Author: Andy Andersen

Andy Andersen, Senior Football Writer andyandersen@wowway.com Andy is a Michigan graduate and long time Michigan Football fan, having attended games during the tenures of Fritz Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Bump Elliot, Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke. He attempts to present articles consistent with the concerns and interests of Michigan Fans.
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M FOOTBALL 2012-UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MINUTEMEN INVADE MICHIGAN STADIUM-WOLVERINES REPEL THEM 63 TO 13

The Wolverines covered the highest pre-game point spreads in their 133 year of football, forty-five and one half  points, with a fifty point victory. Yet the game did not have  a feeling of a rout early as it took a while to wear down and dominate the Minutemen.

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

The University of Massachusetts got another taste of big time college football Saturday, and the Wolverines got a chance to experience facing the third different offensive scheme thrown at them in three games.  First, the Alabama power game, then the singular hybrid triple option offense of the Air Force Falcons (which they ran to perfection), and now the Minuteman spread.

The Minutemen are now an FBS team, but came to M Stadium having suffered at the hands of Indiana’s Hoosiers last Saturday 45-6.  Some feel it will take another five years for them to be at an appropriate competitive level, but their spokesmen indicated they must achieve at a higher level much sooner, say in three years.  That they have a ways to go was a certainty proved Saturday.

MORE GAME PHOTOS

In the two games completed prior to meeting the Wolverines (against Connecticut and Indiana), they gave up 82-points and scored 6.  First year Coach Charlie Molnar has his hands full, in their first season of competition in the MAC.

They will play their home games in Gillette Stadium which is 90 miles from their campus.  Averaging only 13,000 plus fans a game last year, the crowd of over 110,000 at Michigan Stadium must have been a shock to them, except for Michael Cox, the running back who, not garnering much playing, time re-located from Ann Arbor to play in Amherst.  He did well, having 18 carries for 85-yards. Amherst is the main University of the five that comprise the highly rated Massachusetts University system.  A 50,000 seat stadium is in the works at Amherst.

MINUTEMAN SCORING

Massachusetts scored 13 points in the second quarter, their only TD coming on a 32-yard interception return of an errant Denard Robinson pass in the second quarter. Two field goals completed their total of 13 points.  They completed a good pass on a flea flicker.

M DEFENSE

Michigan’s defense yielded only 259-yards which is outstanding, but allowed 7 of 17 third down conversions. UMass ran 66 offensive plays and the Wolverines ran 68.  M had 27 1st downs, UMass 15.  But UMass converted 7 of 17 third downs and that is slightly worrisome.  Time of possession was close, 30.57 for the Wolverines, and 29.03 for UMass.  This is also slightly worrisome.

M SCORING

In the first quarter, Michigan put up 14 on a 26-yard pass to Devin (I make it look so easy) Funchess, and an 11-yard run by Fitz Toussaint. In the second quarter, M’s offense produced a 5-yard Vincent Smith TD, a Devin Gardner grab and run for a 42-yard score, and another beautiful Denard run for 36-yards. Shoelace tossed a shoe on on of his jaunts.

Taylor Lewan finished the scoring for the quarter by falling on a Denard fumble in the end zone for a TD.  In the third, Roy Roundtree collared an 18-yard pass from Denard for 6.  By then the score had jumped to 49-13 and it seemed a route was a certainty.  Vincent Smith upped the ante by adding 6 on 9-yard run.  In the 4th, Justice Hayes lugged the leather payload into the north end zone for six and his first collegiate TD, and the final score of 63-13 was achieved.

COACH HOKE

Coach Hoke was very serious in his post- game interview.  One reporter said something to the effect that you don’t sound like a Coach that has just won a game by fifty points.  Hoke indicated that he was concerned about the improvement of the defensive and offensive lines that it all starts there.

In a subsequent interview here is what Coach Hoke said regarding the margin of victory being good for team morale and the lines: “First and foremost, it’s great to win a football game. At the same time, we’ve got a lot of things that we did well, but we need to do a lot better job at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football.”  Also he stated in his presser he wants the defense to cause more turnovers to give the offense more opportunities. On the improvement on the offensive line: “There must have been some improvement. It’s hard to tell during the course of the game to be honest, but we stayed on blocks a little better. I thought Fitz (Toussaint) got a little better with his rhythm. Then, when Thomas (Rawls) came in, I thought he made some physical runs for us. That’s the sticking point right now. It might be boring for some people, but we need to play better on both sides of the ball.”

DENARD ROBINSON:

What a day he had, producing another 4 TD game. Three TDs passing, and one on the ground.  291-yards passing plus 106-yards running as only he can.

As I mentioned above, this rout did have an unusual feel. Probably because there were unnecessary penalties, plus Denard missed a wide open Gardner, overthrew Dileo, threw an interception, and fumbled on the goal line to slightly mar another outstanding performance.  It has to be said when he makes mistakes he usually more than makes up for it, and he certainly did Saturday, but it is becoming apparent that in the first half of games he sometimes errs.  When Denard makes a mistake he is forthright in admitting it.  In his post-game press conference interview he mentioned them ruefully.  The other than Denard running game waited until the second half to get going.

With 5,630 career passing yards, Denard has surpassed both Tom Brady and Jim Harbaugh.  He is also in second place in career offensive yardage trailing only Chad Henne.

