Pharoah Brown switches to TE
EDIT X 2* According to MSpeedkills who received a direct message and to TomVH...Pharoah Brown will be playing TE in AA..
This could mean AJ Williams moving inside, and staff getting after another DE.
https://twitter.com/#!/mspeedkills
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/michigan/forums/_/the-den#!/topic/1320872557-19-432
essentially, the coaches have told Brown he can play whichever position he wants, and he wants to play TE.
Edit. Per Ace.. Stats.
" 25 catches for 614 yards (24.6 ypc) and four touchdowns in the five games where I could find complete offensive stats"
November 9th, 2011 at 6:48 PM ^
but i would say a least a 40lb difference.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^
and move one step inside later. A Blocking TE is very similar to an OT, i forget where it was mentioned but Borges likes to have 6OL at times, with a tackle eligible, but he doesn't have enough tackles to do that this year
November 9th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
I think this is probably what will happen. I can't see Williams staying at TE his whole career if he's coming in at 290 pounds after playing OT his senior year of high school, but since he won't see the field at tackle next year, it makes sense to line him up as essentially a sixth offensive lineman. If Michigan is gonna run some real MANBALL, I like that idea a lot.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:09 PM ^
Williams could be 'good enough' considering the other options, but you'd usually want a blocking type to red-shirt
November 9th, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
Don't you want everyone to red-shirt?
We don't have that luxuary right now though.
November 9th, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^
November 9th, 2011 at 5:23 PM ^
But Sam Webb on Sunday was raving about AJ Williams blocking skills right now. He basically said Williams could see the field at tackle before (theoretically) Jordan Diamond would if he came here. His point was Williams' skills are more developed now whereas Diamond is more raw. Plus Sam already said he was in the 290 range. If Williams is immediately switched to OL, it would give Michigan some other options with the few remaining scholarships.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:33 PM ^
I didn't know he was that big already and that he was drawing such rave reviews.
If we consider Williams an OL commit, that would get us to 6 OL. Is 7 too many in one recruiting cycle? If a guy like Garnett said he wanted to come, I'm not sure if we could turn down talent like that.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
To me, and this is not speaking of any players, but just the idea in general, I don't really care for a blocking only TE. It tips your hat to the defense when you bring him in that you are going to rush the ball, and if not and the guy isn't a real threat in the passing game that allows the defense to blitz and almost ignore him.
To me I would much rather have a TE who is a passing threat more than a blocker, but that can also block so you don't have to rotate in and tip off what will happen
November 9th, 2011 at 5:58 PM ^
Hasn't been a problem for Stanford.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^
only matters so much. Like Bo always said, it's all about execution.
November 9th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^
the reason it works is because teams don't tend to switch up personnel. so instead of a TE blocking the Sam or the DE, you end up with a 290 pounder who can be motioned wherever the matchup is best. you might become more run heavy, but if the defense only responds w/ a different alignment and not a different personnel set, you can certainly win that matchup you created for yourself.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
November 9th, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^
I was thinking this might be the answer as well. Being a blocking TE who occassionally releases isn't necessarily a high-skill task. So who are the candidates?
November 9th, 2011 at 6:07 PM ^
Looking at the MGoBlue.com roster, it looks like there are three walk-on TEs:
Nate Allspach - 6'6" 224 RS Fr
Dylan Esterline - 6'5" 237 RS Fr
Mike Kwiatkowski - 6'5" 257 RS Jr
Based on age and size, I'd say Kwiatkowski has the lead here. He's currently bigger than any TE we have on the roster and next fall he'll be a 5th year senior. Both of the other two have big frames who could put on a lot of weight over the off season, and if they have good heart (grit) and technique they could get reps in a blocking role as well.
I know we aren't very deep at OL, but if the play calls for a 6th blocker on the line, throwing an OL out there would work too. I have to imagine that Mealer or one of the walk-on OLs could play that role a few snaps a game.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
IIRC, he came in for praise from Denard/Devin in 3&Out.
Agree that someone like Mealer could do that job as well.
There could be 8 returning OL in 2012, mostly veteran. We should be OK next year, even without using Freshman. I worry more about 2013, when Schofield's the only proven returner if Lewan goes pro.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
They often graduate and move on.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^
I first learned of him in 3 and Out when the walk-ons had their open tryout. He made a really good catch and Rich Rod noticed him and started keeping an eye on him. And here we are with him on the team.
November 9th, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
Don't know a thing about those guys, but if we're running out a beef machine to line up at TE and pancake some fool, I want him to have a name like Mike Kwiatkowski. That is all.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
I really like this move—Michigan has a logjam at DE and a severe need for TEs, and Brown has been putting up huge receiving numbers all year. It'll be interesting to see if M decides to go after another DE, though I still think 2 WRs, an OL (unless A.J. Williams is for sure ticketed for OL), and another DB or RB are more pressing needs.
