Mid-Season Awards

For the big hit, I believe it was RVB who hit Persa right after he released the ball.  It looked pretty brutal.  The Kovacs hit didn't even get Persa to the ground.  He may have made Fitzgerald have a Dantonio though...

Defensive MVP:
Martin. Kovacs has been very good, but no one has made as big of an impact as Mike Martin.

Offensive MVP:
Denard, although Hemingway is a close 2nd.

ST MVP:
Gibbons!!!

Best Newcomer:
Jake Ryan, for locking down a starting spot. Countess has looked very good though, especially lately. His PBU last game was terrific. You could also make an argument for Hawthorne or Fitz.

What stands out to me is how difficult it is to pick a single player as the clear cut defensive MVP. In my opinion, Kovacs, Martin, RVB, Grodon, and Floyd are all about equal with the rest playing not far behind. I don't know whether it's a product of the coaches (probably), but this defense seems to truly play as a unit. 

I really like Countess.  That long pass last night was just a perfect throw and catch.  He had great coverage on that play.  Despite getting "burned" on that one, he kept his head in the game and made some more big plays in the second half.   He has helped shore up a questionable back field.  Looks like he is going to have a great future here.

I'd go Kovacs on defense, with Martin a close second.  Offense it's Denard with Lewan/Molk close behind.  Newcomer I'd go with healthy Toussaint.  For actual freshmen, I like Countess.

Here is a tough one...who has made the better adjustments at half time?  Mattison or Gorgeous Al?  Both are tearing it up.  our guys were like a hole different team in the second half last night.

Vincent Smith deserves a shout out.  

JT Floyd is my defensive MVP.... or better yet hes my most improved. He honestly has been shut down this entire year. 

has to get some major credit for being solid and dependable (and the lack of penalties is huge.)

I think best newcomer would have to be Countess. Ryan's been great but he's also blown a good number of plays. I haven't see Countess (a true freshman), get victimized on a single play so far where he made a mistake

Best hit is definitely Kovacs vs. Carder, no question in my mind. It was great because it set the tone for a defense that still gives up a lot of yards but finds a way to make huge plays when it counts.

Vincent Smith doesn't even get a nomination? He's been as solid as any one else on that team IMO

Most improved player of the year.

Offense:  Mark huyge

Defense: JT Floyd

Special Teams: Brendan Gibbons

Here's mine...

Offensive MVP:
Denard Robinson --- He puts so much pressure on the defense and has made so many big plays this year.
Others: Hemingway, Toussaint, Lewan, Molk

Defensive MVP:
Mike Martin --- People don't realize what he does in the middle. Much like Rob Renes back in the day. But he controls the LOS better than anyone we've had since Renes. Including Watson, Branch and Taylor.
Others: Kovacs, Van Bergen, Gordon, Ryan

Special Teams:
Matt Wile --- Done a great job as a true freshman

Newcomer:
Blake Countess --- The kid is going to be the next great thing at Michigan. He can flat out PLAY. He's going to be a star at the CB position:

Most Improved:
Jeremy Gallon --- People make a lot about us getting Gallon the ball and his catching...I think he's improved more in other areas. #1 He can actually field a punt. #2 His blocking his TREMENDOUS!* #3 His route running has gotten so much better.
Others: Ryan, Gardner, Campbell, Schofield

My award winners:

Offensive MVP: 

Denard Robinson- Pretty obvious this kid makes so many plays, and has shown he is willing to do anything Borges asks with all the new formations.

Defensive MVP:

Mike Martin- Almost always eating 2 blockers and freeing up others to make big plays. 

Special Teams MVP:

Brandon Gibbons- Has made all but one PAT's and been much better on field goals since last season.

Best Hit:

Going off the board here... How about the 4th down stop last night by Kovacs? Great open field tackle.  NW was in about to really take control of the game if not for that stop.

I can't believe he doesn't even get a nomination... Maybe not defensive MVP, but he's been solid and at least deserves a mention

Most improved on offense is definitetly Jeremy Gallon. Best route runner on the team... there so crisp and deceptive. He has great hands. Hes like a slower version of steve smith like a 4.45 forty steve smith which is still fast. And hes got moves!!!

Offensive MVP: Denard. Easy. While I really like to see JR catch the jump ball, Denard's production is unmatched.



Defensive MVP: Kovacs. The huge hits and crucial 3rd/4th down stops are a big plus.



Special Teams MVP: Gallon. No muffs!



Tough as Nails Award: Woolfolk. Man is this kid tough. Almost averaging an injury a game but still busts his butt every play.



Most Improved: Big Will. Great to see him getting PT and contributing. Hope he keeps working hard.

Defensive MVP - Definitely Kovacs.  I've been really dissapointed by both Demens and Martin this year, both of which I thought would be the top two guys.  Kovacs keeps stepping up and is having another really good year, and he definitely deserves the midseason defensive MVP.

Offensive MVP - Borges (can he count?).  I've been impressed with Borges's play calling all year. We are still perfect in the red zone (I believe), and the credit there has to go to Coach Borges.  Denard has also looked good, but those darn turnover are driving me crazy.  Player-wise, he deserves the offensive MVP for the team.

Special Teams MVP - Wile. Those pnts kept getting better and better.  I was expecting our punt game to be a disaster with Hagerup out, but the true freshman did quite well.

Best new comer - Jake Ryan.  He has quickly become my favorite player on the field.  He can hit, and brings it every play. 

Best hit - BWC big hit on Persa vs. Northwestern.

In my opinion there's really no argument for anyone as Offensive MVP than Robinson. He has carried this team and impacted games (Yes good and bad) in ways no one else has. My two cents.

D MVP- Kovacs. He's the best tackler on the team and he has helped lead the secondary's turnaround.

O MVP- Hemingway. When it comes down to it, he's been huge in the games that matter in winnning those jump balls. It's a shame he hasn't got more catches.

ST MVP- Wile. Gallon is doing an infinitely better job of fielding punts but has not been very explosive. Wile on the other hand did a decent job of filling in on punts and has had OK kickoffs (except for a couple last night, and my guess is the directional kicking will be worked on more in conjunction with the coverage).

MIP- RVB. Not sure he ought to be in this category but since you put him here, I will take him. He's gotten pressure consistently on the QB, stepping up while MM is double teamed. Really effective player and a team leader.

Best Newcomer- Jeremy Gallon.  Not only is he doing a good job of fielding kicks but he has all but passed Roundtree on the depth chart as the number two. Great slot receiver, the TD he scored yesterday against NW was outstanding. 

Best Hit: Kovacs on Carder.

I have a hit that is not in the choosing. If anybody recorded the NW game, or can somehow watch it over again, on Denard's first interception, Jeremy Gallon absolutely, positively lays out and destroys a reciever that is trying to block him. That hit gets my vote.

Defensive MVP:  Mattison

Offensive MVP:  Borges

Best New Comer:  Hoke

Biggest Hit:  6-0