Top Players of the Decade
So AA.com put out a few lists today about the decade and Michigan football. They put out a top five story lines, top five games, and top ten players. Here is the list, of players, so i don't have to list them (http://www.annarbor.com/sports/michigans-top-10-football-players-of-the…).
I agree with the list, maybe a few changes in the order. Overall i think they got the top ten though. I would have liked to see an honorable mention, maybe including Zoltan and Manningham.
Thoughts?
December 30th, 2009 at 11:14 PM ^
but i think henne shouldnt be ranked as high and manningham should be in
i agree with the honorable mention though, all though there would be some good players fighting for it; the space emperor,harris, navarre (stretch)
December 30th, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
Why not? He was the all time leading passer for Michigan and led them to 2 BSC bowl games.
December 31st, 2009 at 10:40 AM ^
I'm turning the list up to 11.
11. John Navarre.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:41 AM ^
could probably go at 10 leon hall at 9 and drop the ol guy at 9 out
December 31st, 2009 at 12:50 AM ^
Marlin Jackson?
December 31st, 2009 at 2:13 AM ^
...Jake Long is easily #1. I mean 2-time all-american (Hart zero AA selections), #1 pick in the draft (Hart way down on the list), and Hart had the luxury of running behind Long. Also, surround Graham as a senior with the rest of the 2006 D and we're possibly talking about BG in the same breath with Kong (Suh). I ask you to refer to Brian's UFR grades if you disagree. Or one could simply watch film. The Beast might be the best DL ever to wear the winged helmet. (It's him, Messner, and Woodley pretty much. By the way, how'd you like those three up front in a 3-4?)
I'd re-order their top ten this way:
1. Long
2. Edwards
3. Graham
4. Hart
5. Woodley
6. Baas
7. Henne
8. Hall
9. Perry
10. Foote
December 31st, 2009 at 3:01 AM ^
Those three wouldn't fit as linemen in a 3-4. Messnar was not a nose tackle by any means and neither Woodley nor Graham have the size to be 3-4 DEs. Woodley and Graham are 3-4 OLBs/4-3 DEs and Messner could play linebacker, 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE. I'd rather see Graham, Messner, Branch and Woodley up front on a 4-3 line.
December 31st, 2009 at 8:46 AM ^
Not to focus too much on the all-time DL topic from the last couple of posts, but don't forget Glen Steele when you talk about Michigan's great DL players. When you watch highlights of the 97 team take a look at who is in the back-field on nearly every play - helping that great secondary make plays since the QB rarely had time.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:32 PM ^
by the center and a guard; and he'd still get a 2-3 yd push on almost every play. Great player on a great defense.
December 31st, 2009 at 9:27 AM ^
I am not 100% sure that i would put him on top ten of the decade, but i think Shawn Crable would be an honorable mention. Crable finished his Michigan career with 148 tackles (101 Solo), 16 sacks, 43 TFLs (28.5 in 2007-school record).
Pretty impressive stats, plus i always remember that MSU or OSU game when he caused the RB to switch directions and then he made the tackle 60 yards down the field, when it looked like a sure TD. Plus that awesome hit on Troy Smith, which was a BS call.
December 31st, 2009 at 10:05 AM ^
I'm sorry, but in my opinion Shaun Crable is one of the poster childs for the under achievement during the later stages of Carr's career. He was a maddening player who could make a spectacular play like Brandon Graham and then on the very next play he could make a bonehead play like Stevie Brown (the safety version).
You can't even get on the Honarable Mention list when your personal foul against Troy Smith costs Michigan the biggest game of the decade and your botched block on a field goal attempt completes the biggest upset in college football history. While I realize those two plays were among dozens that decided those games, he was directly involved in both and that puts him so far away from this list that it isn't worth debating.
(Side note - I'm still not sure what the correct call should have been on that Troy Smith play. If he's a RB I don't think they make the call. But he did hit him with his helmet and regardless of intent they usually call that.)
December 31st, 2009 at 10:13 AM ^
1) Jake Long
2) Braylon Edwards
3) Chad Henne
4) Mike Hart
5) Lamarr Woodley
6) Leon Hall
7) Brandon Graham
8) Larry Foote
9) Chris Perry
10) Steve Breaston
December 31st, 2009 at 11:02 AM ^
i agree with ac1997. as a hyped recruit, he never impressed me with his playing, and i heard he had motivational issues. and that call in the 2006 game was a good call. it was indeed a late hit, and NCAA officials always protect star players. (just watch the NCAA tournament mens basketball U-M vs. Oklahoma, 2009)
December 31st, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
I think I am enjoying that Michigan has this many people worthy of the all-decade team. Anyways, I think Jackson and Graham needs to be on this list and I could argue Breaston and Manningham.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^
No Jon Navarre?
December 31st, 2009 at 12:42 PM ^
John Navarre was QB the last time M beat ND, MSU and OSU in the same season (2003). But looking back, it seems like when M won, Perry or Braylon got most of the credit, and when M lost it was Navarre's fault. Not completely fair, but that's the lingering memory.
8-4, 10-3, 10-3 ... not bad, but disappointing at the time.