Pretty reliable poster on Scout ($$) says someone else may be starting at safety over Mike Williams. Emilien?
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=162&f=1088&t=5107773
EDIT: I'm a loser, and didn't even think of Brandon Smith.
Good! Williams just isn't
Williams is the one guy on
Williams is the one guy on defense that I single out every single Saturday. Vlad can't be worse.
Actually
It looks like Brandon Smith.
That being said, it is what it is.
I've been wondering why the
I've been wondering why the haven't given him a shot.
not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user
Because they can't find him a position
he had been moved to LB in fall practice and before last week moved back to Safety
Is he not fast enough to play
Is he not fast enough to play safety? I'm really asking, I don't know.
not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user
It's not a matter of
It's not a matter of straight-line speed as much as it is reaction time, change of direction, and hip fluidity. He's just not someone you want covering receivers in open space.
Gamer
Maybe Brandon Smith is the gamer we have been looking for. Apparently all these other guys practice well and it ends at that. Give him a chance, lets see what the kid can do.
Agree - alot of guys don't
Agree - alot of guys don't really show what they are made of until they step on the field come gameday. That is why I am all for sticking someone else back there just to give them a shot. Can't hurt. Go blue.
Why the hell not? Right?
Why the hell not? Right?
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I'm hoping to see Brandon
I'm hoping to see Brandon Smith back there - I mean - his name is Brandon right? Aren't all Brandon's the shit?
The one's who wear #4 even
The one's who wear #4 even more so.
B Smith has been kicking
B Smith has been kicking serious ass on special teams. Even if he only plays a few series, it would be a good reward for making so many tackles and busting his ass every week.
'Murica & Footbaw: That's what Michigan Does
I can see it now. Brandon
I can see it now. Brandon Smith gets back there, holds down the position and looks Big Ten Caliber. Our defense plays the best game it's played in two years, and everybody will be asking where Smith has been all year calling into question the coaches ability to recognize talent.
yep
I completely agree. If whoever they put in there plays well (and it would be hard to play worse) people will be wondering why we waited so long.
Ned Flanders: You know what they say: "With great power comes great responsibility."
Homer: Who said that?! I'll kill them with my power!
The thing that always bugged
The thing that always bugged me about the situation is that whenever BSmith has come in for spot play, he has looked really fast. Or at least fast enough if he can play smart football. I'm really excited to see him in action.
Umm, for good reason
If that is the case with Smith and I hope it to be so that he is wildly successful. This would be a person who was deemed not capable of playing the position and we waited until the second to the last game of the season to "try it out" while getting killed on a weekly basis with our safety play. Gibson would sort of be setting himself up for that one with the second guessing regardless of what coaches are "seeing in practice".
I'll take...
...a second guess of the coaching if it means getting Williams off the field
Nothing good ever had "State" in its name
Anything
Absolutely anyone is deserving of a shot over Williams. He has single handedly blown coverage and given up TD's so many times. I would put almost ANY DB back there over him, how much worse could it be? Vlad, Smith, just someone who isn't Williams.
I've been called the songbird of my generation, by those who have heard me. THAT GOOD
Come on
Williams hasn't had deep responsibility all that much. He's definitely given up a few, and certainly is playing in a position that isn't best for him. However, go back and look at the UFR's, and you'll find out on most of the big plays there are 3-4 guys all missing coverage assignments or tackles. Has he made mistakes? Absolutely. But he's not the only reason most of those plays went big.
There is an awful
lot of Mike Williams bashing going on here that is unnecessary. He's not perfect. But he's young. He has made some bad plays. But the reason he's playing already is becuase we can't play Woolfolk at safety.
If you want to call out the D, please do. I don't think it's fair to Mike Williams or the coaches to paint him as the only or primary goat here.
When did your mother let you out of the basement Mr. Rosenberg?
He's also played under 3
No Way
Yes, other people on defense have been bad, but that doesn't mean I can't state that Williams is playing bad. He is responsible for two or three TD's against Iowa, several of the Juice Williams big runs, and an assortment of other blown coverages. You don't have to be the deep safety to have blown coverage. He gets sucked into PA all the time and leaves TE's that are his responsibility wide open. Having three different defensive cordinators has nothing to do with whether or not you can read a fake handoff.
I've been called the songbird of my generation, by those who have heard me. THAT GOOD
I don't know...A tackle is a
I don't know...A tackle is a tackle.
I agree
Give the kid a reward for being a badass on special teams coverage. Brandon Smith is always flying around and making plays. They need to give him another number, though. Having two #4's is a little confusing.
In an alternate universe, Michigan will change to a 4-6 Bear to be able to stop the pounding up the middle this weekend. I guess that playing a running team when you're horrible at stopping long passes could be a good thing. I'm praying that we get a defense like the one that showed up against Minnesota last year. For that one game last year, they looked like hungry wolves out to destroy everything in their path.
What's the matter
with the Michigan D against Wisconsin last year?
Concern with BSmith
has been his speed and coverage ability thus the move to LB. With Wisconsin being a power running team this is a perfect opportunity to get him in on D. Even if he plays well I wonder if he gets the same opportunity next week against the Buckeyes.
