Q: Many Michigan fans are concerned about Alabama practicing for the Citrus Bowl at Dr. Phillips High School which also happens to be Dee Hart's school. What kind of contact can Saban and Alabama have with Dee during the quiet period?
A: None. If any Alabama players or coaches have contact with Dee or Ha'sean Clinton-Dix during this time, those players will be ineligible at Alabama. If they go to a Bowl Game (Gator or Capital One) they will have to buy a ticket and can't be hosted by any University. The NCAA Bylaw is 13.02.4.3 . The news about Alabama upgrading Dr. Phillips football fields, locker rooms, etc are pretty bush league in my opinion. Saban and Alabama seem to play by their own rules; if its finding unique ways to pay a high school or signing a class of 30 kids each year and taking scholarships away from other kids on the team.
Q: What does your gut say about Rich Rod and his future at Michigan?
A: All insider information says that coaches are looking for new jobs and that RR and staff are most likely out. I don't feel that way. If David Brandon has a deal in place with Jim Harbaugh it is the most "inside" job ever. Things like new jobs, contracts at a big time programs are never kept quiet, someone always leaks something. RR and staff are recruiting hard and telling kids that they expect to be back. Michigan just landed a Army All American DB and there seems to be more commits coming in early January. I right now expect Rich Rod and staff to be back. The upside on offense next year is huge and Michigan just needs to get the defense up to say "average".
Q: Speaking of recruiting how do you think this class will end up?
A: I will assume 2 things. #1 RR stays as head coach and #2 Michigan doesn't lose any commits from the current verbals (It's pretty well known that if RR is gone, so is Dee Hart). Michigan has 13 verbals right now: 3 DE's, 2 OL's, 1 RB. 1 Slot WR, 2 LB's, 4 DB's. That should leave 7 spots open in this class. Michigan needs 1 QB, 1 TE, 1 Safety, 1 WR, 2 DT's, 1 RB, and 1 Kicker. (yes, I realize that is 8 spots of need) I think the biggest question marks in this class are at QB, DT and Kicker. I think Michigan looks good for Anthony Zettel, Kris Frost, Thomas Rawls, Raymon Taylor, and Chris Bryant. I think Michigan has a good shot at landing one TE and a high profile DB like Wayne Lyons. I don't think Michigan has big enough pool of recruits right now at defensive tackle, kicker, or QB. It is really going to be difficult to find a QB that wants to sit behind redshirt freshman Devin Gardner and two high profile Juniors. Michigan of course would also take a WR like Devin Lucien and one TE between Jack Tabb and Frank Clark.
Q: Don't give me your highly anticipated Gator Bowl preview yet but give us a couple of nuggets to consider as we set up toys and put together bikes?
A: Here is something I have been thinking about. RR and staff seem to do well when they have more then a couple of weeks to prepare for a game. Michigan's most complete game of the year was their 1st game of the year against UConn. They only gave up 10 points on defense. In RR's first year, Michigan played a pretty sloppy game but only lost to Utah (who ended up going un-defeated that year) by 2 points.
Did you realize this is RR's 4th trip to the Gator Bowl as a head coach? He is actually only 1-3 in Gator Bowl games. The good news is RR has won his last 3 bowl games (if you include the Fiesta Bowl when he left for Michigan). His teams bowl record is 3-3 (which includes the Fiesta Bowl). Let's hope his winning bowl streak continues.
Q: Can the Defense improve since the Ohio State game?
A: Yes, it can and I expect to see improvements in WR coverage by the young DB's and overall tackling. The way bowl practice is set up: you get 15 practices and basically you work on fundamentals while in Ann Arbor and then work on game plan for Mississippi State while in Jacksonville. These two weeks really help the young kids and look for the real benefits to show up next year with guys like Jake Ryan, Richard Ash and Josh Furman.
Q: Ok, do you expect the defense will be better next year and why?
A: Yes, I do expect big improvements in the defense next year. The freshman DB's that played this year will have a full year of experience. Mike Martin will be a pre-season All American candidate. Michigan will get back a 5th year senior DB Troy Woolfolk to stabilize that area.
I'm also hoping for big improvements from young players on the defensive line like Richard Ash (who is over 300 lbs.) and Q Washington (who is now officially a defensive tackle). The linebacker play should be better with an experienced Kenny Demens.
Q: I assume your in some type of Bowl Picking Pool. How do you have the Big Ten doing?
