Coaches Corner: Debate on veterans vs. Young guns -- Defense / Special Teams

Coaches Corner: Debate on veterans vs. Young guns -- Defense / Special Teams

Defense: Lack of depth can create far less competition.

Defensive Line:

RVB, B. Graham, and M. Martin are easily best the team’s best d-linemen. In our opinion, the other players are not close to the level of the above three.

Question: Will the staff get creative and use B. Graham inside in some situations and use Roh as a pass rush specialist? You can bet if Roh is in the game, we will hold our collective breath and pray that opponents do no run sprint draw right over his @SS.

The good and bad news is that Roh probably will be this team’s second best pass rusher from day one on campus. So will the staff stay with a more experienced players (Banks etc.), or go with Roh?

We will be shocked if Roh ends up red-shirting. Red shirting would probably be best for young Roh, but the lack of depth Michigan has on the defensive line likely precludes such a luxury.

If Roh can cover and play in space, we would agree with a move to defensive end or outside linebacker. But if he is assessed as a one-dimensional player, who cannot spin down and play over tight ends and offensive tackles, or cover in space, then no benefit from such a move would likely be obtained.

Another match-up to watch will be W. Campbell vs. Sagesse for the back up to M. Martin. Who will prevail: W. Campbell, the youngster with a higher ceiling, or Sagesse/Banks who have at least some experience? If W. Campbell picks up fundamentals, his upside's is so much higher.

Linebackers:

Again, there is not much here guys to argue over. Ezeh and Mouton are far ahead of everyone else. Still, it will be fun to watch how much playing time some of the youngsters get and the progress each makes attempting to climb up the pecking order.

Hybrids:

S. Brown is still way out in front, but there should be good competition for his back up with backups having solid ceilings.

And the quick/defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid: none were great this spring; based on the practices we saw this spring.

Herron was okay at best this spring. But in his defense, this was a completely new position for him and the team. We think he will be solid/okay when playing the defensive end position. We worry about Herron when he is required to play in space.

Safeties:

Vlad vs. M. Williams: This competition will probably go down to the wire. In our opinion, M. Williams is the best fit at nickel, but Vlad eked him out by the end of spring practices. Still, Vlad’s ceiling is so much higher that if the competition is very close, we would expect him to get the nod.
Cornerbacks:

Boo Boo and D. Warren are the numbers one's, and again by a lot in our opinion. The real question is who will emerge as the number three: the more experienced Floyd, who has a spring and full season under his belt, or J. Turner, in our opinion the best player in the 2009 recruiting class. Again, an opinion, but J. Turner will be tough to keep off the field, and at some point he will play.

Special Teams:

Return game: This is a tough one to discuss before fall practice. No one stood out this spring. Only Mathews has caught punts on a regular basis in college competition. Keep an eye on Turner, Stokes, and M. Shaw. There may be a surprise emerge here.

The long snappers and Mesko looked very good. Jason Olesnavage looked solid as well. Although you never know for sure how a kicker will fit in until he performs under pressure.

Our biggest concern is the kick return game; nobody really shined the times we were at practice. There may be some worry about Gallon’s lack of size returning kick-off returns, but he would definitely be considered for punt returns. We would definitely give Stokes and Fitzgerald Toussaint a good look.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine