Unsung Hero of this Season: Vincent Gray
I wasn't able to post this last week, but I thought it was worth noting the improved play of Vincent Gray this year and how tough he played Ohio's vaunted group of WR's last week.
As we all know, Gray was one of the weak links from last year's D and I didn't think he would amount to much this year. But I'm happy to eat a healthy amount of crow bc he has exceeded his ceiling in this new Defensive scheme that was brought in by Coach MacDonald and Steve Clinkscale.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
I wish I could apologize to him personally, but since I can't: I was wrong about you, Vincent, and I am so glad that I was
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:09 PM ^
You did not listen, you did not know how. Perhaps you'll listen now.
Then again, some would not listen, and they're not listening still. Perhaps they never will.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:13 PM ^
With any luck, nobody on this blog will ever listen to you ever again.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:17 PM ^
Maybe, but with eyes that watch the world, I doubt they'll be able to forget.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:23 PM ^
How can mirrors be real if eyes aren’t real.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:19 PM ^
Well played! Here's hoping that on Saturday in Indianapolis, Vincent Gray will enjoy a Michigan victory and a Starry, Starry Night!
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:21 PM ^
Now he’ll understand, what Cam tried to say to him.
December 2nd, 2021 at 8:31 PM ^
Have an upvote, my friend!
Any time there's a musical reference made on the MGoBoard, I know we're pretty certain to find one of your comments and a YouTube link.
Well done once again!
December 2nd, 2021 at 9:06 PM ^
Thank you, rob f! I'm just living by the aphorism that, "You can take the boy out of his college radio days, but you can't take his college radio days out of the boy."
Happy to bring more music from my generation to MGoBlog. (Unfortunately, "Vincent" was released long after my last college radio show, so I never got to play it on air. Yes, having been born during the Truman administration, I'm old.)
December 2nd, 2021 at 7:01 PM ^
On of my top 10 songs, Vincent
December 3rd, 2021 at 6:04 AM ^
For When They Threw To O-La-Ve
On That Snowy, Snowy Day
You Shut Him Down As Very Few Can Do
But I Could Have Told You, Vincent
This Team Was Always Meant
For One As Blue-TiFul As You
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:00 PM ^
Id never forget the nasty shit some of you fair weather fans said about players on the team. Quite toxic.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:08 PM ^
I am singing for Vincent Gray as we speak... therefore he is no longer unsung
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:16 PM ^
I'm amazed at how little glory ol' Vinny G has gotten this season. His improvement this season has been wonderful. The guy was a complete liability last season and a year later has grown into an all-around solid and dependable CB.
December 2nd, 2021 at 8:39 PM ^
I think everyone was afraid to give him credit until they saw how he stacked up against OSU. Then we all appreciated and respected him, but that got lost in the 6,000 other emotions/opinions we’ve had in the last week!
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:18 PM ^
Seems to me the whole secondary did better than predicted on this blog.
December 2nd, 2021 at 7:40 PM ^
"Seems to me the whole _______ did better than predicted on this blog."
There are a few position groups that can fill that blank
- Dline
- Lb's
- Oline
- QB's
But certainly the secondary went from the biggest liability to a huge strength.
December 2nd, 2021 at 10:08 PM ^
Don Brown did everything in his power to make his DBs look bad.
The fact that the new DC turned these random guys (Moore, Moten, Gray, Jeter, etc) into serviceable players gives me hope for years. to come
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
So many people on MGoBlog eating crow these days. Is this somehow related to John Harbaugh and the Ravens?
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
He's a very good candidate. I'd maybe go with DJ Turner though. He started off the season as a backup and eventually worked his way into arguably our #1 cover guy.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:27 PM ^
I can't praise Vincent enough for his improvement. There were so many times this year that a replay would be shown on an incomplete and Vincent was in near perfect coverage that directly resulted in the incomplete (not some fluke drop or mistake by the receiver).
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:29 PM ^
A great reminder that these are kids who can learn and grow into the job.
The future is unwritten and looks bright.
Amaizing!
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:35 PM ^
I agree with all of this, but I think the "not mentioned enough" contributor in the secondary is Rod Moore.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:35 PM ^
He deserves a ton of credit. It's got to be very hard to fail so clearly in front of so many people and then pick yourself up and pull yourself together. Cornerback is a tough position, but he's proven to be a tough guy.
December 2nd, 2021 at 5:50 PM ^
I remember one of the CB’s (may have been Gray) saying in the off-season that the biggest difference between then and the previous seasons were what they were being taught technique/fundamental wise, and I brushed it off to the usual lip service. I’m obviously not breaking down all-22 film, so I don’t know how much of their play is actually different, but the results read as great improvement.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:01 PM ^
I agree with this. I really liked how against 3 outstanding OSU receivers Vincent stood up to them, played them tough, and was not intimidated by them. Sure it helps that Michigan has a good pass rush. Those receivers will be playing on Sundays. Credit Vincent for playing well against them.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:27 PM ^
He played well this season…I think all of thought that if a starting corner from last year would be replaced, Gray would be the one on the bench. Yet he was steady this season and made an All-B1G team.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:36 PM ^
Maybe Mike Zordich wasn’t all that as an actual coach. He benefitted from some really sound talent here. All I remember was a lot of our guys getting beat a lot and grabbing all the time.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:51 PM ^
I would go with RJ Moten personally, but Gray has shown excellent improvement this year.
December 2nd, 2021 at 6:53 PM ^
Don’t forget that the secondary coach last year (Bob ‘The Invisible Man’ Shoop) didn’t show up, support, or coach any of them. Just getting some real coaching helped everyone. Vincent was like a wilted flower last year, just waiting for some real, Clinksdale certified water. Good for you and your brothers in harm’s way. Go forth and fuck with Iowa!
December 2nd, 2021 at 7:00 PM ^
There’s no crow to eat. His play last season was horrible. It’s not like anyone was wrong about that.
We can celebrate his improvement, but that’s particularly meaningful precisely because of what he improved from.
December 2nd, 2021 at 10:53 PM ^
He is a good story indeed. Must be a tough kid mentally to persevere as he has. Tip of the cap to Vincent Gray.