Too Flat Footed

Ok I'll be honest, that I cannot just forget about the defense at Michigan. Although we haven't had a complete D in probably a decade. Michigan can turn out a DL or LB with the best of the rest of D1-FBS. However, our secondary is usually our biggest "snafu." This is the curse of a Chuck. Yes we all know he was the greatest DB to ever play the game, but his presence just seemed to make the rest of the suckendary better. We have had some great individual talents in the past decade(Jackson, Hall, Shazor). The bulk, however, have been sorely lacking any real quality and then a few more were flat out daft. So next season isnt really about the DL or LBs as they will continue to be the anchors of the defense, with some needed improvememnt from our LB corps from this year.

Looking at the projected secondary starters:

LCB-Donovan Warren: Injury riddled Sophmore season. The time he did have on the field was average to Stevie Brown level quality. Would like him to progress into that shutdown corner potential he showed after his freshman season. HE DID NOT STEP OUT ON THAT INT RETURN vs NORTHWESTERN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RCB-Cissoko: Had a solid freshman year. Made some freshman mistakes that will be improved with experience. Great closing speed and instincts. Will be very excited for his sophmore year, and expect to see alot of balls his way if Warren rediscovers himself.

SS-Stevie Brown: Whatever.

FS-Mike Williams: Haven't seen him on the field much if at all. Not filling to huge a shoe left by the departing Brandon Harrison.

Incoming/RS DB/S:

J.T. Turner-CB: The accolades this kid recieves aren't without proof to back up those claims. Massillon, OH product is the best CB prospect we have on the team(he's the only one.) Kid has great speed, and he can TACKLE. Tackling is on a slight knowledge basis at Michigan right now.

Watch

Isaiah Bell-S: Now I don't agree with RR decision to move Bell to LB. He either has faith in a secondary that hasn't been complete since our last Rose Bowl win or is not content with the LB unit. Either way, moving him to LB takes away a big play safety that UM really needs. Bell is a ball hawking safety, with nose for the ball and great speed for his position.

Watch

Brandon Smith-S: Imagine Isaiah Bell and Justin Feagin had a baby. There you have something similar to Brandon Smith. Imagine him intercepting a pass and then winding up and throwing it 48yds the other way. I want to see something like that, after last season I've seen it all.

Now I don't expect our defense to be world beaters this year, we have alot of youth on our side. B-Graham will depart after this upcoming season, but if we cultivate Lalota and Roh correctly we shouldn't have too many hiccups.

Please Stevie, improve, please!