OTHER THAN THE DENARD RUNNING GAME

Fitz Toussaint ran 15 times for 87-yards.  Thomas Rawls lugged 6 times for 42-yards, with a spectacular sideline whack which again proved he likes to run over people. Vincent Smith was only 3 for 20-yards but scored twice. Justice Hayes got a TD, and Dennis Norfleet had one run for 14-yards.

M PASSING GAME

Nine different Wolverine receivers collared a few aerials, with Jeremy Gallon leading the pack. His 66-yard reception and scamper was spectacular.  Devin Gardner grabbed a 42-yarder for a TD.  The nine were Dileo, Gallon, Gardner, Funchess (TD), Roundtree(TD), Smith, Toussaint, Kwiatkowski, and Jerald Robinson.

M SPECIAL TEAMS

Dennis Norfleet is going to be something special.  He runs with abandon.  Saw his only punt return of 11-yards from up close and he is impressive.  He packaged that with two kick-off returns for 44-yards and you have to know that it is only a matter of time before he takes on to the house.  This year’s rule changes have hurts the KO return scenario as now they usually have to be returned form the end zone. Dennis will overcome that.  Will Hagerup is punting the lights out.  He had two Saturday for an average of 46-yards, and a long of 60.  Matt Will hit one KO out of bounds, but is doing a good job on the season, causing 3 touch backs Saturday on his 9 attempts.  Seth Broekhuizen hit one KO 65-yards.

THE GREAT RON KRAMER HONORED

The Michigan Football Legend designation is awarded to deserving players as retired numbers are awarded to them.  Their locker will reflect the honor as well as a patch on their jerseys.

Graduating in 1956, Kramer was a rare athlete, competing in track, basketball and football at the highest level.  He earned any athletic honor Michigan can give him, and was a true, life-long “Michigan” man. Tight End Brandon Moore now wears Kramer’s Number 87, which was retired in 1956.

An All-American in football in 1955 and again in 1956, first team all Big Ten 1954-56, played offense and defense, and saw time at running back,quarterback, kicker and receiver, Kramer had it all.  For two years he led the Wolverines in scoring in basketball as well as football.

So far Desmond Howard, Benny Oosterbaan, and Ron Kramer have been honored.  Since I was in school when Benny Oosterbaan was Football Head Coach, I will post a little something about him.

BRING ON NOTRE DAME

The Irish taught the Michigan State Spartans a lesson Saturday night 20-3.  They will be nationally ranked when the Wolverines enter their Stadium.  It appears that they have shored up their defense from the recent past, and they will be ready to perform an Alabama on Denard Robinson.

It is hard to predict whether or not the Wolverines will be up to the task next Saturday night.  Can the Wolverines play tough enough, play poised enough, play smart enough, to nail the Irish, by putting a defeat on a team that has managed a three to nothing start.  All season long we have been saying that the litmus test will be the Notre Dame game, and so it will, but it is not an all or nothing game.  All the Big Ten schedule will still be before them.  But this game might be indicative  of how competitive the Wolverines can be later in the season.  Much pride is at stake.

Go Blue!

 

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M FOOTBALL 2012-AIR FORCE FALCONS FLUTTER DOWN IN WOLVERINES’ HOME OPENER

M’s DEFENSE STRUGGLED TO GET OFF THE FIELD UNTIL A COUPLE OF 4TH DOWN STANDS IN THE 4TH QUARTER SEALED THE WIN

Army, Navy, and Air Force present first class spectacle, competitive spirit, even if undersized by today’s football standards.  M is now 17-11-1 against the group, but today’s melee with the Falcons was too close for comfort.

Game Photo Gallery

There was no question that today’s football versions of the service academies are sometimes undersized, and the Falcon linemen presented Saturday were mostly no exception.  They have size limitations for Academy entrance.  The Falcon’s defensive line averaged six feet one and two hundred-twenty pounds.. Their hurry up offense kept them within three late in the last half, and it finally took some M defensive pressure to maintain the lead and secure the victory.  By that time starting Mike Linebacker Kenny Demens was gathering splinters, and some of the younger players were in the game at crunch time. Freshman Joe Bolden had a great game at the Mike LB, and James Ross III and Mario Ojemudia contributed.  Ondre Pipkins was in there.

Frank Clark was out of the doghouse and made a defensive difference as he is a playmaker, but at this time the defense overall looks like a middle of the pack B!G defense.

Pre-game the big question probably didn’t revolve around the Falcons at all, but around the Wolverines themselves.  Would the ill-fated trip to Arlington linger in the Wolverine’s psyche?  Would they show up flat or fighting?  Or would they produce a two loss start to the season by losing the Alabama game twice? I thought before the game that there was no way this set of coaches would let that happen, nor Captains Kovacs and Robinson.

But the defense struggled most of the game.   Coach Hoke on the defensive stops on the last two series: … “I think our guys responded well. We didn’t get the first down and then the defense had to go right back onto the field. On the series before that, our guys went out and made a couple stops that they had to make. At the end, I think our front took over a little bit and got them a little uncomfortable because they had to throw the football. That’s what you want to try to do on all of those third-down opportunities.” 

Except for Denard the run game was non-existent. The run game supplied by a re-instated Fitzgerald Toussaint did not produce.  Fitz earned 8-yards on 7 carries.  The OL is as much to blame as Fitz.  The same could not be said for the Falcons who racked up 71 carries for 290-yards on the ground.

