Top 5 Michigan football players through 2 games, besides Denard Robinson
Denard Robinson is a one-man show, accounting for 94 percent of Michigan’s offense against Notre Dame, Rich Rodriguez is OK with that fact and Big Ten Network executives are about to spin-off "The Shoelace Show" for a sure-fire ratings bonanza.
Whew.
As much as Robinson dominated the talk, there are other Wolverines off to pretty good starts. Here’s a look at the top five Wolverines, besides Robinson, through two games:
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Jonas Mouton
Jonas Mouton
Ever since Lloyd Carr recruited him, Michigan coaches and fans have waited to see Jonas Mouton fulfill his considerable potential. He finally is doing just that.
Against UConn, Mouton flashed a lot of sideline-to-sideline speed and registered eight tackles, including one for a loss. Against Notre Dame, he had a team-high 13 tackles, including one for a loss, one interception and one tipped ball that led to another interception.
“Man, I love having him on my side,” cornerback J.T. Floyd said. “He’s a heck of a football player.”
Mike Martin
Martin doesn’t have statistics that jump off the page, but that’s not necessarily the role of the defensive tackle in Michigan’s defense.
I can’t say I’ve followed Martin every single play of the UConn and Notre Dame games, but when I have, he’s drawn a double team on every play. Opponents are respecting him for a reason.
In the post-Brandon Graham era, he’s the anchor of the defensive line.
Roy Roundtree
Roy Roundtree
How can you not include a guy who gets hit so hard he spits up blood, then essentially smiles and asks for more?
Roundtree sustained internal bruises after getting popped hard by the UConn defense, loved watching tape of the hit and then played against Notre Dame when he probably should have sat out.
Against the Irish, he had eight catches for 164 yards and a TD. His catch at the 2-yard line with 30 seconds left in the game, despite being smothered by a defender, set the stage for Robinson’s game-winning score.
Roundtree also laid a nasty downfield block that sprung Robinson on his 87-yard touchdown run earlier in the game.
David Molk
Molk made it clear Monday while speaking with reporters that he doesn’t like attention, doesn’t like being ranked and doesn’t like much of anything except hitting people.
It’s good for him that he does that better than most. Molk’s shown no signs of the foot and leg injuries that limited him to four games last year, and is back to being the glue that holds the Michigan offensive line together.
So far, the unit hasn’t allowed a sack and paved the way for 575 rushing yards. Sure, part of that is Robinson’s mobility, but there have been some awfully big holes out there, especially against UConn.
J.T. Floyd
He entered the season as Michigan’s most experienced starting cornerback -- with all of three career starts under his belt.
There have been some uncertain moments. But Floyd is showing signs of being a playmaker in the secondary -- something Michigan decidedly lacked in 2009 when it finished 10th in the Big Ten with 16 takeaways.
Floyd jarred a fumble loose from UConn’s D.J. Shoemate near the goal line that stemmed the Huskies’ momentum, then had his first career interception against the Irish.
He had the unenviable task of going up against Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd, who killed the Wolverines in 2009, but had just five catches for 66 yards last Saturday.
Pete Bigelow can be reached at (734) 623-2556 or e-mailed at petebigelow@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
Put all the BS aside, isn't it great to be a Wolves fan. I like what RR is doing some of you just plain hate RR so I understand that you need for RR to lose to make your complaining valid not me, I'm an optimistic person and all those horrible life threatening criminal activities that RR brought to the table well, I have forgiven him you see, I'm a forgiving person also. I noticed several comments were optimistic untill mister out put in his two cents worth trying to bring everyone down. There are unhappy folks on these blogs pay them no mind they are but silly pessimistic complainers that don't like hearing the true fans show optimism over the season so far. At the first sign of Mich. faltering which can happen in the 10 you will see these pessimistic fans gloating loudly becuase they are not true Mich. fans and probably never were. If they were true rational fans they would discuss the positive things RR is doing as well as the areas that need improvement but since they are not real fans you will only hear complaining, to bad for them cause the excitement of the year so far is exhilarating.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 12:12 a.m.
