Top 5 most indispensable Michigan football players
Michigan defensive end Craig Roh is one of the five players the Wolverines can least afford to lose during the 2010 season.
Courtesy of The Arizona Republic
In the wake of Troy Woolfolk's ankle injury Tuesday night, here’s a quick look at the most indispensable Michigan football players on the 2010 roster.
Had it been written yesterday, Woolfolk, the senior cornerback, would have been the hands-down player the Wolverines could least afford to lose. He’s lost.
So from here on out, here’s a list of the guys the team needs to keep healthy and on the football field. (Who do you think is the most indispensable U-M player? Vote in our poll).
1. David Molk, center
Not only is Molk perhaps the team’s best chance to be an all-Big Ten player, he’s essential to the chemistry of the offensive line.
With him in the lineup last year, Michigan’s ground game averaged 180.6 yards per game, good for fourth in the conference. Without him, it averaged 121.57 yards per game, which would have placed U-M eighth.
(Note: I threw out the statistical outliers in each category - a 380-yard ground game against EMU with Molk and a 461-yard game without him against Delaware State - to get a more representative average).
2. J.T. Floyd, cornerback
Next up on the ever-thinning depth chart, Floyd is a guy who pulled ahead on the depth chart with a promising spring. He was slated to start opposite Woolfolk at corner this fall.
Coaches have sung Floyd’s praises for months now. Now they need him to play like Charles Woodson.
3. Craig Roh, defensive end
The talented sophomore is expected to be the primary replacement for Brandon Graham in Michigan’s pass rush. He can do it from anywhere, lining up as a linebacker or defensive end.
That added dimension is critical to U-M’s defense.
“He’s got movement you can take advantage of, pass rush ability you can take advantage of,” defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said. “When you use that term ‘hybrid position,’ it is, you’re a little bit of a couple of things, and that being said, I think he showed last year that he accepted that role very well.”
4. Will Hagerup, punter
A freshman punter? Don’t scoff. With ace Zoltan Mesko off to the NFL, the Wolverines not only need Hagerup to pin opponents deep in their own territory, they need him to be as good as advertised.
Hagerup picked Michigan over Florida and Ohio State. Beyond him on the depth chart, there’s no other true punter on the roster.
5. Stephen Schilling, left guard
Along with Molk, Schilling is an experienced anchor at a position where the Wolverines are blessed with depth. He helps make the U-M interior line one of the better ones in the Big Ten.
While the Wolveirnes have depth at guard, an injury here could kickstart a domino effect that ripples through the offensive line, just like the one that contributed to inconsistency last year.
Comments
leathercouch
Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 6:24 a.m.
and we also found out later that Boren had been complaining to teammates about the workouts being too hard and too long, that it wasn't the same as before. However a lot of the players some still on the roster that were with both coaches have said that is simply not true. some even go as far as saying that RR has closer "family values" with his team and players than what the previous coach had. it is just a different kind of relationship.
m44goblue
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:17 p.m.
My point was that the cupboard wasnt bare. Those two players COULD have been in Michigan, but chose not to. I was responding to "The cupboard was bare"--it wasn't, or wouldn't have been if several of these players stay. Something made them change--Mallett I understand, but Boren said something like "RR has no values" or something like that. BTW, I will be rooting on the Wolverines every year, but you can't just throw aside the recent past.
Dschan
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:44 p.m.
Mallet was already leaving, and Boren isn't really that great. he is a good player, but overhyped because of the transfer. and even if both of them are the best players in the county at their position, 2 players does not mean the whole team is talented. RR is the coach this year, deal with it, root for the team and get over yourselves
Robbie Webb.
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
m44goblue, last time I checked, Mallett and Boren were not in maize in blue in 08 or 09, so why bring them up and speak as if they were apart of the team? That was not the first time players transfered out of Michigan. It happened with Carr and Bo. Mallett talked about leaving before Rodriguez was even a thought anyways.
m44goblue
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:06 a.m.
Cupboard was bare? The best quarterback in the country in Ryan Mallett, an all Big Ten offensive lineman in Justin Boren, and a slew of other kids that decided on leaving. Something was up from the time our new coach was hired. I'm not sure if he made some bad first impressions, but too many kids decided to leave the university in such a short span of time.
MikeB
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:21 a.m.
3 and out, I am not sure that is a very insightful comment? It is clear from your posts you are unhappy with the coach? So what? I root for the team and the university. Now, setting aside any personal animosity lets look at facts. When Coach Rodriquez took over from Coach Carr how many players on the 2008 roster made all Big Ten first team? One, Zoltan Mesko. Brandon Graham made second team. Dude, the cupboard was bare. Coach Carr's 2007 team was excellent but when they left a lot of talent left with them. Players play. A good coach with a lot of talent can win 7-9 games as a Big Ten Team. A great coach with the same players might win the conference and go on to greater things, like Jim Tressel. The cupboard was bare in 2008 and he changed the offensive and defensive approach so new schemes, not the usual UM talent level and yo get a lousy record. Do I think RR has done a good job? No. But I understand he was left without the usual talent level and I root for the team. Uninspiring list? Well it isn't a list of the best players it is the list of critical players. Molk has a good shot at all Big Ten, Craig Roh was a freshman All American player so that isn't too bad. Lets root for the team and not against the coach. I well remember all the haters against Coach Carr with his "predictable" offense.
3 And Out
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
A pretty uninspiring list. It is simply amazing how far the talent level has dropped at Michigan thanks to the hiring of Rich Rodriguez.
Sean T.
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:36 p.m.
I believe this article is silly at best but I guess these are viable questions.
NoBowl4Blue
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.
Can argue with any of these. All good players playing for a lame duck underachieving coach.