 Coach Hoke on the M running game: “We talked after the game as a team. Did we play our best football? No. Do we have to play much better football if we want to win the Big Ten championship? Yes. We’ve got to get better each week. Part of that is up front, on both sides of the ball. I think we’re a work in progress defensively. We have a lot of guys in and out. And offensively, because we have some older guys that don’t have a lot of experience, we have to keep working through that and get better.” 

Some of yesteryear’s versions of the service academies routinely produced the finest football players in America, producing names that still echo in the hallowed halls of football fame and tradition.  Like Mr. Inside and Outside of Army in the forties, Glen Davis and Doc Blanchard.  Like Navy QB Roger Staubach, who once graced Michigan Stadium and gave the Wolverines fits.  I don’t remember the entire game but I remember his stellar presence and performance. 

While the USAF was not represented separately by name in most of the forties it was part of that history then being the Army Air Force.  The Wolverines didn’t own the only tradition represented on that field Saturday.  But tradition by itself does not produce wins.  It takes good coaching, football smarts and discipline, and very high motivation to compete. 

The Air Force Academy has all of that and more, even if they do not pick off the nations prime football talents every year.  What other institution has Freedom or Service emblazoned on jerseys where names are usually located? 

Back in the fifties, I looked forward to the horde of cadets, or midshipmen, that marched into the stadium as a group, cheering enmasse, wearing the same uniforms as their brethren, and presenting as united a fan front as exists.  I watched Michigan’s great Ron Kramer meet their challenge.  I remember him cutting down two Army players at the same time on one offensive play.  It all didn’t go the Wolverines way, as they lost 7-26 in 1954, but redeemed in 1955 26-2, and hammered Army in 1956 48-7. 

I remember a smoker at the Michigan Union where one cadet was crowing as much as they ever did by saying, “Michigan sure does NOT know how to play football”.  On that day that premise seemed absolute fact, but they should have sent that gentlemanly cadet to MSU to enhance his jeering credentials. 

The pre-game festivities were absolutely first class.  The Cadets launched a magnificent bird of prey that flew above the field and returned to its master.  That was a beautiful and unusual sight.  Then three of the great Maize and Blue medical choppers passed overhead while in formation.  A B-2 bomber made one of the best passes above the stadium I have ever seen.  Directly overhead, and going slow, that fly over was very impressive.  A Congressional Medal of Honor winner flipped the coin before the game. Jake Ryan, who made some mistakes in the game, but overall contributed a lot was honored as he will wear Legends number 47, which remembers 9-letter winner and former Head Football Coach Benny Oosterbaan.

 With all that and a beautiful, partly sunny afternoon in the sparkling old/new stadium reminded why I, and so many others, are willing to shell out 70 or more bucks for a seat.  It was great to return there for another season.  

Great also certainly describes the performance of Denard Robinson Saturday afternoon.  Denard on the ground:  218-yards, and 2 TD’s. Denard in the air: 14 of 25 for 208-yds and two TDs. He amassed a total of 426-yards of offense and 4 TDs.  He produced an early 1st half 70-yard TD jaunt.  And produced another early in the second half, but this TD jaunt was for 58-yards. Denard’s passing game results were more mixed than his ground game results. 

He threw a slightly high pass to Vincent Smith that went through Smith’s hands, and was intercepted.  It seemed to me the pass should have been caught.  He still misses some open receivers, throws over, below, or behind some receivers, but overall the results are spectacular.  He is the most exciting player in college football. 

Among Robinson’s accomplishments per the official Michigan website:

• Fourth career 200-yard rushing game. He is in second place among Michigan’s all-time rushing leaders in the category, passing Ron Johnson (1966-68). He also is in third place with eight career 150-yard games; which ties with Jamie Morris (1984-87).

• first FBS player since 1996 to record three career games with 200-yards passing and rushing. Texas’ Vince Young is the only other FBS player to with more than one such effort.

•upped his career rushing yards to 3,474 and moved to seventh place among Michigan’s all-time leaders in the category, passing Rob Lytle (3,317, 1973-76).  With 15 career 100-yard games, Robinson tied Lytle for sixth place among U-M’s all-time leaders.

• With his 3,474 career rushing yards, Robinson moved to eighth place among the all-time NCAA leaders in rushing yards by a quarterback. He needs 123-yards to reach the seventh spot.

• Robinson became the first Wolverine since Tyrone Wheatley (1991-94) to record two rushing touchdowns of 50- yards or more in a game.

For three quarters the Wolverine offense outdid the defense.  The defense could not stop third and long conversions, and time and again got their corner turned (on one long drive 4 times in a row).  AFA produced ball possession  (which is their scheme) and drives again and again.

Regardless of the caginess of the scheme, that is scary as to the future results to be produced by this defense.  The offense let the defense need to regain its moxie to win the game in the 4th quarter as the defense stepped up to stop the Falcons in the two 4th down situations noted above by Coach Hoke.  The offense couldn’t get a critical 1st down or more than three points in the quarter in a game that was uncomfortably close, and hard fought.  Fortunately Air Force missed a couple of makeable FGs.

