How worried should we be about Cam Gordon?
He played pretty well in the first game save the bobble catch play. But against ND he seemed to be at least partially accountable for most of NDs big plays. The pass before the half he got caught doubling the deep the man instead of stepping up on the intermediate route. He took a bad angle on NDs second td pass. He let Rudolph get behind him on the third td play. Plus I think there were a couple other plays that Im too drunk to remember but seem to recall swearing at the tv about.
My point is, considering our defense seems to be adopting a one deep safety type look, how concerning is it, that the deep safety is consistently allowing big plays?
September 12th, 2010 at 2:00 AM ^
It was his second game ever/thread
September 12th, 2010 at 7:17 AM ^
EZZZATLY! Besides, you have no idea what coverage they were in. If they are in cover 3 and he comes up to take on the intermediate pass and gets burnt deep you'd rip him for that. Yeah the Rudolph play was a 'ruh-roh' but he has been a safety for 2 games now. I guess we could put in jared van sl ... i mean vlad emili .... i mean carvin joh ... i mean brandon sm... errr.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:02 AM ^
It's truly sad that alot of Michigan fans can't even enjoy a victory for 24 hours. Really sad; I feel sorry for your lot.
With that being said, it's HIS 2ND GAME EVER. He's a redshirt freshman. I'm sorry, but he isn't going to be the 2nd coming of Eric Berry after 2 games as a redshirt frosh. He'll be solid next year but will have to take his lumps this year.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:08 AM ^
I don't understand this logic. Gordon got torched and is potentially a major weakness. Posters pointing that out doesn't mean we aren't enjoying the win. By saying it is his 2nd game ever and he'll be better next year is fine, but that doesn't mean it should be off limits to point out his mistakes. Gibbons missed 2 very makeable field goals and is now 1-4. Do you apply the same logic to anyone who points that out? After all, it's his 2nd game and he might be better next year.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:19 AM ^
Alright, well what is your proposal for the starting safeties then?
At Kicker, you could use Brockhuizen. At safety, you could use _____
September 12th, 2010 at 2:22 AM ^
Maybe YOU aren't able to enjoy a victory AND discuss potential problems with the team at the same time, but other people are able to do so. It is not "sad" that people want to discuss potential problems with the team shortly after a victory; what is sad is that you can't accept that fact and keep your mouth shut.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:03 AM ^
Whomever released Rudolph on that play was partially responsible for not jamming him at the line. Cam is young and will improve.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:30 AM ^
I believe that was Kovacs.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^
Crist had all day to throw. (But what do you expect with a 3 man rush?)
But the point is that you could have the best secondary in the world, but if you don't get any pressure on the QB, they will get burned.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:04 AM ^
He was in position on the 2 TD's but just misjudged the ball. He made some plays today as well.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:05 AM ^
The guy delivered some absolutely murderous hits today in his SECOND GAME EVER and all you can focus on are the couple of big plays that were not entirely his responsibility. Chill the fuck out, sober up, and give yourself a slap in the face.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:11 AM ^
just asking the question. All you got to say is, "I'm not concerned."
However, it does bother me that he has been at least partially responsible for most of the big plays against our defense. Regardless of how many games he has played, that bothers me. I'm not trying to be a debbie downer, just being real about where this team is at.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:26 AM ^
Yes, Cam has been involved with big plays.. but I attribute that fact mostly to the idea that he is a safety... as in "last defender before painted grass."
Its pretty obvious when a safety makes a mistake, because more often then not its 6. What pains me in your questioning is your total disregard of his relatively solid run support.
Sure, he misjudged a deep throw and was backpedaling for an INT instead of turning the hips and getting a hand on the ball. Ill attribute that to wanting to make an almost "nail in the coffin" type of play.
Sure, he made a decision to take the open seam route and left the sideline route open, but if he doesnt take that seam route away thats 6.
All in all, our secondary is... currently engaged in the crash course of hard knocks. I promise you that if our corners were absolutey shut down, you would be singing his praises for dropping the boom on run/short throw support
September 12th, 2010 at 2:31 AM ^
If our corners were shut down, then a lot of this would be moot. But our corners have not proven to be shut down and the defense appears to be relying on Gordon a lot as the last line of defense. In that role, I dont care how hard the guy hits, I just care that he makes the tackle and prevents a td. Gordon is a great hitter, a terrific athlete and his future is probably pretty bright. I am just not sold that his future is bright at the current position/role he is playing on this team.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:37 AM ^
Honestly, I can't say it enough. This entire thread is fail.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:41 AM ^
Do you have a better player we would "rely on" to substitute him for?
