What are realistic expectations for Mike Danna?
Per PFF, Danna is the top returning edge defender in the country. I've seen several posters here predict that he will add depth, and likely not start. But isn't it possible with Winovich now in the NFL, he could lock down that WDE spot?
Size-wise he's slightly shorter than Winovich and a couple pounds heavier (Danna is 6'2" and 257 lbs per Freep while Chase is listed on mgoblue as 6'3" and 255 lbs).
Obviously there is a difference between playing in the MAC and the B1G but with the stats he put up at CMU I'm hoping he can be a force on the defense. Is that realistic?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIBXzZlIam/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=hox7cxacbf4f
I think he can be a strong rotational piece - a luxury as a backup. I can’t see us eschewing having both Paye and Hutchinson on the field at once, so I don’t think he has a chance to start. I think he can a backup End where your pass rush doesn’t really dip when he’s in. If he has 4 sacks this year it’d be really great production.
I totally agree Doc. Solid player with good experience. Always need depth on the d line. The interior positions are the question marks.
What are you basing your opinion on? Actually breaking down his play or just a stab in the dark?
I respect your opinion so I'm just checking on this.
I’ve watched what film on him is readily available via google, social media, etc. He’s a good player, he’s not one dimensional, he plays the run well too. His pass rush is pretty strong. He’s played a fairly low level of competition, but he’s explosive enough of an athlete that I think he should be able to acclimate and contribute.
A solid 15 - 20 plays a game would be great.
Paye proved that he could hack it at DT if necessary last year. He is one of the most versatile DL player we have had in a while. Having Danna provides Michigan another viable option to throw in at WDE where it's largely unproven besides the occasional Uche rush. We could see Danna, Paye, and Hutchinson on the field at the same time along with someone Jeter/Dwumfour at NT.
I could absolutely see a rush package that gets Danna, Paye, and Uche all on the LOS, maybe with Dwumfour or Hutchinson or even Hinton.
I hear you, but I waited all last year to see a rush package with Gary and Paye at DT and Uche and Chase at DE. I'm still waiting......
I respect what Don Brown has accomplished, but if the rush doesn't get there his D is toast against better teams. Until he can show effective adjustments against those teams he is a one trick pony to me.
Paye played DT in the pass rush package only. That's a little different than saying he can hack it at DT. He isn't a guy you put in the regular rotation at DT.
Gesundheit.
17 sacks, 42 TFL.
Maybe for the whole d line.....
No, he means Danna's first game.
I agree HP. If not, send him to Siberia for 40 years at hard labor.
Mr EQ, How are you doing? Have not seen much from you lately. I've given up on getting my account fixed. Hope you are well!!
Go Blue
I'll take the over: that's barely over a sack per game and under 3 TFLs per game.
I'm assuming 15 games of course.
Solid situational deployment. I don't expect him to start though. I think they will shuffle someone over to the weak side, maybe Paye and go with Hutchinson-Kemp-Dwumfor/Jeter-Paye with Danna getting snaps and maybe Vilain when he's ready. Could throw Uche in there a bunch too to mix up a 3-man 4-man line kind of look.
Brandon Graham, but stronger and faster.
And younger
This is a good topic.
The thing that concerns me is that every non-QB transfer (grad or not) has been pretty irrelevant. I’m thinking of Casey Hughes and Wayne Lyons most recently. Danna may be different, but I’m concerned it may be more of the same. I believe both Hughes and Lyons had some starting experience at P5 schools before coming to Michigan. I sincerely hope he bucks that trend, but I’m keeping expectations somewhere below “rotational player”.
Casey Hughes was just because we had an extra scholarship. He was never expected to produce at all, and was brought in as a good locker room guy because we had the luxury. Lyons wasn't anywhere near Jeremy Clark, Channing Stribling, and Jourdan Lewis, and the safety play was Jarrod Wilson, Dymonte Thomas, Jabrill Peppers, Delano Hill, and a freshmen Tyree Kinnel. Lyons basically had to fight with brandon Watson and Terry Richardson just to be the 4th corner. Those dudes were never expected to play significant roles, Danna is here because he needs to.
I don’t disagree that every situation is different, and I’m sure you’re right. Just from a personal expectation standpoint, I’m not counting on him to have a huge impact. Hughes and Lyons I had some hope they could help us out at safety or in the slot, but neither did. I view the real depth issue on defense as DT (of any technique). DE has some guys that have played and some others with a recruiting profile, DT not so much.
I haven’t watched much of Danna specifically, just a general comment on where my expectations are with inbound transfers.
Both Hughes and Lyons stepped into a position group that featured future top-3 round NFL draft picks and All-Americans. Danna is not stepping into that! I agree with your point, though - he's a good player in the MAC. That won't necessarily translate to a starting assignment at Michigan, but should prove worthy as a steady rotational player that can be relied on. I'm happy he'll be around, in any case...
I also think that DE allows for situational use rather than playing a majority of minutes like CB.
You can add Jeff George, Jr to that list. He was so irrelevant it's like he wasn't even here.
Jeff George, Jr. was a Wolverine? GTFO...
Next you'll tell me Keith Jackson just died.
Jeff George, Jr was on the Michigan football team for about 15 minutes, LOL.
Mike Martin, but faster.
Only faster though....because it is impossible for a player to be stronger than Mike Martin.
Solid backup...Kwity Paye last year.
In 25 years I expect the Smith-Brown award to be renamed the Danna-Danna award
good user name. well done.
I just hope he performs against Army. We are apparently going to need all the help we can get.
42-17
I think we can hold them under 42.
Is that based on film and statistical review or just a WAG?
All three.
I think Michigan can score more than 17 with the new offense.
With all of their returning starters..let's just say I'm concerned.
He is Freak athlete if he can translate it to Big Ten. This video is off the charts.
https://mobile.twitter.com/ChippewaStrong/status/890264852182294528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Wow, I hadn't seen that before. Extremely impressive. Hope that athleticism translates to Big Ten play.
42 inches at like 255lbs. Only two WR and one CB had a higher vertical at the NFL combine this year. Picking up the schemes and playing consistently at a higher level will be the challenge. The potential is there.
I'd be happy if he preserves a Mazi Smith RS.
Mazi is not going to RS. He will be needed on the interior rotation. He is physically ready.
Why? So he can transfer out as a rFR rather than a SO?
J/K, I just don't understand the redshirt fascination.
Ok? I guess I’m confused why he is considered the top returning edge defender (in the nation?) yet will be predicted as a backup? Won’t that mean he is not predicted to be the top edge defender? ?♂️
I'm a little confused also, but you can see almost all of the responses are "he won't start."
I don't think PFF is making any sort of prediction. They are saying his 2018 production was higher than any other player that returns in 2019.
To further clarify:
1.) PFF stats are descriptive, rather than predictive. They attempt to quantify how well you DID, rather than predict how well you will DO.
2.) They are NOT competition-adjusted. Kinda like UFR: you get a +3 for a MONSTAR-SACK(!!!) regardless of whether you're playing OSU or RRs UM.
So, in sum. . . I don't think there's a high correlation. You could run a regression filtered by players who've both made the jump in competition and were highly rated, but that's prob a small sample. So, I'm going with the anecdotes preceding this: other players in the past didn't make a large dent; I expect similar results here.