It was what some fans called an Oh, Oh! game.  It is scary as neither the offensive or defensive lines are settled, and as yet are not comparable to last years in productivity. Position switches and the necessity to use inexperienced players at so many positions takes time to overcome.  They have just two weeks before a stern South Bend test.

It is doubtful that the coaches were surprised by the Wolverine difficulties on the offensive and defensive lines.  It was a good game from which to learn.   And it was a win.

There were bright spots. Freshman Tight End Devin Funchess collared 4 passes for 106-yards, making it look easy.  All were over 20-yards and included 1 TD. Devin Gardner is fast improving. He put his mitts on 5 for 63-yards and 1 TD.  Dennis Norfleet was again remarkable at returning Kos with 77-yards on 3 attempts.  Will Hagerup punted well again.

Massachusetts is up next and will provide more learning and experience even if there will not be a B-2 in sight.

Bring on the Minutemen. 

Go Blue!

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M Football 2012: THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT- MICHIGAN 14, ALABAMA 41,

BALLYHOOED SEASON OPENER IN COWBOY STADIUM IN ARLINGTON A BLOW OUT FOR TIDE,  A REALITY CHECK FOR WOLVERINES

The University of Michigan Football team opened its season away from friendly home confines for the first time I can remember, at night in prime time, against possibly the most talented, physical, and well coached team in the country. The pads popped at this one.  As did the Wolverines dreams of a spectacular success on the big stage, and immediate continued national football respectability.

Coach Hoke summed it up: “Obviously, we didn’t play Michigan football, and that is something that bothers our team, bothers the coaches. I don’t think we played or tackled well enough on defense. We didn’t control the line of scrimmage enough offensively, (we had too many) penalties. I mean, we had a lot of penalties, and that’s usually not like us, so that is bothersome and we’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve got a lot of things to correct.”

Coach Hoke had no comment regarding the extent of Taylor Lewan’s injury or the injury to Countess.  Lewan walked off and early speculation that Blake Countess had an ACL injury has now turned into speculation regarding a knee injury.

There is nothing like two out of the last three national championships to smooth out the rough edges of Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. An escapee from the same position at Michigan State where he was 2 and 3 against the Wolverines, he headed to greener football pastures at several places before coming comfortably to rest at Alabama, where he floats on a tide of success. A Red Tide.

Before the contest, some M fans liked the opening game scenario and some didn’t, but all agreed that most of the benefits of the event to the Wolverines were highly contingent on a winning performance against the number two pre-season college football team.  Some were even ready before hand to embrace an “at least we didn’t get beat too bad moral victory.”  While a home opener would have made more money, certainly the high profile, away opener bought significant notice to the program, but with this loss comes a loss of national admiration that will be difficult to regain.  Was scheduling this debacle a Brandon error?  I leave it to you to decide for yourself.  Certainly the Big Ten, as well as the Wolverines will suffer slings and arrows because of this game.

If M was to win, it had to come at the expense of a team which in 2012 ended up in sporting the most productive defense in BCS football.  Therefore, they did not need an extraordinarily productive offense to secure the (still mythical) national championship last year.  This year the offense was very productive rushing and they incorporated the play action pass effectively.

With a massive offensive line, they bullied their way with road graders, and bought the same credentials to this year’s Dallas area opener despite feeding significant grist to the NFL’s mill from last year’s team. And they continued that Saturday night as they dominated in all phases of the game, especially along the offensive and defensive fronts.  Both M lines were manhandled, and knocked out of position.  That contributed to arm tackles, missed tackles.

As many thought the weakest point of Michigan’s improving defense was their rebuilt defensive line, and one of the main strengths of the Alabama offense is still paving the way to victory with ball possession and moving the chains with road graders, many thought the Wolverines would be in for a long evening.  The Wolverine defensive weak point against the Tide’s offensive strong point proved to be a wall as leaky as New Orleans’s levees once were during Katrina.

Coaches Hoke, Montgomery, and Mattison conceded nothing, and the team was intense in anticipation during all of the fall camp.  They schemed mightily to give the Wolverines an edge in this uneven battle.  They moved Q. Washington to nose guard, and W. Campbell to defensive tackle for a heavier line.  Offensively, Elliot Mealer started at center, and Rickey Barnum at guard.

Hoke on the switch: “They had been both playing a lot of center, a lot of guard. Just felt some of the shotgun stuff Elliott was a little better.”  That’s interesting.

In facing this supremely talented and effective team, the Wolverines were without their thousand yard rusher from last season, Fitzgerald Toussaint, and talented Frank Clark who had a timely interception in last season’s culmination, the Sugar Bowl.  They weren’t on the scene in Arlington, being rightfully suspended for off field misdeeds that have been well documented prior to this account.  Kudos to Coach Hoke.  Kudos for demonstrated his perspective for the program, while the perspective of the players is being adjusted.  The absence of Fitz made the difficulty of the task facing Denard more difficult.  Rawls made but a minor contribution.  Hopkins contributed, but the main man on the ground was Vincent Smith.  Smith broke free for a 22-yard scamper down the sideline, but that was about all.   A standard offensive pattern was little tough guy Smith running headlong into the Bama line.

Many faced this game with more trepidation than usual since was hard to get a real feel for how good the Wolverines are this year. Practices are closed to the media.  Even so, the Wolverines were granted top ten pre-season standing by most pundits.  That has evaporated.

