Michigan Football Tidbits: Defensive players with the most pressure on them? Also some team notes.
Before getting to the defensive players with the most pressure on them this year, it needs to be repeated that this year’s defense needs its best players to be great and stay healthy. Michigan cannot afford to be playing many young/limited experience players at key positions. As an example, consider B. Graham, M. Martin, all linebackers, and both cornerbacks. If one or more of these key players get hurt, there are significant question marks about the players backing them up. Coach Robinson has stated he wants a rotation of eighteen, not eleven players. So if two to four players in the rotation get hurt then you are looking at a pool of twenty-two defensive players The overall talent level difference between the top eleven and the next eleven (backups) is at this time scary. The cry will continue, starting with the coaching staff: more defensive depth is a must.
Now to the pressure on the defensive players:
1) Herron: He will be under a somewhat different source of pressure. Not only will he will be pushed but also his ability to play effectively will go a long way in enabling Coach Robinson to play the scheme he prefers.
Herron has been one of the top performers in the off-season workouts, but he needs to take his superior athletic ability to the field. Nobody really knows how good Herron will be, but he will certainly be under a lot of pressure. His current back-ups, although great kids, don't exactly excite us when playing top teams with high level talent.
2) Mike Williams: As much as we like Vlad, William’s ability to hold on to the strong safety spot will enable Vlad to develop as a situational player at the start of the season and not be thrown into an immediate starting role.
In addition, Williams being a starter may allow J. Turner to play some cornerback, where UM’s depth is even worse than at safety.
3) Boo-boo: We put him on the list not because of football performance but for maturity issues that include some off-field and classroom stuff that must improve.
Michigan is going to rely on Boo-boo quite a bit. He has a chance to become one of the leaders on this team, but he must get his own act together first.
4) Ezeh: He has had a great off-season and looks like he has lost about ten pounds, which may increase his overall speed. Obi says he feels quicker than ever and he has become the vocal leader of the defense.
So, his playing time may not be in jeopardy but expectations are going to be high for Ezeh. Fitzgerald and Demens, potentially good players, are waiting in the wings.
Team Notes:
1) Roundtree just will not go away. When people think about skilled players on the team, Roundtree is always an afterthought. But, he has gained a reputation amongst the players as being the most reliable split end/slot receiver on the team.
R. Roundtree works very hard, catches everything, and while not the fastest receiver he always seems to be open. When teams play 7 on 7, Roundtree always seems to get the most passes thrown his way.
2) Big Will: The summer workouts are over. But Big Will actually did really well in running drills. By the end of summer, compared to the big guys last year, Big Will showed he was ready for the season to begin. We look for Big Will to get more playing time than previously expected this upcoming season.
3) Banks: Do not forget about Banks. He adds depth to the defensive line, but of all the defensive linemen, he is the one who seems to be progressing the most.
One of the things that is being considered, if Herron struggles, is putting Banks in at either defensive tackle, or moving RVB to defensive tackle and playing Banks at defensive end. In any event, Banks gives Michigan some much-needed depth on the defensive line.
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Written by MaizeMan and ErocWolverine
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