Walk-on Brink competing well with BWC?
Has anyone heard any rumors about Walk-On Nathan Brink (Holland) giving BWC a run for his money? It might be Coach Mongomery trying to motivate BWC, and I can't imagine it he would get surpassed by a Walk-On, but I saw a brief clip of a quote by Coach M saying Brink was their "best technician". The rest was behind a pay-wall. I saw another post mentioning that coaches were very pleased with Brink, as well. This would be great to have a reliable back up and/or to keep BWC working hard.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
Who the hell is that? You usually use the name first, then abbreviate it afterward!
August 16th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^
Really?
August 16th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^
Will Campbell is commonly referred to as BWC, or Big Will Campbell.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
LOL YMNBFAH
August 16th, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
I guess Canadians don't use abbreviations.
It's a shame that you must not know who GSP is. You're missing out. He's a national treasure.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:22 PM ^
We use abbreviations here on the east coast. I can't speak for Ontario though, they're a breed all their own.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:51 PM ^
Yes we are - a proud of it! Though I do love the east coast.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^
Well, now I'm the tool that has to ask who "GSP" is (and I'm going to be even more embarrassed because it will seem obvious once you tell me).
August 16th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
Patton. Don't ask how I know.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
Odd. I thought it stood for George St. Pierre. Badass Canadian MMA.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^
It does.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
George St. Pierre
he is one of the best pound for pound fighters (MMA)
August 16th, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
If true, it may well explain some of the lack of urgency to take another defensive tackle in the 2012 class.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
Nothing explains our lack of urgency to take another DT in my opinion.
You can never have enough talented big men in the middle of the defensive line and with Martin and RVB leaving after this year, we need to keep loading up!
I'll be very disappointed if we turn down O'Brien or any other highly rated DT prospect. Of course I will defer to the coaches expertise. But I will be very confused to say the least.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
were supposed to be calling O'brien Monday to let him know where they stand currently... did i miss an update on what came of that phone call? I"m very interested to know.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^
As far as I know we haven't heard yet. Tom said O'Brien was going to call them and he (Tom) would update us after, but to the best of my knowledge that hasn't happened. So, something to look forward to today, I guess!
August 16th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
If you check the Depth Chart By Class (up under useful stuff) Wormley is being projected as a DT and Pipkins as NT. So we have two in this class.
I think we need another NT next year to build depth. That way they have a year seperation on the depth chart.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:06 PM ^
I believe Godin is slated to play inside as well.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^
By "inside" he means inside the tight end. He's going to be playing the 5-tech, just like Ryan Van Bergen.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
I though I read somewhere that he would likely move to tackle. I may have just completely made it up though.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^
Greg Mattison uses funny terminology. He calls the 5-tech a "tackle" even though most people consider it a defensive end.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^
Fair enough. At 260-270 before his senior year of high school, he seemingly at least has the requisite size to play the three-tech.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
At this point the only obvious certainty is Roh. There is reason for some optimism at SDE, with a hope that Black is ready to step in and potential for others to compete. if someone doesn't step up at the DT spot, the interior of the line is a whole lotta hope. While I think many expect that at least one the DE recruits will move inside, Godin is the only one who seems to have the potential size to do it on day 1. Adding highly qualified candidates to our small pool of potential starters seems much more imperative if Brink is really competing for time.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
I am all for a good walk on story, but I'd feel much better to hear about what a good job Washington and Ash are doing. If a 260 lb walkon is really competing for time, we clearly have a depth problem.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
Brink would backup RVB's spot as a 5-tech/SDE. Can't imagine he's big enough to play as a 3-tech, but who knows.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^
Heard the guy hits like a Brinks truck.
I think I'm going to down vote myself for that one.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
Well I heard that he was saved from the brink of disaster as a young boy.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^
what's his favorite Disney channel original movie?
August 16th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
Team Pup N' Suds was my favorite.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^
He must be a soul skater.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
To echo on the DE comments, his only action in Michigan was as a backup DE during the BGSU game and he only weights 263.
...yet oddly enough he's listed on his player bio as a DT.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^
As far as I know, Brink is a 5-tech (like RVB). So, I don't think he'd be in direct competition with BWC, a 3-tech.
Again, all just as far as I know.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
Never underestimate the will of a man out to prove himself. As coaches always say, "PT is earned, not given." I hope Brink is pushing the other higher rated guys harder. In a perfect world, it'll make them ALL better.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
As I pore through and (over?) analyze comments from the D coaching staff through this admittedly still early stage of Fall camp, I'm gathering that BWC is proving a rather fustrating study. One keeps seeing the term "inconsistent" applied to him. Unless Will really steps up during the remainder of the camp, it would not surprise me at all if he is NOT a starter. It just seems that one thing this staff will not put up with is inconsistent effort.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
I think virtually every player comment from any of the coaches has essentially been, "He looks good, great kid, committed and working hard, just needs to be more consistent and bring it every time."
They are never going to say, "I am totally satisifed with the progress of this player and am not seeking further improvement on his part."
As long as BWC is running with the first unit I would chalk it all up to coachspeak.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
I would be very surprised if Campbell doesn't start.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:27 PM ^
When the coaches are talking about inconsistent they have meant inconsistent play, not effort. In every instance I have heard them use the word they were implying the player was playing well consistently, not that he wasn't putting forth the effort. One does not equal the other. All I have heard about BWC is that he is giving tremendous effort but technique wise he has been inconsistent.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
the other day on WTKA and talked about how the coaches have been raiving about Brink's motor and toughness. One of the reasons he was a walkon was size, but he has put on weight to get to 265. It sure sounded like they were using him as a DT (and not a DE) even though he is not that big. Perhaps he can be a situational guy they use on the interior on passing downs. Beyond that his role is to motivate BWC and other people to bring it on every play.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
"Best technician" sounds like typical walk-on praise (like "heady player" or "hard worker"), not a sign that he's going to see significant playing time.
Either way though it is great to see the revived walk-on program continue. Even if it doesn't produce any "Main St. players", practice should be much improved by the presence of so many extra big men (I think at this point we have 5-6 legit, D1 sized walk-ons just on the offensive line alone).
August 16th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^
He was a 5'10 175 lb "middle guard" as a freshman. Bulked up to 195 lb for his sr. season in which he started. Bo called him one of his smartest players ever.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^
I wouldn't put stock in what coaches say this early in camp. Brink may or may not be coming on. But because he's a tough kid who works hard, naturally the coaches would single him out for praise. Doing so tells the unsung guys they've got a chance, and it tells the stars to get cracking. How many times did we hear previous coaches praise guys who ended up playing sparingly?
August 16th, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^
I'll be shocked if Big Will doesn't start.
Rather I think Campbell will make Detroit proud this year.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
I doubt he'll start over Will. Coach Monty says Will has come a long way since the new regime arrived. BWC is putting in the work, and it's showing.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:31 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^
According to the latest practice report from Rivals. Brink, Martin, Van Bergen, and Black were the 4. Interesting that Van Bergen was inside with Martin and Brink was outside..Maybe Van Bergen is going to play inside?