I've been sleeping for the last few hours, so I'm sure you probably already know, but anyway....Greg Mattison (Baltimore Ravens DC) has been hired as Michigan's new defensive coordinator.
This is pretty good move by Brady Hoke, firstly because it will cause some positive stir in recruiting. Telling Kellen Jones that you've coached Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs will make that a pretty easy sales pitch; expect Jones to reaffirm his commitment soon.
Here's the thing though, although the Ravens are a great team defensively, and have been for years, don't go expecting Michigan to have a good defense this year. Our team is still young, and it will take time for Hoke and Mattison to get it to the level they want. Of course they will be better than last year, naturally. But I'm saying, Mattison doesn't exactly have a Ray Lewis, Ed Reed or Terrell Suggs...
Note: he kind of has a Haloti Ngata in Mike Martin...but only for a year.
Does the Mattison hire give us any hope with Kris Frost? He seemed to be hesitant in committing to Auburn and has been high on Michigan for years now
ReplyDeleteI think this is HUGE for recruiting, maybe not this year, but next for sure. There are a ton of defensive studs on the radar for next year. This could be a really, really good hire.
ReplyDeleteBut, I wouldn't be surprised if this hire helps pull a surprise this year. I wonder what Tim Jernigan is thinking now?
Ngata is a different kind of beast Martin is to worried about stats and not just stuffing the run taking on 2 blockers freeing up LB to make plays...He needs to make Will Campbell RS this year and then maybe he can play that spot next year if we stay running the 3-3-5 or 3-4..The NT is the key position in a 3 man front
ReplyDeleteAlex, I think after today Kris Frost is done with recruiting. Michigan does have a couple weeks until signing day, but its very doubtful that they will be able to convince him to flip. Especially seen as Frost wants to try out at receiver, so technically the Mattison hire wouldn't affect him, at least not straight away.
ReplyDeleteI think its kinda funny that most of the big recruits that we have missed out on are on the defensive side lately. Rich Rod knew nothing about defense and Hoke apparently does so we would they rather play under Rich Rob than Hoke. 18 year old kids just don't know the diffence between whats right and worng cuz this is just wrong.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Jones has reaffirm his commitment.
ReplyDeleteJones was never really going to leave this class, the hiring of a big name like Mattison just seals the deal. Hopefully it will do the same for Countess.
ReplyDeletei hope that this helps us out big time next year more then this year, although we might get one or two steals(Jernigan, Karlos Williams whom may visit, Drew.)Who knows what will happen now that we have a proven DC.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the best guys to go after at linebacker out there in 2012 is Chris Wormley. From what i saw he was really good.
Logan, Wormley is the real deal. Watched all his games last year and he's big, too big for a linebacker. I think he is listed at 6'7" 270 now. It was fun to watch last year with him and Kenny Hayes both on the same defensive line. Next year will be telling, he will be double and triple teamed all year
ReplyDeleteYeah i saw a game too and i think it depends on the system we run what position he will play. All i know is that if we dont get him I pray to the football gods that he doesn't go to Ohio State. That would be very bad for years to come
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rivals we are running a 4-3 next year.
ReplyDeleteWormley says he has been a Mich fan for ever so we will see how that goes..He said that Mich wasnt heavily recruiting him his Jr year while OSU was so I think OSU may have an advantage on us as of now..But with our D Coordinator we might jump back ahead for him..
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know any other recruits we are going after next year ???
This is positive and exciting news:
ReplyDeleteMattison will arrive in Ann Arbor on Thursday and said he is ready to start recruiting with the beginning of the national signing period on Feb. 2. Michigan has 10 commitments and will host on-campus visits this weekend after canceling the last two.
"He's one of the best recruiters out there — he's a helluva recruiter," Irons said. "I'd put him in anybody's house and he'll sell them on Michigan and will be genuine about it."
Despite being out of college coaching the last three seasons, Mattison said he doesn't believe he's lost his skill as a recruiter.
"Don't worry about me recruiting," Mattison said with a laugh. "Recruiting is all about where you're at. If you really believe in the school you're at … it's easy to sell a place like Michigan
Michigan was actually thought to be the leader for Wormley last fall. Just depends what impact the firing of RR had on him. Could be positive? Hoke is a DLine coach and would certainly help Wormley.
ReplyDeleteMartin is no Ngata. But as someone else said, they're running a 4-3 anyway.
ReplyDeleteNext year's D will be young, but not that young. More importantly, it'll be experienced.
Seniors: Martin, Van Bergen, Woolfolk, Fitzgerald.
Juniors: Roh, Kovacs, Demens, Floyd.
All 8 of the above are returning starters (Fitzgerald only somewhat, but the others are bonafide). The rest of the secondary saw extensive experience last year (as did Black on the DL and Gordon at LB/S).
Nearly every team says their defense is "young". If you measure the projected age and experience on M's 2011 defense, I think you'll find a fairly typical makeup.
With a solid coach this should be an average Big10 unit. The Defense's limitation isn't because of talent or youth independently, its that there aren't many All-Conference caliber upperclassmen: Martin may be the only one, though Roh, Demens, and Woolfolk could get there.
And imagine what we could have done last year with only an average big ten defence!!! 10-2? 11-1??
ReplyDeleteAn average big ten defense with an average kicker would have given us probably 10 wins. I think we'd beat PSU, MSU and split Iowa and Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteOh, and easily a top 10 recruiting class.
ReplyDelete