What now for the secondary?

[koonja]

Mods go ahead and delete this if it's somewhere else (I know everyone has thread-fever today, so I thought I'd start one).

We've lost a starting CB in Wood and now our starting safety in Slaughter. We have Russel and Jackson at corner, with Shummate as the 3, Brown at 4, Atkinson at 5? For safety we have Motta and Farley, with who playing the 3rd spot? Is Shummate going to move to safety? Is Cam still a corner or is he fully on offense now (I know he's taken carries, but not sure if he's still going both ways in practice).

If we can survive Michigan, the staff will have an extra week to evaluate where we are.

 

[ryno 24]

Nicky Barrati will probably be getting more time. Motta will be playing. So will Farley. Maybe Dan McCarthy

 

[West Coast Domer]

I think Eliar hardy could get on to the field if healthy.

 

[koonja]

I think Eliar hardy could get on to the field if healthy.

He's not, though, is he? And Baratti hasn't seen many live snaps at safety, has he? What about Cam? Will Shummate start taking reps at safety? If Brown/Atkinson can hold down the backup CB position, it'd be nice so we have depth at the safety.

 

[ErieIrish13]

What's next? This young unit will continue to improve each and every game. Zeke Motta will continue to be the leader back there and I think, he will really elevate his play to be a lot better than we've ever seen him. Shumate and Russell are already showing everyone they can play. They will improve, and along with Farley and Jackson, will gain much needed experience. Also, Jalen, Josh, and Eilar will start seeing more time

 

[rtrn2glory]

maybe prosise back to safety too

 

[phillyirish]

What about Chris Badger? Isn't he back on the team this year?

 

[NDinFL]

What about Chris Badger? Isn't he back on the team this year?

He is, but I think he's still trying to get back in "football shape"

 

[irishtrain]

Mods go ahead and delete this if it's somewhere else (I know everyone has thread-fever today, so I thought I'd start one).

We've lost a starting CB in Wood and now our starting safety in Slaughter. We have Russel and Jackson at corner, with Shummate as the 3, Brown at 4, Atkinson at 5? For safety we have Motta and Farley, with who playing the 3rd spot? Is Shummate going to move to safety? Is Cam still a corner or is he fully on offense now (I know he's taken carries, but not sure if he's still going both ways in practice).

If we can survive Michigan, the staff will have an extra week to evaluate where we are.

Its obvious this will more than likely be the downfall area but these guys have far exceded what I thought they'd do so far. I give them a pass against Stanford/southern cal/OU. I'm going to stay negative (its working like a charm) and say Mich wins by having a good passing day. The one wild card is will these young guys stay aggressive and let the bad happen with the good of playing fast and loose. Their confidence is high right now and these young guys are playing with aggressive feel-I say let 'em go and give them a pass if they make a few mistakes. I see Mich hitting a few deep balls that will sway the game. No matter the kids have done a hellova job so far.

 

[Patulski]

A good pass rush is the best antidote for the youth in our secondary. It looks like Farley steps in for Slaughter and there will be back fill behind him. Barring injury, that's the only change for Michigan.

Credit to Motta for playing extremely well against MSU. He got off blocks very quickly on outside WR screens and was very aggressive breaking up Rocket screens. One concern against UM is defending the Bubble Screen with a 3-4 OLB.

 

[RDU Irish]

Farley has looked stout, as has Shumate. These guys look plenty capable and are just scratching the surface of their potential. I am less worried about this than I was three weeks ago, even though we are two good men down.

 

[koonja]

So there's Motta/Farley, followed by who? Baratti?

CBs we have Jackson/Russel, followed by Shummate, Brown (in that order)? Someone needs to cross-train at safety I'd imagine.

 

[BobD]

Next man in!

Denard = Ducks.

Bull rush, contain and crush.

 

[Old Man Mike]

What one wants is a ready starting four for base defense. We seem to still have that: Motta/Farley // Jackson/ Russell. Then one wants a solid Nickel: we seem to still have that [add Shumate to above]. Then one would like if possible to go dime: Nick Baratti practiced all fall as a possible dime, plus we have a bunch of other options. With Prosise, McCarthy, Hardy, JBrown, Atkinson, I believe that Diaco/Elliot have all the pieces they need still in the arsenal.

 

[Grahambo]

Next man in as BobD mentions.

I think we might see a little more Came McDaniel in the secondary.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

What now for the secondary? Tackle Denard.

 

[ND NYC]

safe to say danny mac's nd career was over before it began when he got that neck injury way back when? sometimes just never realize your potential afte rthat kind of injury...poor kid...this could have been his chance.

 

[IrishGlory]

Farley has looked stout, as has Shumate. These guys look plenty capable and are just scratching the surface of their potential. I am less worried about this than I was three weeks ago, even though we are two good men down.

Shumate is the real deal folks. Kid is just a baller, period.

 

[arrowryan]

Shumate is the real deal folks. Kid is just a baller, period.

