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| Cameron Gordon |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 237 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Inkster
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #4
Last year: I ranked Gordon #28 and said he would be the backup SAM with 30 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception. He had 17 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
Gordon has been quite an interesting player throughout his career. From wide receiver in 2009 to free safety in 2010 to 3-3-5 strongside linebacker in the second half of 2010 to SAM under Brady Hoke, he's played everywhere. His best statistical season came as a redshirt freshman when he had 77 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries; since then he has totaled 21 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. He was nominally the backup SAM in 2012, but starter Jake Ryan rarely came off the field. And if the team went to a nickel package, they would sometimes put Ryan at defensive end, remove the SAM linebacker spot, and insert a slot corner. This spring, after Ryan tore his ACL, junior Brennen Beyer moved to SAM from weakside end and started at his new position in the spring game; Gordon was relegated to backup duty once again.
Beyer also played ahead of Gordon back in 2011 (although Gordon was suffering from a minor back injury at the time), so evidence suggests that Beyer will be the starter in 2013. He's been ahead of Gordon every step of the way. But Beyer's next big play will be his first, and I think he's just an average player. Gordon appears to be slightly inconsistent, but he's a much better athlete and has more big-play potential. I think Gordon should be the starting SAM until Ryan recovers, and I'm going to hope that the coaches agree with me.
Prediction: Starting SAM linebacker; 40 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception
I thought he was from Cass Tech?
ReplyDeleteThomas Gordon is from Cass Tech. Cameron went to Inkster, the same school as Devin Gardner.
DeleteThankfully the coaches value consistency, steadiness and is the reason Beyer starts over Gordon. I'm not saying Gordon is a negative, I think he should and will play a ton with Ryan out. Just don't like Beyer being dissed so much for not being spectacular. Plenty of players have had long careers with being worse.
ReplyDeleteMattison's defense is evidently designed for the SAM and weakside ends to make plays. Beyer has played both and just doesn't. That's really the issue. He's also not athletic enough to keep up with runners like Kain Colter and Taylor Martinez, which is going to be a problem when we play teams that have them.
DeleteIn two years as a frequent contributor, Beyer has half a tackle for loss. I don't know of many players with less to show for that much playing time.
DeleteAgree with Magnus here. Beyer has absolutely no pass rush or penetration ability - he must be a good practice player. Gordon made a couple plays behind the line of scrimmage in the spring game and he showed a pretty quick first step. Hoke made a side comment in one of the PC's along the lines of Gordon not playing physical/aggressive enough in the past. So hopefully, he is coming around. Not expecting much production out of this position either way this year.
ReplyDeleteMattison will go with Beyer over Gordon unless as you say we face more athletic QB.s.
ReplyDeleteGordon is one of those players who I think will really step their game up this year. Finally settled at position, finally with consistent coaching, finally with an opportunity to play. I think he'll surprise a lot of folks. Though if Ryan comes back looking healthy it's probably back to the bench for CG...
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