Heininger (likely) and Brink out for Sugar Bowl
Per Toledo Blade's Ryan Autullo on Twitter
December 28th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
Uhhhhh, so Jibreel Black at DT?
EDIT: 2nd string of course. Who's going to go in for Big Will when he gets tired?
December 28th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
Black would play SDE and Van Bergan would move inside to DT where he played at the beginning of the year.
OR
Campbell replaces Heininger, RVB stays outside and we keep rolling.
...personally, I think you'll see both. I think in run situations it's Roh-Martin-Campbell-RVB...in pass situations (where we aren't in nickel) it's Roh-Martin-RVB-Black.
We also will likely see more Beyer and Clark in pass rushing situations.
I really want to see those guys play, because they deserve it...but in the grand scheme of things it's not THAT bad. It allows younger guys who will have had a month to prepare to get some PT. This would be bad if we played a week after the last game...but I'm anxious to see Big Will, Black, Clark, Beyer and even Ryan at times get there time on the DL vs. Va Tech.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
Time for Quinton Washington to play some minutes...maybe as much as Campbell was playing early-midway through this year.
If he's going to be a starter next year. He should be able to give some valuable time during the Sugar Bowl.
The coaches have spoken VERY highly of him and Hoke was even upset after a win because he didn't get to play as much as they wanted him to.
I look for Q to fill in and play a decent role. However, like I said before...I think when Campbell gets tired, the first option will be to move RVB over and bring Black in at SDE. Next option will be Q.
I also don't think it'll matter that much because Va Tech's OLine isn't a strength and I really see our front 7 controlling this game. So with that said, I think we'll be in pass rushing personnel a little more than we were vs. Nebraska or Ohio. This means Clark and Ryan rotating at WDE with Beyer playing WDE when we go to our "BEAR" package with 5 DLmen.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
Time to see if Campbell is ready to step up to a bigger role I suppose.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
Heininger was really contributing well in the last few games. Hopefully BWC can fill in for him.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
Big Wil steps up!
December 28th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
I imagine Campbell and Washington will see significant minutes in the Sugar Bowl, given this development and also our needs for 2012.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
I am going to feel really bad for Heininger is he misses his last game.
I'm guessing RVB moves inside.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
Will39, Ryan53, Mike68, Dave50 and Mark72 will always be special wolverines to me.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
Is there a scouting report of their OL? Hopefully it is not a strength for them.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:13 PM ^
mgoshoe's kid has previewed most of their team, go back a page or two on the board (I'd link if not in an iPhone)
December 28th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
Also, Magnus takes a look at their OL over at this site:
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2011/12/offensive-line-preview-michi…
December 28th, 2011 at 3:25 PM ^
Overall its pretty good, but the interior is a weakness iirc. We wont be dominated by any stretch.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
Left tackle and center appear to be weaknesses. They're pretty darn good at RG and RT, and the LG seems to be okay.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
NCAA has granted Michigan an exception. We can get a second head coach and Hoke can play DL in the Sugar Bowl. When he points at VT players, they will fall down.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
This will be interesting. After this game we'll either be super- optimistic about next season or super nervous.
Does this mean BWC and Q move to the NT position and Mike Martin moves to 3-tech? BWC and Q don't really strike me as 3-tech type players, whereas it seems like a natural fit for Martin. In fact, I think the speculation going into this year was that we'd see Martin at 3 and BWC at NT, right?
Feel bad for Heininger. He deserved to see the spotlight of a BCS bowl.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^
Nah. Mike Martin will stay a 1-tech. The speculation was indeed Cambpell at the 1-tech and Martin at the 3-tech but it never worked out.
My opinion is that Black and Beyer will see tons of playing time.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
I hope that the backups got coached up during the bowl practices.
BWC we need a big 2012 out of you starting Jan. 2
December 28th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^
I think you meant January 3rd.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^
Don't underestimate day-before-game walk throughs.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
This is unfortunate news. Heininger was playing like an above-average DT towards the end of the season. I feel bad that he might miss his final game too. BWC and QWash will probably get alot of playing time in his absence.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
when did Heininger get injured? Was it recently in practice? After the ohio game they had a couple of weeks off for finals before practices started up again so if it happened in the last game he might be close to recovery but if it happened in practice he may not.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
It happened in practice sometime last week, I believe.
December 28th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
I'm not too worried, by the bowl game Hoke will have another 15 practices to help out the young guys. Hopefully BWC has a good showing so we have something to look forward to for next year.
Also, how crazy is it that we have had almost no major injuries this year? Although now that I think of it, there were plenty that were just unreported (Denard's infection, Roh's sickness).
December 28th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
THE HAMMER
December 28th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
Personally I think Heininger will play. How much I don't know, but I think he'll try and play some at least.
December 28th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
Is for the position.