How many true freshmen will see the field?
It's a slow day, and I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing about Penn State, so I figured I'd see what everyone elses input is on this. Annarbor.com has an article where they debate how many freshman will see the field this year. The over/under is 6. I'm going with the over and predict 9.
I see a potential for Williams to see the field at T.E. if Hoke decides (though it has not been his style so far) to go Maximum Beef Machine on a 4th and Inches play.
I'd be shocked - and it wouldn't bode well for us - if all four true freshmen linebackers see the field this year. Linebacker is one of our positions of strength (and relative depth). Seeing RJS would be especially surprising to me.
Including the 4 freshmen, there are 11 scholarship LB's on the team, of which, one, Poole, may be out for the season, bringing the total down to 10.
I think Ross, Bolden and Ringer play for sure and I suspect RJS works his way onto the field before October is over.
You must think Ryan, Demons and Morgan are garbage. Bolden and in spots.. Ross maybe. I don't see it with Ringer and RJS.
I'm confused. Are you arguing that being able to go 3+ deep at the position without freshman means that the freshman are more likely to play?
I think you are confused.
There are 3 LB positions and 7 LB's who aren't true freshman. One of which, Poole, is probably out for the season, leaving 6 LB's for 3 positions who are not freshman.
My bad, I missed the "including the four freshman" part of having 10 LBs on the roster.
I didn't think that sounded right as I was typing it, being 3 deep at a position without counting freshman. Well, credibility, it was nice while it lasted.
We had essentially the same number of linebackers last year. Poole redshirted, Paskorz never saw the field, and Mike Jones barely played. The guys who played last year were Morgan, Hawthorne, Herron, Demens, Jones, Ryan, Cam Gordon, and Beyer. That's eight. And I didn't really see a need to rotate in MORE guys.
Neither do I.
The real question should be, what is wrong with Posluszny's jaw?
I know we have a lot of bodies at Corner but I have to believe if Richardson has the same type of talent as Countess that he will make his way onto the field at some point. I think there's a bit of a dropoff after our top 2.
Avery thrives at nickel. Taylor should be a fine 4th along with Talbott and Hollowell. I don't see Richardson getting any time at all. But then again.. My name is Gary Busey?
Gallon needs to stay healthy and on the field as a WR. I think Norfleet does have a chance at kick returns this fall because of that. As long as he is not the freshman version of Gallon who could make catching the ball cleanly rather suspensful. They'll use Gallon to return kicks when they need sure hands during tight games.
Yeah I agree with you on this. It's highly doubtful a true freshman would start the season off returning kicks, especially on the biggest stage against Bama. Gallon needs to stay healthy though. So my guess is that they ease Norfleet into the role to take over for Gallon at some point during the season.
Even though I expect quite a few will play, I like the fact that only 2-3 will play because they have to, and they don't have to start unless there's an injury. With our OL depth, Kalis will have to play as the 1st or 2nd (Miller) OL off the bench. AJ Williams also pretty much has to play if we ever want to play 2 big TEs or if Brandon Moore isn't so good.
DL is the other spot where a freshman is pretty much required even though you could make the case that Cambell, Black, Roh, Beyer, Clark, Washington and Ash are enough. Pipkins or Godin/Wormley will play due to the lack of depth combined with their talent. After that I think that Chesson (or Darboh), Funchess (more as a slot WR), Bolden (or Ross) and Wilson will play because they are just too good.
The secondary isn't scary thin:
CB-Countess, Floyd, Avery, Talbott, Taylor, Hollowell maybe
S-Kovacs, Robinson, Gordon, Furman
Of the backups, Avery is proven and Talbott and Robinson have a fair amount of game experience at DB. Ideally you'd have more than one proven backup, but it isn't scary thin. The OL is scary thin.
1 WR
1-2 TE
1 OL (hopefully only 1)
1 DL (probably Pipkins)
1 LB
Slow day deserves a "There Are..." thread. I'm getting tired of my Excel spreadsheet:
=DATE(2012,9,1)-(TODAY())
Which returns 46.
Bolden - spot duty behind Demens
Chesson & Darboh - both will play, but I think only one (probably Chesson) will earn anything approaching regular playing time
Kalis - won't start unless there are injuries, but he'll work his way into the rotation
Norfleet - he'll get a KR, maybe PR, duty, and probably some mop-up work
Pipkins - same as Kalis, hopefully won't start but will be in the rotation
Williams - at some point he'll be thrown out there for blocking purposes
+2 unnecessary and unexpected burned redshirts (probably some combination of another LB, a DLinemen, and a DB getting special teams work)
Keep in mind all of you predicting like 3 or 4.
