Hard to know how to interpret a lot of this. Morgan even up with Ryan at MLB? I would have projected Ryan as no worse than 2nd team all-conference..has Morgan brought himself up to that level, or has Ryan regressed significantly? Or is Hoke just playing motivational games? Same with RJS...after doing nothing for two years, has he all of a sudden drawn level with our best LB from last year, or is Ross topped out and regressing? Ditto for NT.
All in all, it's disturbing to see our two deep still dotted with so many walk-ons (I count six, if you include Graham Glasgow after his one game time-out). That's not the sign of a top-20 caliber team, and not what you'd expect after multiple very good to excellent recruiting classes.
Motivational games. We are overloaded with qualified players at LB because of this coaching staff's recruiting strategy. Hoke doesn't want to bench Morgan or Ross and he doesn't want to not reward RJS and Bolden. They're all going to play a lot of snaps regardless. "OR" fixes things.
Good point about the walk-ons, though some, like Pearson, have zero chance of actually playing.
If Pearson is on the two-deep, I think he will probably play at some point. Maybe not on the most critical of downs, but he'll probably get some run.
As for Morgan being an "OR" with Jake Ryan, my guess is simply that Morgan is the second MIKE and the second WILL, so he'll be part of the three-man rotation, just like we've had for the past couple seasons.
Well, we can only hope it's motivational games. The fact that competition within the team is tight does not in any way mean that our talent level as compared to other teams (which is what really matters) is high. We may just have a lot of "solid" and "decent", but still no "great".
I don't think Hoke has gone out of his way to make the depth charts very accurate in his tenure, so I would not get too worked up about details. Along with press conferences, I think he sometimes uses these as motivation to younger guys or payback to upper classmen who are working hard.
If this is to be taken at face value (it probably isn't)....
I called a few of the 'surprises': Green over Smith, Chesson over Darboh, Williams over Heitzman. I was also right to call Cole and Burzynski underrated.
I was wrong to put Kugler so high, to question Morris' position at #2, to question Braden.
I'm not jumping off the Canteen bandwagon though. Still think he'll end up being the starter opposite Funchess at some point this year.
I know LS are never all that big (although I used to do it at 6'4" 290) - but our LS are TINY. Good thing there are rules against blowing them up (to an extent).
Here's what I'm struggling with - Regarding the TE position. Heard that Heitzman was doing very well. Literally heard Ferrigno publically (WTKA and in print) say that Hill was not "meeting expectations" and had a long way to go. Hill is now playing? Is he a place holder because of Jake Butt's situation? Hill can catch, but at the scrimmage he struggled with any kind of blocking.
You never know with some of these things. Maybe Hill had a good week of practice, so they're rewarding him with putting him #2 on the depth chart. Maybe Heitzman rolled his ankle and is questionable for this week.
Heitzman faced the challenging of changing positions. "Doing very well" can mean something different for a freshman and guys changing positions. I was suprised Heitzman wasn't on the 2-deep but not that surprised.
What about Jeremy Clark over Dymonte Thomas? I am a bit disappointed to see D. Thomas falling behind. I thought he was going to the savior of our secondary.
Nothing surprising about linebackers -- they are going to rotate heavily, and that's perfectly fine with me.
Also a bit disappointed about Pipkins -- of course he is coming off of an injury, but I am still not seeing signs of him becoming a dominant player. 2014 will tell.
Also a bit concerned with Kalis being second-string -- again my expectations of him being a 5-star guy -- but the OL is still a work in progress so we'll see how things go.
Lastly, the Drake Johnson thing always was something motivational -- he didn't really have a chance to beat out Derrick Green or Smith or Ty Issac. Hoke just wanted to keep the players motivated.
We r playing Appalachian State for god sake! We are goin to beat them with the talent they have listed! This is not the same line up Michigan will use against Notre Dame! calm down we have great coaches
If Burzynski starts I am going to turn the game off. That is just ridiculous which means the O Line is going to be worse, much worse than last year... if that is even possible.
He's been ahead of Miller the last two years. He looked relatively good in the game he started last year. You don't need to be 6'6 at OG. If it's the walk on thing well...Glasgow is too.
My initial thoughts: Freshman starting at LT (deep breath), not sure what to think about Ryan Glasgow starting, and finally, who is Aj Pearson?
ReplyDeleteAJ Pearson is someone is is not going to play.
DeleteHard to know how to interpret a lot of this. Morgan even up with Ryan at MLB? I would have projected Ryan as no worse than 2nd team all-conference..has Morgan brought himself up to that level, or has Ryan regressed significantly? Or is Hoke just playing motivational games? Same with RJS...after doing nothing for two years, has he all of a sudden drawn level with our best LB from last year, or is Ross topped out and regressing? Ditto for NT.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, it's disturbing to see our two deep still dotted with so many walk-ons (I count six, if you include Graham Glasgow after his one game time-out). That's not the sign of a top-20 caliber team, and not what you'd expect after multiple very good to excellent recruiting classes.
Motivational games. We are overloaded with qualified players at LB because of this coaching staff's recruiting strategy. Hoke doesn't want to bench Morgan or Ross and he doesn't want to not reward RJS and Bolden. They're all going to play a lot of snaps regardless. "OR" fixes things.
DeleteGood point about the walk-ons, though some, like Pearson, have zero chance of actually playing.
If Pearson is on the two-deep, I think he will probably play at some point. Maybe not on the most critical of downs, but he'll probably get some run.
DeleteAs for Morgan being an "OR" with Jake Ryan, my guess is simply that Morgan is the second MIKE and the second WILL, so he'll be part of the three-man rotation, just like we've had for the past couple seasons.
@Thunder
DeleteOK, he might play in garbage time. But if Wilson goes down they'll move someone else over.
Well, we can only hope it's motivational games. The fact that competition within the team is tight does not in any way mean that our talent level as compared to other teams (which is what really matters) is high. We may just have a lot of "solid" and "decent", but still no "great".
DeleteI don't think Hoke has gone out of his way to make the depth charts very accurate in his tenure, so I would not get too worked up about details. Along with press conferences, I think he sometimes uses these as motivation to younger guys or payback to upper classmen who are working hard.
Delete@PS is right. Look at least year's depth chart for game 1.
DeleteDoes it for real have RJS starting over James Ross?!?
ReplyDeleteIt's Jenkins-Stone OR Ross.
DeleteHahaha alright missed the OR just kind of puzzled me they would put him before Ross to begin with
DeleteIf this is to be taken at face value (it probably isn't)....
ReplyDeleteI called a few of the 'surprises': Green over Smith, Chesson over Darboh, Williams over Heitzman. I was also right to call Cole and Burzynski underrated.
I was wrong to put Kugler so high, to question Morris' position at #2, to question Braden.
I'm not jumping off the Canteen bandwagon though. Still think he'll end up being the starter opposite Funchess at some point this year.
This whole thing is crazy, I'm turning my computer off.
ReplyDeleteI know LS are never all that big (although I used to do it at 6'4" 290) - but our LS are TINY. Good thing there are rules against blowing them up (to an extent).
ReplyDeleteHere's what I'm struggling with - Regarding the TE position. Heard that Heitzman was doing very well. Literally heard Ferrigno publically (WTKA and in print) say that Hill was not "meeting expectations" and had a long way to go. Hill is now playing? Is he a place holder because of Jake Butt's situation? Hill can catch, but at the scrimmage he struggled with any kind of blocking.
ReplyDeleteYou never know with some of these things. Maybe Hill had a good week of practice, so they're rewarding him with putting him #2 on the depth chart. Maybe Heitzman rolled his ankle and is questionable for this week.
DeleteHeitzman faced the challenging of changing positions. "Doing very well" can mean something different for a freshman and guys changing positions. I was suprised Heitzman wasn't on the 2-deep but not that surprised.
DeleteNo Hurst at all? What happened to that quick first step? He played well in the Spring Game.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the deal with Glasgow on D? Is it listed like that because of suspension?
ReplyDeleteThere are two Glasgows. Graham plays OL, and Ryan plays DL
DeleteWhat about Jeremy Clark over Dymonte Thomas? I am a bit disappointed to see D. Thomas falling behind. I thought he was going to the savior of our secondary.
ReplyDeleteNothing surprising about linebackers -- they are going to rotate heavily, and that's perfectly fine with me.
Also a bit disappointed about Pipkins -- of course he is coming off of an injury, but I am still not seeing signs of him becoming a dominant player. 2014 will tell.
Also a bit concerned with Kalis being second-string -- again my expectations of him being a 5-star guy -- but the OL is still a work in progress so we'll see how things go.
Lastly, the Drake Johnson thing always was something motivational -- he didn't really have a chance to beat out Derrick Green or Smith or Ty Issac. Hoke just wanted to keep the players motivated.
Nevermind, I just realized it said Ryan, not Graham.
ReplyDeleteI just want some time to see Mason Cole in game action. If we can make it past Notre Dame and our line isn't a total shit show, I'll be happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy Lewis is listed as an OR.
I'm happy Countess is not.
I'm disappointed Dymonte Thomas hasn't jumped to the top.
I think Heitzman will see more time than Khalid Hill if they're both healthy.
Last year I had the same thought..."If we can make it past Notre Dame, and our line isn't a total shit show, I'd be happy...."
DeleteWe r playing Appalachian State for god sake! We are goin to beat them with the talent they have listed! This is not the same line up Michigan will use against Notre Dame! calm down we have great coaches
ReplyDeleteIf Burzynski starts I am going to turn the game off. That is just ridiculous which means the O Line is going to be worse, much worse than last year... if that is even possible.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
DeleteHe's been ahead of Miller the last two years. He looked relatively good in the game he started last year. You don't need to be 6'6 at OG. If it's the walk on thing well...Glasgow is too.
Where is Wormley on the 2 deep? Did he get hurt and Hoke kept it silent? Like the standard "booboo" injuries that keep guys out for weeks on end.
Delete