Big Will's & Hawthorne's Sudden Playing TIme
I don't recall either playing much at all on defense versus Western.
Which leads me to at least consider that both were held out of the Western Michigan game to catch ND unprepared. (More so Big Will.)
Am I wearing a tin foil hat or does the board think that " Big WIll's not happening" was a clever feint?
It seems odd to me that all of a sudden they practiced well enough to warrant the sudden PT they got in the ND game. And for those that will join me wearing the tin foil hat, do you think the ambush was worth the loss of experience that either would have gained from more PT in the Western game?
September 13th, 2011 at 11:07 PM ^
If BWC had come out in the ND game and DESTROYED ALL COMMERS, then you might have something. He got a nice push on a few plays.
I think EVERYONE was surprised by Hawthorne.
September 14th, 2011 at 9:22 AM ^
I have to admit I've felt like a fool for the last 2 games though. I thought that with all the returning starters I had a handle on which players are which. The new staff has been making major substitutions, which leaves me trying to figure out who 30 is (Gordon), 7 is (Hawthorne) etc.
I have to imagine all these players getting PT is going to pay huge dividends later on, when we haven't run our starters into the ground and let an injury destroy any hope of mediocrity. Running back by committee is not a good thing, but defense by committee is a thing of beauty.
September 14th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
I'm looking forward to seeing BWC's ufr rating, because my impression was that he was mostly ineffective. I didn't see him getting crushed like heininger frequently was, but I didn't see him getting much penetration either. Maybe I just missed it.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
As I've said before, I certainly don't think the coaches are higher on Nate Brink than Big Will. I just think they are genuinely trying to give everyone playing time in a real game situation, and give evaluations from there.
I mean, Desmond Morgan started at LB. It couldn't have been because he was the best possible option.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:10 PM ^
you are wearing a tinfoil hat.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:11 PM ^
Big Will did play in the Western game and not very well. So unless the coaches told him to play poorly in the Western game to surprise ND I think you can take your off your tin foil hat. Hawthorne apparently had an ankle injury that limited him earlier. I don't recall if he made it in the Western game but I really doubt the coaches had him hidden on the bench just to catch ND; they seemed to be trying to see what they had in terms of talent in a game environment.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:17 PM ^
Tin foil hat for sure. They needed rotation and both played relatively well when their number was called, so they continued to get snaps.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^
It's well documented that Hawthorne was setback by injury, and it's also well testified that Big Will has thus far been a big disappointment. He had a couple decent plays, but I would not make too much out of that. I think Hoke has clearly demonstrated that he's not the type of coach who's going to worry about the next opponent. He's going to play those who deserve it by proving themselves in practice. BTW, Will was in the rotation for WMU.
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September 13th, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
We have roughly seen a little over a game and a half under the new coaching staff. There are position battles that will probably go on clear through our non conference schedule. Hopefully by the time conference play starts our staff has a better idea who fits where and when. The really cool thing is that we should be 4-0 despite having question marks across the board.
Basically nobody knows shit and we are figuring it out as we go. Your guess or anybody's for that matter is as good as the next. I have more confidence in this staff to lead us in the right direction and our team in general. We need to be ready by the end of the year to beat OSU. That is the end game for this team and staff.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
It was awesome to see Big Will all fired up during the second half. He had a fumble recovery and showed some signs of really being able to make an impact. I think he just needs to build confidence as the season progresses. Could you imagine him playing even half the time like he did on that 3rd down stop? Him and Mike Martin would be a force to be reckoned with.
September 14th, 2011 at 12:33 AM ^
If BWC plays the way we hope, who the heck do you double? BW or MM?
September 14th, 2011 at 12:39 AM ^
Big Will should have recovered that one, too. He was the first to grab for it, but booted it over to Van Bergen.
So much for winning the Heisman by doubling as WR
September 13th, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^
Maybe BWC is nocturnal.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^
Holding out BWC and Hawthorne, or anyone that is good enough to play does not seem like a plausible reason for their lack of playing time. If the coaches thought they were good enough to play ample time, I would think they would play them more so they could gain game experience to become better players. They both excelled in the ND game and they received more playing time b/c of it, I don't think this was intended to be an element of suprise.
