What is concern level for defensive secondary w/o Clark?

Submitted by crg on
So, we all were enjoying a beautiful beat-down of Penn State when Clark went down late in the game. Assuming he is out for the season, we already know (or can provide educated guesses) about the likely replacements and player shifts or the defense. Here is the real question: how concerned should we be for:

1) Wisconsin game? 2) State game? 3) OSU game? 4) Big Ten championship?

I don't believe the other games are a concern (aside from ChaosTeam, which is just fun). How much of a dropoff should we expect short-term? Is the ceiling higher at the end if the season? Thanks.
MGoBoard
Football

WoodleyIsBeast

September 25th, 2016 at 10:52 PM ^

It means Lavert Hill and David Long will be put into situations that they might not otherwise be in. The good news is that we have the best D-Line in the country. It is also nice the Lewis is back from here on out. Feel really bad for Clark, this is a heck of a season to be a part of. This late as well....reminds me of the Ojemudia situation.

Joined: 09/24/2009

MGoPoints: 39727

cutter

September 26th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^

Take a look at the play towards the end of the game when the Penn State running back fumbles the ball.  You'll see Long (#22) lined up to the bottom of the screen covering a wide receiver.  He'll also be visible as one of the players congratulating Hill (#24) for the fumble recovery.

Other players in the secondary in the video were Metellus (#13) at safety along with Thomas (#25).  Uche (#35) was at LB.

I hate losing Jeremy Clark not only because of his size and experience, but because this was his last season at Michigan.  Fingers crossed that he gets a sixth year (no doubt Michigan will apply for it), but I'd be doubtful at this point.

After the Wisconsin game, U-M goes to Rutgers, has a bye week, then host Illinois.  Whoever does emerge as Clark's replacement is likley going to have time to work on his responsibilities not only in practice but in a few live games before the Michigan State contest.

 

 

Joined: 07/07/2008

MGoPoints: 815

OwenGoBlue

September 26th, 2016 at 12:11 AM ^

Good news is we have Jourdan back for slot stuff and the other guys are better equipped for the outside early in their careers (especially Watson). Clark was having a hell of a season and will be drafted so definitely still a loss. Biggest impact is if we lose another starter - we are lucky to have rare top end depth at the position.

Joined: 04/03/2016

MGoPoints: 31530

ijohnb

September 26th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^

think he was working his way into the early rounds of the draft and was playing at an all BIG level.  I think he is clearly better than Stribbling and I think it is a big loss.  I have to say it, there are some "detail" type things that Harbaugh overlooks.  He should never have a starting cornerback in on kick off coverage up 42-10 in the fourth.  His starting corners should already be in street clothes enjoying a game of chess with hot tea in the locker room.

The MSU punt formation is another example.  And an all-out punt block against OSU in the end-zone when Peppers was literally waiting to take it back to the house is another.  These things start to grind on you as a fan after a while. 

I know, #Harbaugh.  This just seemed very avoidable. 

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

Ronnie Kaye

September 25th, 2016 at 11:03 PM ^

If Lewis is going to be the nickel and it means David Long is put on the outside against 3-wide sets, my concern is minimal If they put Lewis on the outside and Watson in the nickel, concern is high. Watson has been here too long to look as rough as he did during time he got in the first threw games. He probably is what is, which is not very good.

Joined: 05/09/2015

MGoPoints: 104

Stuck in Lansing

September 25th, 2016 at 11:04 PM ^

Not high because we still have Lewis, Stribling and Peppers. I don't see Brandon Watson as a legitimate option, but Hill and Long are. Long was the #8 CB and Hill was #12, so they are raw but good. We need to get them both playing time for next year as well. 

Joined: 07/26/2015

MGoPoints: 5753

Mr. Yost

September 25th, 2016 at 11:05 PM ^

Because Lewis is back.

Basically you bring Lewis in and sub Clark out if you're looking at the beginning of the season and the rest of the season.

Everything else stays the same.

...the issue is depth. Which is why I say on the surface. Because now we have our 2 starting CBs (even if Clark was playing better than Stribling, the coaches clearly think high enough of Strib to keep starting him over Clark).

We don't have any depth and I think Clark would've helped out the CBs when Stribling is having a bad game or the Ss when, say, Thomas is having a bad game.

I think the safties are still okay because Kinnel is coming on and I don't think there's too much off a difference between Clark the 3rd safety and Kinnel the 3rd safety.

My fear is we no longer have a bonafide 3rd CB.

The luxury is that we don't bring on a 3rd CB in Nickel situations...we have Peppers as the 5th DB. When we go Dime, we've been playing another safety, so Kinnel comes in.

So rotations wise...we're fine. It's depth, and that's scary. We need someone of these young guys to grow up quick just in case they're called upon.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

TheReal_GR3

September 25th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^

I have a small level of concern. For the record I still believe that Clark was a better player than Stribling and I actually don't think it was that close. But I'll leave that debate. 

Clark is however the more versital of the two players as he was the better tackler and could have player safety if needed. 

Back to corner, I'm not too concerned because there is talent to step in. We all know of the young guys in Hill and Long... Watson has played a decent amount of nickel as he has proved he can tackle but has had issue covering inside. I wonder if he does better covering outside as Lewis got a lot of nickel snaps. 

Thye guy I am interested in seeing is actually Keith Washington. He got some early snaps outside before Clark got hurt but I couldn't get a read on him. He is taller than Hill, Long and Watson and has more speed than Stribling. 

The point is there are guys and we aren't without talent. HOWEVER, you can't just replace Clark with no drop off. He is 6-4, can run and tackle and most importantly a 5th year senior!!! 

Still there is talent and great coaching. I'm slightly excited. 

Joined: 04/11/2015

MGoPoints: 1125

ThadMattasagoblin

September 25th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^

I don't know how good Indiana's qb is. Admittedly, I haven't watched too much Indiana football this year but from the box scores they've scored 34, 30, and 28 to FIU, Ball State, and Wake Forest. Not that great.

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 64036

doggdetroit

September 25th, 2016 at 11:42 PM ^

He threw for 500 yards and 3 TDs against Wake Forest. He also threw 5 picks. Still, within the B1G, he is second only to Barrett in QBR.

I would say Indiana is probably the only team on the remaining schedule (other than OSU) capable of mimicking Colorado's success. The other good teams (Wisconsin, MSU) are going to have to rely on defense as opposed to outscoring Michigan. Nebraska's offense could also give Michigan problems in a hypothetical B1G title game.

Joined: 09/05/2015

MGoPoints: 2337

reshp1

September 25th, 2016 at 11:18 PM ^

Concern is pretty high for me. Watson was the guy that got pushed into service for Lewis and A) wasn't very good and B) isn't really ideal against tall outside receivers. Hopefully one of Long or Hill can step up and play. If nothing else, they'll be needed next year.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177