Next years secondary
Gotta admit, it’s a little frightening.
I have always assumed that at least one of the corners would be returning next year, however it appears there is a lot of smoke about both leaving early. That leaves us with Thomas, who I don’t know really how well he has played so far, and then who? It would have to be a freshman who is never seen the fuel before. We return Metellus at safety, and then maybe Hawkins replaces Kinnel?
I’m not hitting the panic button necessarily, but I think next year we will find out just how good Dan Brown is.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:35 PM ^
Field. Uggh.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^
it's quite amusing that this is the error you choose to correct
November 28th, 2018 at 2:25 PM ^
The Dan thing went right over my head. My bad.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:40 PM ^
Oh, I thought that was the joke. Also, looking at the post's title, more than one year next year would be impressive.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:47 PM ^
Dan Brown has been mediocre since The Da Vinci Code IMHO. Fire him and hire James Patterson.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:33 PM ^
I disagree. The Da Vinci code was a hot mess. And too many of it's readers came to me talking about it as if it was a history textbook.
November 28th, 2018 at 4:30 PM ^
As much as Da Vinci Code was a crime against history, it was a worse crime against grammar, syntax, and writing. Ever aspiring novelist must have thrown up their hands and yelled "why not me?!" after reading DVC's awful excuse for "chapters", "narrating", and "storytelling."
November 28th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^
Don's brother, currently a secondary analyst for UM. Also wrote some overrated books.
/s
November 28th, 2018 at 1:55 PM ^
Uggh again. Talk to text screwed me.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:30 PM ^
Is it just me or should talk to text maybe not be used for starting new threads? This is the second time today I've seen this problem with a new thread.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:32 PM ^
I'm guessing you have a Chicago accent.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:36 PM ^
What is the "smoke" about them both leaving early?
November 28th, 2018 at 1:37 PM ^
Yeah, I would actually be pretty shocked if at least one of Hill or Long didn't return.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
Prepare to be shocked .The NFL needs corners desperately. There's no reason for either of them to return
November 28th, 2018 at 3:22 PM ^
Donovan Warren would disagree
November 28th, 2018 at 4:58 PM ^
No, he wouldn't. Warren saw the writing on the wall about our shitty defense and left while he could still get drafted (except he didn't get drafted).
November 28th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^
Sam's opinions on stay/go right now:
Leaving: Bush, Long, Hill
Staying: Hudson, Metellus, Gentry, Bredeson
Unclear: Shea
November 28th, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^
Look at it this way. If the corners aren't as good at press man, maybe we'll be forced to infuse more zone. Might be a little wobblier throughout the year, but better prepared to counter OSU? Maybe. Hopefully...
November 28th, 2018 at 2:59 PM ^
Hasn't Marcus Ray been saying some of this about man to man vs zone, that there has to be more balance?? Thanks
November 28th, 2018 at 4:40 PM ^
Marcus Ray -- exactly the guy I follow in all things Michigan football.
/s
November 28th, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^
No clue why Hudson or Gentry would even think about entering the draft. Hudson's a guy without a natural NFL position/usage, and Gentry can't catch a ball to save his life. Kinda obvious from Sam there frankly.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:04 PM ^
Bredeson, lol.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:20 PM ^
I've never gotten the impression that Hill or Long love playing in college. They've both been called out a lot by Zordich for playing not playing through things and I can't imagine that is good for long term relationships.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^
Sam Webb said he expects both to leave. GhostofJermaine said Hill is definitely leaving and I think Long has higher stock of the two.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:42 PM ^
Oh. That sucks.
Part of me felt that Levert Hill was never particularly interested. I can't pinpoint exactly why that is but I got that feeling sometimes.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:47 PM ^
Hill and Long are too short/slow for the NFL. They need another year to grow and get faster.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
So Manute Bol as height coach, Usain Bolt as speed coach?
November 28th, 2018 at 2:24 PM ^
I just hope whoever is manning the secondary, whether coach or players, are spending the next 12 months figuring out how to stay with crossing routes and fight through pick plays. It was infuriating to know exactly what was coming but be unable to stop it.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:58 PM ^
Absolutely infuriating. MSU doesnt have the same dpeed year in and out but can typically put together a solid pass defense against OSU
November 28th, 2018 at 3:22 PM ^
Man-Usain Bol-t.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
November 28th, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
November 28th, 2018 at 2:14 PM ^
All I did is repeat what JLew said to a few guys about Hill.
I would expect to see Gray and Marick as starters or playing a ton next season.
Also, DHill is being mentioned as a Peppers type talent from day 1
Ambry is a starter, everything else will be decided in next 9 months.
cheers
November 28th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
I assume Gray is Vincent Gray, but who is Marick?
I thought Spider Sims was the next big thing at corner.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:45 PM ^
Marick is J'marick Woods.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:53 PM ^
Thank you
November 28th, 2018 at 5:15 PM ^
Marick Garland finally gets the job he deserves: starting boundary corner at the University of Michigan.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:21 AM ^
With RGB at OLB!
November 28th, 2018 at 3:16 PM ^
Actually think D Hill will be better than Peppers as it relates to coverage.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:15 PM ^
Kiper has them both rated highly enough that it would probably be in their best interest to leave. Things could always change, but if they're both Day 2 picks, they should go.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:41 PM ^
Day 2? Feel like they would be leaving money on the table unless next year’s corner class is very deep.
November 28th, 2018 at 5:37 PM ^
Day 2 picks will range anywhere from $7.5 Million to $3.3 Million. That's a lot of money, 75-80% of that will be guaranteed. That's a lot of money, and why risk getting hurt for a chance at slightly more money.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:36 PM ^
Dax Hill coming in, seems like a guy who could play right away. The Green brothers could make an impact as well, St.-Juste too. I wouldn't overreact too much, Zordich has done a good job developing the secondary.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:41 PM ^
Don't forget about Myles Sims. I think there's plenty of talent. Will be young again, though.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:50 PM ^
Hasn't St Juste been perpetually injured since he's been here?
November 28th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
Yes. I've seen his name mentioned as a possible contributor next year, but I'll believe it when I see it.
November 28th, 2018 at 5:11 PM ^
Based purely on speculation, but it seems like it's kind of getting late early for him. I hope he and Villian fully recover and reach their potential next year. I am more optimistic for Vilain, as BSJ hasn't played in a couple of years, came from Canada, doesn't have freakish athleticism (but has length), and wasn't really described as a technician.
If I had to bet, Vilain will have an easier time cracking the starting rotation than BSJ.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:37 PM ^
St Juste was supposed to be very good. I think he would be the leading candidate for #2 DB if both the current starters leave.
The DBs have been consistently good (and helped by the DL's pass rushing ability), so I suspect they will be at least decent if the DL remains good.
Regardless, next year the offense might have to actually win some games for us - and no 39 points isn't "enough". Enough is one point more than the defense allows.