He sure is. Russel and Shumate will be a great combo in the secondary

 

[Emcee77]

With the emergence of Shumate as the nickelback, i.e. 3rd down DOG LB, I feel really good about our defensive backfield. Shumate has big-time athleticism and cover skills. In addition to Shumate we have four at least serviceable corners who are all getting playing time and improving with every game. Russell looked great on that touchdown-saving deflection in the first half on Saturday night. As long as the front seven keeps up the pass rush, I think we will be fine at corner.

Farley has looked very solid filling in for Slaughter. What will be really interesting is to see who emerges as the third safety, since Kelly likes to rotate three guys there. Collinsworth and Slaughter are both out for the season. Will it be Baratti or McCarthy who step up? They seem like the prime candidates to me, although I wouldn't be surprised if Hardy factored in. Not sure about Prosise ... the coaches seem to want to sit him this year. And that's doubly true of Badger and Turner.

Motta has played GREAT the last two weeks, huh? I always thought he was a solid player who took a lot of unfair criticism, and he looks like he wants to prove the doubters wrong.

 

[kmoose]

A good pass rush is the best antidote for the youth in our secondary.

The problem with this is that our LBs are weak in coverage. With the DL pinning it's ears back and getting after the QB, it leaves us vulnerable to quick hitting underneath routes, middle screens, etc. Protecting against the big play is worthless, if in turn you allow an offense to move right down the field, 7-8-9 yards a pop. Against the Miamis on our schedule, we can probably keep things in front of us, make good tackles, and be ok. But against the Oklahomas and USCs, it could end up killing us.

 

[woolybug25]

Is it time to get Neal some reps in at CB?


Someone had to say it...

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

I know it sucks with the injuries and it will probably hurt us a few times this year...but just think of the great game experience these guys are getting in an area that we really need depth at the next few years if we plan on being contenders! I've liked what I've seen from some of these young guys who are really in the first full month of getting 'coached up' on how to play defensive back at the collegiate level-exciting, yet scary when looking at some of the aerial assaults we'll see this year.

 

[NDhoosier]

Not worried about Motta and Farley, but I am a little concerned about the depth at that position. I think we have plenty of quality safeties waiting in the wings, but they are ALL YOUNG and INEXPERIENCED, 4 games into the season with basically no playing time in the 2 two deep at safety. Not as worried at corner anymore. Atkinson came in and played solid, and we all know about Shumate. That is 4 solid CBs I feel comfortable with.

 

[Emcee77]

The only changes to the two-deep this week: Salvi behind Farley; Baratti behind Motta.

I totally forgot about Salvi. Shouldn't have overlooked him; during the spring Kelly said he was pleased with what he was getting out of Salvi at safety.

Kind of sad for McCarthy ... the former Ohio Mr. Football comes back for a 5th year only to fall behind a former walk-on. Looks like he and Hardy are still on the outside looking in.

 

[Emcee77]

Kelly said at his presser that in addition to Salvi and Baratti, C.J. Prosise will get playing time at safety this year. So looks like he won't redshirt.

Also said they aren't sure yet but he doesn't think Slaughter is eligible for a medical redshirt year.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Poor McCarthy. Oh well.

 

[Patulski]

The problem with this is that our LBs are weak in coverage. With the DL pinning it's ears back and getting after the QB, it leaves us vulnerable to quick hitting underneath routes, middle screens, etc. Protecting against the big play is worthless, if in turn you allow an offense to move right down the field, 7-8-9 yards a pop. Against the Miamis on our schedule, we can probably keep things in front of us, make good tackles, and be ok. But against the Oklahomas and USCs, it could end up killing us.

I don't think Manti is weak in coverage, and Fox made some nice plays last weak in the middle of the field, batting down a route to MSU's big tight end. Carlo, not so much.



I'm more concerned about the outside, particularly against play action teams like USC and Stanford. The 3-4 can struggle on quick throws to H-Back's and tight ends on the outside. It's hard for the OLB to cover that and hard for safeties to make quick reads and get there. I also think UM will stress our outside coverage with a bunch of quick passes outside the box.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I don't think Manti is weak in coverage, and Fox made some nice plays last weak in the middle of the field, batting down a route to MSU's big tight end. Carlo, not so much.



I'm more concerned about the outside, particularly against play action teams like USC and Stanford. The 3-4 can struggle on quick throws to H-Back's and tight ends on the outside. It's hard for the OLB to cover that and hard for safeties to make quick reads and get there. I also think UM will stress our outside coverage with a bunch of quick passes outside the box.

This is why a healthy Danny Spond is key for the defense.

 

[koonja]

Kelly said at his presser that in addition to Salvi and Baratti, C.J. Prosise will get playing time at safety this year. So looks like he won't redshirt.

Also said they aren't sure yet but he doesn't think Slaughter is eligible for a medical redshirt year.

What!? No GAIII at safety??