Sam Webb: Canteen switch to CB could be permanent
It's free (LINK). The meat of the article:
So does that mean a permanent move to corner is possible?
“Yeah,” replied [Elkton (Md.) Christian Academy coach Dwayne] Thomas. “He told me that he has been doing well. Durkin wants to play man.”
“If you’re going to play a lot of man schemes, Freddy isn’t going to hurt you at all. With experience he is going to be an all-conference guy.”
“The last I talked to Freddy they’re definitely certain that he will at least play both (receiver and corner).”
If the coaching staff does opt to make a complete switch to the defensive side of the ball Thomas says his former star pupil would welcome the opportunity with open arms.
“Freddy doesn’t care,” said Thomas. “He just wants to play.”
http://www.scout.com/college/michigan/story/1578131-michigan-practice-buzz-canteen-to-switch
August 24th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^
Well uhh, so about the receivers...
August 24th, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^
In Harbaugh We Trust.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^
Amen.
August 24th, 2015 at 5:15 PM ^
I predict Canteen will be a better tackler than hall of fame CB Deion Sanders.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
Drake Harris and Grant Perry might be better, healthier, more ready than we thought.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^
Drake Harris and Grant Perry might be sure as hell better be, healthier, more ready than we thought.
August 25th, 2015 at 9:34 AM ^
i miss the old avatar. i miss screaming WHORE WHORE WHORE. good times.
August 24th, 2015 at 4:19 PM ^
Long term we have more needs at CB than Wr - Lyons is gone after this year and Lewis after 2. So is Stribling. Peppers if he is anywhere near the hype is gone in 2 (even if he is a S not CB) Clark is an experiment. The only 15 CB is a project in Washington. That leaves Watson and Washington in 2 years.
We have plenty of Wr options 2 years down the road..
We only had 4 - count em - 4 defensive players in the last class. 4. That is almost 1/3rd of a normal defensive take in a single class. In 2 years (14 and 15 combined) we only had 13 defensive players total. That is half what OSU and MSU took in those 2 classes. So we're essentially missing a class of defensive players.
On top of that Harbaugh has pulled some defensive guys to offense i.e. Poggis, Winoviches. We need underclassmen defensive players period.
August 24th, 2015 at 5:51 PM ^
August 24th, 2015 at 7:47 PM ^
Part of the problem is Hoke had to sign offensive lineman neglected by RR. Both are at fault.
August 24th, 2015 at 7:06 PM ^
very accurate post. finding another young DB on the roster would be huge and def help several years from now when theyre leaning heavily on harbaughs fresh recruits.
all teams have holes or relative weaknesses at certain spots in given year due to injury, transfer, the natural hit ratio or washout factor when recruiting and projecting the future performance of 16-18 yr olds, etc - but the best programs find ways to plug those holes and get it done anyway, even through chaos of a coaching change and certain positions left bare.
roster management can be tough which is why ive always been a huge proponent of recruiting versatile athletes and stocking every single class with numerous guys who project at multiple positions.
DBs who can also play RB or WR, RBs who could flip to DB or LB, long edge players who might be able to play LB / DE / TE, etc - versatility is huge, even for teams routinely plucking their #1 targets across the board.
the main reason i really like the recruit keyshawn young from fla is hes not only very athletic but hes like 6'0" 175 and could very likely excel at either WR or DB.
young is more athletic and more dynamic as a recruit than canteen, but canteen has similar size and some similar traits - its a great move, and if DB does not work out then canteen just jump back and try to contribute at WR
August 24th, 2015 at 4:36 PM ^
I'm seeing DT's moving to DE and I'm seeing receivers moving to CB. I thought we were weak in those areas???
August 24th, 2015 at 4:45 PM ^
was interested in doing this last year - or at least exploring it - and was told "No".
I am hopeful this bodes well for what the coaches think they have at WR this year and the incoming class.
August 24th, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^
I am starting to get the feeling he will throw 4 TE's out there and call it a day.
August 25th, 2015 at 8:18 AM ^
Harbaugh played multiple guys at WR and CB while at Stanford and he does the same with DE/TE or LB/TE.
I expect Canteen to play both. Maybe neither in a significant role, but Harbaugh's going to get the best guys on the field. And if Canteen is better than say...Reon Dawson. He's going to play over him even if he's the #2 slot guy.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^
I could see him being a star CB here. He's got the length and quick feet to play CB. It would be awesome to see him work out there.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:04 PM ^
He came here as a highly regarded WR, played a little his freshman year, then started at safety for three years. If he didn't tear up his knee on senior day against Minnesota (damn you artificial turf), he may have been an NFL All-Pro.
