Some Positives on a Negative Day

Submitted by michgoblue on

So, our collective dongs are sore from the pain inflicted by Justin Turner's departure.  I thought that I would open a topic about what people see as reasons for hope in the upcoming season. 

My top three are:

1.  We should finally have an O-Line that is an asset, rather than a liability.  Not only will this impact the running game, but it will give our QBs time to let plays develop (which should hopefully lower the # of turnovers).  Our line is much bigger than last year, returns its best player (Molk) and finally contains some upper-classmen. 

2.  We return pretty much everyone on the offensive side of the ball, with the exception of the RBs.  This is tangentially related to #1, but in addition to the line, we now have experienced QBs (either one) and experienced receivers.  As for the RBs, while we all loved to watch Minor rage and Brown, both of them were hurt as much as they were healthy, and while talented, their inability to stay healthy may have cost the offense in terms of continuity. 

3.  Death (for opposing QBs) Roh - While we lose B. Graham, if anyone can step up and be a monster on the D-line, it is Roh.  From all reports, he is significantly larger, and has worked his ass off in the offseason.  I think that he could have a monster year. 

So, those are my 3 reasons for optimism, despite today's other crappy news. 

Others?

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um4life

August 11th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

We are down to 24 days to kickoff.  So today we are one day closer than yesterday.  I am anxious to stop hearing and reading about what this team can do, and start seeing them on the field.  Oh, and everythiong OP said.

Joined: 07/01/2009

MGoPoints: 899

WichitanWolverine

August 11th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

I am very excited about Roh but I am probably more excited about Martin and RVB.  If (and that's a big if) Martin can move outside, he is going to straight up murder some people.

Joined: 09/30/2009

MGoPoints: 34347

rbgoblue

August 11th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^

at least the massive dong punch delivered by michigan football wont require a trip to the emergency room or threaten my chances to procreate in the future...

Joined: 07/20/2009

MGoPoints: 4334

MinorRage

August 11th, 2010 at 1:41 PM ^

in general has me pretty pumped. RVB showed after his mistake in the IU game that he can be a terror if he puts himself to it. I think with him and Mike Martin healthy we will have a very strong DL.

Joined: 11/02/2008

MGoPoints: 1262

UMaD

August 11th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^

We lost Matthews and Savoy, but everyone else returns with far more experience.  Odoms/Roundtree have the slots locked down.  Stonum/Hemingway - talented upperclassmen healthy and ready for a breakout year.  A slew of talented freshman are ready to back them up, plus some veteran athletic tight ends.

The offense, as a whole, should be the best we've seen in a while and the WR unit will not only benefit from the OL/QB situation, but reinforce it.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 4960

Hannibal.

August 11th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^

I was already not too optimistic about this year's football season.  One of the reasons being that I didn't expect Justin Turner to contribute.  So his departure doesn't change my mood. 

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

Tater

August 11th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^

An old saying/blues song title: "you can't lose what you never had." 

Basically, I refuse to let this latest "news" get me down.  Turner may have been a great recruit, but he never contributed anything to the program.  So you can't really say that we "lost" him, because he was a non-entity anyway.   Last year, he had the excuse of getting to school late, but there is no excuse for not being ready this year.  Also, since I am pretty sure RR didn't suddenly become stupid when he moved to Ann Arbor, I would guess that he saw what was going on and wasn't counting on Turner for much, anyway. 

CB may indeed be thin, but someone will step up.  We might even see another player move from the offensive side of the ball, but RR will find enough bodies to take care of the position.  There are a lot of things to "worry" about, but I still think there is enough talent there to win 8 or 9 including a bowl this season.

My glass is still half-full, and will remain that way until mathematical impossibility dictates otherwise.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

blueheron

August 11th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^

On the subject of "upperclassness" and the O-line, don't forget that we had quite a few of those last year.  Ortmann and Moosman were both redshirt seniors.  McAvoy, too, for what it's worth.  Dorrestein was a 4th-year guy as well.

If there's reason for optimism, it might have more to do with the upside of the younger players.  The departing linemen were solid, but not high-end.  Lewan, Omameh, and Schofield might have more promise.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30561

phild7686

August 11th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^

The return of Molk! Center is such an important position, and to have such a great player there should greatly improve our offense from the 2nd half of last season.

Joined: 11/03/2009

MGoPoints: 176

iheartlarryfoote

August 11th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^

If you did you knew that Turner wasn't any good anyway.  I forgot he was on the team until this morning when I heard he was transferring.  I would consider it a bad day if I heard that Cullen Christian wasn't looking good or Cam Gordon got hurt or something like that.  I'm not happy he's leaving but I'm not sad either.

Joined: 03/26/2010

MGoPoints: 127

Timnotep

August 11th, 2010 at 3:37 PM ^

Just because a recruit is highly rated doesn't mean they're going to pan out... just look at guys like Kevin Grady (Nothing against him, he just never lived up to the hype), Aaron Corp (USC), Eugene Clifford (OSU, Tennessee State). From all accounts Justin Turner wasn't "all in" he was nonexistent in the spring, reportedly did very little in the summer., as evidenced by the fact that he was a five star recruit who was in danger of losing his spot at #3 on the depth chart.

However, I do find this dissapointing, not so much that he's transfering (even though we could use the depth at Corner) but more so because from what i've heard, read, and seen in the spring game he wasn't buying in to the system. Good luck to him whereever he goes, I hope he lands on his feet.

Joined: 07/07/2008

MGoPoints: 5862