Home
i'm an actor, not a reactor

Primary links

  • About
    • $upport (lol)
    • Ethics
    • FAQ
    • Glossary
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • MGoStore
    • Hail to Old Blue
  • MGoBoard
    • MGoBoard FAQ
    • Michigan bar locator
    • Moderator Action Sticky
  • Useful Stuff
    • Depth Chart By Class
    • Hoops Depth Chart by Class
    • 2017 Recruiting Board
    • Unofficial Two Deep
    • MGoFlickr
    • Diaries, Windows Live Writer, And You
    • User-Curated HOF
    • Where To Eat In Ann Arbor
  • Schedule/Tix
    • Future Schedules (wiki)
    • Ticket spreadsheet
Home

Navigation

  • Forums
  • Recent posts

User login

  • Create new account
  • Request new password

MGoElsewhere

  • @MGoBlog (Brian)
  • @aceanbender
  • @Misopogon (Seth)
  • @Aeschnepp (Adam)
  • @BISB
  • @EUpchurchPhoto
  • @FullOfTwitt (Fuller)
  • Hail to the Victors 2016
  • MGoFacebook
  • MGoPodcast
  • WTKA
  • Instagram

Michigan Blogs

  • Big House Blog
  • Burgeoning Wolverine Star
  • Genuinely Sarcastic
  • Go Blue Michigan Wolverine
  • Holdin' The Rope
  • MVictors
  • Maize 'n' Blue Nation
  • Maize 'n' Brew
  • Maize And Go Blue
  • Michigan Hockey Net
  • MMMGoBlueBBQ
  • The Blog That Yost Built
  • The Hoover Street Rag
  • The M Zone
  • Touch The Banner
  • UMGoBlog
  • UMHoops
  • UMTailgate
  • Wolverine Liberation Army

M On The Net

  • mgovideo
  • MGoBlue.com
  • Mike DeSimone
  • Recruiting Planet
  • The Wolverine
  • Go Blue Wolverine
  • Winged Helmet
  • UMGoBlue.com
  • MaizeRage.org
  • Puckhead
  • The M Den
  • True Blue Fan Forum

Big Ten Blogs

  • Illinois
    • Illinois Loyalty
    • Illinois Baseball Report
  • Indiana
    • Inside The Hall
    • The Crimson Quarry
  • Iowa
    • Black Heart, Gold Pants
    • Fight For Iowa
  • Michigan State
    • The Only Colors
  • Minnesota
    • GopherHole.com
    • The Daily Gopher
  • Nebraska
    • Corn Nation
    • Husker Max
    • Husker Mike's Blasphemy
    • Husker Gameday
  • Northwestern
    • Sippin' On Purple
    • Lake The Posts
  • Notre Dame
    • The House Rock Built
    • One Foot Down
  • Ohio State
    • Eleven Warriors
    • Buckeye Commentary
    • Men of the Scarlet and Gray
    • Our Honor Defend
    • The Buckeye Nine
  • Penn State
    • Slow States
    • Black Shoe Diaries
    • Happy Valley Hardball
    • Penn State Clips
    • Linebacker U
    • Nittany White Out
  • Purdue
    • Boiled Sports
    • Hammer and Rails
  • Wisconsin
    • Bruce Ciskie

Links of Note

  • Baseball
    • College Baseball Today
    • The College Baseball Blog
  • Basketball
    • Ken Pomeroy
    • Hoop Math
    • John Gasaway
    • Luke Winn/Sports Illustrated
  • College Hockey
    • Chris Heisenberg (Class of 2016)
    • College Hockey Stats
    • Michigan College Hockey
    • Hockey's Future
    • Sioux Sports
    • USCHO
  • Football
    • Smart Football
    • Every Day Should Be Saturday
    • Matt Hinton/Grantland
    • Football Study Hall
    • Football Outsiders
    • Harold Stassen
    • NCAA D-I Stats Page
    • The Wizard Of Odds
    • CFB Stats
  • General
    • Sports Central
  • Local Interest
    • The Ann Arbor Chronicle
    • Arborwiki
    • Arbor Update
    • Ann Arbor Observer
    • Teeter Talk
    • Vacuum
  • Teams Of The D
    • Lions
      • Pride of Detroit
    • Pistons
      • Detroit Bad Boys
      • Need4Sheed
    • Tigers
      • Roar Of The Tigers
      • Bless You Boys
      • The Daily Fungo
      • The Detroit Tigers Weblog
    • Red Wings
      • Winging It In Motown
      • On The Wings
    • Michigan Sports Forum

