Sam Webb Art. on Josh Furman
Sam Webb has an article today on Josh Furman. http://www.detnews.com/article/20091127/OPINION03/911270386/1131/sports…
Kid sounds like a beast. As you know, he is down to VT and M-- one line worried me in the article. Said he has made his decision and "location" factored into it. Has Webb issued a gut feeling on him to date?
November 27th, 2009 at 7:00 AM ^
I didn't read/hear his "gut feeling" but a poster said that Webb had issued a "gut feeling" about Furman being blue. Personally, I think he'll go to VT because he wants to play running back, not defense.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:39 AM ^
That sucks! I was feeling good about the article until it said that location had a big part of it and VT is a lot closer to Maryland than UM. I was really hoping we could land this guy but we definitely need him on D as opposed to offence. That's too bad if he gets away.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:15 AM ^
FWIW, location being a factor could work against VT, too. If, for example, Furman wants to be further from home than VT allows.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:33 AM ^
that you are right. Well, not actually praying, but I hope you are right. He looks like quite a stud on the field.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:09 PM ^
When I read it the first time, I had the same thoughts. But "location" could be just as much a criticism of Blacksburg as compared to Ann Arbor.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:56 AM ^
If you read the article it sounds like almost all of his offers are on D and he doesn't seem to object playing LB. In fact, he sounds quite enthusiastic about it.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^
I read early in the process that he was being recruited as a RB by Pitt and Virginia Tech. It was a while ago, so I can't give you the link. Things might have changed, but that's what I read.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:32 AM ^
When Sam Webb has his gut feelings they are inevitably correct and it seems to be code for: "the kid told me but swore me to secrecy". Bet the house on Furman going Blue. Hopefully he can put on 25 lbs. of Barwisized steel and keep his speed at OLB.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:41 AM ^
The fact that he is annoucing in his home State at a HS Bowl game has me a little concerned for some reason.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:10 AM ^
For what it's worth, that's been his plan all along, even before he made his decision. But his home state is Maryland and he's choosing between Michigan and Virginia Tech, so either way, he's not choosing the "home" school.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:26 AM ^
Don't know what I was thinking. Maybe I'm still recovering from all the food yesterday. Time for a cup of hot Joe.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
...I can vouch that regional sentiments usually trump state lines here and that VT is regarded as a home school. [Ralph Friedgen mutters "amen" as Paterno and Beamer knowingly chuckle] But his comment could suggest that location is what led him to his final two or that location is the determining factor in his ultimate choice. Pulling for the former.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:08 AM ^
1) Blacksburg, Va. is a hick town in the middle of nowhere, so location could play in our favor in that regard.
2) Va. Tech is also recruiting him as an OLB, and their base defense is the G front: a type of 4-4 and he'd be playing either the "Rover" or "Whip" position, similar to what Stevie Brown (Sam = Rover) or Kovacs/Williams/Brandon Smith v. Wisc. down in the box (Free Safety = Whip) play.
For us he'd be the Sam (I'm guessing) so he can be a full-time LB. However, with that size and speed, I'm sure he'd make a great free safety for us, too. On the other hand, Marvin Robinson appears ticketed for the Free, so that's why I'm guessing he'd be a Sam. It's exciting thinking about our defense with those two holding the edges for us.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:20 AM ^
You don't typically see a defender move back in the defense (defensive linemen rarely become linebackers, linebackers rarely become safeties, etc.). I would be extremely surprised to see Furman play safety of any sort. I think the SAM is an unlikely destination, but more possible than FS. I think WILL is his most likely destination.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^
But you don't waste 4.37 on a WILL. If your ILBs are faster than your DBs, you need to examine your reasoning.
Remember, he's playing HS football...in Maryland. He's 194 pounds, and probably one of the bigger guys on his team. The Wolverine and GoBlueWolverine both have him ticketed for the Sam position.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:17 AM ^
If he's going to play SAM, then he's a serious project. You can't take an OLB/DE hybrid, put him on 165 lb. slot receivers, and expect him to be able to handle them in man coverage immediately. Maybe Robinson will change up his defensive scheme with different personnel and he'll bring in a fifth defensive back or something on passing downs; but if I'm Martavious Odoms and I'm going to be covered by Josh Furman in practice every day, I'm licking my chops.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^
Yeah, I'd be licking my chops if I had to go against a guy who is faster (4.37), quicker (4.41 shuttle), bigger (6'3" 194) and can jump higher (40" vertical). Um, where specifically do you think there's an advantage?
