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The Michigan football team returned to the field for its first full-contact practice since bowl preparations last year.
The one consistent theme repeated by almost every player interviewed after Tuesday’s practice is the desire “to move on” and not dwell on last year’s disappointing 7-6 season.
“Michigan is about running the ball, and this unit is going to bring it back,“ said Green, who looks noticeably leaner and says that he is 20 pounds lighter than when he struggled for playing time last year. “I feel a lot faster, stronger; my body feels a lot better than last season.”
Michigan enters spring practice with numerous questions on offense, the result of a late season swoon that cost offensive coordinator Al Borges his job. Head Coach Brady Hoke raided Alabama for a replacement, luring Doug Nussmeier to overhaul the offense. Nussmeier arrived in Ann Arbor to find quarterback Devin Gardner still on crutches, a lackluster offensive line that needs to replace its two best players from last season and no clear downfield threat with the graduation of wide receiver Jeremy Gallon.
After the team’s 7-6 record last season, he has little margin for error this season. With numerous questions on offense and the shuffling of his defensive staff, every move is critical if Michigan hopes to compete for the Big Ten title this season.
It’s been a long time since Michigan has had depth at the quarterback position. Shane Morris has the talent to lead the Michigan offense and his bowl performance showed that he has the tools to compete but Gardner has no intentions of making way for anyone.