Thanks for the awesome article Adam. Enjoyed every minute of it. It is rare that anyone is willing to write something with this kind of depth and thoughtfulness anymore. I will be cheering these three young men on for a long time no matter where life takes them. I rarely comment on anything but thoroughly enjoy the site, especially pieces like this. Great job!
Guess we will all find out together. You have been consistent in what you have said over the years. Simply disagree with your assessment. No problem. Time will tell. If he makes it, hopefully you will be open to changing your mind about him. If not, oh well.
I aree with you JayMo4. Never could understand the undervaluing of many on this site. Coaches loved him. Solid play. Took on whatever was asked of him. Now another chance for him to keep moving forward with his football career. Go Brennen! Behind you all the way.
Appreciate these URL's very much. Long time reader. Don't post much. Just an observation: I find it interesting that Beyer had two sacks and multiple pressures and yet gets the phrase solid against the run in the final tally with no mention of the pressure or sacks. In the individual play descriptions, the pressure is mentioned over and over again. Final tally -- completely absent. Then it continues to get passed on that he is the run guy. Just an encouragement to take a look at Beyer with new eyes. I think he is underestimated here. Or could just be my bias.
I will take Gordon and Beyer on the field. Both have strengths to be leveraged and utilized in the game plan. Both played very well. Good News Everyone! It doesn't have to be one or the other. Notre Dame will be a much bigger test. With growing talent and depth, it is great to see fresh players making plays and competition in full swing. Everyone gets better this way.
Both Beyer and Gordon played very well on Saturday. Don't understand why everyone feels the need to push one over the other. Both of their strengths are being utilized on the field. Both took advantages of the moments that they were given in the game. This week will be a much stronger test. Don't need to lift one above the other, appreciate what they both bring.
Nice sack by Beyer in first series forcing fumble before blocked punt. Again in 3rd Quarter. Cam Gordon 2 sacks, one in each half, as well. Mario with another from WDE. Good to see solid pressure throughout the game.
What they see is a solid football player who they want to have on the field. I am surprised at how down you have gotten on him. I don't think the comments you have made have been earned. Beyer is moving into his junior year and I expect a good one. Last year he had a solid season. He stuffed the edge very well against the run and set up the linebackers for tackles. Why not try to see something positive? Surprised that you have chosen to ride him so hard while lifting up others who are unproven and haven't seen the field. I don't post much but have been a member for a while. Have always appreciated your posts, but not these which seem skewed from your norm. Maybe lighten up a little? Coaches have found a lot of value in him. Maybe take another look.
I agree with you Seattle on Beyer. All reports have been very positive about him. He has had significant playing time both his freshman and sophmore seasons and there is no reason not to anticipate good things his junior year. Mattison continues to speak highly of him and it will obviously be proved out on the field. Some folks on here have already made up their minds about him, and constantly try to put other people in his place, but he is still there on the field playing. I will stick with Mattison's evaluation.
Appreciate your posts, but have to disagree on this one. I will be interested in seeing how things play out. I think Beyer will be better than expected and has more to offer than you describe. He continues to get stronger and going into his Junior year is big. With Jake's injury, he made the most sense to move to the SAM position. Hopefully Clark and Mario will come on strong at WDE or I think we will definitely miss him there. At SAM, we will know soon enough but I think that he may surprise some of you. I look forward to seeing how it all plays out. You mention tackles but stopping the run is also jamming up the edge. Teams seemed to like attacking the other side last year a lot more than the WDE side. I look forward to more from Mattison moving ahead and the Spring game to tell us how things are going.
Only problem I see with the depth charts listed today is that the Beyer/Clark battle is far from clear. Beyer has been running with the ones all spring. It has been reflected in almost every report I've seen from multiple sources. Beyer was also on the field for a lot more snaps last Fall than Clark. Both are exceptional athletes.
It is a great problem to have and I am sure that they will both see the field a lot this Fall.
Also those who state that Beyer doesn't have experience don't realize that this is his more natural position. Last year he learned SAM and WDE though he played more at SAM.
Finally, while I loved the Clark interception in the Sugar Bowl as much as anyone, one play does not accurately show what the whole season was like.
Mattison likes them both a lot. Competition is good. We won't know the end of this until the first game this Fall. I won't be counting Beyer out.
I think that many of you are underestimating Brennen Beyer. He has a lot of speed and athleticism. This isn't a move to bury him in the depth chart. This is a move to get him on the field in his ideal position. It will be interesting to see the battle between Clark and Beyer for WDE. He is gaining a lot of weight and Mattison seems to be very high on him as he is on Clark. The Spring practices will tell us a lot.
While the Gordon injury might have opened the door, I have to disagree with your assessment of why Beyer got playing time. Coaches regularly mentioned him as someone who was going to be a good contributor at Michigan and he kept seeing the field. Beyer sprained his knee in the Nebraska game, missed the Ohio State game, and still got significant time on the field in the bowl game during key moments especially at the end of the game. Excited about both Beyer and Clark and how they will continue to develop. Certainly hope Gordon comes on strong too.
