What do we know about James Rogers?
With 4-star cornerbacks JT Turner and Boubacar Cissoko, along with Blue Chip corners Donovan Warren and Demar Dorsey, no longer on the team, who can fill Woolfolk's shoes?
Cullen Christian is the first name that comes to mind. Courtney Avery may also be able to contribute. One name you don't see mentioned too often is James Rogers: a senior CB who hasn't seen the field much outside of special teams duties.
Does anyone out there have any reason (any at all, I'm desperate) to believe Rogers may be able to save our secondary? I admit I know nothing about him.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
Aaaagh!
August 17th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
Recruited as a WR, has gone back & forth between corner & wideout, without much playing time at either. Probably a great kid - but yikes!
August 17th, 2010 at 9:37 PM ^
We know that if he steps up big time, seizes the opportunity, picks off about four passes this year, breaks up six more, and plays solid man-to-man, he'll have the opportunity to make an NFL roster next summer. It's a wonderful opportunity to start at cornerback for Michigan.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
He came in as a WR, didn't find much playing time, and switched to DB. We have had guys make that switch and pan out - Grant Mason and Morgan Trent are two recent examples. But the thing about corner is that it's a position heavily reliant on natural ability, and good players usually see the field early on. When you're talking about a senior CB who's hardly played, that's not a good sign. I'd put my hopes more on the freshmen, Floyd, and any other WR we might move over.
At any rate, one thing we should all keep in mind is that one year ago, Woolfolk wasn't even playing cornerback. He began last season as a safety and switched to CB around the Iowa game. Again, because it's a position more reliant on natural ability than anything, he was able to quickly pick it up, to the point that we now consider him a bedrock of the defense. It's possible that someone else could move there and similarly thrive. We have a lot of good athletes at WR and S. One might be the answer.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
Rogers played at cornerback as a true freshman. To say he "came in as a wide receiver" might be slightly misleading, since his first action was at CB.
Also, Woolfolk played cornerback in 2007 and 2008. He switched to safety for half a season in 2009 before going back to cornerback, and he probably would have started at CB over Cissoko if there were any talent at safety whatsoever. But there wasn't. So I think it's also slightly misleading to suggest that Woolfolk was a position-switcher at cornerback.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^
I think he's over 6 foot so hopefully he wont get pushed around by physical receivers?
August 17th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
maybe Rogers, or one of the other lesser-known CB's will be the next Kovacs - a totally unheralded kid who steps up and becomes a solid contributor. Here's to hoping!
August 17th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
three year letterman!
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rogers_james00.html
August 17th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
are talking the matter over at this very moment. Gerg will have some disinformation at tomorrow's presser.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:16 PM ^
James Rogers was a major league baseball player in the late 19th century, playing for two different teams. This is why the coaches expect him to have a lot of experience and excellent ball skills.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
you're a contributor, no matter what.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
Other candidates for CB:
- Terrance Robinson
- Michael Shaw
- Jeremy Gallon
- DJ Williamson
Serve your team. There're still two full weeks of practice left. Uncle RichRod wants YOU!
August 17th, 2010 at 9:17 PM ^
Michael Shaw would be a good choice. I've always felt that with his body type, he'd be better suited at CB or WR.
I'd definitely pass on Gallon and Robinson, though. I'm just not a fan of 5'7"-5'8" corners.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
that make plays and don't get burned for big plays... Don't care if they're 5'2" or 6'5".
August 17th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^
I was actually wondering a similar sort of thing, but with some of the guys who don't earn the starting spot at SS, such as Carvin Johnson (who might not be a good candidate because it would cause a redshirt to be burned), or someone like Drew Dileo (who might be a good candidate, despite the major position switch, since he's not going to redshirt and is unlikely to actually see the field on offense).
August 17th, 2010 at 9:34 PM ^
Carvin would have played this year regardless of woolfolk
August 17th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^
I don't know that redshirts are the primary concern right now.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^
Shaw would be interesting - a good combination of size and speed. I doubt he'd want to switch, though, with tailback wide open. I definitely could see one of the slot guys moving over. If they're a little short, well, at least they have the athleticism.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^
I agree with Robinson. I was also thinking of Grady, as he has some good speed and footwork, but not the best hands for a WR. Maybe he could find a niche at corner.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
It's god damned football. I am going to be confident that a Michigan Man will damn well stand up and play some quality corner for us this year. Here's to you James Rogers...I hope it is you.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
August 17th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^
try them all out at some point during the game, at which point their heads will have been f'd with so much from being burned by a WR, yelled at, and taken out the game, that none of them will have confidence.
August 17th, 2010 at 9:30 PM ^
but if he doesn't play, I expect him not to get drafted by the nfl, get signed by the Redskins and then get traded to the Ravens next pre-season for a 2nd round QB.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
What about Terrence Talbott? No one has said anything about him yet. Is he one of the players that didn't show up in shape?
August 17th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
The mods at Rivals have suggested that the coaches are unsure whether Talbott is anything more than a special teams contributor late in his career. He's a very, very, very, very big longshot to play at CB this year.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^
I think Cullen Christian is the clear leader for Woolfolk's vacated position.
However, I wouldn't count out James Rogers. I think he's had a raw deal so far at Michigan. He could surprise some people, and he's a team-first guy. He has good speed and athleticism and has actually been Woolfolk's primary backup at field corner (e.g. the wide side of the field) because of his speed.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
It's good to hear that James Rogers has the physical tools. As a senior who's worked hard for his entire career, I really hope that he gets a chance to contribute. I think he might surprise us all.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^
He was considered an athlete when he was recruited after playing RB and safety. Won the state title in the 200 (22.07). He was a national qualifier in the 100-meter dash and 400 relay at the AAU Track and Field Region 6 Championships in 2006, and finished second in the 100 dash and was third in the high jump in the 2006 State of Michigan AAU Track and Field Championships.