The defense is an odd little collection this season. Martin and Roh have been spectacular. Mouton has been hit or miss, but more hit and you can't argue against his game-changing energy. Kovacs is a steady plugger. Floyd's been admirable given what he's been asked to do. On the down side, Van Bergen has not made the needed progression, Ezeh is still a wild card, Moundros doesn't appear to be playing at all, and the rest of the secondary has been awful. This isn't good enough for the Big Ten. I caution against irrational exuberance. Let's not get carried away with Denard's success so far. It's fun to watch, his arm strength is so much better than last year, which makes it a real offense. But this schedule is loaded on the back end, like last year's.
jameslucas
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 6:28 p.m.
I don't think anyone thinks that michigan is going to win the Big Ten in 2010, I said someone would have to be crazy to say that. But maybe just blinded by hate?
misti3k
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 6:06 p.m.
Yes, what a shocker that upperclassmen are among the better players on the team. I wish a siren would sound whenever 3 and Out makes a post. Truly, though, he has an unusually valid point: the cupboard was never bare for the defense (just for the spread-option offense, for which Carr cannot be blamed). The last two years of defensive play have been inexcusable. However, Greg Robinson has already done good work with the LBs and the corners have been better than expected as well. Couple this with what we knew would be a strong D-Line and things are looking better than eye-gougingly bad, which is unfortunately an improvement. The must continue to improve however, and take care of business in the coming weeks. Thanks for this little article, Mr. Bigelow, and Go Blue!
3 And Out
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 6:02 p.m.
Lloyd Carr left a ton of talent after his final year, 9-4 with a bowl win over the defending NCs following an 11-2 season the year before and 38 successful seasons for the program prior to that... 8 solid years of top 12 recruiting class with a stock load of talent in the proverbial cupboard. Coaches like Rich Rod struggle when put in a new situation. As of now he has won 9 FCS games and has lost 16. Terrible record by the new coach who came in to one of the most desired jobs in college football. As of now, anyone who thinks that Michigan is going to win the Big Ten in 2010, has a laughable point of view based on 2 September non conference games vs. the low bar that Rich Rod has accomplished in his tenure at Michigan.
heartbreakM
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 6:01 p.m.
jameslucas: To a large extent, Mo's recruits DID take that Michigan team to a national championship. It's true. Woodson was a Moeller recruit. But the frosh on the O-line were Carr recruits. (It's a blurry line, though, as Carr and Mo were so ingrained together, not like RR and pre-RR)
jameslucas
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.
Someone saying Lloyd Carrs recruits carried Rich Rodriguezs 2010 Big Ten championship team, would be like saying Gary Moeller recruits carried Lloyd Carrs 1997 national championship team, and nobody would ever say something that crazy.
3 And Out
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 4:36 p.m.
As noted in this article, other than D Rob, it is Lloyd Carr's recruits that are carrying this team... part of the huge cupboard of talent that he left when he retired.
garrisondyer
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
There's a group that meets up in Seattle every Saturday as well! Last saturday we couldn't all fit in the bar, and people were spilling out the doors!
michboy40
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.
Thanks Pete for taking the time to highlight some of the other players that are working their tails off and making this team go!
div5infl
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.
