Who will the 2016 linebackers be?

Submitted by Skunkbearcat on

After today's game, a lot of people have been commenting that our linebackers were too slow, couldn't tackle, and couldn't keep pace/do anything against the physical Ohio State defensive front. We have a bunch of senior Hoke guys that graduate. Who is going to replace them, and are they going to be any better?

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alum96

November 28th, 2015 at 8:56 PM ^

Peppers is not playing a traditional safety right now - he is sort of a super D-back.

We played much of the year in a 4-2-5 with a back 5 of

  1. Lewis
  2. Clark (Stribling)
  3. Peppers
  4. Wilson
  5. Hill(Thomas)

Wilson is gone next year.

So that leaves Hill and Thomas as your safeties with Kinnel the only backup on the team.  Literally there is no true safety outside of those 3 unless you call Clark and Peppers true safeties.

We don't have depth at safety at all.  We are 1 injury away from not having a 3rd safety unless you remove Peppers from his "super D-back/nickel" thingie and make him a full time safety which eliminates lots of his ability to disrupt within 5 yards of the LOS.

Also Thomas is all of 191 lbs per official site.  He would get obliterated in the running game when OL get to his level.

Joined: 04/28/2012

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steven_callejas

November 28th, 2015 at 8:57 PM ^

I think Gedeon is 1 of our linebackers next year. Gant is too small and I don't see him getting a 5th year. Wangler is a glue type guy, but don't see him as a starter. He's a special teamer. I like Marshall, and maybe he use this offseason to mature this season. I feel that Bush is coming to Michigan and could start from day 1. I will be curious to see if we move a player from a different position. I think Ty Isaac would have the size to make that switch.

Joined: 06/02/2012

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alum96

November 28th, 2015 at 9:29 PM ^

Unless every recruiting site on earth is wrong that is a guy you redshirt, put on 20 lbs and roll him out there in his 3rd year.  He looks like an athletic guy who needs time and strength and weight gain.

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Jumpman Maize

November 28th, 2015 at 8:59 PM ^

This will be a weakness next year. In order for us to be a national championship team next year, this cannot be a glaring weakness, as it is this year. I'm hoping that our very strong d-line (next year) hides this weakness. Other than that, I feel the team's very near future is bright. I am also holding out hope that another year being coached by Harbaugh and Co. vastly improves the LB athleticism.

Joined: 11/28/2015

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growler4

November 28th, 2015 at 9:44 PM ^

I agree that another year under this staff, assuming staff stability, will help in terms of technique and understanding the defensive philosophy and role assignments. Hopefully, strengh and conditioning with improve, too.

But how can any coaching staff improve a players athleticism?? Seems predominantly a matter of genetics.

Joined: 11/24/2014

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schreibee

November 28th, 2015 at 10:05 PM ^

I think "spot on" is glossing over too many weaknesses. We would've no doubt looked better with the complete DL as depth-charted in camp out there - but who has that? Everyone suffers injuries.

The LB (well mostly Bolden, sometimes Morgan, and Ross when they let him play) were getting dinged in UFR the entire season, even when R. Glasgow was in front of them.

That's the reason for this thread and the reason it has so many replies. The LB situation was passable for most of this season before osu, but could be literally dire next year.

 

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