You also do realize he has.. maybe 100 snaps total of experience including today? Say 50 snaps a game, he'll potentially see 2400 snaps in his career.. I think its a bit early for doom and gloom. I think Id be more worried if I saw him tackling by pulling people down by their jerseys. There is a lot to be said of football players expecting to get absolutely lit up going into an area... The coverage will come with time.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:05 AM ^
Any defense worth its salt relies on the free safety to make plays on a lot of deep balls. This doesn't have much to do with the ability of our corners. Actually, they both played pretty well.
Cam is young and learning on the fly. Let's give him some more time.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:31 AM ^
The dude's job isn't to murder people.
It's to prevent big plays.
September 12th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^
C'mon Magnus, everybody murders.
September 12th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
What in the world are you talking about? Save the one time he got blocked into the runningback, he was on the losing end of almost every collision.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:05 AM ^
He did fine, except for a couple plays where he let someone behind him. He's supposed to play the deep man, he's the deep safety. On that long pass he was trying to play the ball, but he misjudged it. He'll learn from these mistakes and get better. The only thing that I'm concerned about is his tackling; he needs to wrap up better.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
...why you downplay the fact that he allowed a NINETY-FIVE YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS and a long pass that led to the FG before the half...
...and then you criticize his tackling.
"Don't worry, guys! He only allowed a 260 lb. tight end to run past him for one of the longest touchdowns ever! No big deal. But did you see him miss that tackle on the running back that let him gain 13 yards instead of 10?!?!?! That was atrocious!"
September 12th, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^
In all fairness, the long pass before the half that you're referencing SHOULD have led to a field goal. It instead led to Brian Kelly's giant ego.
September 12th, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
The thing that concerns me is that he seems to be about as fast as that 260 lb. tight end. We have a lot of athletes on defense, but a decent amount (if not all of them with Woolfolk out) lack great top end speed.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:06 AM ^
probably the standard crippling fear
for the rest of his career?
i think that i see some great potential in him. he's not fast but he seems to be near the play for the most part and seems capable of delivering hits. he just has to improve his coverage skills and wrapping up the player instead of just throwing your shoulder at him.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:15 AM ^
I agree, I've was thinking how fun it is watching our secondary grow up before he gave up that late play.
I'm not worried, making mistakes like that (and getting away with it) are how he's going to learn. I've been pretty happy with him, Floyd and Rodgers so far.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:07 AM ^
I am enjoying the victory, but I am also a realist. Winning two games means only that we won two games. We won four to start last year and that got us where? I am more concerned with where this team is headed and what our play in these two games means for the future.
My point is simple, it bothers me that our defense seems to be playing a lot of one deep looks, and that one deep guy has allowed several big plays. I understand its only his second game but I dont think that excuses anything. Do you think that because its only his second game that he is not a concern? Personally, I am concerned. He may improve, he may not. But we cant give up the type of plays that he has given up and expect to win consistently and the bottom line is that this year, we need to win.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:14 AM ^
Okay worry about it, but what is it going to change? Absolutely nothing. All we can do as fans is root for our teams and have confidence that our coaches will work on improving our players and putting in position to win games. I consider worrying one of the biggest wastes of energy, because you're not doing anything to solve the solution. We don't coach the team, so let the coaches find the solution, and just sit back and support the team.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:54 AM ^
One of my favorite posters speaks the truth
Exactly.
September 12th, 2010 at 7:55 AM ^
...on this one. West Texas Blue wins the thread with this post (IME).
September 12th, 2010 at 7:58 AM ^
We just went up against what is widely considered the best WR and TE in all of college football and while Rudolph had a big game, albeit a HUGE chunk off one play, what did Floyd do? Nothing. Crist is a competent QB and that was probably the best receivers we'll face all year. Do they need to continue to improve, sure. We always do. But am I satisfied? Yes sir! Good post WTB. Go Blue!
September 12th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
I think of all us would prefer that Gordon would learn by watching a veteran safety from the bench and playing sparingly as a backup, but we don't have that luxury. Getting burned now is going to help him down the road. However, that's not going to make it any more pleasant to watch.
The fact that we still won the game makes me pretty happy.
