Darkhorse offensive and defensive MVP candidates

Submitted by Spread Attack on
In the abyss that is the offseason, I am bored. I'm curious what people's opinions of the top 3 offensive and defensive players are. Smart money says the offensive MVP will be Brandon Minor, and the Defensive MVP will be Brandon Graham, so that's a boring topic. Instead, who are the other people you see making a run at it only to finish 2nd? My picks are as follows (in order): OFFENSE Greg Mathews - Sure hands, upper classman. Also, I just really like the way he plays the game. The obvious #1 target for a seasoned qb. The fact that we have a frosh instead of a seasoned qb probably means he'll get a few less looks as Forcier will drop it off to slots and RBs more Martavious Odoms - Was pretty much a stud last year, minus the 250 fumbles punts. For whatever reason, he's not getting much disucssion this offseason and I've even read some people have the opinion that someone else would replace him. That opinion is not mine, as I think he's in for a good season. Also, to Mr. Odoms: Hold onto the ball. Kevin Koger* (!!) if only because tight ends can be a huge safety net for frosh QBs. To be honest though, we probably won't use a TE set enough for this to be realistic *Steve Schilling would take his place if not for the fact that offesnive linemen never, ever are considered for this award. Also, I have resisted the urge to put Forcier here because he hasn't played a down yet. God, pls let him be good enough to be in this discussion kthx DEFENSE: Donovan Warren - I love the way he plays the game. I really think he would be a serious threat to challenge Graham for MVP, except for the fact I think opposing QBs will avoid his side fo the field entirely, not allowing him to build the necessary stats. Obi Ezeh - Will he turn the corner? The athleticism is there, if he can react and read things quicker he could be dominant. What will probably keep him from the win is his ability to disappear in the passing game, often leaving a nice, wide open curl/dig zone in the middle of the field. Mike Martin - Probably won't really be considered for MVP, but if he plays well he will be the reason Graham does win it, so I included him here. Preventing constant double teams on Graham will be his main duty. So, what thinks you, MGoNation?

Comments

MichiganStudent

June 17th, 2009 at 5:06 PM ^

Offense: 1. Tate Forcier 2. Denard Robinson 3. Steve Schilling Defense: 1. Jonas Mouton 2. Mike Martin 3. Stevie Brown

Will Trade Sou…

June 18th, 2009 at 11:23 AM ^

I like Warren and Cissoko next year. We have seen plenty of Michigan corners that contributed early develop pretty quickly into scary defenders (Jackson and Hall come to mind, in particular). I really think Koger could do some damage this year. If his blocking improves enough to keep him on the field, I trust Coach will find a way to use him. Also, if our offense makes the mythical Rodriguez second year jump, I see Odoms doing a lot of the damage.

IowaBlueFan

June 17th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^

Offense 1. Mesko (face it, last year, he was our largest threat of gaining yards) 2. Brandon Minor 3. Tate Forcier Defense 1. Brandon Graham 2. Ryan Van Bergan 3. Mike Martin

Six Zero

June 18th, 2009 at 8:38 AM ^

Nobody wants to see him have the breakout season we all know he has in him more than me... I've been in his corner since the commit. I mean he wears the #6, for Pete's sake! BUT I think you're assuming a bit too much. I don't think anyone's going to avoid his side of the field, at least not until his play dictates it after about 5 games. In a perfect world, a dominant pass rush will force bad throws that Warren and Booboo will snatch up in abundance. Don't get me wrong-- I think he'll have his best year, but not All-American worthy. Not yet. Loved to be proven wrong on this one...

Michiganguy19

June 18th, 2009 at 1:37 PM ^

Has not had anything more than a decent year yet... He made no second year jump last year, granted as a team there were some bad games. But we need him to be a playmaker. He needs a big play early to set the tone for the season. 2008: 1INT - 4 Pass Breakups - 1 Fumble Rec, 9 PR - 2.7 avg 2 Career interceptions... 1 Sack... 3 FR. I want to be this guys fan and he seems to have the skill set, but we need to see some plays out of this guy before he is mentioned in any discussion outside of "starter."

Spread Attack

June 18th, 2009 at 3:09 PM ^

You're right, he hasn't done anything spectacular yet. What I like about him is he always seems to be solid and consistant. He doesn't make that many glaring errors, and doesn't miss many tackles (although the only one he did miss that I can readily recall turned into a long TD last season). I guess I like him so much because "solid, and mostly mistake free" was something we sorely missed in the rest of the defensive backfield last year, and he looked comparitively kickass. Regardless, hopefully he steps up this year and starts being the playmaker he ought to be.

victors2000

June 19th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^

If I am reading your question correctly, you are asking for who has the best chance to be the second best guy on defense and offense, so... Offensively... I would like to say Carlos, but will he stay healthy? Tate I think has all the skills to be the number one choice as well...but will he stay healthy? Odums, if Tate stays healthy. Shaw, V. Smith, or Fitz if Carlos refuses to stay healthy So apparently health, if health stays healthy, could be the MVP on offense. Defensively: Martin, Ezeh, Mouton