RE FANS IN MIAMI for each game... thought you might like the email for this weeks "TableGate" IT IS FUN!!! Ok Michigan Fans, I admit it. I did call Michigan to beat Notre Dazed by 39 points. And by the way, how good was my prediction looking with a 21-7 half time lead and the ball to start the 3rd Quarter?! Ahhhh, but our beloved Michigan Wolverines decided to take their weekly 3rd Quarter siesta. Or maybe I was just channeling former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh's (of Sanford coaching fame) 35-0 beat-up of UCLA. It's not an exact science with chrystal balls. Anyway, all I know is we had the Upper Deck packed and rock'in...until Notre Dazed scored that go ahead touch down bomb with only 3 minutes to play. At that point you could hear a pin drop...and other unspeakable things I'm unable to print. As I turned to utter a few unspeakables of my own, I noticed that Michigan Club Board Member and Raffle Extraordinaire had a big smile on his face. Before I could ask why (I was chocking on my unspeakables), said, "We going to win the game in the final seconds just like last year". Buoyed with new confidence, I watched in utter amazement as Denard "Better Win the Heisman" Robinson marched the Wolverines 72 yards and scored the winning touchdown with 27 seconds left to play. Hail! Hail! to Michigan the Leaders and the Best! The Upper Deck once again turned into pandemonium! I finished last week's email with a review of the 2009 Notre Dazed game, "We were laughing, crying, jumping, screaming, hugging. The sound was deafening. It ranks in my Top 5 Michigan football games ever. Are you ready for more of the same this year?" Frankly, I was not ready for more of the same. But that's exactly what we got! How fun was that?! Think about something gang. Our defense is shoddy. But when Denard Robinson is on, there is no team in the country that can beat us. Granted, he can't be a superhero every week. But for the first time in years, doesn't it feel good to know that there is hope to beat the likes of Ohio State! On to Week 3 for our 20th Ranked Michigan Wolverines. This week we play Massichuchtes. (How can anyone root for that team? I can't even spell it.) There will be no predictions for this game as the 5th and 6th string players should see lots action. However, I think it's behooves everyone who came to the Notre Dazed game to return to the Upper Deck this Saturday at noon and see just exactly who it was you hugged, kissed and spun around last week when we won. At 12:00 pm this Saturday (September 18), we'll take our Table-Gate Party (as opposed to a Tailgate Party) back to the Upper Deck Ale and Sports Grille in Hallandale Beach to watch our Wolverines run their record to 3-0. See you at noon on Saturday and GO BLUE!
Ken Schueler
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 1:11 p.m.
Responding to Fan,there is a watching party sponsored by the UM alumni club of Indianapolis an also one in San Antonio who also get together to watch the games.
jameslucas
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
The Offensive Line Of Michigan!
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.
My barbecu's during the games have tasted outstanding!
Fan
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
This is a great story, celebrating the extraordinary effort by Michigan TEAM players. This list should grow exponentially and by the end of the year, every member of the squad should be named and their specific extraordinary effort/contribution noted. It will take an extraordinary collective effort to accomplish what we MUST do THIS year; FANS from around the World are watching. I understand that there is a group of alumni that meet every game day in Miami (South Beach?) to watch Michigan football games and cheer; this is extraordinary all in itself. They are wild!! Perhaps we need to list FAN public gatherings and their locations, like Miami, all around the nation/world who are gathered together on Saturdays to do what they do best; cheer the Victors Valliant!! Send the TV cameras to capture their excitement and celebrate them as they create the Virtual Big House that Denard built. By the way, if we don't have a coaching staff member who can work with the kicking team, hire the best "just in time" consultant we can find - today!
1201SouthMain
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.
Or at least 3 out of 5;-)
Justin
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
Who would have thought that 4/5 of our top players (besides Denard) would be on defense?
John Roos
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
It's a team effort and what about the FANs man!
michboy40
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 11 a.m.
Kovacs and Roh could just as easily be on this list as well. They have both been solid.
heartbreakM
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 10:40 a.m.
Have to agree with this list. I also think Stonum has shown some stuff, as has Thomas Gordon.
DagnyJ
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
What about Shaw?
81wolverine
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
Mouton DOES look much improved. Now, if some of his achieving can rub off on Obi, who looks more and more like he'll never be more than a mediocre linebacker. Our D-line is looking better for sure. But, I'd like to see other players rotating in there more. It's really important to keep guys on the defensive front fresh. I like Roundtree for a number of reasons, not the least of which is his toughness. On D-Rob's long TD, he utterly pancaked a ND defensive back! We need 1 or 2 other wideouts to step up too to help out (Hemingway & Stokes). Offensive line is doing A LOT better early on than the last two years. If they can stay healthy, that should help us win a couple more games this year by itself.
A2D2
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
Honorable Mention has to go to Craig Roh, who has had his name called time after time, and has lived up to his "Death Roh" nickname.. On the other hand, Obi Ezah has to get the award for underachievment. How many times can one linebacked end up on his backside, be out of position, or have an opposing running back scoot past him unabated? I'm just askin' ----