November 27th, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^
All of those things you mentioned are measurables. Meanwhile, Josh Furman doesn't play cornerback and doesn't play a ton of man coverage out in space. I would also venture a guess that Odoms is quicker in and out of cuts, which is supported by his 4.31 shuttle time (as opposed to Furman's 4.41).
When Steve Brown came out of high school, he was a safety/corner tweener. He spent three years at safety learning how to play pass coverage, albeit from the safety position. He struggled at times in man coverage against slot receivers once he moved to SAM, particularly against PSU.
That doesn't give me a great deal of confidence that a true linebacker can keep up with the likes of Graham Zug. Besides that, if coaches thought that he was so great in pass coverage, they'd probably be recruiting him as a cornerback or a safety. So he must have some limitations that cause them to project him as a linebacker.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:45 PM ^
...Stevie Brown don't run no 4.37. And none of our slots (besides maybe Gallon or Denard if they move him) come close to that. 4.41 shuttle + 4.37 40 = slot ain't gettin' much.
Furthermore, a kid who runs like Furman has a better chance at converting to our Sam position than a 194 lb. kid does at moving to ILB in the Big Ten. He's never covered anyone in space, but he's never taken on FB leads or linemen inside the box, either.
I think his skill set is better suited to play outside. If you don't, then we'll just have to agree to disagree.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:30 PM ^
You mean, "If I'm Roy Roundtree..."
November 27th, 2009 at 8:55 AM ^
he's coming to michigan
November 27th, 2009 at 9:52 AM ^
I would be surprised if Furman went to VT, but you never know with an 18 year old kid.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:59 AM ^
Furman's dad seems to rebut the anonymous and cowardly quote that Michigan "recruits just like Notre Dame:"
"Coach Rodriguez has class, charisma and character. Kids are not just football players to him. He treats them like family; they go over to his house and chill. I like that."
Also, Furman said RR is doing things "the right way."
The "location" thing scares me, but no matter where he goes, it can't hurt having high-profile recruits and their parents saying good things about RR.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
Baltimore to Blacksburg = 300 miles
Baltimore to Ann Arbor = 525 miles
Positive factors for Michigan:
1)Battling through DC traffic adds a significant amount to the drive from Maryland to Blacksburg.
2)There is no major airport close to Blacksburg
3)Virginia Tech is relatively deep at RB so if he really wants to be on offense he will have to wait his turn.
4)"Our helmets have wings"
November 27th, 2009 at 11:32 AM ^
You know that was my reaction too. Darren Evans was a very solid starter as a true (I think) freshman last year and hurt his leg in the preseason. Ryan Williams stepped in and is arguably the top freshman back (along with Dion Lewis) in the country. If Evans will be a Redshirt Sophomore and Williams will be a true sophomore, Furman will be stuck behind them and get very little playing time until his Redshirt Junior or Senior year. Unless Furman is as good them, he probably has more of a chance at immediate playing time elsewhere.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
i thought this thread was going to be about sam webb drawing an MS paint picture of josh furman a la shredder.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:54 PM ^
I think location plays in our favor. I heard that Furman is a huge fan of the great lakes ecosystem and wants to be near them.
Location is a +1 for Michigan.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
In addition to fixing what ails the Michigan defense he will also come up with a solution for the Zebra Mussels in the Great Lakes.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:19 PM ^
I don't want to try to read too much between the lines but how often to recruits say this:
"I have a great relationship with Tony Dews," Furman said of Michigan's receiver coach and Maryland recruiter. "He is my favorite recruiter. I call him up a lot just to say hi. He is my type of coach. Coach Dews is so down to earth that we can talk about anything. We talk about recruiting, but we also talk about life."
I hear a lot about the lead recruiter calling a player all the time but not the other way around. He said virtually the same thing about U-M and VT regarding players, tradition (somewhat), and atmosphere but not about the coaching staff. Also his HS coach was positive about U-M's staff but didn't say anything about VT's. I know Sam Webb is a Michigan fan and could have chose to leave out those quotes but he also has journalistic integrity to try to maintain (what does that even mean anymore?).
I guess we'll see on Dec. 19. Fingers crossed he's Blue.