Maurice Hurst, Henry Poggi, and Dymonte Thomas Good News

Submitted by MJ14 on

But now, as bowl practice rages on, Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison believes Thomas is turning a corner.

"The thing with Dymonte, you can put him at a position now (and leave him there)," Mattison said this week. "We've worked him a lot at nickel, and he came (Tuesday) with blitz, and we were like 'wow, that's what we're looking for.'

"For him, it's important to settle in at one position and just become as good as he can be right there."

Link to story: http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/12/michigans_dymonte_tho…

Sounds like Dymonte is settling in at NB and might get a chance to play some more downs in the bowl game. If nothing else, he's really progressing and learning and should be ready for next year. 

"Both (of them) are going to be guys who contribute in a big way," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. "Mo, I think he's won the scout team player (of the week) three or four times. Henry's won it a couple times.

The article talks more about how Poggi and Henry are playing great in bowl practice. It also includes this little bit of information about Poggi:

"This poor guy, he had two months where he couldn't do anything, and then he hurt his shoulder after that," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said of Poggi. "All of a sudden, now, he's healthy. And the things we saw when we recruited him, you're seeing on the field.

I had no idea Poggi was injured for a while. It's good to hear he's healthy now. Here's the link to the article: http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/12/michigan_dts_henry_po…

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Good News

Rabbit21

December 27th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^

If any of this is true(and it could be), the reaction is getting dangerously close to thought police territory. A young guy saying stupid shit is not news, even if the content is not what you'd prefer it to be. He'll grow up, and frankly being surrounded by black teammates will help the process along much more than being sentenced to a "diversity seminar" would.

Joined: 11/12/2009

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VII

December 27th, 2013 at 1:12 AM ^

Ur dumb, why would someone show the video? That causes it go viral, A) show coach have the kids disciplined, B) get it to espn or cnn and get compensation only dumbasses would release it on a blog site

Joined: 08/08/2013

MGoPoints: 26

no joke its hoke

December 26th, 2013 at 11:42 PM ^

I enjoy hearing these kind of things, but I don't buy it till I see it game in game out. I've heard more hype about some of our players that never pan out that I don't put much stock in this stuff.

Joined: 01/13/2011

MGoPoints: 3453

Perkis-Size Me

December 27th, 2013 at 12:09 AM ^

At this point I'd rather not bother burning Poggi's redshirt. He might be the real deal, but I'd feel better knowing that we didn't burn his redshirt for a few potentially (in the grand scheme) meaningless snaps.

I know Poggi wants to get on the field regardless, but I'd like to know we potentially get 4 more years of him versus 3.

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105681

Woodson4president

December 27th, 2013 at 1:14 AM ^

I know a little off topic, but has there been any talks about taco transferring or was that just made up from the start? Or was Taco legitimately thinking or still is thinking about a transfer?  

 

Joined: 08/21/2013

MGoPoints: 4

Term

December 27th, 2013 at 1:17 AM ^

Holy shit!! I saw only their names in the title had almost had a heart attack. My immediate thought went to 'transfer'. Good to hear that some of the more highly touted freshman are starting to accelerate their learning curve. Gotta expect some big things outta Thomas next year with the lack if safety depth, and you can never have too much DL depth

Joined: 01/05/2012

MGoPoints: 832

LSAClassOf2000

December 27th, 2013 at 6:26 AM ^

I know that Greg Mattison was high on Dymonte Thomas at the beginning of the season and that the nickel was more or less how they wanted to use him even then. It's good to hear that he is settling in and they are even more confident about his future there. This, of course, is something you really like to hear about players from their coaches:

"His attitude is just tremendous," Mattison continued. "He comes out every day trying to (get better).

Joined: 01/07/2011

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Walter E. Kurtz

December 27th, 2013 at 7:38 AM ^

Glad to hear that the younger players seem to be progressing in practice.  However, like most of the comments here I'd like to reserve my excitment until I see it translate onto the playing field.  Nevertheless, the old adage is that you play like you practice, so maybe we have something here.

Joined: 10/30/2013

MGoPoints: 971

Leonhall

December 27th, 2013 at 7:54 AM ^

I think comments like these are primarily for the players themselves, sure they are probably doing well, but we hear these in the fall camp too. I thought for sure Dymonte would get more PT based off Greg's comments in August. There is no question that we need to get more athletic in the defensive backfield. If Jabrill and Dymonte can show some consistency in practice and not just outstanding athletic players every so offten, it would help our ENTIRE defense. As far as Poggi and Hurst? This team is in DESPARATE neeed for a interior d-lineman to command an immediate double team. That would help Taco and Frank immensely. Like others have stated, I want to see it on the field before I get too excited. But things like this get you feeling good about team 135. Competition makes EVERYONE better.

Joined: 06/14/2012

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