We played 8 true freshman last year, 10 in 2010, 13 in 2009 (WOW), and 8 in 2008.
I'm grateful!
Yeah people need to realize that some guys will be playing special teams and that the coaches aren't going to want to redshirt 20 guys.
What DOES the NCAA do to you if you get THAT on the field?
I think people are forgetting that behind Craig Roh at SDE, we have uhhhh garbage...
I dont see a way that none of Strobel, Godin, or Wormley get on the field next year....
Calling any M player garbage is not cool. That said, a freshman would have to beat out both Brink and Heitzman to make the 2-deep.
not too many will play a lot this year, unless they are needed or really show they should definitely be out there early. At least as far as linemen go I expect to see Pipkins and Kalis playing at the very least. I'd be surprised if Bolden didn't at least get some garbage time play, but I imagine he'll get some more than that. Aside from those guys, maybe Wilson will play some too, and maybe a couple others on special teams. Overall we'll see several I'm sure but I'm hoping they will at least solidly fill the holes they get put into.
Automatic +1 for starting a thread that's actually about Michigan football and not completely inane.
I think two tight ends will definitely be on the field this year, whether they are ready or not. At least one wideout, probably two. Pipkins and a couple LBs. Possibly Wilson at safety. Probably a DE that comes out in garbage time to get 4 snaps and makes all of us shake our heads. And I'm not sure why everyone is having a hard time believing a freshman can return punts. If they're good, they're good. I seem to remember this guy named Steve Breaston making quite the name for himself as a true freshman punt returner. That punt return against Illinois was insane.
Kalis - hopefully won't be needed unless there are injuries, but gets experience for next year
Pipkins - legitimate starter by mid season, injuries or not (Mongomery'd)
Bolden - as early enrollee, should be ready to back up Demens if needed
Norfleet - kick returner, possible snaps at slot. Gallon has punts locked down (!). Having a true frosh fielding kicks doesn't make me near as nervous as punts - much more pressure.
Given the way this coaching staff recruits, I'm not as concerned about burning redshirts if it becomes necessary. There will always be quality talent waiting in the wings. Love that I can type that with confidence.
Unless Roundtree goes Megatron on everyone's ass, I'm expecting Darboh to see time. He might be interchangeable with Chesson, seeing as how Chesson has the speed.
Bolden wont be able to stay off he field. He will see ST play and some garbage time this year, maybe more if Demens underperforms, but I project Bolden as a starter for the 2013 opener.
Magnuson-same as Kalis.
Pip-he won't be able to stay off the field, whether it's depth issues, BWC doesn't perform, or Pip is as good as advertised. I'd prefer a redshirt, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's named a starter by mid season.
Richardson should redshirt, but once Floyd graduates, the spot opposite Countess is his to lose.
Other than Bolden, I think all our LB recruits should redshirt, which is great. RJS and James Ross look like they will be studs in the years to come.
I don't foresee any DB freshman playing. Kovacs and Gordon should hold down the fort just fine.
If you want to groom a cornerback to take over for Floyd, then why don't you want to groom a safety to take over for Jordan Kovacs? I mean, a veteran like Marvin Robinson could fill Kovacs's spot next year, but the same goes for cornerback (Talbott, Taylor, etc.). I think there's at least a decent chance that Thomas Gordon moves to SS in 2013 to make room for Jarrod Wilson at FS. And if that's going to be the case, I would think they would want to get Wilson some reps this season.
I usually dont like to do these things but I got this from a friend of a former player. You can take the info or leave it but here are his opinions of the incoming freshman, here goes
Who will play..
Norfleet - not only returns but on offense, ball of muscle and absolutely electric with the ball, compared him to DeAnthony Thomas from Oregon, shorter but thicker. If he was 3 or 4 inches taller he would have been a national recruit
Funchess/ Williams- As others have said, paper thin at TE but Funchess will be more of a WR, Williams can put his hand down and block but needs strength.
LB's - Bolden will push Demens(and may take over) look out for James Ross as the wildcard here, more speed than any other LB on the roster
Jarrod Wilson - has the chance to be a star, great length, not super fast but covers a lot of ground, good at taking angles
Chesson/Darboh - both will contribute, need to get blocking and playbook down, Chesson can fly
Pipkins,Kalis and Braden were mentioned as pontential to play, To him Wormley was the most impressive looking freshman "the first guy you want off the bus", if he can do it on the field he will be special. I'll post more as I get it
3 1/2.