Beyer's team switched to the spread last year where he played wide receiver on offense. Saw him run right by two defensive backs from John Glenn, catch the ball over his shoulder and out run them to the endzone for a 92 yard td.
Beyer was also a great basketball player. Shut down whoever he guarded.
His Senior Defensive Highlights speak for themselves.
He is a smart player and natural athlete. You might be surprised what he can do as linebacker.
He played last season at 220 pounds but is now 232 pounds with no loss of speed.
I also remember a write up at a camp last year where they said he was the best defensive end and linebacker at the camp. They had him run some with both groups. They especially commented on his ability to get depth when dropping back into coverage.
Smart. Explosive athlete. We will see what happens, but I wouldn't write him off too quickly. He is number #97 and is shown making two tackles on Rivals pictures of second week practice. Rivals wrongly gives credit to Paskorz who is #94.
Brennen Beyer has high football IQ and a legit 4.5/4.6 forty and is 6'4" 230 pounds. He has been working out as intensely as anyone getting ready to be on campus. Love the idea of a guy that big and fast running down the field on kickoff coverage. Check out Rockford game highlights from the playoffs last year to remember what a gamer he is. Super quick off the edge.
Brennen Beyer is a high character player and will be a great addition to the defense at Michigan.
Brennen had two personal foul calls on him in the CC game, both on the same drive. On one, he was called for a horse collar when he tackled the CC quarterback for a loss. Film shows that there was no horse collar though it gave CC a first down instead of a 4th and 12. Later in the same drive, a CC player shoved him after a play trying to egg him on and he got caught in a push back. This was the drive that CC scored on or they might not have scored at all.
Also, going into the game with Catholic Central Brennen had had the flu for four days so he didn't play hardly at all on offense. The flu shut him down on offense, not CC's defense.
I know emotions run high when you lose a playoff game, but it is helpful to step back and make sure you are getting it right. Brennen Beyer is a first rate person and player. Glad to have him on board.
Recent Comments
Bryan, your ode to the Big Ten West is brilliant! Hilarious and a work of art at the same time! Thank you.
Thanks for the awesome article Adam. Enjoyed every minute of it. It is rare that anyone is willing to write something with this kind of depth and thoughtfulness anymore. I will be cheering these three young men on for a long time no matter where life takes them. I rarely comment on anything but thoroughly enjoy the site, especially pieces like this. Great job!
31-17 Michigan Wins!
Guess we will all find out together. You have been consistent in what you have said over the years. Simply disagree with your assessment. No problem. Time will tell. If he makes it, hopefully you will be open to changing your mind about him. If not, oh well.
I aree with you JayMo4. Never could understand the undervaluing of many on this site. Coaches loved him. Solid play. Took on whatever was asked of him. Now another chance for him to keep moving forward with his football career. Go Brennen! Behind you all the way.
Appreciate these URL's very much. Long time reader. Don't post much. Just an observation: I find it interesting that Beyer had two sacks and multiple pressures and yet gets the phrase solid against the run in the final tally with no mention of the pressure or sacks. In the individual play descriptions, the pressure is mentioned over and over again. Final tally -- completely absent. Then it continues to get passed on that he is the run guy. Just an encouragement to take a look at Beyer with new eyes. I think he is underestimated here. Or could just be my bias.
I will take Gordon and Beyer on the field. Both have strengths to be leveraged and utilized in the game plan. Both played very well. Good News Everyone! It doesn't have to be one or the other. Notre Dame will be a much bigger test. With growing talent and depth, it is great to see fresh players making plays and competition in full swing. Everyone gets better this way.
Both Beyer and Gordon played very well on Saturday. Don't understand why everyone feels the need to push one over the other. Both of their strengths are being utilized on the field. Both took advantages of the moments that they were given in the game. This week will be a much stronger test. Don't need to lift one above the other, appreciate what they both bring.
Beyer had 2 sacks. B10 network didn't even replay the first one which was in the first defensive series of the game where ball was knocked loose.
Nice sack by Beyer in first series forcing fumble before blocked punt. Again in 3rd Quarter. Cam Gordon 2 sacks, one in each half, as well. Mario with another from WDE. Good to see solid pressure throughout the game.
What they see is a solid football player who they want to have on the field. I am surprised at how down you have gotten on him. I don't think the comments you have made have been earned. Beyer is moving into his junior year and I expect a good one. Last year he had a solid season. He stuffed the edge very well against the run and set up the linebackers for tackles. Why not try to see something positive? Surprised that you have chosen to ride him so hard while lifting up others who are unproven and haven't seen the field. I don't post much but have been a member for a while. Have always appreciated your posts, but not these which seem skewed from your norm. Maybe lighten up a little? Coaches have found a lot of value in him. Maybe take another look.
