The Blue Board

I feel like we've seen several times where guys come in and play early but then get leapfrogged by people who didn't play as much initially, or have been in system a couple years but didn't get the D until then.

It's all about when that light comes on, IMO, and while Vinnie was great this season, he doesn't have the natural athletic ability HaHa has.

I understand it like this; if we were going to put what it takes to be great at safety and make the rating as a whole out of 10, Vinnie has a cap because he's very talented and uses his football knowledge to make up for other things he lacks, so he would max out at an 8/10. Haha, if he can get the D down, could be that 10/10 player at his position.

Haha is taller than Vinnie and faster than Vinnie and at safety, that's nothing to sneer at when he might be needed to cover a lot of ground quickly to bring down an opposing WR or go one on one with a 6'5 TE or WR. Vinnie is like 5'10 and while he used his football knowledge this year to make up for those attributes he gives up to HaHa, if HaHa gets that same knowledge of the D down then there's no way Vinnie starts over him.

I have not heard any rumblings about Fulton leaving.....what makes you suggest that?

I think it's just common sense. We just brought in 2 juco corners, which is a pretty strong indicator they don't have faith in him at this point.

I think this is spot on. Vinnie is a solid player who is very intelligent and tough as nails. I think HaHa has the ability to be an elite player though once he gets the playbook down. I think both will see a lot of PT this season and I believe either can get the job done but before the season is done, I expect the light to come on for HaHa and for us to see him start making some big plays. By 2013, I think he'll be starting over Vinnie for good. This kid was an elite recruit and there is no reason to believe he won't develop into a special player. It's just that Vinnie came in with a great understanding of our defense which was to be expected seeing as how he was a defensive coach's son.

I think it'll depend on if Haha can show the coaches that he knows the defense then he will start over Vinnie. Vinnie's greatest strength is his knowledge of the playbook. The longer other Haha is in the system the less Vinnie's strength comes into play.

As far as cornerback is concerned it will be a battle between dixon and fulton for the second and third spot. With belue being the forth corner.

Expect to see an 09 situation where Sunseri will be named the starter at the end of spring but I think Haha will be the starter come the Michigan game.

I think you see a platoon of Hubbard and Dickson this year similar to the Anders/Upshaw one we saw a few years ago

Depends on whether he elects to play Trey out of position at the SAM. I think he will as he likes to get the best on the field regardless of position, but we'll see. Hear CJ is going to be 100% back, but I want to see that on the field first as well.

I've seen Mosely around campus. He's been walking just fine but that only says so much.

I agree with you about them getting the best on the field. I've thought the starting 4 come Michigan will be Hubbard, Johnson, Mosely, and Depriest.

Ivory should be the ng as well but I think come third and long jesse Williams will shift towards the center

That's why I think Depriest could be at Sam with Johnson and Mosely in the inside.

I mean this is a great problem to have.

I don't see Patrick or arctinson playing unless its special teams

He won't start but he's in the rotation and gets a lot of PT. Williams and square are your ends

To start? It's a possibility but I think you slide Williams to nose in a passing situation while ivory is more of a run stopper.

Agreed on all accounts.

Of all the incoming freshman LBs Id say Ragland will see the field first.

Lucky was raving about Fanning the other day. Kids potential is though the roof