Tag: 2010 Season Countdown

2010 Countdown: #34 J.T. Turner

2010 Countdown: #35 Kenny Demens

Name: Kenny Demens
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 244 lbs.
High school: Detroit Country Day School in Oak Park, MI
Position: Middle linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #25
Last year: I ranked Demens #47 and said he’d be the backup MIKE. He played sparingly on defense but contributed 7 special teams tackles.

Demens has received a lot of hype in the run-up to the 2010 season, largely due to the fact that Michigan’s inside linebackers – particularly Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton – have underachieved over the past two seasons and fans are looking for change. At 244 lbs. Demens is Michigan’s heaviest true linebacker, despite also being the team’s shortest at 6’1″. That size has led practice observers to call him a “thumper” and a real threat to opposing running backs.

I remain skeptical of Demens’s level of contribution in 2010. He’ll surely play, if only to prepare him for a larger role in 2011. But I think – and hope – that presumed starter Obi Ezeh will step up his play this fall as long as he’s fully recovered from last year’s back injury. Demens won’t earn a starting job in 2010, but chances remain high that Demens is the heir apparent in the middle. He will, however, make an impact on special teams and be ready to step in adequately should any injuries occur.

Prediction for 2010: Backup middle linebacker, special teams coverage; 25 tackles

2010 Countdown: #36 Vincent Smith

Name: Vincent Smith
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 169 lbs.
High school: Pahokee High School in Pahokee, FL
Position: Superback
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #2
Last year: I ranked Smith #71 and said he’s redshirt. He rushed the ball 48 times for 276 yards and 1 touchdown, as well as caught 10 passes for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Smith had a solid freshman season and contributed more than most people expected he would. The coaches made up their minds early that he would play, as he saw game action in the 2009 season opener. He had a great game against Delaware State, racking up 166 yards on 17 carries. Otherwise, he had a ho-hum season rushing the ball. Against FBS schools, Smith carried the ball 31 times for 110 yards, a 3.55 yards per carry average. He did, however, contributed a good deal in the passing game and scored Michigan’s only touchdown against Ohio State on an 18-yard reception. Later in the game, though, Smith tore his ACL.

Receiving the bulk of the carries given to non-seniors last season, many fans expected that Smith would be the front-runner for the starting superback job in 2010. That is not my expectation, and there are several reasons:

1. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a 5’6″ starting running back at an FBS school, especially in the Big Ten.
2. Smith tore his ACL on November 21, 2009, meaning that he’ll be less than 10 months removed from surgery when the season starts. Those injuries usually take 12 to 18 months from which to fully recover, especially for jitterbug running backs who will be bending that knee in all different directions.
3. For all of Smith’s pass-catching ability, his running ability is lacking. His elusivity is his main strength, but his speed and strength leave something to be desired. It’s not unusual for freshman running backs to adjust quickly to the college game, but 3.55 yards per carry indicates that the adjustment hasn’t taken place yet.
4. There are better running backs on the roster, in my opinion.

I do expect Smith to play in 2010. He has reportedly been running near full speed this summer (although not cutting quite yet), and being 20 years old certainly speeds the healing process. The coaches obviously like some of the skills he brings to the table. However, being the starting running back on a Big Ten team less than 10 months removed from a torn ACL isn’t likely. Although I don’t expect it, I’d like to see Smith take a medical redshirt in 2010 and recover completely in time for the 2011 season.

Prediction for 2010: Backup running back; 35 carries, 130 yards, 1 touchdown

2010 Countdown: #37 Martell Webb

Name: Martell Webb
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 257 lbs.
High school: Northern High School in Pontiac, MI
Position: Tight end
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #80
Last year: I ranked Webb #40 and said, “If Webb catches more than five passes all year, I’ll be surprised.” He caught 4 passes for 44 yards and 1 touchdown, including a 28-yard TD against Delaware State.

Webb is a solid blocker and a decent athlete. If the Lloyd Carr regime were still running things, I’d guess Webb would catch 15-20 balls this year. But the tight end position has been de-emphasized with Rich Rodriguez, and the combo of Webb and Kevin Koger only caught 20 passes total in 2009. This does not bode well for Webb’s farewell season.

This year I would not be surprised to see a slight uptick in passes thrown to tight ends, partly because starter Koger is a junior and Webb is a senior. Another part is that Michigan’s outside receiver depth is quite thin, and that might force slot guys like Martavious Odoms and Roy Roundtree to play out wide more often. With slot guys moving wider, we might see Koger and Webb playing in the slot more often. The final part of that equation is that the quarterback duo of Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier now have a year under their belts and should start looking to use the middle of the field more often. This will be Webb’s best season at Michigan, but it probably won’t be what he expected when he committed to Lloyd Carr.

Prediction for 2010: Backup tight end; 7 catches, 85 yards, 2 touchdowns

2010 Countdown: #38 Renaldo Sagesse

Name: Renaldo Sagesse
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 285 lbs.
High school: Vieux Montreal in Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #95
Last year: I ranked Sagesse #34. He made 8 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.

Sagesse is one of those guys that you feel for a little bit. He’s a big guy and a solid talent. He could probably be a starter and the defense and the defense wouldn’t miss a beat, but he’s not a star player. He’s been essentially the same player now for three years, and while I don’t expect a giant leap forward from him in 2010, I do expect him to continue his consistency.

He offers some versatily in that he can play nose tackle and defensive tackle. In fact, he played 3 games at NT and 6 games at DT last season. But Michigan didn’t lose anyone from the interior defensive line, and Sagesse remains a backup. Fellow lineman William Campbell was more highly touted, but also lacks consistency. Both will get plenty of time on the line, but right now, I believe Sagesse to be the more solid player. Sagesse’s final season should be virtually a mirror image of his junior year – maintaining his gap, making a smattering of tackles, and being a good glue player for the Wolverines.

Prediction for 2010: Backup defensive tackle/nose tackle; 12 tackles, 1 sack