A: Yes, I am. Just for fun of course. Never for money. Winning I have: Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio State. Losing I have: Northwestern, Penn State, and Michigan State. (You will have to wait for the Gator Bowl Preview on my Michigan pick! :)
Showing posts with label Mailbag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mailbag. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday Mailbag
There is a lot of activity in the comments field today, so I thought I would share the question with the bigger BHB Inmate audience.
Ricky asked:
Bob, if Dave Brandon's plan is to keep RR this is a horrible situation. But if his plan is to fire RR it really isn't THAT bad. First this recruiting class is already HORRIBLE. Michigan perennially signs top ten classes. Yet since last year we've been so happy to get 3 and botterline 4 star players. Last year's class was already kinda unspectacular. This year's class is downright embarrassing.
Even if Dave Brandon affirmed RR's status as coach after the Ohio State game, what is the potential for this recruiting class? 20th to 30th ranked?
With the being said, if the plan is to fire RR, the new coach will bring new excitement and by Feb the classes will probably be about the same. We'll lose some RR recruits get some new recruits that never considered Michigan.
My belief is the lower buyout after Jan 1 is the main factor. What do you think?
Go Blue
I have faith in David Brandon but this process is a head scratcher for me. My hope is he has some "special plan" in mind and we are just waiting to get to the final chapter of the book. I do think this recruiting class has the ability to be good, if we could just get this coaching situation resolved. The Avery Walls loss today was a big one but there are a number of big recruits still out there that could make this a top 20 class. Kris Frost, Blake Countess and Anthony Zettel could really help the over all class rankings.
I don't think the $1.5M is a huge factor. If I was RR I would want to be let go so I can put my hand in the air for these other jobs that are getting filled quickly. After 1/1 there won't be many head coaching jobs available. So if I was going to be fired, I would of settled at say $3M so I could look for a new gig earlier rather then later. Couldn't you let him go and make it effective 1/1 anyway?
Here are the list of my concerns either way:
Keeping RR:
Ricky asked:
Bob, if Dave Brandon's plan is to keep RR this is a horrible situation. But if his plan is to fire RR it really isn't THAT bad. First this recruiting class is already HORRIBLE. Michigan perennially signs top ten classes. Yet since last year we've been so happy to get 3 and botterline 4 star players. Last year's class was already kinda unspectacular. This year's class is downright embarrassing.
Even if Dave Brandon affirmed RR's status as coach after the Ohio State game, what is the potential for this recruiting class? 20th to 30th ranked?
With the being said, if the plan is to fire RR, the new coach will bring new excitement and by Feb the classes will probably be about the same. We'll lose some RR recruits get some new recruits that never considered Michigan.
My belief is the lower buyout after Jan 1 is the main factor. What do you think?
Go Blue
I have faith in David Brandon but this process is a head scratcher for me. My hope is he has some "special plan" in mind and we are just waiting to get to the final chapter of the book. I do think this recruiting class has the ability to be good, if we could just get this coaching situation resolved. The Avery Walls loss today was a big one but there are a number of big recruits still out there that could make this a top 20 class. Kris Frost, Blake Countess and Anthony Zettel could really help the over all class rankings.
I don't think the $1.5M is a huge factor. If I was RR I would want to be let go so I can put my hand in the air for these other jobs that are getting filled quickly. After 1/1 there won't be many head coaching jobs available. So if I was going to be fired, I would of settled at say $3M so I could look for a new gig earlier rather then later. Couldn't you let him go and make it effective 1/1 anyway?
Here are the list of my concerns either way:
Keeping RR:
- For how long? Is he a dead man coaching for another year?
- Did we miss out on good DC candidates?
- Sure we will save some of this class but did we miss out and will we miss out on some top recruits if RR doesn't get a firm recommendation from Brandon.
- New guy would have to build a recruiting class in less then a month.
- It could set the program back a few years if the new coach brings a new strategy.
- Potential loss of current offensive players.
- Loss of current players and small window for 2011 class - sounds really bad for the program in 2-3 years out.
- Paying RR $4M to $2.5M to leave is a lot of green. I expect Harbaugh would be a $4M a year man as well.
- What is the window of getting Harbaugh if Michigan really wants him?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday Mailbag
Question from Voice of Reason:
I know that when playing true freshman you are taking a higher risk. I think Cam Gordon's got potential but I question if he is at the right safety position because of his lack of true speed to play center field, and the need to tackle well especially if you're the last line of defense. I usually feel that a freshman player makes an easier transition to the college level faster if he is playing the same position he excelled in, in high school if he's not going to red shirt. When we consider Carvin Johnson and Ray Vinopal who "may" have more football speed and better tackling skills, than CG, which safety position(s) did they play in high school? Would they in principle be a better technical fit at that position? Thanks!