Edit: Found quote from Lloyd Carr on Tripp's Wiki page:
In 1990, Lloyd Carr, then Michigan's defensive coordinator, said of Welborne: "Tripp does more than any player we've ever had. He is an outstanding blitzer and ball-reactor, very intelligent."
August 24th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^
From your keyboard to God's ... monitor?
(I'm not a theologian, am not expressing any religious opinion, etc. What I am doing is hoping that Canteen turns into another Tripp Welborne, who was one of my favorite players of his era. Also a hell of a special teams player.)
August 24th, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
Really believe he would have been great in the NFL if that knee didn't go.
Such a talent.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:57 PM ^
My Tripp Welborne cool story, bro. A couple actually. My floor-mate was a student manager on the football team at the time Tripp was in school, and the floor-mate said Tripp was an awesome guy, not just a great athlete. Tripp would sit with and talk with the managers on buses/flights as if they were players. He made no distinction. The second Tripp story was watching him play pickup basketball at the CCRB. As many of you know, he was a tremendous basketball player (and was recruited by UNC out of high school to play basketball, IIRC). Anyway, I'm playing basketball (not well) on one of the side courts when Tripp and some other football players stop in. Desmond was there too. He was a freshman at the time and he was actually hanging out with us but ditched us when Tripp and the others came in, of course. Anyway, Tripp just walked in and casually started taking warm up shots per usual. The thing is, I didn't see him miss. He'd say "money" and swish a three pointer, again, and again, and again. He said money while the ball was in the air. He must have sunk 6 in a row, maybe more, cold off the street. I honestly don't remember him missing during the time I stopped to watch.
August 24th, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^
Him in Vada Murray.
Breathtaking
I have the photo hanging on my wall over there.. . (points to wall).
August 24th, 2015 at 6:56 PM ^
August 24th, 2015 at 7:43 PM ^
had balls. . .
But to answer your question: Yes. . . .
August 25th, 2015 at 6:09 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 24th, 2015 at 3:10 PM ^
but we have Darboh, Chesson, Cole, Ways, Perry, Hawkins, possibly a couple of other commits, and one of our current recruits, Enis??? name has slipped, but supposedly is going to play slot....Plus, I could see Canteen playing WR at some points as well. Also, some guy named Jabrill will more than likely see some snaps out there at some point during his career...
August 24th, 2015 at 4:23 PM ^
Plus our 2016 offensive commits are a lot more highly ranked then the defensive ones. Esp the DBs where we basically have a guy from Canada, the backfield of Flanigan HS and a 3 star from Maryland. Compared to say a Brad Hawkins those are way more hit or miss prospects. If Mitchell comes in you have another top 100 type talent on top of Cole this year. The corners are not that pedigree.
August 24th, 2015 at 6:58 PM ^
August 24th, 2015 at 9:18 PM ^
Nobody here seems to be counting him as one. Evans has been talked about as a slot.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:11 PM ^
i am ok with this
August 24th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^
August 24th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^
Of course I absolutely trust the coaches on this, but Canteen is not the guy I would have expected to make this switch. All the talk about him as a recruit was centered on his polish as a receiver...his "technical" skills, precise route running, etc.
August 24th, 2015 at 5:08 PM ^
What does this Harbaugh guy know about football? Rabble x3
August 24th, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
I appreciate optimism and positivity, but with our lack of proven WRs and potential struggles at corner, this likely signals 1 of 2 things (or both):
1) Freddy has not been very good at WR. He didn't show much last year. This move means we would likely depending on at least one of two freshman WRs (if not both) to produce. The history of freshman receiver production (that aren't uber 5 star prospects) is not good. I'll believe the hype when I see it on Perry.
2) The CBs are really struggling, so we are taking an athletic guy with quick feet and giving it a shot.
I would love to think that our young WRs have been so good that Freddy was never gonna see the field so they switched him over, but lets be honest, that is highly unlikely.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^
You do not think it is possible that the coaches simply like his potential better at corner long term?
I gotta be honest, I am not seeing these potential struggles at corner you are seeing for this year. I think moving Canteen to corner given the players we already have there and his buzz as a solid wideout, means the coaches think he has the potential to be a damn good corner.
August 24th, 2015 at 4:40 PM ^
August 24th, 2015 at 5:13 PM ^
But I would say unlikely. If you read the practice report from today's post, I don't know how you feel real comfortable about the corner position. It may not say anything about either position, it may just say Freddy isn't a very good WR, so they are trying him at corner.
The problem with Freddy is he was all buzz, at no point during any actual game last year did he make a significant impact or look like a guy with big time potential. I know he was a freshman, but now instead of looking to improve in a second year....he's playing a different position.
