The one player you hope has a break out year.
My pick is Mike Cox.
http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-evaluating-running-…
March 30th, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^
Uh, Jake Long in 2007 isn't too far off.
And, I would submit that Steve Schilling, David Molk, and Patrick Omameh are going to get a chance, on their current trajectory, to play in the NFL. So really, if you take into account the youth, defections and injuries that occurred in 2008 (Zirbel, Boren, Mitchell, for three), that tradition has gone nowhere.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:42 AM ^
More than anything, I want to see Roy continue the hot streak that started at the end of last season. Our offense desperately needs a go-to receiver, regardless of who plays QB. If he fades back into the pack and yet again, we're without a go-to guy in the passing game, we may be struggling to get to .500.
Outside of Roundtree, I think Stonum needs to really pick it up a notch and become a legitimate deepthreat. I think a successful season for stonum would be 25-30 catches for around 500 yards and 5+ TD catches. If Roundtree's the real deal, I'm looking for 50+ catches, 700+ yards to lead the team.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:54 AM ^
The slot position accounted for 64 catches, about 800 yards, and 5 TDs last year. I would expect that output to improve in 2010. Between Odoms, Gallon, T-Rob, Grady and Tree (unless he's out wide), that should be obtainable.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
The mods at Rivals say Roundtree is playing almost exclusively at wide receiver, not slot. That might be due to the Hemingway injury, of course, so take it for what it's worth.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
Roundtree talked a little last year about maybe moving to WR in the off-season, so don't be surprised if it's permanent.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
I think Roundtree had his last year.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
I hope Vincent Smith or another running back breaks out. It would be nice to have a go-to back and a 1,0000 yard rusher again.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
So good that he redefines the use of commas in western counting systems.
the rare ten thousand yard a season rusher
March 30th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
...what with all the awkward play-by-play calls that will result from him having significant playing time.
Mike Cox busts through the middle.
Mike Cox sneaks around end and bursts to the next level.
Mike Cox will...go...all..the...way!
Mike Cox slices through the hole for a big gain.
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
Mike Cox plugs the hole.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
Mike Cox shoots the gap
March 30th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
shoots (into) the gap
Though really, he was supposed to pull back and change directions just before shooting into the gap
March 30th, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
Mike Cox goes for a big gainer up the gut!
...can keep it up and not come up short.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^
Defense improves run stoppage and big play breakdowns.
Offense improves on not turning the ball over.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
Forcier should be winning this hands down, but I'm surprised he's not (perhaps a lot of people feel he has already broken out). We can only go as far as he will carry us - another injury and we could collapse again.
Other votes:
- Jonas Mouton sure does feel like Shawn Crable to me, hopefully without the OSU-esque final game
- Demar Dorsey for the "holy crap we have this guy for two more years" and "in your face potsie" factors
- A second lineman to go along with Molk - I don't care who, just someone
March 30th, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^
I think the few posts about Focier could also be because a lot of us are expecting big things from Denard at QB this year (in addition to Forcier).
B/c there are more important holes on the team than QB. QB is one of the least areas of worry going into this year. Mind you, I'm not saying that QB is a strong position. Everyone there is young and Tate has a lot of improving to do, especially with his reads, but positions in the secondary and our LB core will determine how this team does this year. Scoring points wasn't a problem last year. Keeping the other team from scoring was. If our defense plays well this year, then we will do well.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
I expect big things from him now that he is holding a clip board.
Seriously though I want to see Ezeh and Mouton have break out years. Good linebacker play ='s lots of W's
March 30th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
I hope the whole team plays far better, Roundtree starts the year at Receiver and continues his big games. Also just stop the T/O's my god. Anyway i really want Stephen Hopkins to be our go to short yardage back hopefully, seems like he could be good for almost 3-5 yards every time he touches the football with his huge frame.
I think of him as a bigger A-Train. I was watching the 97 UM vs OSU game yesterday and A-Train was plowing over OSU guys as a freshman. I hope hopkins can show some of the same.
Turner or Floyd. CB might be the position with the least experience so if one of them can step up it will help out the defense tremendously.
Not if Woolfolk stays at CB. And it sounds like Turner is playing well, and even if he doesn't cut it, I'm confident one of Dorsey, Christian, or Avery will come in and impress.
Because I'd prefer his 6 months turns into 3-5 years.
Out of curiosity... why would you pick a running back? I think that's a position that most people feel fairly confident about. I understand that it would be nice to find a replacement for Minor, but I would rather fix the question marks in the secondary.
Koger needs to have a breakout year. He's had glimpses of being amazing (catch against WMU), but has yet to put it all together.
I think he'll have a great/breakout year, and end the year as one of the Big Ten's best defensive players. The new defense should help his numbers rise. I like that.
On offense, I'm going with Tate Forcier, because as already stated, if he does, it means everything is clicking well...
I will most def go with Denard. I predict a triple double from Denard this year. At least 10 TD's in three categories. Running, throwing and receiving. Book it.
EDIT. prob get at least one on returns as well and maybe even a pick six.
That would be awesome and also Heisman worthy.
It's time for Ezeh to play like he did in 2007, or let one of the younger guys take his place permanently.
In addition, we need one of the JT's to play solid opposite Woolfolk, assuming he stays at corner.
Ezeh for sure. Having a bad pass defense is one thing. Having both a bad pass and a bad run defense is another thing completely.
Rich Rod himself
March 31st, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
Ezeh first came to my mind, too, then the whole D as well.
But if I really had to pick just one player, I'd say Molk, because a breakout year would mean he's healthy.