michfan6060

January 8th, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^

Wow rough Army experience for Yuri. Not good when your "highlight" video consist of being burnt and missed tackles.

Mr. Yost

January 8th, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^

I'm not sure I'd say he looked terrible.

This was one game, the rules are catered to the offense, you can't blitz and you have to play simple coverages.

He was also manned up against an NFL draft prospect and left on an island many times. He got torched twice, but there aren't many CBs in college that could stop DGB 1 on 1. He's the #1 player in the country in the eyes of many. Meaning he's an instant impact WR ala Sammy Watkins, AJ Green and Julio Jones.

Wright will be fine, not often will he ever have to do what he was asked to do yesterday. Cover the national #1 high school WR (and likely one of the top college WRs next year), by himself, no blitzing, no extensive practice.

With that said, he seemed slow out of his break...but he does like to hit. I could definitely see him playing some FS down the road. Reminds me of Antrel Rolle.

Maize and Blue…

January 8th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^

Yes DGB did get him a couple times, but that's comparable to losing a battle with Megatron (it's inevitable).  He did make Mags miss him to be able to get to Yeldon who made a lot of people miss. Considering it's only his second year playing the game I would gladly welcome him to the Wolverine family.

Kudos to the OP for putting together such a nice package.

Farnn

January 8th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^

Seems that hurdling people has become a bigger thing over the past few years.  Hadn't seen much before McGuffie and now it seems pretty common, especially at the HS level.

Someone is going to get hurt doing that.  Then it will become a penalty to do it, and I'm not sure I disagree.  Going vertical and then getting tackled by a 300lb D-lineman is just asking for a neck injury.

DGDestroys

January 8th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^

I don't think there'll ever be a penalty for that. That'd be like saying you can't spin anymore, because there's a chance you won't see someone who's about to slam you to the ground while your head is in motion. 

It's dangerous, sure, but I doubt they'll ever make it illegal

Farnn

January 8th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^

At least at the HS level I see some rule being made about it if some kid suffers a spinal injury.  And seeing how the NFL is penalizing defensive players to protect QBs and let teams score more points, they could just make it a fine or penalty to tackle someone who is airborn.

Mr. Yost

January 8th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^

WTH?

This is football, that doesn't even make sense.

What happens if a guy is just laying on the ground? You have to stop and try to run around him?

If that were ever the case, you'd be rewarding poor tackling. Every coach would just tell the defense to tackle low. Either you get the guy or he jumps over you and it's a 10 yard penalty.

Mr. Yost

January 8th, 2012 at 1:35 PM ^

He was playing guard, the fact that it was his first time and he held up REALLY well is definitely a plus in my book.

He's definitely an OT in my eyes, he's got solid athleticism for a lineman, almost looks like a jumbo TE out there. He'll fit nice at LT.

Magnus

January 8th, 2012 at 5:51 PM ^

The difference between playing high school All-Americans and All-Big Ten players is like night and day.  Neither Magnuson nor Kalis looks ready to "start."  They look ready to redshirt.  Due to a lack of depth, there's a decent chance that Kalis actually sees the field next year, but it's not because he looks like a Michigan-caliber starter.

Let's keep our expectation level realistic.

gopoohgo

January 8th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^

Pipkins looked very good for a HS senior.  Given our 'depth' at DL, I can see him getting playing time as a true frosh.  Hopfully he will go all-out in offseason conditioning to shed a bit of his 'bad weight'

Farnn

January 8th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^

Considering he was going against the best lineman, at this point, in the 2012 class I thought he held up well and showed his stuff when he didn't have to get through Kalis.  Not saying Kalis should be the highest ranked, but with all the coaching he has recieved and people saying he could play as a true freshman, I don't think I'm being a homer when saying he is the best right now.  He probably won't be the highest drafted in 4-5 years, which rankings take into account, but he's amazing for his age.

Mr. Yost

January 8th, 2012 at 1:39 PM ^

Pipkins is a player, no doubt...he can really go and he goes hard. I do worry about his conditioning. For those thinking he's going to start next year with 3 DLmen leaving, you're crazy. Not a chance, however, I think he definitely can take over Will Campbell's role from this year's team. Few snaps early on, continue to learn technique and get in better shape. And by midseason we'll see flashes of a 5-star.

He'll certainly factor into the rotation, he's so big, so strong, and definitely quick enough for his size. However, he's not ready to play every down in college, hopefully QWashington or Ash can fill in alongside Campbell and Pipkins and spell them for some big time plays and valuable minutes.

no joke its hoke

January 8th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^

i thought all our commits looked good. Biggs showed off some nice wheels but Pee Wee,Mags and Kalis looked like future all big ten players! 

rival players looked ok. Jones for ND got smashed all day against Mags. Washington looked good for Ohio but only got pressure agianst Zach Banner. oh and Cal cleaned up yesterday!!!

Farnn

January 8th, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^

I was originally a bit worried about Banner because he's 6'9" and you don't see many OL that tall.  After Campbell I will always worry about linemen being too tall, because I realize now how important leverage and being able to get low is.  Campell may be the strongest player out there, but if a 2 star guard from Iowa gets good leverage on him, he can just be pushed around like he's on ice.

Nardudeski

January 8th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^

Yuri doesn't seem to break very well, he's probably not going to be a potential game changer at the next level. Pipkins looks great though, those are the type of recruits that can make the difference for Michigan getting to the next level. Top SEC teams kill with a depth of d-lineman like him

denardogasm

January 8th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^

What specifically is it about Pipkins that makes everyone rave about him? Obviously I love running down Diggs and that QB and pancaking them but it seemed like on a lot of those he was getting penetration, but to the place the offense wanted him to go so the backs could blow through the hole. Don't really know the ins and outs of D-line play so I'm legitimately curious.

JCM26

January 8th, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^

Three things that impressed me most about Andre Pipkens are:

1) His motor - the kid kept at it.  He was still running even when plays were going away from him and gave up only when the play was totally out of reach.  He also took good angles at ball carriers and avoided uneccessary traffic to get in on plays.

2) His will - seems the kid has a fairly healthy desire to excel, and plays with a certain level of agression.

3) "Intangibles" - I'm not saying Andre has "it" as a DL, but the kid appeared to have played within himself and did so with ease.  He was clearly producing without pressing.  To me this indicates whether a player has substantial upside as opposed to maxing out his abilities.

Dustinlo

January 8th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^

I can't post a new thread, but Tom VH posted that Shane will play in next year's Under Armor game. Nice to get him lined up for it already.

beeg75

January 8th, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^

He may not have made a ton of plays, but he sure gets to the ball real quick...I hope that kid continues to improve. On a sidenote am I the only one who thinks the Army AA game, is light years ahead of the UA game?

beeg75

January 8th, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^

He may not have made a ton of plays, but he sure gets to the ball real quick...I hope that kid continues to improve. On a sidenote am I the only one who thinks the Army AA game, is light years ahead of the UA game?