Also, just have to note this: Especially when you found the actual, original source, please try not to use mspeedkills and other guys who just re-post insider info without attribution as your source. Really should not be giving guys attention when all they do is regurgitate premium content without saying their source. These guys are as much a recruiting authority as anyone with a subscription to Rivals. Glad to see you gave TomVH his due, however.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
done and done.. just timeline wise mspeed was up a minute before TomVH, but he probabyly just got a posting first.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
Thanks for that. It's a pretty safe assumption that mspeed saw Tom's post and just got it up on Twitter before Tom had the chance. If a person who isn't an obvious insider is stating a recruiting fact without saying how they got it, in all likelihood they got it from Tom, Tim, Sam Webb, Josh Helmholdt, etc.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:11 PM ^
November 9th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
Screencap away. Also, I find it surprising that you're calling me out for not seeing your tweet when, you know, you blocked me. And if you deny stealing inside info, I just don't know what to say to that. As for me stealing info from you, that just simply isn't true. I was following you to see if any of my stuff popped up on your feed.
Also, there's a huge difference between actually speaking with Pharaoh Brown, like Tom, and being a completely unaffiliated, anonymous guy on the internet who sends him a message on Twitter. It's an issue that so many fans think it's fine to pose as recruiting analysts and badger recruits online, whether or not they actually answer.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:20 PM ^
Twittered.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
Congratuations. There's still the issue that you're an unaffiliated fan posing as a recruiting analyst on Twitter, under a pseudonym, and you've definitely stolen a ton of insider info before.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
Again, you're wrong. I don't pose as a recruiting analyst, nor have I ever eluded to anything close to that. I provide info for those less fortunate (it's a tough economy out there, man). I personally know some of our recruits and other I've established relationships with them over twitter. I don't badger anybody on twitter let alone our recruits/commits (unlike you who incesantly tweets recruits to follow you..awkward).
Quit making assumptions, you know what they say...
ps. I do this as a hobby, actually started out covering recruiting for me and my friends' email chain - I prefer to remain under the radar, it's not my fault people bring my tweets here or anywhere else. It's not like I post threads here.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^
But you do respond to threads with premium info, and it's not your place to decide that premium info needs to be liberated. You are not the Robin Hood of recruiting, and no matter what you think you're doing, you are stealing. I can't control what you post on Twitter, but it's an issue when you bring that stuff here.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:54 PM ^
Dude, come on, reading comprehension? I just told you I don't post threads here, I don't bring my tweets here, others do that. If I ever post it's to confirm something or to add my opinion to a subject (or to defend myself against BS accusations).
You actually started following me on twitter when you were still writing for that other blog and you would retweet things I would say (before you got the gig here). Don't make stuff up buddy, it's not a good look. You give ninjas a bad name.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:08 PM ^
Stop arguing with yourself Ace. You win.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:32 PM ^
Haha—this thread certainly looks a little ridiculous now. For those that weren't here originally, I swear I wasn't talking to myself. I only do that after Michigan losses and when I'm driving on the highway.
November 9th, 2011 at 7:14 PM ^
i'm guessing you were arguing with either "ace williams" or mspeedkills ... i'm hoping it's the former (especially considering his antics last night)
November 9th, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^
the first one, or the one responding to him
November 9th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
I tried to piece the timelines together as best I could, I have edited.. again... great info.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^
Is somebody mad he didn't get TomVH's old job?
November 9th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
This makes no sense now that a whole bunch of speedkills posts were removed. It was meant to be a gentle zinger in his direction...
November 9th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
With the whole argument trail still there.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:41 PM ^
seeing this post, I went on my phone and opened the app. Good stuff
November 9th, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^
Hey Ace do you have his stats from this season? Just curious how he has been doing.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^
Haven't had the chance to compile everything yet, though it shouldn't be too hard for me to go back and put together Brown's receiving stats. After all of Michigan's commits are done with their seasons, I'm going to do my best to get a comprehensive season stats post up. Just hasn't been a priority with all the other stuff I'm doing (just got done with FFFF, now moving on to Thursday Recruitin' and this year's basketball preview).
November 9th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
Cool thanks. No rush, just was curious if you did have some sort of thing already in progress. End of season would be completely fine though.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:11 PM ^
After doing a quick look through old Weekday Warriors posts, I have Brown with 25 catches for 614 yards (24.6 ypc) and four touchdowns in the five games where I could find complete offensive stats. That's a hell of an average, and he had at least one other game where he recorded a touchdown catch.
Yeah, I like this move.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
I think its funny how I made a thread about this a month or so ago and was completely blown off like an idiot... Merf.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
With his raw athleticism, the coaching staff's emphasis technique along the offensive line, and the need at the TE position....this move could be huge for us in a couple years. Big time red zone target. We needed one of those last weekend.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
I think our class will be rounded w/ at least adding another DB. Most likely Yuri Wright. Outside chance at Shaq Thompson.
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<br>Also any chance at 3 wr's with Diggs saying we are still in it for him. Could we see him, Payton, and Darboh all going blue to round out the class?
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November 9th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
Youre obviously forgetting DGB...I forgive you
November 9th, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^
I am hoping for Yuri Wright, Stefon Diggs, and Brinote Dunn.
As far as that last spot...
I wouldn't mind a 2nd WR or another DE, given Brown's move.
If not Diggs/Dunn, hope to land Payton/Darboh.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
Dude should stick to DE IMO. It is a more important position in terms of impact again IMO.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^
But if they go for another DE what about Ifeadi Odenigbo? I remember him having us very high on his list but the staff cooled down on him. Why not try and get back into the race?