bluinohio

April 5th, 2017 at 2:48 AM ^

I'm a sad, I'm still here. Speight is not the guy to take us there.  Sorry to say it, I wish he was.  He'll start the season because...well, because Smith played all last year even though it was obvious he wasn't the best RB.  "Every position is competing" is straight BS.  I get what Harbaugh is doing though, what you want is to have your QB be a junior or senior.  That way he has the experience.  But to say Speight is going to be awesome this year is a bit of a stretch.  Sure, he'll do well against lesser competition, but in big games he'll cost us.  Just like last year.

stephenrjking

April 4th, 2017 at 10:33 PM ^

It sounds like the chatter at QB is that there is a competition between Peters and O'Korn for the backup slot. I expect Peters to win that, but I think people who were hoping that Peters would emerge as "the guy" can pretty much grant that the ship has sailed for the season unless something catastrophic happens. He'll still be a redshirt freshman this fall, and while some RS freshmen do perform rather well, a lot of other guys need time.

And Speight is going to be good this year.

Michifornia

April 4th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^

And most of the rumblings seem the same.  It's great to hear Peters is emerging.  Hope he gets a chance to develop this year and some PT.  But really hope Speight pulls a Rudock and is a top B1G QB this year.  If that happens, could be a special year.  The D will be tough and Evans and Walker will keep the running game going.

Why not us?!

GO BLUE!!

ArmenHammer

April 4th, 2017 at 11:58 PM ^

Kugler said earlier today that he's been dedicated to center in practices, and now we hear about JBB being dedicated to RT. So, if Ruiz is only repping at center as well, then Cole kicking out to LT is a sure thing depending on the status of Newsome. I like that personel as long as we don't need to use Filiaga, Spanellis, Ulizio, or Steuber.

I'm elated to hear good news about Khaleke. If there was ever a player that needed to emerge out of the defense, it would be the VIPER (of course, besides Gary). Hearing how Partridge recently described his improvement as well as giving a comparison to Jabrill at the beginning of last season has me very optimistic about the handling of hinge/zone and spy schemes going against spread teams, which is like 10 of our 12 opposing offenses this year. I don't know if Khaleke will be exactly the screen-buster or boundary corner that Jabrill is, but he should be agile enough to utilize being a good tackler and an aggressive blitzer and making heads-up plays.

I expect Hollywood David Long to be one of the guys that brings identity to this defense for the next 2-3 years--along with Hudson and Gary--as I predict All-American status by the end of his junior year. He's one of the fastest players on the team, he's already as bulky as Jourdan was at the end of his UM career, and he has one of the most notable work ethics out of the 2016 class. Oh, and LaVert will be great, too.`

Jtre1212

April 5th, 2017 at 12:30 AM ^

Metellus said in a video that he's repping safety now because he did it during the season so they want Hudson to take all the viper reps now. Also said he prefers Viper over safety because he likes to hit. Sounds like the coaches want to see who fits best where. Both are interchangeable but if I had to put money on it I think Hudson is at safety and Metellus at viper on opening day. Hopefully Woods or JKP impress during the spring because the safety depth is concerning.

BlueWolverine02

April 5th, 2017 at 12:43 AM ^

Could happen, but UMBig11 has a proven track record.  And if he says Hudson at Viper, then i'm likely to believe him instead of trying to come up with alternative scenarios in my head that are based on nothing but gut feeling.

Jtre1212

April 5th, 2017 at 1:03 AM ^

Yes Hudson is playing viper right now in the spring lol. Don Brown has said they will both play both spots. Metullus confirmed that on video as well as saying he's playing safety so he can learn the position because he knows all the viper stuff already. It's not an alternative scenario lol

BlueWolverine02

April 5th, 2017 at 1:37 AM ^

Obviously anything can happen.  But we have a quote like this "Viper, it is all Hudson no matter what you hear about Metellus. Hudson will be backed up by Uche/Furbush/Glasgow.", from an insider with a very good track record.  So the best information we have on hand points to Hudson at Viper, yet you come to a different conclusion.  Unless you have your own insider info, I question your logic.

Mr. Yost

April 5th, 2017 at 8:08 AM ^

I personally like both Metellus and Hudson at Viper and think they both end up there next year. Metellus brings the wood but he's been a coverage liability (from what I've heard)...problem is, Hudson has been even worse in coverage. I've heard Metellus compared to Shazor for those of you old enough to remember those days.

chatster

April 5th, 2017 at 7:17 AM ^

There are going to be lots of new faces on special teams this year. Yet there don’t seem to be any “rumblings” from Magnus or umbig11 about the special teams.
 
The punter/placekicker/kickoff specialist (Kenny Allen), the long snapper (Scott Sypniewski) and the holder (Garrett Moores, National Holder of the Year) from last season all are gone.  Both of the primary punt and kick returners (Jabrill Peppers and Jehu Chesson who also was an excellent “gunner” on the punt coverage unit) are gone.
 
Neither the expected starting placekicker (Quinn Nordin) nor the expected starting punter (Brad Robbins) has played in a college game, and Robbins won’t arrive at Michigan before the summer.
 
So, any “rumblings” this spring about the special teams?

Kevin13

April 5th, 2017 at 9:31 AM ^

and love to hear about the competition all around. Just makes everyone improve. I still feel Ruiz is going to be starting at center for us and that will allow us to move Cole to LT and keep Bredeson at LG. Think JBB finally breaks out and becomes a very good RT and RG will be Onwenu.  Have some good depth with Runyon, Ulizio and Kugler.  Think we will have a very good OL this year.

war-dawg69

April 5th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^

Thanks K 13. That way I do not have to write all that. I believe that is the starting line also. I also believe that the line will be better than last years especially at moving people. Ruiz allthough young is more stought than Cole. Reminds me of Kevin Glover. Just unmovable and it will only get worse for opposing teams as this line matures. Also with the o-line haul we should get next year the o-line future is laden with All-American type talent.

maize-blue

April 5th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^

News of Dwumfor not being seriously injured and being able to contribute this fall is very good news.

WestQuad

April 5th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^

There was talk about getting a transfer on the O-line, but it looks like Logan Tully-Tillman is at Akron and the Clemson guy Fruhmonger(sp?) is at Florida.    

Are we completely out of it for Aaron Cochran the big LT from Cal?  Latest I can find is that he just visited Auburn.