PSU Injury Report, Position Switchapalooza
Right: Marvin Robinson moves from safety to washboard linebacker.
No surprises, and no Denard:
University of Michigan Football Injury Report
Thursday, Oct. 28, vs. Penn State
OUT (0% PLAY)
Jones, Mike Leg
Odoms, Martavious Foot
Toussaint, Fitzgerald Shoulder
Van Slyke, Jared Clavicle
Williams, Mike Head
Woolfolk, Troy Ankle
/press release
More interestingly, Rodriguez dropped some science about position switches on his coaches show that is either earth-shaking or wildly misinterpreted by the internet. These are the supposed moves via the somewhat confused twitter feed of Angelique Chengelis:
- Marvin Robinson to linebacker. I have a source who tipped me off about this a few days ago, so that's for real. Robinson's likely to compete at WLB for the job Mouton vacates after the year.
- Will Campbell(OG) and Quinton Washington(DT) are sticking at their new positions. Since these moves had already been confirmed, that's legit, too. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but there's some insider hype about Washington being a "beast" on Rivals. So we've got that going for us. Not likely to impact anything until next year unless Washington is a miraculously fast learner.
- Cam Gordon to "both safety spots" and Ray Vinopal to "deep safety". Since Vinopal is already a free safety this position switch is more a depth chart thing. There have been rumors floating around about Vinopal playing with the ones and either starting (fanciful) or getting real playing time (apparently likely) on Saturday. These are confirmed now; the source also dropped that Vinopal was getting a serious look at deep safety. The Cam Gordon bit there presages a move closer to the LOS, whether it's spur or bandit, eventually. (ATTENTION BYRON MOORE: duuuude. Seriously.)
- They "moved defensive linemen." Vague but the only thing that makes sense here is putting Sagesse back inside at NT and moving Patterson to a backup DE position.
Also, Rodriguez promised more carries for ham fiend Stephen Hopkins and said Teric Jones(!) would see the field. I looked for podcasts on WTKA's site but couldn't find them; maybe MVictors will be able to dig out exactly what was said so we can parse that into molecules. He's clutch like that.
October 29th, 2010 at 8:52 AM ^
He's only played in one game this season. They would play him if he could go, no question. So he seems like a clear qualifier for a six-year window (i.e., one redshirt year, one medical hardship year, and four years of awesome). He's a good student, so if that happens, he'll come out of Michigan with a M.A.
Although, if it (whatever it is) heals my guess is they'll probably bring him back as late as Wisconsin -- they need him that badly.
October 29th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^
I agree that if he qualifies for a 6 year window, which he might, that would be awesome. He would be another year older and would have another year in the system with which to develop said awesomeness.
I disagree, however, that if Fitz heals up, they "bring him back as late as Wisconsin" because "they need him that badly." Fitz hasn't played all year (except a few rushes against BGSU). Yes, he has a lot of recruiting hype, potential, etc, but you don't bring in a guy who hasn't played all year against Wisco and OSU.
October 29th, 2010 at 1:36 AM ^
October 29th, 2010 at 1:58 AM ^
1. That Vinopal can fill in at Deep Safety ("free safety", whatever) more ably than Cam.
2. That Cam can play Strong Safety/Bandit more ably than Kovacs.
BUT, if those things do come to pass (or Moore or someone else comes in next year at Deep Safety) it seems like a move closer to the line at Spur would benefit Kovacs, whose strength is reading and tackling, and whose weakness is pass coverage and speed.
It's also possible that maybe a very good walk-on would be second string next year, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if Carvin develops into the LSU-offer-type of guy we hope he can be, Cam finds success at Bandit and someone (anyone?) steps into the Deep Safety role.
Depth would be awesome, especially considering that other than Woolfolk (the Martin injury appears to be not that serious), we've actually been really lucky with defensive injuries given how thin we are.
October 29th, 2010 at 1:48 AM ^
What I was taken with was
"M-rob is probably the best LB already on the team in terms of defending the pass".
Our run D is meh, but the pass D is really killing us. At least it shows recognition and an attempt to do something different. Put the kid in the game if the above is true, we need an improvement there.
October 29th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
Our run defense has been bad. It's just that our pass defense is so horrible that teams don't bother trying to run the ball that much (except MSU).
October 29th, 2010 at 9:39 AM ^
Is there an update on who is still redshirt eligible. I dont recall seeing Marvin or Jerald Robinson, Ricardo Miller, Christian Pace, Richard Ash, Josh Furman, Jake Ryan or Terry Talbot. Is that right. If M Rob hasnt played yet, maybe now it not the best time to burn a redshirt this late unless they are sure he can contribute. Also, what happened to Isaiah Bell?
October 29th, 2010 at 9:52 AM ^
You can go here http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/mich-m-footbl-spec-rel.html and check out the participation list for each game. I know Marvin Robinson and CB Talbott have played this year but I am not sure regarding Jerald Robinson and Ricardo Miller, the rest on your list to the best of my knowldedge have not played, including DL Talbott
October 29th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^
Jerald Robinson has not played either. Ricardo Miller did play against UMass. You could also go here http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mich-m-footbl-mtt.html click on the player you are interested in and get a run down of what he has done this season and for his career.
October 29th, 2010 at 1:55 AM ^
Maybe Marvin Robinson will bring back the midriff bearing/cutoff jersey look championed by the badass Miami linebacker corps of the early 1990s.
October 29th, 2010 at 6:36 AM ^
IIRC during the spring game the announcers mentioned that Quinton Washington was one of the strongest guys on the team, even as a RS Freshman. That'd work just fine at DT/NT... especially if the guard spots are already worked in with Schilling and Omameh.