Look at the other guys who have moved around positions within the last year (Ross Douglas, Norfleet, AJ Williams) The most common theme with guys that move around positions is....they aren't very good at any position.
August 24th, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^
Aside from the obvious......Trust Harbaugh. My take on this is that you can not have enough CB that can play man to man. When teams go 3...4...even 5 WR sets and you want to continue to stay in man coverage, you will need as many able bodies to do that as well as continue to keep Peppers loose to attack the ball.
Athletic skill sets are there and proper coaching is available. Sounds like a good combination.
August 24th, 2015 at 4:26 PM ^
Say Lewis gets hurt. Who are your corners if they dont move Peppers over?
Stribling who has yet to do anything, Lyons who looks like he is getting beaten out for 1st string and lost his job at Stanford, Clark who was a safety last year and is a project, and Watson. Washington is green as hell and will redshirt.
Meanwhile if Darboh goes down what are your options @ Wr. Plenty more.
Canteen provides depth and gives you a sightline if he develops to a starter in 2 years once all our upperclassmen are gone. We have no young depth there - Watson and Washington are the only 2. With injuries you need 5 CBs nowadays. And if you play Baylor or Oregon you need 6.
August 24th, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^
I would love to see Michigan end up playing Baylor or Oregon: in the post season. It would mean they had a much better year than a lot of people outside Ann Arbor expect.
August 24th, 2015 at 9:15 PM ^
Not talking this year - I am speaking in general. I am not even sure we have 5 CBs Id trust putting out there at CB right now to face a Baylor offense. Same for next year.
August 24th, 2015 at 11:21 PM ^
Not to mention he's switching sides of the ball...not teams. At the moment, the coaches must see greater upside with Canteen's athletic play in the defensive backfield. If injuries impact the WR position and the need is greater, he could clearly be returned to the offense. I don't see this as a "where do we fit this guy" Norfleet move, but a "where do we get the MOST upside from this guy" switch. Always was impressed with his quick feet and agaile moves, and given the number of safety type bodies in our DBs, it is nice to get a quick twitch guy as well. But, JMO.
August 24th, 2015 at 6:24 PM ^
Very few true freshman wide receivers have big years, and guys like Edwards and Terrell did almost nothing as freshmen, then broke out huge as sophomores, so I don't think you can project much about Canteen as a WR by 2014 alone.
Canteen is not likely to be a short-term solution at CB, given that he has never played the position before, even in HS, on top of the fact that he was in a cast at the practice and probably won't be involved at all for a while. Not out of the realm of possibility that he might see the field as a CB later this year, I suppose, but I wouldn't look for him to be a quality contributor until 2016 at the earliest.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^
CJ the Michigan Insider intern said on the show today that Chesson had the best chemistry with Rudock and when he was open he was consistently getting the ball and making plays. Granted Lewis didn't play but Chesson is reportedley one of the fastest players on the team.
If Chesson finally has a breakout season and Harris and Perry can contribute we should have a pretty good receiving corps with Butt, Darboh, Ways, Bunting, etc.
August 24th, 2015 at 6:28 PM ^
IMO Chesson's problem has never been his speed, the questions have been around his route running and tracking the ball. The route running can improve with work, I'm not sure ball tracking really does. That seems like a God-given ability or lack thereof. If you don't track the ball well that sort of dismisses speed because you can't track a long(er) pass, unless you can get the ball in space and outrun the defense.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^
In Harbaugh I Trust, but as with any switches like this pre-season, we will always wonder: does this bode well for the slot position? Or does it bode ill for CB?
I guess it's pre-season still, so my attitude will be similar to all weight changes in the roster. It's all good until I see otherwise...
August 24th, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^
It could also just come with the nature of the slot in a Harbaugh offense. If a slot is more of a third-WR type of guy, any time you have a FB or second TE in (seems like quite a bit for Harbaugh) the slot's off the field. Especially so if guys like Bunting are seeing time splitting out into the slot.
I never really thought Canteen had much of a future as a slot WR (particularly given the offenses Hoke and Harbaugh run); I figured he'd move to the outside. If he's not pushing through there, CB makes sense as the best way to utilize his obvious talent.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^
Figured this would be the case when Sam posted the depth chart of the receivers on Scout and Canteen was nowhere to be found.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:32 PM ^
August 24th, 2015 at 3:42 PM ^
I agree, which leads me to believe they see an awful lot of potential for Canteen at CB
August 24th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^
After Lewis there are just as many unknowns @ CB as their are @ wide out after Darboh. Esp with the talk of Lyons getting beat out thus far (dude lost his job at Stanford).