MGoBlog: The MGoPodcast

1 hours and 38 minutes

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1. Defensive Line

starts at 1:00

Despite Chris Hinton's departure, defensive tackle looks like a solid group! Mazi Smith was named the number one freak in the country by Bruce Feldman (in a good way). Is Mazi Smith finally happening this year? It might finally be happening this year, but he's definitely the biggest X-factor on the defense. Former MGoBlog Sleeper of the Year, Kris Jenkins, looks to be rounded into a Ryan Glasgow type. The depth takes a bit of a drop after these two. Consensus seems to be that Jim Harbaugh's "gift from the football gods" comment was referring to Kenneth Grant. Brian wants Alex to get older. George Rooks looks encouraging down the road. Jim Harbaugh says the defensive ends won't see much drop-off and might even be just as good - worst offseason lie we've ever heard? We feel good about Mike Morris, who should be a B+/A- player. After that, ehhh. Taylor Upshaw might be ok, Braiden McGregor hasn't been talked about much in camp. TJ Guy is a guy. Derrick Moore could be great but is a true freshman. Julius Welschof could be an X-factor! Brian wants a weakside end that eats peoples' souls and that probably doesn't exist this year. 

[The rest of the writeup and the player after THE JUMP]

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2. Hot Takes and Linebackers

starts at 31:20

Takes hotter than whatever is going on in the capillaries in Brian's face from having to record all the hot takes segments at once. Linebackers are in a similar boat as defensive tackle - two guys coming on that you feel good about and then a pretty stiff drop-off. Junior Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green's development this season will be crucial for this defense, Josh Ross isn't around to solve your problems anymore. Junior Colson runs fast, sometimes in the right direction. Next man up is Michael Barrett, who is not an inside linebacker. Maybe they give Jaydon Hood a chance? The freshmen probably won't contribute much this year. Maybe they Ravens it and run one linebacker- wait they did that against Michigan State, never mind. 

3. Secondary

starts at 54:21

Last year's secondary intro was "oh god oh no" (and it ended up being fine), this year feels much better! DJ Turner is the 4th Michigan player to make Feldman's Freaks list and was on a 3rd team All American list. Gemon Green has never performed at the highest level but has shown flashes. He's a decent to good Big Ten corner but the ball always goes through his hands, this is a good floor at cornerback. Enter Will Johnson: a true freshman who will absolutely see the field. Moving a starter from receiver to cornerback usually is a bad sign, but I think we feel... fine? About Mike Sainristil? He played offense and defense in high school and has the athleticism for the position so he might be decent in the new role. Those are probably the four corners that will get significant snaps, we probably won't see much of Jaylen Perry. At safety, are we sure Brad Hawkins doesn't have another year of eligibility? RJ Moten and Rod Moore will likely be the starters. They held their own in the snaps they played last season, including against Ohio State. The rest of the depth chart looks ok if they need to step up. There's been positive chatter about Quinten Johnson? Seth is high on Damani Dent. 

4. Special Teams and Defense in Summary

starts at 1:21:06

Special Teams: same as last year, the end. Jake Moody, Brad Robbins, AJ Henning, and Blake Corum are back. Also Ronnie Bell is back to return punts (/TweekACK). Shout outs to Jay Harbaugh for being the best special teams coach in the country and Cornelius Johnson for blocking two punts. Best special teams unit in the country? What would Nebraska's record be last year if they had Michigan's special teams? Overall defense feels rickety, there are maybe four or five spots that having to rely on backups would be bad. If you were starting a defense from scratch, starting with two good defensive tackles and good cornerbacks is a good start. Expectation for the defense is around top 20-30. 

MUSIC:

• “No Beginner”—Serengeti
• “Ode to Viceroy”—Mac Demarco
• “Tidal Wave”—The Apples in Stereo
• “Across 110th Street”