Stupid idea? Move J. Hudson to DT for a game
Okay, maybe this is really dumb. But we have a short term lack of depth (next 1-2 games) at a position of need (DT) against Wisconsin’s crushing run offense.
James Hudson was a borderline top-100 player at DT out of high school. I don’t think there’s any doubts that he’s physically capable, so maybe he could download a portion of the playbook and be used in limited spots. Thoughts?
October 11th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
Just to build on this, I watched him play a lot at Central Catholic, he does a lot of standing up when the ball is snapped, then he was able to just physically push his high school opponent around. Maybe that is why they moved him to OLine.
October 11th, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^
Not a dumb idea at all b/c we might need an emergency DT. However, Hudson would be the first OT in if Runyan or JBB go down, so there's no way we could practice Hudson at DT. Any other OL we have couldn't get up to speed quickly enough and would be a worse option than any other DL reserve.
October 11th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
Yup, think this is the more correct answer. If depth is really needed at DT, you try someone lower on the depth chart that you may be able to plug in for a handful of snaps. Because they aren't used to the position, they need all the reps they can get, and can't, at this point, be splitting with offensive reps (which Hudson needs because he's the primary backup). Ulizio, Honigford, Vastardis, those types. And that assumes those guys can be better than the depth that already exists at the position (all the way down to Meyers).
October 11th, 2018 at 1:26 PM ^
Is everyone forgetting Paea who started out at DT before moving over to OG this year? Or do you think others you mentioned would be better?
October 11th, 2018 at 12:24 PM ^
This is dumb. Onenwu should flip if anything
October 11th, 2018 at 1:11 PM ^
A starter should flip to defense for one game!?
October 11th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
omg! this isn't pee wee football where you move your qb to lb'er because he can tackle. if all those months of practice didn't make a difference in performance, then why are the coaches bothering?
October 11th, 2018 at 1:30 PM ^
I think he already saw snaps at DT this year, did he not?
October 11th, 2018 at 12:38 PM ^
Long-term I'm not sure this would make a whole lot of sense. Keep practicing Hudson at OT to prep him as a potential starter next year. Yes, Michigan will be thin at DT this week but hopefully Solomon will be healthy enough to play next week and fingers crossed Dwumfour is back after the bye week. In the meantime it sounds like Kemp will be back. Mone will play a key role in eating up space. Will need to hope for production from Marshall and another player who hasn't had a ton of playing time yet. The coaching staff has also been pretty good about mixing up the front four on different situations.
October 11th, 2018 at 12:43 PM ^
I am sure that is a contingency plan option
October 11th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^
Not a terrible idea. But very unlikely to happen considering Hudson is probably the next man up at both OT spots with Mayfield banged up. If Kemp, Dwumfour and Solomon are out expect a lot of the 3-3-5 with a healthy dose of Furbush and Uche. Not ideal against a team that is as run-heavy as Wisconsin, but M may be left without much of a choice.
October 11th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^
Based on current depth I'm not sure it's a terrible idea. May not help vs Wisconsin but could be necessary for later games in the season. Not unheard of for linemen to switch sides due to injuries. They usually aren't great, but sometimes you need bodies. Question you have to ask is how it hurts his development and how much he'd help this season.
One of the actual football coaches who post here would be better able to weigh in on making a change like this. Paea would also be an option if they need bodies at DT.
October 11th, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^
I think we'll be as good as we can assuming Gary, Mone, Kemp, Marshall, & Dwumfor are a go, which it appears they are. However, there is no doubt we will miss the ability to go big with Mone & Solomon in the middle in this game.
October 11th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
DT- Marshall, Kemp, Paye 60/20/20
( Kemp, Paye run/ pass downs )
NT- Mone, Kemp, Jeter 60/20/20
October 11th, 2018 at 12:51 PM ^
This type of move would end up making him a defensive liability. The man, while talented, hasn't played D nor has he practiced at D in quite some time. We'd be better off taping into whatever depth we have, or running more hybrid type fronts that would not necessarily require 4 traditional lineman.
October 11th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^
Solomon is playing. Myers getting a ton of run in practice (nephew of an alum, whom is great pals with GM). Carlo wants to go.
Cheers
October 11th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
Is Solomon good to go or needs to be eased in?
October 11th, 2018 at 1:20 PM ^
Bad idea jeans.
I’d move Paea back before that.
October 11th, 2018 at 2:21 PM ^
Agree Paea makes more sense.
October 11th, 2018 at 1:24 PM ^
Hey - let the coaches coach and fans cheer.
/s
October 11th, 2018 at 1:27 PM ^
not a bad idea. all the DTs need to do against Wiscy is eat up blockers: pick a gap, lay down, and plug it up while the DEs, LBs, and Viper make the tackles. don't get blown away and create huge cutback lanes. expect mucho play action to TEs isolated on the LBs. I almost guarantee it on the first play of the game.
October 11th, 2018 at 1:31 PM ^
I could see them moving him over the off-season, but putting him out there beyond "this is a goalline stand and we need more big guys than they have" wouldn't really help the defense. I don't think it's a crazy idea if they figure out that he's not demonstrably better than other offensive linemen on the roster and would be an asset defensively, but against Wisconsin and MSU I don't think it would be all that beneficial.
October 11th, 2018 at 1:40 PM ^
Stupid yes.
October 11th, 2018 at 1:47 PM ^
When you start off with, "Okay, maybe this is really dumb", you may not want to post a thread.
![BrokenThriftyHoneyeater-size_restricted[1].gif](/sites/default/files/users/user124534/BrokenThriftyHoneyeater-size_restricted%5B1%5D.gif)
October 11th, 2018 at 2:09 PM ^
With all the OG we have, I want Onwenu to go back to DT, so Filiaga or whoever, can play.
October 11th, 2018 at 3:05 PM ^
He's arguably All B1G this year dude.
October 11th, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^
Hey I've got an idea, Let's put David Terrell on Plaxico Burress. I mean it's genius..
October 11th, 2018 at 4:28 PM ^
Sigh.....
October 11th, 2018 at 5:42 PM ^
The only one that they would consider doing this to would be Paea. They're not going to do that to Hudson. Although, I will say I was kinda upset when they moved him to OT, because I liked him so much at DT!
October 11th, 2018 at 7:33 PM ^
"so maybe he could download a portion of the playbook"
Does he have a thumb drive port installed in his head? Or can he use wi-fi?
October 12th, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^
I watched Hudson play quite a bit in the Toledo area. Dude was a natural on the D line. I was actually quite surprised he made the move to the offensive side of the ball, given the fact he was unblockable, even if it was in high school.