Position change: Brennen Beyer to LB
http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1252899
Here's a story from Rivals (with video) that talks about Brenner Beyer's switch to LB. This helps explain all the DEs in this class I guess.
August 17th, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^
Makes sense to me. At 215, he was almost a lock to redshirt his freshman year at DE.
He should still probably redshirt, but it's a lot easier to get to the 220-230 you like good sized WLB's to be.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
August 17th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^
Cue the "we're changing to a 3-4" comments
August 17th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
I think we are changing to a 3-4
August 17th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
Beyer is a big, fast (4.5), and smart player. What does this mean for the potential of the '12 guys coming in? Isn't Ross targeted as a Will?
August 17th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
A Will coming in 2012 and redshirting would have 2 years of playing time post Beyer leaving. So i don't think it will be a huge issue unless some guy wants to play immediately.
From a "real politic" viewpoint its better to sit in college for a bit, reduce the blows your body takes, get in shape, and blow up your last two years. Get drafted high while putting less wear and tear on your body than a 4 year starter. Extends your NFL playing time which equals millions of dollars in extra pay.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:00 PM ^
I think you should recruit.
August 17th, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
August 17th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^
himself that he's playing SAM. But probably same situation at any LB spot starting next year.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
Since Beyer is said to be a Roh clone, hope this move works out better than the Roh-to-LB disaster last season.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
I will give the benefit of the doubt to the coaching staff to not repeat that mistake from the past (even though it was not their mistake in the first place).
August 17th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
At this point, I trust the current defensive staff knows what it's doing more than I did with RR's crew of flunkies.
August 17th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
but...but...but..stuffed beaver!!!!
/Icanhazatackle?
August 17th, 2011 at 11:32 AM ^
Roh STARTED his career at LB, and was pretty doggone good.
IMO, Beyer will end his career with a hand in the ground playing DE, but for now this is probably whats best rather than having him get mauled by Lewan, Huyge, Schofield, Gunderson, and the enormous freshman OTs we have every play.
He's going to redshirt, so you may as well put him at LB since he'll be on the practice squad.
Freshman - OLB
RS Freshman - OLB/Rush LB
RS Sophomore - Rush LB
RS Junior - Weakside DE/Rush LB
RS Senior - Weakside DE
NFL - OLB
This is a very similar year to year transition Manny Lawson (I believe still with the 49ers) made when he was at NC St. He is the player I compared Beyer too coming out of high school.
FWIW, I think Ojemudia will go:
Freshman - OLB/Rush LB
RS Freshman - Rush LB
RS Sophomore - Weakside DE/Rush LB
RS Junior - Weakside DE
RS Senior - Weakside DE
NFL - OLB
August 17th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
until he bulks up. If he's really shown promise as a football player maybe the coaches want him on the depth chart now and his size currently precludes DE. He could still end up there a couple years down the line.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^
He's going to be no better than third at SAM, behind Gordon and Ryan.
At WDE he had a chance of being in the rotation (a slim chance, but a chance) with Roh and Black being the only guys with the ability to play the position until you get to guys like Isaiah Bell and other freshmen.
August 18th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^
So really I don't think it matter who he's behind. As a practice squad player he's better off at SLB than WDE. Like I said before, in demo's and when the 1's are going up against the practice squad each week to prepare for the upcoming game...what kind of look is he going to give Huyge and Lewan if he's playing DE? They'd just bury him, it wouldn't help them at all.
At least at SLB he can contribute...learn a little bit and help the team.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
I believe that Beyer played some LB in high school ( I swear I saw him line up at LB a few times in the title game at ford field alst year). This may not be as tough a switch as many think. At his currrent weight he is no where near ready to get reps on the field as a DE.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
he says he hasn't really played linebacker before.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
Wasn't this on the front page yesterday (or the day before) about Beyer trying out LB and F. Clark going to DE?
August 17th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
Frank Clark has been moved to WDE so it is really the same numbers at each position. I think the DE numbers are explained more by Mattison's love for pressuring the QB with the front 4 and the fact that some guys like Wormley and Godin can and very well may play DT.
August 17th, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^
The responsibilities of these two positions are not necessarily that dissimilar. In our 4-3 under, they are essentially DEs in a shaded a 5-2.
Obviously you look for different physical attributes for the SAM and WDE, but their responsibilities are similar (e.g. keep contain on running plays, rush the passer (you will see C Gordon or Jake Ryan blitzing a lot from the SAM), drop into zones (you will see Roh dropping back a lot when we run zone blitzes), etc).
You generally want both your WDE and SAM to be hybrid-ish players in the 4-3 under; you want the SAM to be more athletic and the WDE to be bigger. None of us have seen Beyer actually play; maybe he has the mobility/change of direction skills to cover TEs or backs coming into the flat; maybe he doesn't.
Mattison said in his presser that they may make minor tweaks with the "rush linebacker" (i.e. the WDE). I'm pretty sure this is what he is alluding to and that there are no plans to stick Beyer at MLB or WLB.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:08 PM ^
Beyer's team switched to the spread last year where he played wide receiver on offense. Saw him run right by two defensive backs from John Glenn, catch the ball over his shoulder and out run them to the endzone for a 92 yard td.
Beyer was also a great basketball player. Shut down whoever he guarded.
His Senior Defensive Highlights speak for themselves.
He is a smart player and natural athlete. You might be surprised what he can do as linebacker.
He played last season at 220 pounds but is now 232 pounds with no loss of speed.
I also remember a write up at a camp last year where they said he was the best defensive end and linebacker at the camp. They had him run some with both groups. They especially commented on his ability to get depth when dropping back into coverage.
Smart. Explosive athlete. We will see what happens, but I wouldn't write him off too quickly. He is number #97 and is shown making two tackles on Rivals pictures of second week practice. Rivals wrongly gives credit to Paskorz who is #94.
August 18th, 2011 at 12:49 AM ^
If it helps them compete than im all for it. He definately has the athleticism 2 do it.