We all know that Tyrell Pryor
We all know that Tyrell Pryor isn't going to beat anybody with short accurate passes.
Ohio State offense is either a run play or some sort or a fifty yard bomb that exploits busted coverage or with expectation that the receiver will make a better play on the ball then the safety.
We don't need a safety who can make up wasted ground, we need a safety who's going to play smart, maintain deep coverage and not give up anything easy.
Based upon recent his recent play
and not to disparage him, but I actually think the phrase "anybody but M. Williams" is applicable. Frankly, I haven't seen promise in really any facet from him to this point. Emilmen would surprise me, though, from no playing time to starting safety in a do or die scenario would be somewhat difficult. As to overall secondary, though Wolfolk himself looks more comfortable at corner, I think the defense overall was a little more stable with him playing safety. But with no Boo Boo, I beleive it would be Floyd or uh... at the other corner if they made that move. No easy answer, accept keep the defense off the field, which may partially explain the Denard option this weekend. Small chunks of yardage and clock control, but hold to the ball young man.
How many blue hairs are going
How many blue hairs are going to be wondering why the hell Minor is starting at safety?
That, and why is he wearing a
That, and why is he wearing a wig.
The Big Ten Network crews
The Big Ten Network crews that cover Michigan games is always getting that wrong. Every time Smith makes a tackle on special teams they say it's Minor, it's gets really funny really quickly.
Put me in coach....
I'm ready to play..today.
Look at me, I can be a safety.
- Brandon Smith
I Got some practice in
a brand-new hat, and brand-new pair of shoes;
You know I think it's time to give safety a try.
Just to take the field and fly around - a moment in cheese-land;
(bam) that wide-out’s down and you can kiss his ass goodbye!
When did your mother let you out of the basement Mr. Rosenberg?
if past history has
told us anything its that it doesn't seem to matter who plays safety for Michigan because they immediately suck.
...see Stevie Brown.
Brandin Smith
The Fake Brandon Minor gets off the kick off coverage and into the defensive backfield. Me likey
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MSU/IU at the JCB
Brandon Smith
I'd be really happy if Brandon Smith got the start. Me and my buddies played basketball at the CCRB last summer with some of the football guys and by far the most athletic person on the court was B Smith. I think some posters have alluded to this earlier but I think the mental aspects of the game might be what have limited his appearances to special teams because athletically, he's a beast.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise - the other, loyalty.” Fielding Yost
Let's hope
that whoever it is, Angry Michigan Safety-Hating God has decided to take the week off.
redefining epic fail, one comment at a time
Angry Michigan Safety-Hating God
hasn't needed to do anything b/c our safeties just aren't good football players. Angry Michigan Safety-Hating God did his work on the recruiting trail a few years back and is now on vacation for the foreseeable future.
It seems we have a fair
It seems we have a fair number of decent free safeties/typical strong safeties (Williams, Kovacs, perhaps Smith). What we've been lacking for so long is that guy who can play the deep middle of the field. I'm still a proponent of moving Woolfolk back to SS, but we'll see how this goes...
Woolfolk to SS
Do you mean long term or this year? Who would you put at the other CB if it is this year?
JT Floyd and have him play off the LOS?
BiaBiakabutuka21
I would put Woolfolk at SS for the remainder of his career here. I think we have more help coming at cornerback than safety, and I think safeties should usually be upperclassmen, anyway.
I'd put Floyd at cornerback and yes, just play him in off man coverage, cover 3, or cover 2. I'd also try to roll the safety to his side whenever possible.
I think that
this is a sound strategy, especially versus Wisconsin, who does not have a great QB, Tolzien, is more of a running team, and relies on TEs quite a bit.
...confidence is the stain they can't wipe off...
Sounds good to me
Seems like we are less likely to get burned for a long one with Woolfolk back at SS.
Yes, they could nickel and dime us all day with Floyd playing back at CB but that is some thing I am much more able to live with.
I hope
I hope we get an Uncle Rico like moment..."Coach woulda put me in we woulda been big ten champs...No doubt, No doubt in my mind"
Edit: I mean that in the sense that we would have finally found a compitent safety
David Cone is my homeboy...
Hey I'm back.
Sorry. I have to start over with points though. Up vote me so I can post. Thanks guys.
What happened? Where is your
What happened? Where is your old account?
Brian, give him his points back!
Eh, should've read further, n/m.
not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user
People talk about the lack of
People talk about the lack of depth at CB going forward, but I'm equally concerned about S. I think Turner is a CB and will likely start across from Warren next year. That will free up Woolfolk to move back to safety where he is better suited. I'm still hoping Vlad can lock down the other spot next year. Something tells me Brandon Smith just isnt a true safety. He may have a bright future at LB, I just dont see him as a safety.
WolvinLA
Where did you go? And how did you lose your account?
Some of life's mysteries may
Some of life's mysteries may never be solved. Brian and I were trying to figure it out, I'm sure it was my fault somehow. At about the same time I took another job where I'm not in front of a computer all day, so I haven't even been able to be the uber-commenter I was in months past.
Good! Williams just isn't getting it done.