The Wolverines were simply not impressive, except in punting and KO returns.  Will Hagerup averaged 51.3 yards punting.  True Freshman Dennis Norfleet averaged 22.2 yards per return, and had a long of 32, and he looked good doing it.  With 8 returns for an impressive 177-yards, he had plenty of practice.  If there was a bright spot, he and Hagerup were it.

So there were many pre-game questions, beside the strength of the revamped defensive line.  That included the effectiveness of the receivers, number of carries of Denard Robinson, and who besides Denard, could ankle his way to pay dirt.

The leading receiver was Jeremy Gallon who produced 107-yards on 4 catches, with a long of 71. Devin Gardiner struggled some due to good coverage, but caught a TD of 44-yards.  Roy Roundtree had 2 grabs for 12-yards

Denard Robinson did not have a Heisman day.  He ran 10 time for 27-yards with a long of 9, and a first half TD on a 6-yard run. Vincent Smith got 33 on 13 attempts with a long of 22.  Thomas Rawls was held to 9-yards on 6 carries, with a long of 5.  These dismal stats are a tribute to the effectiveness of the Bama defense.

Denard continued his string of interceptions, tossing 2, one of which was returned for 6. Reserve Russell Bellomy also threw on.  It should be noted that Devin Gardner played receiver all the way.

This game was over at the end of the 1st Quarter.  Bama scored on three possessions: a two-yard pass, a fifty-one yard pass, and a nine-yard run.  Up 21 at the start of the second they hit a twenty-two yard FG, and got a 16-yard interception return.  At the half it was 31-7.

The misery continued in the third, with fifty-one yard FG, but D. Gardner grabbed a 44-yard TD pass for M’s final score.

Beginning the 4th it was 34-14. Bama scored on a one-yard run in the 4th for a final of 41-14.  The Wolverines were out manned, outgunned and out coached.  The best team won and it wasn’t even close.

The good thing is they won’t have to play the Tide again this year, and the Wolverines will be competitive in the B1G, but it is difficult to take anything away from this one but disappointment.

That bump you heard in the night was expectations of winning over a major power effectively hitting bottom along with M’s national ranking, and as unsettling as that was, achieving the team’s major season goals is still a possibility.   How this team rebounds from this one, may be a major measure of the success of Hoke’s tenure. How much hangover will be left from Dallas remains to be seen, but I think the Wolverine will rediscover their growl and prove they can play some football.  The side trip to Dallas is over.

Bring on the cadets of the USAF Acadamy and their triple option, and let’s get started on redemption.

See you there.

Go Blue!

 

 

 

 

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M FOOTBALL 2012: MEDIA/KIDS DAY- WOLVERINES HAVE STEPPED OUT OF THE SHADOWS INTO THE LIMELIGHT

SEASON PROSPECTS: TWO THOUSAND TWELVE

As the long shadows of fall begin to appear in Ann Arbor, the shadow of   Wolverines Football is also lengthening, but for different reasons.  Ann Arbor’s shadows will soon be lengthening because the sun will begin its determined annual march south.  Michigan Football is casting a longer shadow because of Team 132’s achievements.

That successful season has catapulted Team 133 as high as seven or eight in national football polls and has given M 9 to 5 odds to win the B1G by some.  It seems that the debut season of Head Coach Brady Hoke and his staff was an outstanding success.  I already noted this in the spring, as I wrote a column that unabashedly lauded Team 132 and its team of coaches.

Coach Hoke’s take on whether he’s concerned about being ranked so highly in the preseason… “Our expectations are always the same and that’s to win the Big Ten championship. Year in and year out, that’s what the expectation is for the Michigan football team. We don’t really care too much about rankings. I think we were picked fifth in our division in the Big Ten a year ago, so that’s how much those things mean. Like in life, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. We have to finish in everything that we do to prepare to be the best Michigan team that we can.”

All the right things were, and are being said and done, even with the alleged DUI by Fritz Toussaint, and the alleged home invasion and alleged purloining of a lap top in a Stockwell residence hall by Frank Clark that placed imperfections on team 133’s debut.

SPLINTER TIME:

Fitz Toussaint has figuratively shot his burgeoning career in the foot at an untimely moment.  He had an outstanding 1,000-yard or so season, has obvious pro potential, but he has defaulted snaps to Thomas Rawls, Justice Hayes, and the veteran Vincent Smith or others, and has taken himself out of consideration for prestigious awards.

Thomas Rawls

Coach Fred Jackson had some nice words regarding his fleet of running backs other than Fitz, including Vincent Smith, saying that Rawls runs angry and fast, and, when asked, said he does not put the ball on the ground.  Coach Hoke also mentioned Justice Hayes.

Instead of prime time, it may be splinter time for Fitz for a while.  Sorry to see this happen on a number of levels, not the least of which is that Fitz seems to be an otherwise great kid.

I interviewed him his first year, and at the beginning of last season, as a relatively unproven back, he was always confident that he could wrest playing time at the tailback position.  And he did.  He was responsible for much of last season’s offensive success.  I think he will do all in his power now to remedy his situation.

And he will get the chance to do so, as Coach Hoke today notified the media that FT would be allowed to practice tomorrow (Monday).