I agree with you Seattle on Beyer. All reports have been very positive about him. He has had significant playing time both his freshman and sophmore seasons and there is no reason not to anticipate good things his junior year. Mattison continues to speak highly of him and it will obviously be proved out on the field. Some folks on here have already made up their minds about him, and constantly try to put other people in his place, but he is still there on the field playing. I will stick with Mattison's evaluation.
Appreciate your posts, but have to disagree on this one. I will be interested in seeing how things play out. I think Beyer will be better than expected and has more to offer than you describe. He continues to get stronger and going into his Junior year is big. With Jake's injury, he made the most sense to move to the SAM position. Hopefully Clark and Mario will come on strong at WDE or I think we will definitely miss him there. At SAM, we will know soon enough but I think that he may surprise some of you. I look forward to seeing how it all plays out. You mention tackles but stopping the run is also jamming up the edge. Teams seemed to like attacking the other side last year a lot more than the WDE side. I look forward to more from Mattison moving ahead and the Spring game to tell us how things are going.
Might be the most exciting position battle to watch this year.
Only problem I see with the depth charts listed today is that the Beyer/Clark battle is far from clear. Beyer has been running with the ones all spring. It has been reflected in almost every report I've seen from multiple sources. Beyer was also on the field for a lot more snaps last Fall than Clark. Both are exceptional athletes.
It is a great problem to have and I am sure that they will both see the field a lot this Fall.
Also those who state that Beyer doesn't have experience don't realize that this is his more natural position. Last year he learned SAM and WDE though he played more at SAM.
Finally, while I loved the Clark interception in the Sugar Bowl as much as anyone, one play does not accurately show what the whole season was like.
Mattison likes them both a lot. Competition is good. We won't know the end of this until the first game this Fall. I won't be counting Beyer out.
I think that many of you are underestimating Brennen Beyer. He has a lot of speed and athleticism. This isn't a move to bury him in the depth chart. This is a move to get him on the field in his ideal position. It will be interesting to see the battle between Clark and Beyer for WDE. He is gaining a lot of weight and Mattison seems to be very high on him as he is on Clark. The Spring practices will tell us a lot.
While the Gordon injury might have opened the door, I have to disagree with your assessment of why Beyer got playing time. Coaches regularly mentioned him as someone who was going to be a good contributor at Michigan and he kept seeing the field. Beyer sprained his knee in the Nebraska game, missed the Ohio State game, and still got significant time on the field in the bowl game during key moments especially at the end of the game. Excited about both Beyer and Clark and how they will continue to develop. Certainly hope Gordon comes on strong too.
There is much more going on than the initial analysis stated.
Coaches talked about the most growth happening from Game 1 to Game 2. Plays like this aren't going to be wasted.
Beyer's team switched to the spread last year where he played wide receiver on offense. Saw him run right by two defensive backs from John Glenn, catch the ball over his shoulder and out run them to the endzone for a 92 yard td.
Beyer was also a great basketball player. Shut down whoever he guarded.
His Senior Defensive Highlights speak for themselves.
He is a smart player and natural athlete. You might be surprised what he can do as linebacker.
He played last season at 220 pounds but is now 232 pounds with no loss of speed.
I also remember a write up at a camp last year where they said he was the best defensive end and linebacker at the camp. They had him run some with both groups. They especially commented on his ability to get depth when dropping back into coverage.
Smart. Explosive athlete. We will see what happens, but I wouldn't write him off too quickly. He is number #97 and is shown making two tackles on Rivals pictures of second week practice. Rivals wrongly gives credit to Paskorz who is #94.
Brennen Beyer has high football IQ and a legit 4.5/4.6 forty and is 6'4" 230 pounds. He has been working out as intensely as anyone getting ready to be on campus. Love the idea of a guy that big and fast running down the field on kickoff coverage. Check out Rockford game highlights from the playoffs last year to remember what a gamer he is. Super quick off the edge.
Also excited for Rawls, Countess, and Poole.
Brennen Beyer is a high character player and will be a great addition to the defense at Michigan.
Brennen had two personal foul calls on him in the CC game, both on the same drive. On one, he was called for a horse collar when he tackled the CC quarterback for a loss. Film shows that there was no horse collar though it gave CC a first down instead of a 4th and 12. Later in the same drive, a CC player shoved him after a play trying to egg him on and he got caught in a push back. This was the drive that CC scored on or they might not have scored at all.
Also, going into the game with Catholic Central Brennen had had the flu for four days so he didn't play hardly at all on offense. The flu shut him down on offense, not CC's defense.
I know emotions run high when you lose a playoff game, but it is helpful to step back and make sure you are getting it right. Brennen Beyer is a first rate person and player. Glad to have him on board.