Slightly Premature: Woolfolk at CB or FS in 2011?
I know we've only played two games in the 2010 season, but toB's article: http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com/2010/09/youll-never-walk-alone.html, specifically his thoughts on Cam Gordon being better suited for one of the box safety positions, made me wonder what we should do with Troy Woolfolk when he comes back next year (assuming this happens). I also remembered Brian's analysis of how our defense in 2009 was decent with T-Wolf at FS and how it fell apart once he was forced to move to CB and Kovacs and Williams had to try and play deep.
Now, I'm not trying to bash Cam Gordon at all. I think he could be successful at either FS or one of the box safety spots with some more experience, but my question is: in 2011, would you rather have T-Wolf at FS with Floyd and Christian/Avery/Talbott at the CB spots, or Gordon stay at FS with Floyd and Woolfolk at the corners.
I think it's a good dilemma because the first set gives you a faster, more athletic option to defend the deep ball, with three true sophomores, all with game experience, battling for the CB spot opposite Floyd. The second option gives you two good experienced CB's, but sacrifices some speed at the deep safety spot.
Assuming Troy comes back and is able to regain his athleticism, I would lean toward making him the FS, mainly because I think we will actually have pretty good depth at corner next year and because it would allow us to get more speed on the field. Also, the depth at the box safety positions would be amazing: Kovacs, Carvin, both Gordons, M-Rob, Furman, Hawthorne. It would allow us to possibly get three of them on the field at the same time in passing situations and could help mask our lack of depth at LB.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:20 PM ^
Best Thread EVER!! That's why it gets two spots on the MGoBoard.
Edit: Epic double thread post fixed, renderring this comment irrelavent.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
Can we get a depth chart from em0 for next year? I think that would really help clear things up...
September 13th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
Considering how well our corners have played and that Cam almost singlehandedly lost us the ND game, it's fairly insane that we were going to play Woolfolk at corner.
September 13th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
Since one of the starting cornerbacks is a senior, I think it is likely that Woolfolk plays corner.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
Exactly, I'm saying if we weren't going to do it this year I doubt we will next year. God knows why re: this year.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^
Lets see how all of the young guys play this year. We havent seen enough of anyone (Cam, Floyd, Cullen, Avery, etc...) to make a fair assessment. Besides, lets not rush through the season, it just got here...enjoy!
September 13th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
It seems like Woolfolk is best-suited to the CB position, but he's a team player. If he is needed more at FS then I expect that's where we'll see him.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^
Yes, let's all rag on this post for being slightly premature. I mean, it's not like that's pointed out in the post or anything...
Anyway, it seems like Woolfolk will probably end up at safety again, which is of course dependent on how people play during the season. Regardless of whether he's better at corner in absolute terms, it really seems like he'd make the most difference relative to other starters as a safety.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^
Ideally one of the young corners steps up, T-Wolf goes to free safetty and Cam settles in at the Spur or Bandit. But obviously there's lots of time to make that decision.
September 13th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^
convincing our current players to stay at Michigan! He's listed as a General Studies major, so maybe he can concentrate on some Marketing courses and produce some sweet pie charts showing the benefits of staying at Michigan.
" You see, Vlad, as this chart shows, there are a much higher percentage of Viking women here at Michigan than any other university in the country. . . . . . Yes, that is true that there are only two, but that is twice as many as the next leading university."
"No, Taylor, I told you. I don't actually have any pie. They are pie charts! No, don't leave. I will find you some pie. Pam!?! Can you please locate some pie for Mr. Lewan? And don't bring him any of that Hostess crap!"
September 13th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
Let's all relax a bit before we designate Cam Gordan as a failure at the deep safety spot. Let's not forget, that was his second college game. He's a ballhawk, but obviously needs work back there. Not to mention he was picked about by a 5 star quarterback that had all damn day to throw that 95 yarder. Yes, backpedalling 30 yards deep while an all-american TE is flying by you is a horrible play. Cam learned a valuable lesson without the team losing the game...I can take that (barely) ;)
September 13th, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^
We spend the whole offseason complaining how much we cant wait for football to start and second game and were already talking about 2011? I dont wanna talk about anything besides saturdays game. I want to enjoy every minute of this season not spend time looking ahead. Im sure we will have a long time in the offseason to discuss transfers recruits and depth charts lets just enjoy what we have now and see if we can turn the standings upside down. ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE IN 2010 WITH DENARD AS QB
September 13th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
Cornerback, I'd imagine, since we graduate a player there (Rogers) whereas we don't at safety.
September 13th, 2010 at 3:12 PM ^
If Woolfolk magically came back from injury today, this would be an interesting question. The CBs have both played pretty solidly, and Gordon seems to be hindered by a lack of experience. Obviously the coaches had troy pegged for CB, but who knows. In general Safety is a position where experience is at a premium, so based on play thus far, i might consider putting troy at deep safety.
Back to reality...it will depend on a number of factors:
1. what recruits we get.
- If we get a true freshman whose ready to step in and play at one of the positions (CB is probably the easier position for this to happen) it will probably impact the decision
2. player development
- If Cam Gordon, Cullen Christian, Talbott, Avery or some other dbs really progress (or really dont) it will impact things.
Bottom line, hell play where he is needed.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.