As for Frank Clark, I have never talked to him, but again the loss to the team could prove significant.  He is one of the better athletes on the team. Remember that key Sugar Bowl interception? He too will resume practice Monday.  The Wolverines season will survive the wait for their services, and prosper.  Hoke’s punishment will continue for a time for both.

The above is by way of introduction that this year will be most challenging for the Wolverines.  Unproven players will have to step up at key positions. A difficult schedule with tough competition must be mastered, and it won’t be easy.

GETTING OFFENSIVE:

On offense, replacing David Molk will be a problem, even if I do believe that the OL will become the team strength as the year progresses.  Ricky Barnum should do well at center.  Since depth may be a problem, they must avoid injuries. It will be interesting to see the starters when the list is finalized. Will Elliot Mealer finally break through at left guard?  Or can the rising walk-on Joey Burzynski unseat him. According to Hoke, we’ll have the answer in about ten days. Will a freshman OL, such as Kyle Kalis, or another step up?  Taylor Lewan, left tackle, and Michael Schofield, right tackle, are experienced and talented.  Redshirt Freshman Chris Bryant will try to claw his way up.

The search for a Hemingway replacement remains an interesting proposition.  Can an incoming freshman help (Amara Darboh), or will Devin Gardner provide a significant answer to the lack of a downfield scoring threat?

M SHOELACED INTO POSITION AT QB:

One position that will be no cause for concern is Quarterback.  Denard Robinson has it all.  Good attitude included. Not only is he the most exciting playmaker in college football, I think this is the year he will achieve his goal of proving that he is an gifted all around QB.  He has fast developing leadership skills.  His second year in the system, his Senior year, will be a charm.  You can’t name many post season awards a QB can win, that don’t have Denards’ name in the mix, including the Heisman.

There will be no QB controversy as there was in the summer of 1997.  Even though a national championship followed there were important unsettled issues then.

That summer I had the good fortune to often lunch with the coaches, including Stan Parrish, the QB coach. Scott Driesbach was battling Brian Griese.  While Scott was a talent in his own right, for some reason I favored Brian.  Stan quite naturally was evasive, and being affable, did not get offended by my constant commercials for Griese, but finally said that I would have to explain it to the press, if Brian was chosen over Scott as the starting QB.  The back and forth was informative and entertaining, even if no secrets emerged.

The QB competition continued, but finally Stan picked Brian, and pointed out, with a smile, that my arguments played no part in the decision.  I learned how much thought is necessarily put into such choices by good coaches.

EVERY YEAR HAS ITS CHALLENGES:

Even though a QB problem does not face the Wolverines this year, others do.  One such is the schedule.  Visiting Texas to meet Alabama in a highly hyped opener just heads the list.  Games at South Bend, Lincoln, and Columbus will be tough.  The Wolverines have not recently been a team that overwhelms away from home, and that is a credible concern.  Fortunately the key game of the B1G season, MSU is at home.

You can argue either side of whether the choice of opening with Alabama at Arlington will be good or bad for the Wolverines.  If they get thrashed in Arlington, obviously that’s not good.  That would cause a mighty thud as season expectations shattered early. How much would that impact later expectations? We know the answer if the Wolverines win, or manage to hold it close.  Expectation sky rockets will go off.

Coach Hoke on whether he sees an elevated intensity in the team because of the opener with the Tide. “You come to play football at Michigan to play in those kind of ball games. You’re expected to play and perform. Playing the defending national champs is always something that is a great challenge and a great opportunity. Going to play the game in a venue like the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington I think is going to be a lot of fun.”  Let’s hope so.  He also said you do not get a second chance to make a first impression.

UNIFORM DISAGREEMENT:

On the uniform issue, in my opinion, which is probably only worth what it costs you, I can’t see toying with college football’s best uniform for reasons of commerce.

GETTING DEFENSIVE:

A lot of Team 133’s future rests on the large but slimmer shoulders of Will Campbell.  Can he handle the load left him by Mike Martin?  He is down to a svelte 310, and that should help, but he has not made consistent contributions to this point in his career.  It is his last chance, and by all reports things are looking up for him.  Martin, Van Bergen, and Heininger will be missed on the field, if not at the training table. Their replacements are not all that experienced.  Even so Coach Hoke said he expects the line to develop into last year’s equal.  I guess the real question is not if, but how soon?

Whether the Wolverines can plug the defensive middle is an important key to the success of this team this year, maybe the most important position group.  Whether the well-known move of Craig Roh to strong side DE, and Jabreel Black moving inside from his DE spot makes the defense faster is yet to be seen in game action, but it should, even if both have gotten bigger.   Brennan Beyer is rising on the outside and Frank Clark was too, but needs to regroup. Coach Hoke said today they are now a line.

Richard Ash and Quentin Washington need to develop.  Unfortunately they are not very experienced. The incoming freshmen like Matthew Godin, Chris Wormley, and Andre Pipkin are strong and motivated as are the others.  Andre’s size, reported at 6’5” and a moveable 320, is more than adequate now, and all bring physical credentials that might find them a place in the expected 8-9 defensive lineman rotation.  The veterans better be good.   It is nice to think that Montgomery, Mattison, and Hoke are looking at problems that are right down their alley.

Returning LB’s such as Kenny Demens and Jake Ryan should be better than last year and again there is freshman help such as Joe Bolden and others.  Jake could spend some time at defensive end, in the absence of Clark. We will take a better look at them, next article.  Hoke says this is a good group.

