even if Butt comes back this year I expect a 2013 Jake Ryan version, like 80% of his old self.

So year over year I'd say the defense should improve across the board except for 1 safety and maybe 1 DT.  This assumes Beyer can handle the position at 256 or whatever he is.

The offense the 2 tackles, and #2 WR definitely and jury is out on RBs.  No one knows what we have right now and unless the OL makes some strides the RBs wont be allowed to shine.

wolverinebutt

July 26th, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^

I'm hoping this D unit will look like a Michigan D of old. 

Tough, physical, gang tackling, force the O into mistakes, pin the O back near their goal line, etc. Teams like Air Force and UCONN should go backwards against a real Michigan D. 

Something else about depth at LB.  The LB's should play like demons on special teams.  They should have experience on special teams and know their special team play matters to the team.   

    

Magnum P.I.

July 26th, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^

There're a lot bodies there with four stars after their names on Rivals. I'd hold off on calling that unit the best in the Big Ten, though, until they show consistently good play on the field.

Double-D

July 26th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^

I still believe It though and they are going to get a huge assist from our D-line. I think the depth on the D-line now as well is tremendous and I am expecting PIp and Henry to have very strong seasons to clear the way.

LSAClassOf2000

July 26th, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^

While Ross is a sound tackler with solid athleticism, he's a bit on the slim side at 227 pounds. In the past, Mattison has used Ryan (and often Beyer and Cam Gordon in this spot) and put them on the line in pass-rush situations to help get pressure on the quarterback.

It might be just me, but I sort of like the idea of Ross as an SLB in the 4-3 Over that they are supposedly going to run here with Ryan handling things up the middle. As I understand it, you basically look to the MLB in the 4-3 Over to stop inside plays with a secondary responsibility to scrape to the outside when needed. I can see Ryan excelling in such a situation. In pass defense, I think you want your best LB on short to midrange stuff too. To me, this theoretically sets up well. 

unWavering

July 26th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^

I just got done watching the highlights from last year's version of The Game.  It gave me a lot of hope for this season.  We were evenly matched with a team that had won 23 straight games, even with our broken offensive line.  We lost less key players than they did.

We know what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders, which Nussmeier will hopefully help us do more often.  Our defense will be among the best in the conference.  None of this is revolutionary perspective, but if our offensive line becomes even serviceable, we have a stable of talented backs and recievers that can make this offense very dangerous as well, not to mention a pretty decent QB.  Fix our offensive line, and we have a contender for the Big Ten title, and an outside shot at being a contender for a national title.

The problem being, fixing our offensive line is easier said than done.  But if we have a pretty decent season this year (9+ wins in the regular season), that will be a huge springboard for next year, when our roster should be loaded and deep nearly everywhere, along with an experienced and veteran offensive line.  The future is bright, my friends.

UofM626

July 26th, 2014 at 4:10 PM ^

That our team is going to surprise people alot. The D will be solid as long as we get pressure, and the O will be solid if the line can block. Simple formula boys - win inside out gentlemen

Double-D

July 26th, 2014 at 4:18 PM ^

be one of the top 2-3 backers right now and the best over his career. His size, athleticism, and play last year as a frosh was very impressive. I also really like Joe B's game and keep wishing he was a RS Soph right now. I have so much confidence in this D. CB development is going to be key. I love the way Ray T hits but he can't get beat deep anymore. The competition now at that position should solve that problem.

Double-D

July 26th, 2014 at 6:49 PM ^

I love what J Gallon brought to the team with his routes, hands, yac and leadership. I think he may have a fine NFL career. I do however believe we have much more depth and talent at WR this fall and by the time Big Ten play starts it will be a strength on the team.

BlueKoj

July 28th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^

I don't think anyone will replace Gallon. Funchess has some physical gifts that JG didn't, but Gallon made a lot of plays, in every situation, with very few drops. So, the #1 spot is likely downgraded, IMO. I think the #2 position might be upgraded, but will likely be a wash. I hope Freddy is the #3 we all hype him to be. If so, he may be a more physically gifted Dileo. Dileo wasn't used so much especially when hurt, but when healthy and when targeted, he made the catch and usually for a first down (often in critical situaitons).

I agree the depth of talent is there -- and better. There are too many unknowns for me to think that Gallon/Dileo's ability to "make the damn catch" in all the toughest situations they did will be replaced. Funchess' history makes me think he has a long way to go to be that player...though, I do think he'll light up some games, and has a chance to be a dominant #1.

Very excited for Darboh, Chesson and Freddy...and Funchess has a chance to be great...so I hope you're right.

Double-D

July 26th, 2014 at 4:44 PM ^

but I'm hoping Jake can return close to form. I think the talent on the line is too good for them to be that bad. It has to be mostly scheme with some of it lack of experience. They will be better. I also think we have a couple of horses to run the ball that are in the best shape of their lives and now get the college game.

Wolfman

July 27th, 2014 at 1:20 AM ^

and not only for the lack of negativity in regard to the OL. I also see a much improved unit this season for the reasons you pointed out in addition to one more thing that in the past few days has really become apparent.  This team, as a whole, is getting a lot stronger.

The photos flying all over the UM sites show a team that has drasitcally changed its look and I'm talking about its physical look, not its on-field performance.  The photo of Green is probably the most glaring example of a player that certainly has an understanding of what is needed to stand out at this level and along with his h.s. ranking, it's not a surprise he was willing to put in the work to improve his odds at enjoying a much better season.  Inasmuch as the majority of the OL was rated in the upper tier of their respective position(s) while in h.s. as well have donated countless hours, both in gaining strength, technique and an overall greater understanding of their requirements in both the running and passing game. 

And just as impressive as the competition is at lber and db, so too is it becoming congested in the backfield and even at qb. If Devin wants to continue to lock on to one receiver or not place that invisible clock in his head and get outside the tackle box, I have no doubt Nuss will not hesitate to pull him.  Based on what we've read attributed to the team, Freddy already runs better routes than Devin. Couple that with his speed, and he should be every bit as useful to our qb as is Devin, granted the physical mismatches compensate for a lot. Point being a team with more experience, more talent and depth, along with far easier to understand job descriptions should, logically, be drastically improved.  Add all that to what has to be one of the largest collective shoulder chips in cfb, and we should begin enjoying this season from game one right on through the bowl game.  

MaximusBlue

July 27th, 2014 at 8:09 AM ^

A lot of talented depth. Some unproven but our projected starters of Morgan, Ross, and Ryan have played a lot of snaps. Even backup guys like Bolden have logged a lot of snaps. Gedeon looked good at the end of the year. And by all accounts RJS has finally turned the corner. Looking like a real position of strength going forward.