There has been an unconfirmed rumor floating about the internet this morning that Vladimir Emilien has left the team. Emilien is a sophomore safety from Plantation, FL, who is currently behind Cam Gordon on the depth chart.
I repeat: this is a rumor, but it often seems that rumors like these come true (although the Tate Forcier transfer rumors have yet to come to fruition).
Magnus, I remember you making a comment a little while back talking about all the transfers and if RR will need to adjust either his coaching style or the type of player he recruits with all of these transfers (something along those lines not a direct quote). It's been in the back of my mind ever since and with this latest news I wondered what your thoughts are now? How will this affect the coaching staff going forward especially in terms of recruiting, as I don't see them really changing their approach to coaching.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous
ReplyDeleteRodriguez needs to recruit guys who are going to stick with a team through thick and thin. We can't afford to keep throwing freshmen and sophomores out there and expect to be successful. Teams like OSU, Alabama, USC (pre-sanctions, anyway), etc. have been able to reload because they have experienced guys waiting in the wings to take over when a junior or senior leaves.
In a way, Michigan has been lucky so far. Woolfolk was replaced by a senior (James Rogers). And Emilien's replacement at #2 free safety is only a true freshman (Ray Vinopal), but at least Vinopal isn't being forced to start.
Michigan can't suffer many more injuries or departures, though. We're getting to the point where sophomore and freshman starters are being replaced by freshmen. Rodriguez and his staff need to start convincing these kids that sticking around isn't the worst thing in the world. Team members keep saying that they feel more like a family than ever, but obviously these kids don't feel integral enough to the team to stick around.