The DBs should be a team strength, and again we will look at them in greater depth next time.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Hopefully, Coach Ferrigno can develop a productive return game this year.  It will be interesting to see if true Freshman Dennis Norfleet can help there. When I asked Coach about Norfleet he deferred the question because he has not had a sufficient chance to work with newcomers, which was a standard answer among all the coaches regarding the freshman. They do not want to distract them from the end of summer school.  The turnabout of kicker Brandon Gibbons last year was remarkable.  At punter there is competition as Will Hagerup and Matt Wile battle.

The NCAA Football Rules Committee has moved kickoffs to the 35-yard line from the 30-yard line, and touchbacks will now be brought out to the 25, not the 20. Additionally, the kickoff team cannot line up behind the 30 for a running start.  This is to diminish injuries on these dangerous plays. What it does to return productivity is yet to be seen, but it will alter schemes per Coach Ferrigno.

FAN/KID/MEDIA DAY:

Every year the on the morning of fan day (now called Kids day), the media meets the team after breakfast, and can talk individually to the coaches and players after the Head Coach’s talk.  It is a most interesting experience even though the incoming freshman class is not included in this event.  They have to pay attention to the end of summer school.  In the afternoon the players meet their fans in the stadium to secure autographs.

Coach Hoke started his Media Day press conference off by commenting regarding Fitz Toussaint and Frank Clark as follows: “they will begin practicing with the team tomorrow. They are still, obviously, the guys who as teammates we love them, but there are consequences for their behavior and they are paying the price, and they will continue to pay that price for a little bit. I think both of them realize that they have an outstanding opportunity to play at the University of Michigan and get a great Michigan degree. They understand that there is a standard of performance from the community and a standard of performance from the academic side and there is a standard of performance from a football side that they have to do a great job and understand. As coaches you are a teacher and you get an opportunity to teach life lessons. Believe me, they have paid a heavy price and will continue to pay a price for actions unbecoming of a Michigan football player”.

On how the start of the season might be impacted by Roy Roundtree’s recent knee surgery… “Having a scope to fix a little bit of cartilage, a lot of guys come back in two weeks. Our doctors do a great job and we have a great medical staff here. They all do a great job and I think everything went well from talking to them. You have a guy like Roy who is a committed guy — he’s going to do everything in his power to get back.”

I got to interview a dozen or so players, and some of the interviews should be on site soon for your listen.  They are all tuned in to school, Ann Arbor and preparation for Alabama and the season.

It’ll be a great season.  Better season record than last year, with a tougher schedule this year?  Hoke reasonably states that if the do not win the B1G the season is a failure despite any win/loss record.  Hard to tell where they are, they are only seven practices into fall camp, and after only two days or so in pads.

What is left to say but have fun and Go Blue!

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A Deeper Shade of Blue- Brady Hoke Returns Michigan Football to its Roots

The aura surrounding the Wolverine Football program is a deeper shade of blue.

There is more confidence, more appreciation.  There is added optimism that the team has the ability to compete in its conference, offensively, defensively and on special teams.

QB Devon Gardner

There is more swagger, as well as more quiet confidence, among those that have earned and worn the M, and among the fans that fill those expensive stadium seats.  High school coaches are warming to the program.  Recruiting is prospering as far as instant analysis of the process can divine.  Hoke’s judgment in hiring his staff is beyond reproach.  Their coaching abilities are universally respected, and those abilities are put to full use.

As Coach Hoke steps into his second season, he has raised perceptions, expectations, and realities regarding his program.  People can actually believe it when the Wolverines state their goals are a B1G Championship and beyond.  It appears to many that the Wolverines might realistically be a factor again, might really be able to compete at significantly higher, or the highest levels, now.

Coach Hoke appreciates how far his current group has progressed since they struggled last spring with new coaches and new systems, but he is not satisfied.  Hoke will never be satisfied.  The necessity to improve and compete is as much of a mantra for him as demanding that tough guys play for him.

Coach Hoke has been able to figuratively clear all the first year hurdles to success in unexpected fashion.  Hoke running hurdles does conjure up a visual doesn’t it?

It is hard to think his first fourteen months at the Michigan helm could have been done better.  Hell yes, a victory over MSU would have been sweet, and knocking off Iowa last season also would have been sweet, but we are looking at the big picture here.  Look where the Wolverines were defensively the year before, and the year before, and the year before.  In fourteen months great strides have been made.

His teams have always done better the second year, and that will probably be true of the upcoming season.  That applies to Borges, and Mattison, and maybe some of the other coaches.  Progress is being made, and this team of Wolverines is assisting in its manufacture and propagation.

Improvement is palpable everywhere, including the improved stadium, bigger scoreboards, in the merchandising of the program.  No yellow ring around the stadium, no NCAA sanctions, the BuckNuts humbled.  That too, and waiting in the wings is….what?  Likely more success.

Even Rich Rodriguez deserves some credit.  Of course not defensively, but the acquisition of Denard Robinson, and others who have stuck it out and contributed deserves credit.  RR deserves extra credit for Denard.  Robinson is the best dual threat QB in the country, and improving. And he is not the only RR acquisition that is benefitting this team.  Think Roundtree and Kovacs, and more.