Beveled Guilt

Site Search

Diaries

  • New
  • Popular
  • Hot
  • This Month in MGoBlog History - April 2008: No Spring Game at the Big House! Hockey loses to ND in the Frozen Four!
    Maize.Blue Wagner - 4 days ago
  • Thirteen unlucky minutes (TL;DNR-This is a bit of rant about the refs)
    docwhoblocked - 2 weeks ago
  • Fan Satisfaction Index End of Season Bball Survey
    OneFootIn - 3 weeks ago
  • How likely are we to revert to the mean?
    Bo Glue - 3 weeks ago
  • It's time to avenge Villanova's 1985 NCAA tourney upset over Michigan
    Communist Football - 3 weeks ago
  •  
  • 1 of 2
  • ››
more
  • This Month in MGoBlog History - April 2008: No Spring Game at the Big House! Hockey loses to ND in the Frozen Four!
    Maize.Blue Wagner - 1,443 views
  • 14 Months Ago: The Fire Beilein Threads.
    stephenrjking - 237 comments
  • This Month in MGoBlog History - April 2008: No Spring Game at the Big House! Hockey loses to ND in the Frozen Four!
    Maize.Blue Wagner - 9 comments

MGoBoard

  • New
  • Recent
  • Hot
  • OT: Golden State Killer suspect arrested in California
    15 replies
  • SIAP: U of M Dearborn Bball Team Needs the Money Cannon!
    5 replies
  • Ibi Watson to Dayton.
    33 replies
  • NFL Draft Eve Debate
    70 replies
  • Scrimmage Observations
    102 replies
  • Quote from Nebraska A.D.
    86 replies
  • PSA: 2018 FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET UPGRADES
    8 replies
  • More MSU takes. From USA Today
    62 replies
  • OT: National Park Week; What's Your Favorite?
    162 replies
  • New Q&A with Cam McGrone, video
    3 replies
  • Rice Commission recommendations to be released today
    77 replies
  • MBB: Wake Forest grad transfer PG Keyshawn Woods commits to OSU
    21 replies
  • Harmoniously OT: UM Men's Glee Club in AZ
    17 replies
  • Coach B w Andy Katz podcast
    3 replies
  • Michigan Alumni Club Scholarship Golf Tournament featuring Honorary Chair Glen Rice - This Saturday in Miami!
    5 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 6
  • ››
  • OT: Golden State Killer suspect arrested in California
    15 replies
  • Scrimmage Observations
    102 replies
  • Quote from Nebraska A.D.
    86 replies
  • NFL Draft Eve Debate
    70 replies
  • OT: National Park Week; What's Your Favorite?
    162 replies
  • More MSU takes. From USA Today
    62 replies
  • Ibi Watson to Dayton.
    33 replies
  • PSA: 2018 FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET UPGRADES
    8 replies
  • SIAP: U of M Dearborn Bball Team Needs the Money Cannon!
    5 replies
  • MBB: Wake Forest grad transfer PG Keyshawn Woods commits to OSU
    21 replies
  • Hello? Boring Tuesday POSbang Happy Hour Thread
    117 replies
  • Rice Commission recommendations to be released today
    77 replies
  • More evidence of awful culture at MSU, volleyball this time
    62 replies
  • New Q&A with Cam McGrone, video
    3 replies
  • A piece of U-M broadcast history ends tonight.
    29 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 6
  • ››
  • Belleville coach Jermain Crowell mad at UM again
    244 replies
  • OT: National Park Week; What's Your Favorite?
    162 replies
  • The Evolution of Commerce - What Industries are Dying, What's Thriving?
    148 replies
  • Pep Hamilton on Shea: Can extend the play, make all the throws, plus other QB's
    129 replies
  • In-state recruiting rankings update
    125 replies
  • OT - Jalen Hurts possibly looking to transfer
    121 replies
  • Notre Dame Spring Game: analysis from M n B, video
    119 replies
  • Hello? Boring Tuesday POSbang Happy Hour Thread
    117 replies
  • Nebraska football
    105 replies
  • Scrimmage Observations
    102 replies
  • OT: Map of college stadiums that sell alcohol
    96 replies
  • Karsen Barnhart - did we cool on him?
    92 replies
  • OT: College Football video games coming back
    90 replies
  • UCF Knights unveil 2017 championship banner
    89 replies
  • Quote from Nebraska A.D.
    86 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 6
  • ››

