Vincent Gray to...Safety?
I just rewatched the IU game and Vincent Gray took over Dax Hill's nickel safety role yesterday (at least for part of the game).
He had a couple of good games early playing zone versus mid-major opponents but he was getting torched in B1G play.
I've been calling for him to move to safety to take over for J'Marick Woods. He looked good in the back where everything was in front of him. I don't think he's strong enough to be Jeremy Clark or fast enough to be even Channing Stribling. Would love to see him move back where he can play more zone and make an impact.
That said, our CB recruiting has been awful...so not sure we have much behind Gray if he moves to safety. But a Dax Hill/Vincent Gray safety combo sounds pretty good once Brad Hawkins graduates.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:36 PM ^
Don’t think we can afford to move him from corner. We absolutely need Ambry and anyone else next year. An injury, illness, or departure from Ambry and we are in big trouble.
November 24th, 2019 at 2:53 PM ^
If he returns and gets colitis again, we might be able to let him be the only corner and cover half the field.
*THIS IS A JOKE*
November 24th, 2019 at 3:11 PM ^
I understand you're joking but colitis is a life-long thing. His diet has changed for as long as he lives. He seems to be doing just fine though so it shouldn't be an issue as far as football is concerned.
November 24th, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^
My only concern would be any requirement for corticosteroids because that has a drastic effect on performance. Not as bad as dehydration/malnutrition and electrolyte disturbances from diarrhea but still no bueno.
The situation is somewhat unpredictable unless they figure out the causative agent which is rare unless it’s gluten or a common one.
November 24th, 2019 at 9:20 PM ^
We generally have a good understanding of ulcerative colitis, although there is not one 'causative agent' out there for it. Corticosteroids are not usually necessary for it except for maybe in the very beginning when it is first diagnosed and then only for flares after that, which with our newer medications are usually not common unless one has a severe case. I would guess he's not on any steroids right now and may never have been, although if he really lost as much weight as it sounds then he likely did get some when he was diagnosed while the other medications were kicking in.
To the guy above you, diet does not have to be changed in ulcerative colitis. There is a little evidence for some specific diets but it's not great and most gastroenterologists don't push it unless they seem to be having IBS-type symptoms as well and the inflammation seems well-controlled.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
He played nickel because Dax was starting safety...I would imagine that spot is cross trained and goes to whoever the next best DB is after the starting 4.
November 24th, 2019 at 3:43 PM ^
Nickel players are frequently corners. Last year, for example, when it was BWat. It is often preferable, since the primary job of the role is to cover receivers.
November 24th, 2019 at 4:49 PM ^
I believe he was saying that because Dax is usually the nickel but was starting at S (and therefore couldn't play nickel since he was already in) that Gray took over that role.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:41 PM ^
Gray was forced into the nickel because of the injury to Brad Hawkins. Gray will be the number one corner on the team next year if Ambry Thomas leaves for the NFL. No way can they move him to safety.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:46 PM ^
Has Ambry Thomas done enough to be attractive to the NFL? I'm not being sarcastic. Really asking. It seems he should stay another year.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^
Long, fast, creates turnovers. No idea where he would go in the draft but the NFL would take him.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:51 PM ^
He has done enough to get drafted yes. If he wants to be a top 3 round pick he probably needs to come back. Hopefully Lavert is happy he came back and encouraged Ambry to do the same. We need him badly.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:51 PM ^
He’s a late round pick at best right now.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
They can’t afford to move him and it’s not like he’s shown enough vs the run to be a safety full time.
I think he can absolutely be a Strib/Clark plus boundary corner type. Not saying he will be but way too early to count him out.
November 24th, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^
There is a clear rotation of 6 DBs that the coaches are comfortable playing.
Hill, Thomas, and Gray at CB. Hill, Metellus, and Hawkins at Safety.They never run out all 6 at once. At most it has been 5. Hawkins was hurt so Gray moved into the 5th spot.
November 24th, 2019 at 3:13 PM ^
Really hoping we get another CB in this class and one of them steps up as a freshman next year. Otherwise this secondary is going to be a weakness, possibly for more than just one year.
November 24th, 2019 at 3:34 PM ^
If Thomas stays, having a core of Thomas, Gray, Hill, and Hawkins will be ok for next year. They need another capable DB to step up though for the 5th spot. Turner, Johnson, or Perry.
After that it will be Gray, Hill, and then they desperately need 2/3 guys I mentioned earlier plus another. Morant is a Viper type but Paige seems capable.
Definitely need another true CB.
November 24th, 2019 at 4:12 PM ^
I think one of the coaches recently mentioned Faustin as a guy impressing. There’s enough players that it seems likely some will improve enough to play well.
November 24th, 2019 at 4:25 PM ^
Hawkins is leaving this year, he won’t be back. Kinda of a Jordan Poole situation there.
November 24th, 2019 at 4:32 PM ^
I don't know if you have any insider info, but that seems laughable. Hawkins has 0 shot of being drafted or probably even signing as a UDFA. Poole at least had some draft potential coming out early.
November 24th, 2019 at 5:55 PM ^
I am not saying it’s a good idea.
November 24th, 2019 at 2:04 PM ^
Nickel safety?
On any other team that would be called a nickel corner or a slot corner. Gray's biggest weakness has been in run support. That makes him a poor fit at safety. He could play the nickel if other CBs step up, but for now he's obviously needed at CB.
November 24th, 2019 at 2:21 PM ^
It'll be interesting to see if OSU attacks Gray the way they did Watson last year. There won't be as many opportunities because Michigan doesn't play man as often. But if I were them, and I saw Gray in press coverage with no help, that's where I'd go.
November 24th, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^
The scheme hurt Watson more than his ability. The scheme has changed and we should be OK with crossing routes now.
November 24th, 2019 at 6:16 PM ^
If Hawkins is back won't it be Hill at nickel, not Gray?
November 24th, 2019 at 3:34 PM ^
November 24th, 2019 at 4:30 PM ^
Yes, they did that until their qb got hit and didn’t get up for while. Then they stopped, get it?
November 24th, 2019 at 9:04 PM ^
You have to believe OSU will do this a lot. They did it some to Penn State. Have to hit Fields hard to deter him from running all over the place.
November 24th, 2019 at 5:52 PM ^
If left alone in 1 on 1 coverage against OSU, he will get scorched.