Webb: Faustin, not Dax, to CB
In news that will make https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/rashod-bateman-2019-highlightshttps://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/rashod-bateman-2019-highlights, Sam Webb says that Sammy Faustin, not Dax Hill, is moving to corner. I'll save the rest of the insight/context for paid subscribers, but it's notable coming from Webb, who has been actively lobbying for Hill to make the switch.
October 13th, 2020 at 4:46 PM ^
Familiar story
October 13th, 2020 at 6:25 PM ^
Step 1: Harbaugh says publicly that Faustin is moved to CB
Step 2: Put that information behind a paywall, call it insider intel, and sprinkle with some tasty teasers
Step 3: ?
Step 4: Profit.
October 13th, 2020 at 11:11 PM ^
To be honest, you're not far off.
Any The Wire or American Gangster fans? All these guys do is take a presser and chop it up for free content.
Then they take one interview with a kid and chop that up...or as they'd say in The Wire "step on that muthaf*cker" to create more premium content.
247 has the best insiders but they are by FAR the worst. They'll take the same story and "step on it" 3 or 4 times and act like its new information.
It's unreal how many times they'll quote themselves from something they put out the week before.
Never pay more than the trial fees (for example, $1/month for 3 months or whatever) for that stuff, it's never worth it. Just have to remember to cancel before they charge you the full freight.
October 13th, 2020 at 11:56 PM ^
That’s one thing I really appreciate about mgoblog. After reading the entire transcript of a presser then seeing one or two quotes stretched out into an article or even a series of articles I realize how nice it is to get it unfiltered
October 14th, 2020 at 11:12 AM ^
I'm a simple man. I see a reference to The Wire, I upvote
October 14th, 2020 at 11:54 AM ^
You got to. It's America, man.
October 14th, 2020 at 12:04 AM ^
Step 3: Engagement
October 13th, 2020 at 4:48 PM ^
I won't believe this until there have been at least 20 mentions.
October 13th, 2020 at 7:46 PM ^
I won't believe it until Jim Harbaugh says so.
October 13th, 2020 at 4:50 PM ^
Okay.
October 13th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Nokay.
October 13th, 2020 at 7:47 PM ^
Still doesn't know what to say! We can have good things.
October 13th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Wild Wild West - I haven't thought about that series in years.
October 13th, 2020 at 6:08 PM ^
Artemus Gordon for those keeping track.
October 13th, 2020 at 6:16 PM ^
An odd blend of western, sci-fi, espionage, buddy show and sitcom. One of a kind.
Question: Who was Jim West's boss?
October 13th, 2020 at 7:15 PM ^
They were secret service, so the president?
October 13th, 2020 at 9:45 PM ^
Ulysses S. Grant
October 14th, 2020 at 1:05 AM ^
Pappy Boyington?
October 13th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Actively lobbying? That's a bold statement.
October 13th, 2020 at 4:55 PM ^
OP non-factual commentary. Webb is just a pro-Michigan reporter who believes in positional flexibility to use the best athletes. To label him a lobbyist is not accurate.
October 13th, 2020 at 5:06 PM ^
Everybody has a plan until you get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Lets see what happens after the first Morgan to Batemen TD pass.
October 13th, 2020 at 6:19 PM ^
"No plan of battle survives first contact."
Graf Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke aka von Moltke the Elder
October 13th, 2020 at 5:17 PM ^
Smart to leave Dax where he is and maximize his talent at safety IMO. Similar situation that happened with Marlin Jackson moving to safety. While that ultimately ended up fine, and probably would for Dax as well, I think it diminishes an elite player's impact when their role for a season is to be competent out of position, rather than elite at their natural position.
I'd rather they try to develop a guy as a season wares on and shade with help as needed, then play your best safety and probably defensive player out of position at CB2.
October 13th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
Yes, 100% agree with this... In general, put the players in the best spots to maximize their individual talent, and adjust scheme around that, as long as you're not talking about wholesale changes to the defense.
October 13th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
I seems like we have been waiting for so long to get game changing 1st round all pro NFL type talent at safety and we finally get it at a time we don’t have our typical dominant corners.
Dang it Ambry...
I was really excited to see a d backfield this year with experienced Hawkins, rising Grey, and NFL talent Ambry and Dax.
While playing behind a seriously strong front seven.
October 13th, 2020 at 5:46 PM ^
You don't think Hawkins is an NFL talent? I do.
October 13th, 2020 at 6:02 PM ^
Definitely agree Hawkins is a pro. As it stands, he is probably a 6-7th rounder, with a good season could maybe move up into day 2. Pro Football Focus would tend to agree with that assessment:
First Team: Brad Hawkins, Michigan
Hawkins was one of the most balanced defenders in the BigTen, with grades hovering around 80.0 in run defense (80.6), tackling (83.9) and coverage (80.3). The longest catch he allowed on the season went for only 25 yards, and it was the only catch of 20-plus yards he allowed all year.
October 13th, 2020 at 6:23 PM ^
I did not intend to imply that at all. I think Hawkins will have a solid NFL career and makes a great safety. He reminds me a bit of Jarrod Wilson. He plays strong and has consistency.
I think both Ambry and Dax have unique athleticism.
October 13th, 2020 at 6:49 PM ^
Jarrod Wilson who, in fact, is still in the NFL and had an interception two days ago. I was surprised he was still in the league when I saw the clip on Redzone.
October 13th, 2020 at 8:40 PM ^
Hawkins is much more athletic than Wilson
Wilson is a guy whose game is built around his brainpower
October 13th, 2020 at 5:29 PM ^
You don’t say
October 13th, 2020 at 5:53 PM ^
As long as someone will be able to at least half cover Batemen or that first game will go how the psu wisky and osu road games always go..
October 13th, 2020 at 6:37 PM ^
Unless Leon Hall, Woodson, or Law are on the team, Bateman won't see single coverage.
October 13th, 2020 at 7:04 PM ^
October 13th, 2020 at 7:45 PM ^
I would hope Michigan could get a CB who isn't a several hundred-year-old German intellectual who sold his soul to the devil.
October 13th, 2020 at 9:23 PM ^
Sam Webb is a company man. His writing makes me want to drown a kitten.
October 14th, 2020 at 8:36 AM ^
Steve Deace - Is that you?
October 13th, 2020 at 10:16 PM ^
I feel this is good news because if they saw no better option theyd put Hill there, so I'm hoping this means Faustin stepped in and did work there outdoing what they would gain from Hill moving to CB
October 13th, 2020 at 10:17 PM ^
This is one of those stories we'll keep hearing different versions of until kickoff in a couple of weeks. The fact that there isn't certainty is the real story, as it means the corner situation is reasonably unsettled despite knowing for 6+ months the basic number of players you choose from. I think the pass defense will be fine because these are all competent football players and Brown is a good DC, but I'm not optimistic it'll be more than fine.
October 14th, 2020 at 11:59 AM ^
when the starters are named, there will be white smoke .... watch the chimney of Schembechler hall
October 14th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^
My suspicion is the talk of Hill moving to CB and the actual move of Faustin to CB has more to do with the depth at free safety. I mean, maybe not for Hill as much since he has the tools to be really special at both positions and CB's are harder to find. But I think the staff really likes Makari Paige and they really like R.J. Moten as well, who won't be ready this season but has elite potential down the road. Faustin was definitely going to get passed up by one or both of those guys. And Faustin is a player the staff thinks can still contribute.
Take a deep breath regarding our cornerback situation. The staff loves D.J. Turner and Gemon Green has elite tools for the position. They're just inexperienced. Let's see how these players perform in live action before declaring them to not be good.