September 12th, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^
words
September 12th, 2010 at 2:21 AM ^
Seriously? He is a r/s freshman. As he gains experience he will be going nowhere but up. We should be ecstatic that we are winning games against quality teams while playing so many young guys. Crack open a beer and just be excited about what this team will be able to do once we are not forced to play so many freshmen.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:04 AM ^
NO WINNING 2 GAMES MEANS WE WILL PROBABLY WIN THE NEXT 4
And Iowa and Penn St. are meh and Illinois and purdue aren't very good either
so winning 2 means we've basically already won 10, and i''l give use maybe dropping one of Wisky and OSU so at worst we're an 11 win team, book it.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:11 AM ^
Just sit down, roll a fat one. Enjoy the fact that we are 2-0 and if all goes well. We could be 4-0 at the end of the month, heading into Big Ten Conference play. C.Gordon is just getting his feet wet. You can cut him alittle slack please.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:10 AM ^
Gordon Fear / Paranoia Level - 0: Baseline = 5, -1 for he is a redshirt frosh, -1 for playing in his second game, -1 for he was matched up against a pretty damn impressive group of receivers, -1 for and we won the game, -1 for he had some great hits.
So, yeah, not all that concerned.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:10 AM ^
What?
I should destroy this thread for sheer 'inabity to enjoy purposes' only
please advice
September 12th, 2010 at 2:13 AM ^
I am really confused about the responses here. Some have been fine, but others just bashing seem misplaced. What is wrong with asking about other fans concerns over a pretty real "issue" with the team. Now, it may be nothing, and he may learn from these errors and be fine. Or this may just be a sign that he is not that good as a deep safety and should be playing more of the Kovacs type role. Just asking the question. I don't see any reason why people need to react like I am crushing all their hopes and dreams.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:18 AM ^
Because right now I aint worried about a thing
We just beat ND.
We can debate Cam in an UFR coming to your citaaay later this week
It's actually a pretty goodt thread, but the rest of the weekend is for celebrating the moment!!!
September 12th, 2010 at 2:19 AM ^
fucking game.
He is physically gifted. He can hit like a truck. He will learn from every mistake.
We are annoyed that you can't understand simple concepts and enjoy the fucking win.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:24 AM ^
like blind optimism. Why will he automatically improve and learn from his mistakes? Im not saying he wont. I just think its kind of funny that some fans take any critique after a win as an insult to all that is holy.
I am not sitting here crying over the future of Cam Gordon or losing any sleep over it. I'm just asking the question if it bothers you and worries you about future games. Specifically this year. That seems like a pretty simple concept that you cannot grasp.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:36 AM ^
you are asking a stupid question with no fucking answer. No one can predict whether he will in fact improve.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:38 AM ^
See my response above
it does not bother me
we just beat ND. Thats all I know and can think about tonight
Get in the groove and let the good times roll, we're gonna stay here till it soothes your soul
We might be here till 12, we might here till 3, time does not mean that much to me and I dont know it when I'll feel this way again.
Get in groove and let the good times roll!!!
It might be 6, it might 8, I dont care if its getting late, we're gonna make the band play one more song, come on and LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!!!!!!!!!
September 12th, 2010 at 2:23 AM ^
Just stop for now. You aren't destroying our hopes and dreams, but there is a thing called a buzzkill (I'm too lazy to unleash the Family Guy clips) and a Debbie Downer (also too lazy). Maybe save this sort of talk for at least 48 hours after a win (and maybe 72 hours after a win as amazing as this).
Or, better yet, wait until the UFR for someone else to break it down for us and provide some perspective on some of the more finite details of how the play(s) went down. Not negging, but please, on behalf of all MGoBloggers, enjoy the win and be worry free, at least until Monday.
Go Blue!
September 12th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
maybe cam needs to look into getting contacts like stonum. seems to me on each of the 3 big plays he gave up, he misjudged the ball. he was in good enough position to make all the plays but didn't.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:16 AM ^
he had some serious lapses, but I thought he had some good play in there too. As others have pointed out, a lot it is (probably hopefully) inexperiance and he should improve as the season progresses. Not all that worried, I'm pretty optimistic on him actually.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:17 AM ^
He'll probably be working on his speed so no more giant Shrek-looking motherfuckers get by him
September 12th, 2010 at 2:26 AM ^
September 12th, 2010 at 2:23 AM ^
but I suppose this is the part where we just ignore those and focus on the negative, right?
I get it.
Michigan is 2-0. I'll admit that I had serious doubts this year. I honestly thought UM would be 0-2 and that prices for pitchforks and torches would have gone through the roof this weekend. Instead Michigan is going to be ranked this week for the first time in 3 years and their quarterback is in pole position for the Heisman Trophy.
The truth is Michigan's DL was held like crazy all game long, and the LBs and secondary played a pretty decent game overall. Notre Dame will finish the year strong despite a murderous schedule and add more credence to Michigan's win today.
But yeah, that Cameron Gordon, wow.