I think we do need a little more beef on the D line, at least better play opposite RVB at the other DE. Maybe move Martin to DE, who has already lined up outside a few times this season ( emphasis on few, but it was done) and put Washington at the NT spot? I'd say go for it. The defense can't get much worse, sorry to say.
October 29th, 2010 at 8:53 AM ^
I think generally these were all predicted. Cam has to be near the LS. Marvin is too big to be back at a pure safety position, we all predicted he was ultimately going to LB...surprised they burned his RS for that. Quinton...well, here's hoping. Big Will...I have no idea. He really needs another year to learn the position, and unless he gets a medical redshirt along the way, I wonder if he is going to be a historic bust. He is not ready for the OL yet. Vinopal...don't we all root for the anonymous 2*?
October 29th, 2010 at 9:04 AM ^
I think generally these were all predicted.
You list two moves (Gordon, M. Robinson) that were predicted, and two that generally weren't (Washington, Campbell).
October 29th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^
I know a lot of people think Moore would be able to come in and wrestle the FS position away from whoever we have there, but I have my doubts about him. In the film I've seen, he's much more instinctive as a cornerback. His run support skills leave something to be desired. Unfortunately, I don't think he has the speed to play cornerback.
While I'd like to get him on campus just because we need defensive backs, I don't think he would be the savior that many of you expect him to be.
October 29th, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^
I'd settle for competence and above average athletic ability at FS--both of which I think Woolfolk had. Assuming he gets back to full strength--big assumption here--and given our situation at CB, do you think Woolfolk would be better used at CB or FS next year?
October 29th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
Bad safety play has turned our defense from bad to terrible in the past two seasons. I really think Woolfolk is more valuable to this team as a free safety, even though he'd be the best cornerback on the team, too. Even our worst starting corner this year (James Rogers) hasn't cost us as many big plays as Cameron Gordon at FS.
October 29th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
According to his profile on the USC web site he was moved to safety after spring practice. Also, I think he played FS at the JUCO.
I think you were making your assessment based on his high school film on your web site. Hopefully 2 years of experience has made him a more viable FS option and at this point he already has more exprience playing/practicing as a safety than Cam does.
Edit: This was meant as a reply to you Byron Moore comment... I screwed this up obviously.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
I've seen multiple films on him, and I'm pretty sure he played both CB and FS at Harbor City College. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
Got it, thanks.
October 29th, 2010 at 9:10 AM ^
let ray vinopalooza begin!
October 29th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
I think Ray's got his new nickname
EDIT: who can be Lifto?
October 29th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
I hope this time Hopkins really does get some carries. He seems like he would barrel through LB U.
October 29th, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^
You know, reading "No Denard" is not good for my heart. I didn't get the implied "....on the injury report!" predicate until I scanned the list in a panic.
If you were trying to do a Halloween "Pysch!," well done.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
I had the same reaction. Then I took a deep breath and thought: "It's OK, Tate can do this", and then I re-read the injury report two times ...
October 29th, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^
I'm a visual learner. Is this what might happen?
Vinopal
CGordon
Kovacs
----------(LOS)------------
I know the spurs have been OK this year, but I just can't see our best tackler getting benched.
October 29th, 2010 at 10:25 AM ^
I doubt Marvin will be displacing Mouton but I could see him playing alongside him when we go to the 4-2-5 nickel. It does sound like Vinopal will get some time in passing situations as well.
<br>
<br>I would think you could see this package on Saturday:
<br>
<br>Roh/MM/RVB/Black
<br>Mouton/Robinson
<br>Avery/Rogers/Floyd/Kovacs/Vinopal
October 29th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
I agree, and Magnus didn't really (see my comments up above)
You explained it better here than I did, thanks for the visual.
Magnus - do you see this alignment happening at all?
October 29th, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^
Iowa has made a living out of fairly athletic safeties who just are in the right place at the right time (see Sash, Tyler). If Vinopal can be in place positionally, that would be a big boost. And if he can make a play or two on the back end, so much for the better.
I have to assume the kid is making some plays in practice and drawing some positive attention if he is going to start getting looks at this point in the schedule.
October 29th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
If he is faster than Cam Gordon, I would like to see him get a shot. He may be weaker in run support, but the deep coverage during passing downs is a much bigger problem IMHE. I don't care about 2* or any of that as long as he has some speed, which supposedly he does.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
but having a head for the position would be better.
Outside of Kovacs, it seems there aren't that many guys on D that have a strong cognitive understanding of the game as it unfolds in front of them (excluding the Dline). Ray seems to be cut from the same cloth (as Kovacs - see jumping the route for the int vs. BG), not to mention he was recruited to play FS. I am anxiously eager to see what he can do back there.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
Of course any deep safety has to be able to read a play and anticipate. I hope you are right about Vinopal's cognative ability. One thing speed does though is allow a player to recover more quickly. I think Cam Gordon is ok at play recognition but is slow to get there once he does recognize the play.
October 29th, 2010 at 12:12 PM ^
Also, backpedalling on defense = not good. ever.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^
The timeline from the Vinopal commitment (OH NO!!! #$#&$^!!!) to now (General belief that he can help) is quite humerous. Hopefully he can help solve a problem of ours - but I'm not expecting it this season. Next year though?
DLine: RVB, Q, MM
Backers: Roh, Demens, MRob
Problem Solvers: Woolfolk, Floyd, C. Gordon, Kovacs, Vinopal (of course C. Johnson or Gordon could fit in here too)
Of course this does assume several players will actually come through (Q, MRob, Vinopal). But the other 8 sure do look promising.
My prediction: 2010 defense YTD grade: D-. Rest of the year: C-.
Next year: B.
October 29th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
all I want for Halloween this year is to "be like dang".
October 29th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
OK, snagged the relevant audio from the show, posted here.
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