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| David Molk (#50) is the conference's best lineman |
On Monday night the All-Big Ten teams were announced.
Michigan center David Molk was named the league's best offensive lineman, so congratulations to him.
Other notable Michigan honorees:
SELECTIONS BY COACHES
First team: David Molk, C
Second team: Taylor Lewan, OT; Mike Martin, DT
Honorable mention: Kenny Demens, LB; J.T. Floyd, CB; Kevin Koger, TE; Junior Hemingway, WR; Denard Robinson, QB; Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB; Ryan Van Bergen, DT
Sportsmanship Award: Jordan Kovacs, S
SELECTIONS BY MEDIA
First team: None
Second team: Denard Robinson, QB; David Molk, C; Mike Martin, DT
Honorable mention: Kenny Demens, LB; J.T. Floyd, CB; Kevin Koger, TE; Jordan Kovacs, S; Taylor Lewan, OT; Craig Roh, DE; Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB; Ryan Van Bergen, DT
I find it a little strange that a team with a 10-2 record could have zero first team selections by the media and then only three on the second team, especially when David Molk was named Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy was named first team by both parties, but his season stats (23 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks) are less impressive than those of Mike Martin (54 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and Ryan Van Bergen (41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks), not to mention several of the second team selections from other schools. Worthy's inclusion on the first unit is kind of a joke.
And I understand Russell Wilson being chosen as the best quarterback in the league due to his great statistics, but Kirk Cousins was the second team quarterback, according to the coaches? Cousins beat Denard Robinson in the turnover category (Cousins threw only 6 interceptions), but Cousins also only accounted for 21 total touchdowns (all passing) while Robinson had a total of 34 (18 passing, 16 rushing). Cousins also accounted for only 2,670 yards, whereas Robinson had 3,219. So Denard Robinson had 13 more touchdowns, 549 more yards, and produced the same overall record . . . and somehow Cousins is the better player?
Oh well. There's always next year. Congratulations to Michigan's outstanding football players!
really?/ Mike Martin not first team?? GTFO Big Ten.It will be nice to see Fitz 1st RB next year tho.
ReplyDeleteYeah, next year I'd expect Stonum, Fitz, Denard, Kovacs, and maybe even Countess to contend for First Team honors.
ReplyDeleteThe Worthy and Cousins picks are, imo, primarily due to the preseason accolades and speeches and not their performances throughout the course of the year. Remember, it's not just about stats - Cousins is just a winner! And Worthy is just disruptive! :rolleyes:
ReplyDeleteThese awards are all subjective, anyhow. I have no problem with Simon, Mercilus (awesome player and name), and Still, but I'd take Binns, Van Bergen, and Short over Worthy any day.
You can't really measure a NT with stats. From the few games I saw Worthy was a dominant force and faced a ton of double-teams. I think this is legit. Martin had some great games but was a no-show for others.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an MSU expert, but Gholston's the name on there that doesn't belong - especially given the UM game. I'd have Van Bergen in as DE ahead of him.
Denard over Cousins, agreed. Denard was a one-man show for several games. Cousins had way more help.
Next year, I'd expect Denard, Lewan, Demens, and Kovacs to be on these lists. Touss and Countess could as well if they keep it up.
ReplyDelete@ Lankownia 2:02 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI agree that NTs can't always be measured by stats, but Martin faced constant double teams, too. And so did guys from other schools, like Kawann Short. Regardless, making 23 tackles in a 4-3 defense isn't anything special. Hell, Martin made 20 tackles as a true freshman backup to Will Johnson and Terrance Taylor.
@ Lankownia 2:04 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Denard, Lewan, and Kovacs are good bets to make these lists next year. Wilson and Cousins will be gone, so that helps Denard. Demens might make more tackles next season simply because Martin/Van Bergen won't be stealing some of them.
I'm not sure about Toussaint and Countess. There will still be some running backs to contend with for Toussaint, including whoever starts for Wisconsin, Silas Redd at PSU, and Rex Burkhead at Nebraska. Countess has a shot but he'll have to make a few picks to get noticed more.
Magnus,
ReplyDeleteWhoever starts at Wisconsin will probably be the main competition for Toussaint. Redd and Burkhead are solid but unspectacular, IMO, and Fitz is turning into a human highlight reel.
@ David 4:51 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Toussaint is turning into a human highlight reel, but I think yardage/touchdowns are most important to voters. And if Denard is the main ballcarrier, then there might not be enough room for Toussaint to pile up the yards necessary to earn votes over Burkhead, Redd, etc.
I think they'll look to keep easing up Denard's carries next year, as the offense keeps evolving more towards what they want. It could mean more carries for Toussaint, or it could be another guy like Hopkins, Rawls, or a recruit that picks off some of Denard's ground production.
ReplyDeleteI think Denard's shown significant improvement over time. From the start of '11 to the end and from his freshman year to his soph year. As a passer, he has a lot of room to grow and I think the staff will focus on that - using his feet less as a base of the offense and more as a constraint on safeties and linebackers - keep them honest with occassional Denard run's but don't rely on him for 20 carries. More like 10-12.
If Countess follows the familiar path of improvement between FR and SO year I believe he'll be up there. At least he'll make some honorable mention lists. Even Charles Woodson made a significant leap after his first year.
@ Lankownia 12:53 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Denard has improved significantly over time, at least from his freshman year until the end of the '11 season. Hopefully that progress continues into next year, or at least he plays at a similar level to what he played at the end of the 2011 regular season. If he can actually pass the ball with consistency and not throw 14 interceptions, then they won't need him to run the ball 20 times.
Agree on Countess. He was close to some picks this year. Give him another season and he should be able to actually grab a couple.