Smile, 19 starters returning to team

Submitted by Young Pretty a… on

I was viewing the Rivals depth chart for Wisconsin week, and couldn't help but envision next years team.  19 Starters will back for the 2011 season!  Schilling, Mouton and Rogers make up the only starters who are graduating after this season.  You could also make the argument that with Troy Woolfolk returning from injury, it could be 20 returning starters.  The number 19 is in reference to the starters on offense and defense, does include special team players, who all happen to be returning to team as well.  May not translate into National Championship, but stll puts a smile on my face. GO BLUE

Depth Chart for Wisonsin Week

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1153162

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neoavatara

November 16th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^

Wow.  Depth on both sides of the ball..what a concept.

Assuming Floyd and woolfork come back, our Defense should be quite better.  Maybe not all star, but solid.  

But beware the michigan secondary hating god...we need a rain dance or something to placate him. 

Joined: 08/01/2009

MGoPoints: 1726

joeyb

November 16th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^

Technically, Rogers is only in due to injury and so is Huyge. Still 19 starters, but only 1 off of defense and 2 off the OL which has lots of depth already.

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 16845

umjgheitma

November 16th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^

to the blue chip recruits we're in on come signing day:

 

FS
 		 20
13		 Ray Vinopal
Carvin Johnson		 5-10
6-0
 		 193
195
 		 Fr.
Fr.

 

CB

or		 9
24
17		 Courtney Avery
Cullen Christian
Tony Anderson		 5-11
6-0
5-11		 167
187
192		 Fr.
Fr.
Jr.-R

Joined: 12/02/2008

MGoPoints: 2388

UMaD

November 16th, 2010 at 4:17 PM ^

The prospect of playing behind a returning starter for 3 years might concern some people more than having a departing senior.  I'd argue the most attractive situation from a depth chart perspective is DL.  There you have 3 Seniors and 3 Juniors, and only 2 underclassmen (Roh and Black).

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 4960

Captain Obvious

November 16th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^

As a touted incoming freshman, would you rather try to beat out

  • An established redshirt junior, or
  • a true sophomore that played as a true freshman on a statistically bad defense?

To put names behind this, who is more likely to get beaten out by a true freshman next year - Demens or Vinopal?  There's risk in coming onto a young depth position that the young depth is always better, but the chance to compete right away is greater.  OTOH, beating old depth is usually very hard, but you are guaranteed a few years once that person leaves.

From what I've seen, incoming freshman focus on the here and now and usually have difficulty coming to terms with "oh, there will be minimal depth by the time I'm in my third year, awesome!"

Joined: 03/17/2009

MGoPoints: -465

jtmc33

November 16th, 2010 at 4:06 PM ^

Webb at HB and TE, along with his Senior leadership, will be missed as much as a starter (and, he has started a few games this year too)

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10052

Zone Left

November 16th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^

That's definitely a good thing, particularly with Avery seeming to come around reasonably quickly--although I'm less optimistic about Woolfolk coming back at 100% (hopeful, but it seems like a really rough injury).

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 16428

MGoShtoink

November 16th, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^

RR also says he expects he'll be fine for next year (not sure what "fine means").  So hopefully that means he's making great progress.

Rodriguez said that defensive back Troy Woolfolk is out of his walking boot and although he hasn't begun working on his lower body, he is doing fine. Rodriguez isn't certain how ready his injured players will be for spring ball, but said all will be fine in the long run.

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/live-updates-from-michigan-football-coach-rich-rodriguezs-monday-press-conference-8/

Joined: 11/05/2010

MGoPoints: 8523

cadmus2166

November 16th, 2010 at 4:13 PM ^

I am very optimistic about the next couple of seasons!!!  Considering the strides we've made this year with so many young players, I can't help but think we have a shot at the Big Ten title as early as next year. 

Joined: 01/04/2010

MGoPoints: 1467

zguy517

November 16th, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^

I assume that you meant that it doesN'T include special teams players, since losing 3 from 24 (11 to each side and a punter and a kicker) would be 21.

Joined: 03/18/2010

MGoPoints: 2730

A2MIKE

November 16th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^

I looked at this back in August, and immediately thought 2011 will be the year.  But then I remembered looking at the roster for 2009-10 basketball after beating Duke a few years ago and thinking, "next year could be special" and that never materialized.  I know that the reference doesn't necessarily hold all its weight since its multi-sport, but you can never plan on success, you have to earn it.  I hope these seniors leave that legacy with the rest of the team.  Don't expect success, but go out and make success happen.

Joined: 10/10/2009

MGoPoints: 1811

mGrowOld

November 16th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^

Here's an exciting thought. What if some of the 19 turn out not to be starters next year because the incoming Freshman talent is just flat out better? Same good problem (depth) but in that scenario you have experience coming off the bench.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212543

evenyoubrutus

November 16th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^

If we just remember how catastrophic the offensive line looked two years ago, then think nabout how it looks now... I think there are good things yet to come from this defense.  that is all

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178160

Wolvmarine

November 16th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^

Next year is going to be really exciting, especially since the offense will continue their "must score everytime mentality", and they won't even have to do that with the improved D.  They are going to straight up murder opponents next year. 

Joined: 08/28/2008

MGoPoints: 6156