TrueBlue2003

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:51 PM ^

Eh, I think we expected a possible dropoff from Lewis to the new number 1, but the number 2 was expected to be a likely upgrade from Stribling to Long/Hill.  That was a bit of a reload situation.

But I do agree that with the large crop of DBs taken in 2018, there's a good chance one or two of them step up to be just as good as Watson certainly and hopefully closer to Long.

The Fan in Fargo

January 2nd, 2019 at 6:19 PM ^

Ambry should be a fine replacement of Long. Wasn't Long the fastest guy on the team a couple years ago? Well, Ambry is right up there now. He can fly. He has those long legs. A lot of those long legged dudes can get out and go but they aren't all around athletic. Ambry isn't one of those guys. If anything he needs to get a quicker first step to change his direction when needed. Other than that, the kid will be a junior. He better be ready to step into that role. As for the third guy, Watson was a smart upperclassmen but just didn't have that speed to run with the best. Well, Daxton fucking Hill has it so there should be no worry there. Here's to hoping he can step in make impact instantly. I'll be crossing my fingers for the next 8 months.

Honestly, I'm worried about the linebackers next year. Losing Bush was big. Thank god that Hudson didn't leave. That third linebacker spot is going to be huge moving forward. There really needs to be someone in there with speed. There cannot be any weaknesses. Ross and Hudson will be fine. It's Gil that worries me. No offense man but you have no speed whatsoever and you cant read plays that well. I played outside linebacker. I was told by many that I was the best they had ever saw. At 36 years old and about 6 months in the weight room and some steroids, I would make Devin Gil cry at how good I was and still am. That guy should be running sprints every fucking day until this time next year.

mi casa es blue casa

January 2nd, 2019 at 4:42 PM ^

I think there will be a small drop off but it should still be a solid group.  Dominant d-lines can make the secondary look really good and vide versa.

I expect there to be a significant drop off along the line and probably a lot of unwarranted criticism of the secondary as a result. 

Rico

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:38 PM ^

I thought so too, but after Long got banged up yet again in the bowl game I started thinking he would leave. Long seemed to have to exit every single game with a minor injury. He has shown more than enough talent to get drafted in the early middle rounds and should be a good pro.

rc15

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:12 PM ^

Hate to see him go, but in the long term it may be good to have our starting corners in different classes.

Ambry is going to get a lot of work this year since nobody is going to want to throw at Hill. Hopefully will get him ready to be the star CB in 2020.

Zeke21

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:18 PM ^

Why did ambry thomas play so little in bowl.

Why didn't press ask about it.

Didn't even run back kickoffs.

Maize N' Ute

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:22 PM ^

Excited for the move.  Long was a solid CB for Michigan and miss him all the best.  We finally get a chance to see some of these other guys Harbaugh has been recruiting at CB.  

jethro34

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:22 PM ^

Will be extremely tough to replace. Ambry showed flashes but surprisingly little time on the field outside of kick returns, which he lost to Bell in the bowl game. With Watson running out of eligibility (right?) we realisitically need two guys to step up. Vincent Grey or Myles Sims?

LSAClassOf2000

January 2nd, 2019 at 2:23 PM ^

I just saw that. Best of luck to him on Sundays. 

Like most players, he's another one I would have loved to see in maize and blue just once more, but purely for selfish reasons. Still, another on the list of players Michigan will put in the NFL.