BHB:
Great question. I also have my concerns about Cam Gordon at Safety as well. He is a good hitter (needs to wrap up on tackles and not just go for the knock out punch) but seems to lack the elite speed needed to play center field. In my mind, Cam reminds me of former Wolverine Stevie Brown. If you remember many Michigan fans thought Stevie was a poor safety but really excelled when he played in the linebacker hybrid role in Greg Robinson's defense. Stevie ended up being so good at that position he even got drafted by the Oakland Raiders and made the team.
Ray Vinopal was a two way player in high school. He played running back and safety. Most recruiting guys thought his skills at safety was a little rough where he lacked the "down hill" speed and took poor angles to the ball. I think of Ray similar to Kovacs. A smart player that doesn't have the elite skill set.
Carvin Johnson was one of the best safeties in Louisiana last year. He has 4'7 speed in the 40 and his high school coach calls him a "ball hawk". Getting the start on opening day means this kid can play. It also made it clear to Vlad Emilien that he wasn't going to get playing time behind the true freshman this year ( his ACL never healed right and he clearly had lost a step) so he decided to transfer to another program. Carvin is still listed as a safety but is playing more of half LB half DB role in the new 3-3-5.
Both Ray and Carvin enrolled in the summer/fall. So they weren't here for Spring and probably didn't get a shot a safety because of that. The coaches had big hopes for Cam in the spring and he has played up and down so far through 5 games. I think the coaches felt that Cam probably is as fast as both Ray and Carvin but had Spring Ball to learn the position. If Cam turns an ankle I expect to see Ray back there, so that will be a great test. The last point on Cam: he seems to have pretty good hands with two picks so far this year (he did fumble one of his picks). Having a former WR with good hands back there could help not only getting turnovers but getting some return yards after the pick.
Side note: The loss of Sean Parker a Safety from California that changed his mind from Michigan to Washington on signing day, really hurts now. I think he could be our starting safety right away.
Thanks for the question!
I know that when playing true freshman you are taking a higher risk. I think Cam Gordon's got potential but I question if he is at the right safety position because of his lack of true speed to play center field, and the need to tackle well especially if you're the last line of defense. I usually feel that a freshman player makes an easier transition to the college level faster if he is playing the same position he excelled in, in high school if he's not going to red shirt. When we consider Carvin Johnson and Ray Vinopal who "may" have more football speed and better tackling skills, than CG, which safety position(s) did they play in high school? Would they in principle be a better technical fit at that position? Thanks!
BHB:
Great question. I also have my concerns about Cam Gordon at Safety as well. He is a good hitter (needs to wrap up on tackles and not just go for the knock out punch) but seems to lack the elite speed needed to play center field. In my mind, Cam reminds me of former Wolverine Stevie Brown. If you remember many Michigan fans thought Stevie was a poor safety but really excelled when he played in the linebacker hybrid role in Greg Robinson's defense. Stevie ended up being so good at that position he even got drafted by the Oakland Raiders and made the team.
Ray Vinopal was a two way player in high school. He played running back and safety. Most recruiting guys thought his skills at safety was a little rough where he lacked the "down hill" speed and took poor angles to the ball. I think of Ray similar to Kovacs. A smart player that doesn't have the elite skill set.
Carvin Johnson was one of the best safeties in Louisiana last year. He has 4'7 speed in the 40 and his high school coach calls him a "ball hawk". Getting the start on opening day means this kid can play. It also made it clear to Vlad Emilien that he wasn't going to get playing time behind the true freshman this year ( his ACL never healed right and he clearly had lost a step) so he decided to transfer to another program. Carvin is still listed as a safety but is playing more of half LB half DB role in the new 3-3-5.
Both Ray and Carvin enrolled in the summer/fall. So they weren't here for Spring and probably didn't get a shot a safety because of that. The coaches had big hopes for Cam in the spring and he has played up and down so far through 5 games. I think the coaches felt that Cam probably is as fast as both Ray and Carvin but had Spring Ball to learn the position. If Cam turns an ankle I expect to see Ray back there, so that will be a great test. The last point on Cam: he seems to have pretty good hands with two picks so far this year (he did fumble one of his picks). Having a former WR with good hands back there could help not only getting turnovers but getting some return yards after the pick.
Side note: The loss of Sean Parker a Safety from California that changed his mind from Michigan to Washington on signing day, really hurts now. I think he could be our starting safety right away.
Thanks for the question!
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