December 20th, 2013 at 6:25 PM ^
best of luck to him. An excellent institution. His future is bright. . .
December 20th, 2013 at 6:27 PM ^
If we could land a supreme safety recruit. It seems from way out here that we had some good guys Nicholson and PW close for awhile but things just dissolved into ennui after awhile. Maybe the hype was greater than reality. Im sorry to pollute with E Smith and Lattimore but I would feel a lot of closure and happiness for the long winter ahead if we could nab one or both of these guys away from Ohio.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:35 PM ^
Lots of talk that Peppers will end up at S.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:59 PM ^
I could see Peppers in an Ed Reed type roll...except stronger and better vs the run (in my Fred jackson voice)
December 20th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
It's also possible Watson ends up at safety, if necessary. He's about Westphal's size.
December 20th, 2013 at 9:56 PM ^
I've heard this too, but I'd think it's a lot easier to move from nickel as a young guy, then safety later in your career versus start out at safety. There seems to be a longer learning curve to safety as it seems more complex and requires more decisions. But, based on our personnel our needs seem the other way around. We have plenty of CBs and few proven safeties. I have no doubt Peppers has the ability but will he have the understanding of our defense to play safety as a true freshman? And, if not who plays along side Wilson? I've already heard the coaches talk about Thomas at nickel, which is where I'd think Peppers is best suited to begin. There has to be a way to get our best athletes on the field together (Peppers, Thomas, Countess, Wilson, and insert other CB here Taylor/Stribling/Lewis). It doesn't make much sense to me to sacrifice getting Thomas and/or Peppers on the field just so Clark can play the other safety position IMO.
December 20th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
I think Peppers *could* play safety, but I just don't see these coaches sticking him in there at safety from day one. I think he has to be on the field immediately at one position, and the thing that makes the most sense to me is moving someone like Raymon Taylor to safety to make room for Peppers and Countess to be on the field full-time.
The four guys who HAVE to be on the field as much as possible next year are:
Countess
Taylor
Wilson
Peppers
Countess is the best corner, so I don't see him switching positions. Wilson is the only guy with experience at safety, so he has to be out there. That leaves Taylor - who's been starting for two years - and Peppers for the other two positions.
That leaves complementary guys like Stribling, Lewis, Clark (heheh...Lewis and Clark), and Thomas to mix in there.
December 20th, 2013 at 10:32 PM ^
Thanks for the input Magnus. I tend to agree on Countess, Wilson, and Peppers. Those 3 must be on the field the majority of snaps. The one I see as expendable is Taylor. I know he's seen a lot of snaps and in all fairness to him he's improved a lot over the past 2 seasons into a really solid player. Maybe my emotions and excitement about a young player is getting the better of me. And, maybe a higher cieling does not equate to better play than consistency and experience do. But, I'd prefer a guy like Stribling or Thomas at safety over Taylor. It may be a wash in terms of overall speed, but the other two seem more athletic, fluid, have better feet, and at least on paper they have a few inches on Taylor.
December 21st, 2013 at 8:03 AM ^
I don't see how you bench a senior with two years of starting experience, who's tied for the team lead in tackles, and has 6 picks over the past two years for a kid who hasn't accomplished anything like Stribling or Thomas. I have nothing against those two guys, but experience is important at the safety positions.
December 21st, 2013 at 8:57 AM ^
I'm no coach, but a safety has to be able to come up in run support more than a CB. And, we saw what happened when A CB like Avery had to do that. Not that Stribling or Thomas are much heavier either, but both of them are 6'2" and I'd expect them to gain a little size and strength in the offseason where Taylor probably won't going into his senior year.
December 21st, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^
I agree somewhat. It's not an ideal situation to have a gaping hole at safety. But I'm of the opinion that you put your best 11 athletes on the field (within reason). Courtney Avery wasn't one of the best 11 athletes, and he has never been as good as Raymon Taylor. Taylor's stronger, faster, and has better ball skills. He has some weaknesses, too, but to get the top 11 guys out there, Taylor > Stribling.
December 21st, 2013 at 9:52 AM ^
Good discussion. I think we probably agree more than we disagree. I totally agree on putting the best 11 out there. And, experience and consistency is probably really important to on field success and like not giving up big plays. Taylor absolutely has the advantage there. But, based on the eye test, I see both Stribling and Thomas as the better athletes. I haven't really seen Thomas' ball skills but I think Stribling's are better than Taylor's. I think both Stribling and Thomas are more athletic than Taylor. Both seem more physical and aggressive. Taylor may be faster with straight line speed, but not laterally, start and stop, etc. based on what I've seen. I know it's hard to bench a 2 year starter, I guess I'd just rather see one of the other two on the field over Taylor. Taylor at safety just sounds scary, maybe the other 2 are too at this point in their careers IDK. Thomas can hit in run support, Stribling has great balls skills, too bad when can't combine them into one player.
December 21st, 2013 at 7:05 PM ^
December 21st, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
December 21st, 2013 at 9:35 PM ^
Would not be surprised if Peppers ended up as an exclusive offensive player. Just like with Ted Ginn, someone with those running skills is just too rare to play a position where the ball is not in their hands.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:33 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 6:36 PM ^
The Chicago Tribune story is here - LINK
Per the article, the commitment of Westphal rounds out the 2014 class for Northwestern (he is the final commit) and even more interesting, he will be the first one to enroll early since Fitzgerald became the head coach. Northwestern's class is 38th nationally and 7th in the conference.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:48 PM ^
Glad to keep that talent in the Big Ten and I dont feel particularly threatened by NW. Win
December 20th, 2013 at 6:53 PM ^
I feel like we're going to land Eric Smith. And if we do, I feel a lot better about Lattimore. Just a hunch though. I don't get updated by insiders.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:59 PM ^
What makes you believe Smith is actually coming to Ann Arbor?
December 20th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
I'm betting it's the Magic 8 ball.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:59 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
Nice.
December 20th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 7:17 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 8:29 PM ^
December 21st, 2013 at 12:59 AM ^
He's a good player and a high-character kid but nothing elite about him necessarily. That being said he could be a fantastic college player but I liked Nicholson more as well.
December 21st, 2013 at 12:17 AM ^
You can't really go wrong when you're picking between Vanderbilt and Northwestern. Great academic schools, with two good coaches.
December 21st, 2013 at 1:56 AM ^
I'm glad we got Peppers and Watson, both are 6'1" and great athletes, wouldn't mind getting a safety to add to the class however, maybe E.Smith and Malik to round out this fine incoming class.
December 21st, 2013 at 8:54 AM ^
Best of luck to the young man, especially in 2016 and 2017.
December 21st, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
December 21st, 2013 at 4:09 PM ^
That's why camps don't mean anything for safeties. Nobody's going to put Nicholson on an island against a good wide receiver, but since all that they can really do without pads and without a full defense (or at least seven guys) out there, sometimes people will judge them by their poor man coverage skills. Those camps are useful for kids in some respects (competition, technique, etc.), but it's a clear advantage for receivers in one-on-ones and a clear advantage for defensive linemen in one-on-ones.