To Whom Should the #1/#2 Jerseys be Awarded?

Submitted by MgoblueAF on

As the title states, who gets awarded the #1 & #2 jerseys next yr? Just about all of the season is hashed. Will it be no one again (besides Vincent Smith) or...

- #1 contenders: Roundtree, Gallon, Stonum

- #2 contenders: Floyd, Countess

I think this would be an interesting question for Heiko to pose at a press conference, but not until after the bowl game. Any time before that and we'll get coach speak. Anyway, your predictions?

UMaD

November 25th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^

If we're going to use numbers in an honorary manner, they're about not only on-field excellence but off-field character.

 #21 appears to be around to honor a WR, and surely more honorary numbers are on the way for other positions (i.e. #20 for RB, #77 for OT).  These honorary numbers lose meaning if they don't retain a positional identitiy. 

But #1, if it's going to be used the way Braylon and others imagine, should go beyond position and go beyond on-field talent. Despite the impressive history of great WR wearing #1 (and some DB and not-so-great WR), Braylon's the only real prcedent for being 'awarded' the number as an honor.  The tradition was defined with Carr convincing him the jersey required not only talent but also maturity and leadership. #1 should be about leadership and character first but also about a dominant game-breaking talent that the defense always has to pay attention to and regularly assign extra-defenders towards. 

Denard's the obvious choice.  {That is, if he wants it. He might prefer that 16 become the number that gets honored for QBs}.

If we keep it to WR exclusively we're going to run into a dynamic where #21 is secondary to #1 which is a) weird and b) a dishonor to Desmond, who, some of you might be too young to remember, was a better player than most if not all the guys who wore #1 AND a better exemplefier of the 'Michigan Man' character (regardless of how you define it, Desmond's a better man.)  Conclusion - #1 doens't have to be a WR.

As for #2, I guess the idea is that it's the #1 for defense?  This seems strange for a team that wants to identify itself as being defensive-oriented but...Woodson,.nuff said....  Like #1, it has to go beyond position.  David Harris would have looked good wearing #2.  Brandon Graham could have worn it if you ask me.

Countess looks great and seems to have the personality to match.  For whatever reason, it seems premature to give anyone the number after a freshman year, but I don't know what more Countess could do in this year.  I'd let him know he's got a shot at it and, if all goes well, give it to him going into his junior year.

 

jwilkins3

November 25th, 2011 at 2:10 PM ^

After the Alabama game next year if he earns it. Still no WR...Stefon Diggs would be the next great #1 if he committed...probably earn it Junior year. There is really no #1 WR possible on this team right  now but everyone has been making plays for the offense and defense all year, which is great. Even though this team has no #1 or 2 year, they should be 10-1 right now (got hosed at Iowa, Junior caught that ball) and ttop 8-10 BCS.   

thisisme08

November 25th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^

WRs...none at this point.  the #1 jersey WR to me says your the baddest mofo out there and can take over the game at any time ala Braylon (sorry too young to really remember AC/Desmond).  So far none of our recievers have shown that ability; are they good, yes, do they go all out, yes but none of them is just physical freak.

DB...Countess could do it.  Floyd has had good games but again is also not a true shutdown corner after 3 years.  Countess being a true frosh has that ability and may become a 4 year, 2/3 time All Big Ten performer depending on how he progresses.