Notwithstanding this, Rich does have the ability to stick his foot in it public relations wise.  Like reported comments that he said he baked the cake, and iced it, but someone else got to eat it, when commenting on last season’s Michigan football success.

This doesn’t have legs when one considers his team’s defensive ineptness, his lack of defensive recruiting.  There is no excuse for Michigan being one hundred tenth in the nation in defense.  I have a feeling he will do better with Casteel as his DC in Arizona.  Casteel has made the 3-3-5 come alive at times.  Wouldn’t it be something to meet Arizona in the Rose Bowl someday?

Much credit for the Wolverines success the last fourteen months must go to the personality, work ethic, values, and football acumen of Brady Hoke.  He has proved to be the right man, at the right time, in the right place.

QB Denard Robinson

The Wolverines should be one of the teams to beat in the B1G this year if Denard has a big year.  If they can find effective replacements for center Molk, receivers Stonum and Hemingway, defensive lineman Heininger and VanBergen, nose Mike Martin, and if some freshman not on the scene yet can shore up the two deep for those disabled by injuries yet to happen.

The depth of the offensive and defensive lines is a concern, and Will Campbell and Ricky Barnum both have huge shoes to fill, as Molk and Martin were the best linemen on last year’s team.

Barnum muffed two snaps Saturday.  Coaches say he fits his new position perfectly.  When he was interviewed post spring game, he brought the subject up himself and shouldered responsibility: said it was his fault, said it had not been happening, and would stop there.

Center Rickey Barnum has huge shoes to fill replacing David Molk

Campbell’s defensive line was identified as too soft in the middle by both Coach Hoke and Mattison, but they still looked pretty good.  Gang tackling is back. Strong side end Keith Heitzman was mentioned by Coach Hoke, and I could not help but notice Richard Ash at DT.  On the OL, Joey Burznski, Junior/Sophomore, started at left guard.

The players I talked to said that players improve under the expectations of this staff in the summer.  Team 133 is still a work in progress, but it is a work in progress at a higher level than last year.

Saturday, as you are probably well aware, the “spring football game” was held in Michigan Stadium, with the offense winning 17-0.  It is not a game, but a glorified practice.  Attendance was estimated at 25,000 and undoubtedly was not improved by the dire weather forecasts the night before that said the game might be cancelled.  Thunder storms did not appear as forecast and the day proved a decent replica of a fall day-dry but not pretty and, gray.  The new lights were on.  Almost $250,000 was raised for Mott Children’s Hospital.

A flag football game with 100 former players filled the morning, Maize against Blue, with the Blue prevailing 33-19. Alijah Bradley won the MVP award, again burdened this year with the 10 foot tall statue he also won last year.  David Brandon did his part. There was a band, announcers, both scoreboards were working.  The end zones were roped off due to the pending lacrosse game.  There is danger to fans from over thrown balls in that game.

This spring event is not a game, but a glorified practice, with some frills and two 30-play segments.  It is difficult to judge much about the quality of a football team under this format.  Something similar has long been excused because of the effect of 85 scholarships instead of 115.  That heightened the nasty effect of injuries to a team.  But it also seems that lack of depth plays a part. Alabama held its spring game before 80,000 and reports indicated it was a game, not a glorified practice.

Some press reports indicate Coach Hoke has said he wished an “exhibition game” against another team was allowed.   This certainly would peak interest, but whether it would aggravate injuries would remain a question.

QB Russell Bellomy

This year was unique in that under studies got huge chunks of playing time.  For example Russell Bellomy got extensive opportunity at QB, and Devin Gardner got some.  Obviously they are confident Denard and others know the system well enough to sit. Many played and got their first exposure to playing in the Big House under game conditions.

Thomas Rawls had two runs for TDs and 42-yards on 10 carries.  His slashing, hard nose running style fits the system perfectly.  Justice Hays got some carries. Fitzgerald Toussaint looked like, well, the Fitzgerald Toussaint you know.  Coach Hoke identified FB Paul Gyamati as a tough runner, and lauded FB Stephen Hopkins as having a good spring.

Asked if any receiver was going to wear the Number 1 this year, Coach Hoke reminded that he has 115 worthy players, all trying to earn honors.

Vincent Smith, Jerald Robinson, and Jeremy Gallon collared passes, none of which were deep.

The switch of Craig Roh to strong side defensive end seems to have benefitted him, Jabreel Black is doing well with his hand down, and on the weak side there is a prospering competition between Frank Clark and Brennen Beyer, with Beyer starting this time, but Clark close. Keith Heitzel, a reserve strong side DE was mentioned by Hoke.

Blake Countess grabbed a pick.  Brandon Hawthorne made his presence felt with five tackles and an interception.  He has been tolerating some dings.

It is difficult to predict future success or failure from “spring games”.  Players that have a strong spring game may falter in the fall.  The same can happen to a team.  The whole body of work has to be considered including the results of competition.

Sometimes the defects revealed in the spring are glaring.  Such as defensive deficiencies in the spring game at Saline a few years ago.  Not so this year.  It seems that the Wolverines are going to be a highly competitive team in the B1G this year.  Whether they will be able to compete at a national level won’t be validated until after their appearance Arlington, and even then the team that ends the season may be much stronger than the one that started the season.

What we do know is that something good is being built in Ann Arbor.  How good only time will tell.

Go Blue!