Last spring as we entered the Brady Hoke era, it would have been hard to notice any differences in access to the Michigan football program compared his predecessor- the recently fired Rich Rodriguez.
The main difference was Brady’s easy going demeanor and uncanny knack for saying exactly what the Michigan faithful wanted to hear from the new coach.
But after an improbable 11-2 season, capped off by a BCS Sugar Bowl win, one thing is clear- the fort is back.
The steel curtain has fallen, the blockade is in place, choose your metaphor but fresh information is a highly restricted commodity as we enter season 2 of the Hoke era.
In retrospect, the curtain of secrecy first showed itself with the unexpected “big game” road uniforms unveiled against Michigan State last season.
People aware of the game day surprise faced serious consequences if the secret leaked out in advance.
This spring the control of information was further locked down with the banishment of media from practices. Even former players and high school coaches who were still allowed access to practice were given clear instructions reminiscent of the World War II Manhattan project’s directive- “What you see here, what you do here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.”
After weeks of eager anticipation, the Wolverine faithful were treated to a spring game that showed…well not much. I’m convinced after watching the “game” on tape, that one conclusion is obvious- the Wolverines have great uniforms. After that I’m not so sure.
One thing I am sure of is that this atmosphere of secrecy sure reminds me of the Lloyd Carr era.
Hoke claiming he would like to have a full on competitive spring game for fans but is prevented from doing so because of “numbers” could have been taken verbatim from from a Lloyd Carr press conference. Fans can hold out hope for something more, some day, if numbers allow.
Don’t hold your breath for that to happen. Hoke like Rodriguez and Carr before him, is reluctant to risk injury in a meaningless exhibition.
So what does this mean for fans? Well they’re going to be reading a lot of re-packaging of press conference quotes and breathless recaps of official athletic department video clips.
And don’t expect a lot of insider leaks out of this version of Fort Schembechler. At least for now, the shields are holding.
The recent band-getting-hosed-by-being-left-out-of the 2012 College Football Kick-off game against Alabama seems to be a rare occurrence of unfavorable news leaking out before Athletic Director David Brandon could sprinkle his maize and blue pixie dust on it.
The veil of secrecy is not a bad thing. It served Lloyd Carr and Michigan football well during his tenure. But whether it can be maintained in an era dominated by social media and twitter is another thing altogether. It’s hard to imagine that a coach who doesn’t use email can appreciate the implications of these new information channels.
Is Brady Hoke taking a page out of his old boss’s playbook with the media?
We will have to wait and see if he starts trading verbal jabs with sideline reporters be sure.
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.
The wait is over. Michigan football is back. And none too soon. After the early exit of the Wolverine basketball team from the NCAA tournament, the Wolverine football team returns to the gridiron for spring workouts. After a surprising inaugural season capped by a victory in the Sugar Bowl, the Wolverines need to find replacements on the both the offensive and defensive lines and firm up the linebacker and defensive backfield. In short, there’s a lot of work to do.
Finding replacements for offensive center David Molk and defensive lineman Mike Martin need to be top priorities. The reliability, agility, and overall nastiness of David Molk cannot be overstated. The Wolverine offense suffered greatly over the years when Molk wasn’t on the field and you only need to go back and watch the first series of the Sugar Bowl that he missed due to an injury in warm ups to see challenge for whomever takes his place. Hoke has indicated that red shirt senior Ricky Barnum is currently being evaluated at center, but repeated during his opening press conference that, “…the expectation is for the position,” and every there is competition for every position every day. If Barnum struggles don’t be surprised to see others given an opportunity.
Why is center so important? Every play starts with the center and quarterback exchanging the football either by direct snap or shotgun.
no images were found
If all-world quarterback Denard Robinson doesn’t get the ball reliably it will be a long season.
How most people remember Tom Brady’s time at Michigan.
To many Tom Brady was merely a stopgap falling in the shadow of Brian Griese (who led Michigan to a National Championship) and Drew Henson who was destined to lead the Wolverines to 3 or 4 National Championships, while leading the Yankees to World Championships during the football off-season.
No disrespect to Drew Henson but the hype surrounding him was completely out of control. The spotlight on Henson obscured Brady and many fans couldn’t wait for him to make way for Henson.
While Brady was technically the starter, Lloyd Carr employed the dreaded dual QB system giving Henson ample to time to challenge. At the time it seemed like a concession to keep Henson from bolting and playing baseball full time.
But Brady held on as the starter for two seasons and capped his career with an OT win over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.
During his time at Michigan no one could have predicted the success he’d have in the NFL.
I always thought that Brady would be successful at something– he had that air about him. A quiet determination and confidence. No matter how obnoxious fans would be, “Hey Tom, how long until Drew takes your job?” he stayed calm, cool, and collected.
Only later did we learn how close he came to transferring.
Brady liked this photo because it included his teammates
But there was one indication of his character. I took this picture during the 1998 season and was determined to get all three players who were featured prominently to autograph it. At 1999 Media Day fans had an opportunity to meet the players and I quickly tracked down center Steve Frazier (#64) tight end end Aaron Shea (#36) but couldn’t find Brady anywhere.
I went from line to line looking for him. Finally, I tracked him standing practically alone near the sideline. When I showed him the photo his first reaction was to ask how I took it (from my seats) and how cool it was that it showed all three players together in the same shot. I found out later that Aaron Shea was one of his best friends in college which helps explain why he liked the photo so much.
He signed the photo and said, “Go Blue!” and thanked me for taking the picture.
It always struck how classy he was. At the time there was a huge line of people waiting for Drew Henson’s autograph while Brady, the starter, stood by watching.
A lesser man may have been resentful, but Brady was a Michigan Man.
I wondered how he felt when he found himself drafted by the Patriots and was again overshadowed by another quarterback phenom named Drew (Bledsoe).
I have no doubt that he handled himself with the same class he showed at Michigan.
And his hard work and dedication have made him one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Last spring as we entered the Brady Hoke era, it would have been hard to notice any differences in access to the Michigan football program compared his predecessor- the recently fired Rich Rodriguez.
This spring the control of information was further locked down with the banishment of media from practices. Even former players and high school coaches who were still allowed access to practice were given clear instructions reminiscent of the World War II Manhattan project’s directive- “What you see here, what you do here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.”
