Michigan Leads the Big Ten With 20 Returning Starters in 2011
by Maize n Brew Dave on Jan 26, 2011 4:59 PM CST
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PrintLost amid the coaching chaos following the Gator Bowl (*urp* mini throwup *urp*) was the fact that Michigan is finally returning some talent from one year to the next. No really! We are. Michigan Football leads the Big Ten in returning starters with 20 total returnees. 9 returning starters on offense. 9 returning starters on defense. And both specialists are returning, tho it's arguable that this isn't a good thing. At least with regard to kickoffs and field goals. Ignoring the specialists and focusing on the offense and defense, it's hard not to get excited about the jump we all expect Michigan Football to make next year. Especially when you consider the quality of defensive coordinator on board and all the experience the young players on the defense got last year.
So who's back and who's not? We chart it below.
Returning Offense:
QB: Denard Robinson
RB: Michael Shaw/Vincent Smith (count as one)
WR: Darryl Stonum/Junior Hemingway (count as one), Roy Roundtree
TE: Kevin Koger
C: David Molk
LT: Taylor Lewan
RT: Mark Huyge
RG: Patrick Omameh
Departing Offense:
RT: Perry Dorrestein
LG: Stephen Schilling
Returning Defense:
DE: Craig Roh
NT/DT: Mike Martin
DE: Ryan Van Bergen
LB: Kenny Demens
LB: Carvin Johnson
Safety: Jordan Kovacs, Cameron Gordon
Cornerback: J.T. Floyd, Troy Woolfolk
Departing Defense:
LB: Obi Ezeh
LB: Jonas Mouton
CB: James Rogers
Let me know if I'm missing something here. I didn't count Rogers as a starter because Woolfolk would've started had he not gotten injured, and besides that, everyone in the secondary started at some time or another. I suspect the numbers are actually going to reflect that there are 8 returning starters on defense because of the likely position and scheme changes, but this is what I've got. Corrections in the comments below.
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Is that really great news? DO WE REALLY want this crew back?
I would be joyful, if only our QB was returning and that’s it!
The offensive line
and receivers are arguably the deepest and best units in the big ten. So yes. On defense our D line and secondary wshould be average, so that means they’ll be 100000x better than last season. So yes.
Maize n Brew
Because Football is Better with Beer
by Maize n Brew Dave on Jan 27, 2011 2:53 PM CST up reply actions
Heheh, I understand the feeling, but...
I think the Wolverines have the core to be very dynamic and successful on offense. Changing the offensive scheme to a pro style will not be much of a leap. Most of these kids have played at least parts of it for years. I think Borges will find creative ways to use Denard and it will be all good.
On defense the Wolverines will get a lot more pressure on the QB by going to a four man front. They could go to a 3-4, but they don’t really have the right players for it yet. Since the defensive line is a relative strength for the Wolverines, it might make more sense to play more guys there by going 4-3. It will also be good to have our best corners back in the lineup.
I won’t miss Ezeh much. He was a disappointment.
You think the D-line was a strength? With the exception of Martin i thought they played terrible last year, but thats mainly cause i have visions of Roh and Van Bergen running themselves out of uncontested sacks. I’ll agree with you on Obi Ezeh tho, little to no improvement his entire career at Michigan.
Borges scares me tho! Denard showed alot of improvement as a passer from his freshman to sophmore year I hope that continues this year.
I didn't say the defensive line is a true strength...
I said they are a RELATIVE strength. That means that even they they might be mediocre, they are somewhat better than the secondary. The linebackers have some potential, but much of it is untapped. Mouton and Ezeh ate up a lot of the snaps and that has made the other linebackers somewhat less experienced and a bit of an unknown. Gordon should continue to progress, I hope.
Whether the Wolverines play a 4-3 or a 3-4 depends a lot on how Mattison evaluates his talent and depth. He can coach both schemes, so it is really more about personnel. We might even see a hybrid scheme with somebody like Roh playing at the “joker” position.
Players who will be possible leaders of 2011 are here,
Our Wide Receivers are deep, talented, smart players. And with Robinson back will continue to create rhythm with him at QB. So definitely those three.
On defense.
Mike Martin – Hands down the core of the Defense. When he went down with injuries it changed the momentum of the game for MIchigan.
Craig Roh has potential also.
Losing Mouton is going to hurt.
"I have a lot of work to do. We won six games. I don't care where you've come from, six games is six games and we've got to win more than that."
—GM Martin Mayhew
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