Football Media Day 2011: Assistant and Player Notes
Apologies for the brevity of the updates, but I wanted to talk to a bunch of different people instead of going in-depth with anybody in particular.
Players
Denard Robinson
Denard is adapting to the new offense well. He's getting the footwork down, and should be good to go by the start of the season.
Denard is looking forward to the opportunity to stay a little healthier this year, with less of a load carrying the ball on his shoulders.
Fullback John McColgan "is one of the toughest guys I've ever seen in my life."
Thomas Rawls
The upperclassmen are the leaders in the backfield, but the young guys came in because they wanted to compete. Having a number of talented players back there makes everybody better.
Thomas has never had the opportunity to meet Mark Ingram face-to-face, but he really wants to. As a Flint guy, he really looks up to Ingram.
Stephen Hopkins
Even though Stephen had a couple fumbles last year, it was out of character for him. "I've never been a fumbler. I had maybe two in my whole high school career."
The new offense is a good fit for his skills, and he's looking forward to it.
Roy Roundtree
The new offense is still going to put up points, because that's the goal of any offense. However, the pace will be slower to control the ball instead of running as many plays as possible, so scoring might drop a bit. That doesn't mean it's any less effective.
There are some differences for the wideouts going into the new offense, but it's nothing they can't adjust to.
There's definitely an emphasis on blocking for the wideouts in the new offense. If you can't or won't get out there and block, you won't play.
Taylor Lewan
He's always had trouble being able to gain weight. He was on a similar diet as Ryan Van Bergen. The trick to gaining weight is to eat only the right things, but eat until you're full, and then just a little bit more. Sometimes, Taylor had to lie down in bed for a little bit after a meal and hope it didn't come back up.
Craig Roh
It's exciting to be back down on the defensive line with his hand back in the dirt. "I don't want to worry about the past," but he's excited about the defense going forward.
It's been tough to play in a different defense every year, but again, he doesn't want to dwell on the past.
Matt Wile
He had a relationship with Michigan's current coaching staff when they were at San Diego State. They had offered him a scholarship when he was a sophomore.
Matt had been planning to go to Boise State, but when Michigan hired the new staff, he set up a visit here. The plan was to head to Nebraska for a visit the following week, but he fell in love with Ann Arbor and committed to the Wolverines. Even though his visit was in January, the weather didn't bother him.
Assistants
Jeff Hecklinski
Jerald Robinson has great potential, and "doesn't know how good Jerald can be." He has good size and athleticism, and just needs to keep working hard to see that potential realized.
Jeremy Gallon has been impressive in fall camp. "Let's hope he keeps progressing."
Curt Mallory
The goal for the safeties is to not have a "second-best strong or free" safety, but have guys who are capable of stepping in at either safety position.
Jordan Kovacs is a tough, smart player, and that's what's helped him be a contributor here. That should continue going forward.
Thomas Gordon is performing well at nickel, and he's also trying to become a contributor at one of the safety positions. They want him to be able to do both roles. Troy Woolfolk is the same way: he's contributing at corner, but they also want him to have the ability to rotate in at nickel.
Fred Jackson
Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes have really helped push the others at the position to improve, because despite being freshman "they're coming in here like they're sophomores." He's as happy with those two as he's ever been with a pair of freshmen. (Fred kept returning to the freshmen, regardless of what he was asked).
John McColgan is a solid option at fullback. He's doesn't have the skill set of Kevin Dudley (glorified lineman in the backfield) or Chris Floyd (who had plenty of ability with the ball in his hands). However, he's a very smart player, and will get some opportunities, including in the pass game.
Darrell Funk
The left side of the line is mostly set: Taylor Lewan at left tackle, Patrick Omameh at left guard, and David Molk at center. On the right side of the line, there are pretty much three players for two positions. Ricky Barnum (guard), Mark Huyge (tackle or guard), and Michael Schofield (tackle) have separated themselves from the pack.
You always worry about depth, but it is definitely a concern this year. They'll have just a couple backups on top of a "solid top six." They're addressing depth going forward with recruiting.
Mark Smith
Cam Gordon is most impressive in his love for football, and his strong desire to improve his game and get better.
Jerry Montgomery
There are a lot of players on the defensive line who are versatile enough to play multiple positions. Craig Roh, Jibreel Black, and others could see a bit of time on the inside, even though they're primarily defensive ends.
Brennen Beyer and Frank Clark are some impressive freshmen. (Note: Seeing Clark, he was taller than I thought, but also much skinnier: he looked like the second coming of Davion Rogers - OK, maybe not that skinny. Still, it sounds like he'll have an opportunity to play this year).
August 15th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
It's going to be great to have a guy like Wile that we can depend on for points in any situation. By the time he's a senior, I would guess that he is a huge part of THE TEAM's success.
August 15th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
Wile is a BIG part of our success this season.
August 15th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
"He's getting the footwork down, and should be god to go by the start of the season." I hope that's not a typo.
August 15th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
(Denard)...should be god to go...
That's damn straight.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^
Nope, all good here. Checks out 100%.
August 15th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
Denard is going to be god to go? Damn Tim, those are some high expectations there,
August 15th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
The signs were always there. Without the shoelaces He can levitate directly to the endzone and with force field fizzle shizzles projecting from the dreds. I'm heading out to Home Depot so that I can buy materials for constructing the shrine. First though, I bow my head in the direction of Ann Arbor. That's nothing new for me of course.
August 15th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
on the team is GOD TO GO, it's Denard.
j/k Tim-- great work as always.
August 15th, 2011 at 4:44 PM ^
Has to win a championship and beat ohio for that title.
August 15th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
that Omameh moved to the left side. When did that happen and how do you guys think he fits in there?
August 15th, 2011 at 2:00 PM ^
i think that was anticipted with schilling's graduation. my sense is that everyone is comfortable with that.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^
My guess is that we'll be running to the left a whole bunch this year.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^
That's probably ideal, as it would also set up Denard to bootleg to his right. This would make it easier for him to throw on bootlegs, something that he will probably be doing a lot of this year.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
August 15th, 2011 at 2:24 PM ^
AAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
August 15th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
Seriously Tim, just leave MGoBlog
August 15th, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
I don't see a /s and can't detect any from your post, so if you are being serious, let me be the first to say f*ck you buddy.
Tim has been around a long time and provided this board with a lot of very useful, very informative contirbutions and I think I speak for most when I say he will be missed. If you were to leave and never come back on the other hand....I don't think many would care.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^
take a few deep breaths there.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:46 PM ^
i ruv u tim. blue you seem like you need a hug. Here is an internet hug.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:47 PM ^
and is looking like a player. Of course he needs to gain more weight to escape the draeded tweener label, but you have to like the early reviews.
Beyer meanwhile is slated at SLB rather than WDE as most presumed. Anyone know how he projects as an LB?
August 15th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
"God To Go" is a perfect nickname/descriptive of Denard.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^
Shoelace to GTG
I like it
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