Highlights:
- RR said that Devin Gardner will not redshirt this year. Probably going to play. Let's hope he probably doesn't have to.
- Carvin Johnson a true freshman is getting the start at the "Spur" position ahead of Thomas Gordon (not to be confused with Cam Gordon)
- That 10 freshman could play on Saturday. Which include: Jibreel Black, Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery, Marvin Robinson, Jeremy Jackson, Terrance Talbott, and Wil Hagerup (will start at punter).
- All 3 QB's were listed on the depth chart. Will make a decision later in the week. Same with RB's. Mike Shaw is on the depth chart which should mean he made the grades.
- Starters at CB are JT Floyd and James Rogers.
- Tackling the #1 key on defense for the UConn game.
- Teric Jones is back at running back. (probably due to the loss of Austin White or improved play of the freshman at CB)
- Fitz Toussaint has a knee issue and might not play on Saturday.
Should we start getting worried about?
-Vlad Emilien: behind a walk-on after a year and a half (he enrolled early).
-Anthony LaLota: behind Steve Watson, also after a year and a half.
-Will Campbell: behind perpetual non-entity Adam Patterson, a guy who moved positions this spring.
The answer is Yes. Really concerned about Will Campbell.
3 comments:
A couple takeaways from this. I've been fairly consistent in my criticism of RR. The contract debacle, sanctions, and, yeah, a record not even the Hoosiers could be proud of. And now we're all excited cause we could 6 games! (out of 12)
But when I look at this depth chart, two thoughts pop into mind. The new AD has told RR that his job is safe, for at least another year, and so Rich is gonna focus on those who are doing 'his system' the best, even if it costs us yet another year in the toilet. Or else, this is in fact the best we got for this year. If so, I'm predicting 4 wins. Maybe.
Brian,
Your opinion is valid and nobody can argue that his stay in Ann Arbor has been a successful one. Does 6-6 save his job? I think that is up for debate. Does 7 wins get him another year, probably.
I do believe he knows football and understands talent. When you see a true freshman starting over a guy that has been in the program a couple of years, I think that tells you something. When you see 3 walk-on’s on the defense 3 deep, I think that tells another story.
I believe Michigan will score a ton of points this year and give up a ton of points. How quickly the defense can mature and stop the pass will define how many wins they have or if RR keeps his job. If he is gone after this year or next, I think you can point to two things: Talent and Depth. The kids playing this year will mostly be RR’s guys. If he can’t start showing some wins this year he is not developing talent the proper way. He has created depth on offense, but not on defense. Which could be his downfall if the defense fails.
When I first saw the depth chart I winced and had the same reaction as most fans, "is there a problem with VE, AL, and WC?" because it didn't seem to make sense. That was my first reaction. However, I am sure there are some things that we don't know from the coaches meeting when they were putting this depth chart together. Since most of the practices were closed to the public (or limited) we are not privy to their thinking.
I believe we can assume that with certain positions of depth where there is already strength such as the defensive line, the two deep has flexibility. JBlack and CJohnson have been so outstanding that they have earned their way onto the two deep.
Will Campbell may need to be motivated because as we know he gained more weight which we're not sure if it's good or bad weight at this time. Starting the season behind AP maybe what he needs to get a fire started there. It may also be a reward for AP if he's kicking ass in practice.
VE still has not played the position in a game and since JVS has "experience" on the field, it maybe that RR wants to go with the experience to start out and hopefully VE will catch up. This maybe the same with AL and SW.
Keep in mind that the defense has so many unproven faces that when you can start an experienced person and allow your young talent to learn, get their feet wet and then catch up, as a coach you may feel that this is the safer route to take.
I believe that these decisions were based upon the talent & maturity level of the players and trying to provide a delicate balance to getting the season started on a solid footing. I would also imagine that as the season progress and the more talented kids get experieince that the starting chart will change. I wouldn't be surprised if MR starts by the end of the year because the bandit position is said to be a complicated position to learn. Once he understands it better he should be able to take over as the starter. I think that we'll see a freshman or two take over the corner position in the same fashion. JR is a senior and works hard but doesn't have the talent that CC has, but CC needs to get the experience first. So let's have CC work his way into the starting role.
So I am not convinced that this has anything to do with how safe coach RR's job is this year. To me it simply makes the most sense. This is turning into RR's team more than 90-95% of them. However, you don't win championships with freshman and sophomores, you win them with juniors and seniors. So I believe Michigan will be very competitive this year, the youth will have ups and downs and Michigan will be very encouraged. Michigan should go to a bowl game even with a very tough schedule. To fire RR now would only IMO set the program back another couple of years. Be encourgaged...Go Blue!!
V.O.R.
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