September 13th, 2011 at 11:57 PM ^
It appeared his technique was improving in the ND game. If he can remember to play lower and not stand upright maybe he'll get the confidence to be the animal everyone believes he is.
September 14th, 2011 at 12:31 AM ^
W. Campbell was in a bad situation in 2009 and 2010. Bad coaching, bad defenses. I really do feel for him, because he was such a hyped player. I think we can all agree that he is getting good coaching now. I think there will be a moment that everything will click this season and he will be a beast for the remainder of 2011 and 2012.
via annarbor.com
September 14th, 2011 at 12:44 AM ^
(who is?), methinks Mattison will be able to use a line-clogging object, while RR didn't know what to tell GERG to do with him.
He doesn't have to be great to be useful under Mattison. Just go cause big non-holes.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:03 AM ^
I Love this picture!
Go Blue!
September 14th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
For a 320ish player, I don't see much of a gut at all. Let's hope he can play low. I loved to see his fire and the general excitement of the defense. I never saw anyone get down on themselves during the game.
September 14th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
Yep, the DL sure has gotten terrible coaching over the last several years. All the last staff did was produce a first rounder in BG, make a beast out of MM (and probable first-second rounder), RVB into a leader, etc. Small sample size and all, but the last staff had also gotten a lot more production out of Roh and MM thus far. Our DL play has been mediocre at best so far and we have senior MM and RVB...and a staff full of hyped DL coaches. Sorry, Will being able to not be blown off the ball for 2 plays does not prove much.
September 14th, 2011 at 1:26 AM ^
and a few plays against OSU was an outright criminal bungling of a scholarship. I wish to hell he had that year back, and I bet Mattison and BWC do, too.
September 14th, 2011 at 2:10 AM ^
I don't think that there is anyone on the team who has put any more effort into his game during the past year than BWC. I hope that the new coaching situation goes a long way towards putting him into a better situation.
September 14th, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^
OSU had 2 5* in the 2009 class as well, a corner and a linebacker. Both redshirted. Too bad BWC and Denard didn't redshirt as well, hindsight is 20/20, but damn we ended up with a losing record anyway.
September 14th, 2011 at 7:37 AM ^
I think this game could be the motivation that Will needs. Being part of a game changer can really make you feel on top and can propel your game.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^
Hawthorne totally changed the game
Didnt play a down on those first two possesions; barely left the field after that. His aggression was noticeable on that very first drive he was in, and then he began to make plays. Here's hoping it wasnt a one hit wonder
September 14th, 2011 at 9:38 AM ^
The only thing that is going to help BWC and Hawthorne is more game time experience and coaching post each game. They can learn new schemes etc... but defense esecially needs to learn to read, react, and execute. I hope to see more of both of them.
If BWC starts destroying our next couple opponents, WHICH HE COMPLETELY SHOULD, then we can start getting excited, until then he is yet to even meet expectations.
Hawthorne on the other hand needs to start.
September 14th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^
It's nice to see that our Will backer problems could be solved. And hopefully we'll have the other guys (T-Wolf, Cam Gordon) fully healthy enough by conference play. And hopefully we can get a nice D-Line Rotation going with all the pieces we have
September 14th, 2011 at 12:20 PM ^
from the outstanding coaching and development they are receiving from Hoke, Montgomery, and Mattison. The main positive you could see on D against a very good and powerful Notre Dame team is that when the team tackled they didn't get pushed or dragged down the field for 5 or 6 yards only for the RB to break free and reel off a 50 yard TD.
Give this staff more than one year and you will see dramatic improvement in all aspects of the game on offense and defense.
BWC has become much better - considering the previous staff didn't really use him. He will continue to grow into a dominant DT. He needs more time but I would definitely play him against MSU, NEB, and OSU because otherwise our D-line isn't big enough to handle the O-line. You need to give Hoke just as much time as you gave RR, but I guarantee the new staff will get the job done.