Spring Game Day Open Thread
April 16th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
appears slow to me - seem to be lacking playmakers. On a positive note the defense looks aggressive and vastly improved. I am fine with winning games 10 - 6 in the fall, as long as we win. Of course that would mean that we were able to kick a field goal.............
April 16th, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
This guy is incredulous at your assessment:
We have playmakers, if they are utilized properly. In a paleolithic offense that is not playing against MWC defenses? Maybe not so much.
Beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, who handled us, if I remember correctly.
So it's not really a useful comparison.
Seeing as they lost to them by 5, the second closest margin of victory for TCU last year outside of Wisconsin, I'd say it is. It means that Hoke and his staff know how to game plan. TCU was just a monster last year, plain and simple.
TD, 2pt, Safety.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
nice run...
April 16th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^
Does this look like a football team with almost everyone back? This looks like 2008 all over again.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
That may be a little harsh. They weren't this good halfway through 2008.
Best thing about the game was the punting. Reminds me of 2008.
Of course, we had just about everyone returning this year, including the Big Ten offensive player of the year, but at least we now have a coach that knows his way around Ann Arbor, and more of the old players feel comfortabe!
April 16th, 2011 at 12:53 PM ^
This is getting unwatchable. This team needs a lot of voluntary practice time this offseason.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
And this game reinforces all my fears and preconceptions. Mattison is a very good coach, and he'll make a competent or better defense with the talent he has (which is limited).
Hoke and Borges likely will not be able to maximize Denard and our offensive players; there will be a huge, painful period as the blocking scheme we've had since the last couple years of Carr gets thrown out the window; etc. Folks, there is a reason RR was offered the Alabama job before coming to Ann Arbor, and Hoke was considered for the Indiana and Minnesota openings. (And after Auburn let Borges go, which major program has clamored for him?)
Bash me all you want -- that's fine. I feel bad for the players, who will have to suffer through another transition, and the resulting losses.
RR is gone. Done. Fired. And it was his fault it happened. Please get over it.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:53 PM ^
still a problem for Denard.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:53 PM ^
Denard doesnt look too great throwing the ball. This worries me. But on the bright side Gardner looks pretty good.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
Are the jerseys being sold for donations to Mott? I'm curious about the patches.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^
How does the defensive score points? I feel bad for them, they're dominating and they're still losing 7-0 : (
April 16th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
Pick 6 right on cue....
April 16th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^
Has the best offense in the big 10 really scored Zero points against the worst defense in the big 10!
Yeah, I'l take some Manball on defense.
April 16th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
Pick 6.
Jake Ryan has been around the ball a lot. Looks like he can contribute as a redshirt Frosh.
neither have looked sharp under center, and this one from the shotgun had an awful result (pick 6) and a second pick the next play.
I'd like to think an improved D has something to do with this...
Seriously, I think the D does have something to do with it. We were actually running D plays to get pressure and disguise coverages, instead of the ususal rush 3 and everyone else in a predicatable soft zone of the last two years.
I'm sure if we had the same offense as last year it would look like this today.
<br>/s.
Last year, the offense looked amazing and the defense looked terrible. This year, the offense looks terrible and the defense looks mediocre.
Im gonna be optimstic and say our defense is so good, that they're dominating the best offense in the B1G
I don't know about all of you, but I'm pretty happy with the spring game so far. The defense actually looks like it knows what it's doing, and are running some pretty good confusing schemes. As for the offense, well it's pretty much exactly what I expected. Decent, but nothing very special yet. Seriously, don't worry about the offense too much. Offenses usually suck in spring games, especially with coaching and scheme changes.
Did you watch last year's spring game? Did you watch last year's offense that we returned pretty much everyone from? There is no reason that offense should be sucking in the spring game, but it is.
But that was year three in RR's scheme, and unlike last year, our D actually looks like it may know what it's doing. New scheme and real defense (hopefully) means exactly what we had in the spring game. Keep in mind that only like 60% of offense has been installed according to Borges. Hopefully the rest will be wrinkles that keep the D off-balance. And after the RR years of the offense kicking butt, I'll take the D winning this year. I have much more confidene in the O overcoming a crappy spring game by the fall than I do the D. Am I a bit dissapointed? Yes. But I'm not worried. Yet.
Seeing as our defense routinely made opposing teams look like offensive juggernauts last year, using Michigan's performance last year in the Spring Game seems silly to me. I honestly think the RR loyalists and/or Hoke haters would have ripped this game regardless of the outcome. If our offense looked great they would contend we haven't done enough on defense.
I don't think anyone could watch this and say with a straight face that our defense doesn't appear to be making significant improvement (as opposed to consistent regression the last three years).
UM hasn't looked this bad since RR's first season. I would be very cautious about my expectations. I've never commented on a spring ball game but this looks... bad. I'll just leave it at that and expect to get flamed b/c of my handle.
As usual, let's not give too much credence to Spring Game performances. It will be a long year either way.
And BTW, if I'm a Spartan I'd be worried about this year as well.
One long run against the second team D and a TD on an obvious offensive pass interference again against the second team is decent? That may be one of the worst offensive performances I have ever seen.
I realize Molk and Lewan didn't play, but that was a pathetic display. It'll be interesting to see who transfers as there were a lot of unhappy looking players leaving the field today.
Stop grilling the steaks. Hot dogs for everyone.
part of the game, Can somebody tell me what kind of offense plays they were showing with Denard at QB? Were there still some designed runs for him?
We were running all kinds of stuff. A lot of pro stuff, but there were designed runs for Denard, but they didn't do a whole lot. Denard's best run came on a scramble the first play. Went big. Oh, and Cox had a 68 yard TD run where he broke some tackles and looked good.
Double. Crazy internet.
elements though? It wasn't all pro style was it?
50/50
isn't very fun.
also, and i'm sure this has been touched on, STOP THROWING PICKS.
A little drowsy watching this. May have to flip over to Red Wings in a minute.
Remember: BREATHE.
Jake Ryan has peaked my interest.
Jake Ryan = AJ Hawk?
Yes, I said it!
Aagh Devin spends way too much time running backwards. At least the D is getting pressure.
Also, what's up with Quinton Washington in pass coverage?
Perhaps you missed his position switch to safety. Leave no stone unturned, etc.