Support MGoBlog: buy stuff at Amazon

Annual Big Ten Network Practice Tweet Roundup

By Brian — August 12th, 2013 at 11:41 AM — 60 comments
Filed under:
  • amara darboh
  • big ten network
  • derrick green
  • devin gardner
  • frank clark

large[1]

Derrick Green is a large man.

As per the title. This year's batch of impressions is pretty interesting. As always, organized by topic and translated from the twitterese. Standard disclaimer: this is one practice that's not even in pads, so a lot of position groups are basically impossible to evaluate. In particular I'd take the OL stuff with a grain of salt.

Dienhart has a full article on the experience; it doesn't appear that Howard Griffith was there this year, and he gave an interesting glimpse into the depth chart:

Here is who was running with the “ones” on defense today: Line, Tom Strobel; Chris Wormley (who is a specimen); Quinton Washington; Frank Clark. Linebackers, Joe Bolden; James Ross; Secondary, Blake Countess; Thomas Gordon; Jarrod Wilson; Courtney Avery; Raymon Taylor.

So 1), that's a nickel package, 2) Dymonte Thomas wasn't at the top of the depth chart, 3) Strobel and Wormley were your Day X starters at SDE and three-tech, respectively, and 4) Bolden was ahead of Morgan. That's so many changes from expectation that I'm betting that rotation is more experiment than depth chart indicator.

Even so you do get an indicator of who is not being challenged for a starting spot at present: Clark, Washington, Ross, the safeties, and Countess. Anyway, more things:

Quarterback

Devin Gardner looked great - in total command of the offense. He needs to stay healthy more than any player in B1G - Morris struggled a bit. Morris has a live arm and runs well too - just seemed a step behind - late on a number of throws. Will be very, very good in time.  –Dave Revsine [part 2]

As mentioned in Morris's recruiting profile, early struggles are expected.

Al Borges told me Devin Gardner loves to study film more than Denard Robinson did. Borges says Gardner is more athletic than Jason Campbell. –Dienhart

Was Denard a noted film guy? I don't recall that being part of the things people said about him except when he was being compared to Tate. The Campbell thing is obvious. Campbell could move around a little bit but was almost strictly a pocket passer. Rushing yards by year at Auburn: 72, 206, 1, 30.

Tailbacks

Derrick Green was dressed but not taking reps, FWIW.

Borges also said he needs a "war daddy" at RB, given that the run game now features the TB rather than QB. Not clear he has one yet. –Revsine

Fitz Toussaint showed no effects from his injury. Great burst through the line. –Revsine

Wyatt Shallman also got a lot of carries as a TB. Unclear if that's because Green wasn't involved in the reps. –Revsine

#Michigan true freshman Derrick Green has a body like Ironhead Heyward. –Dienhart

Heyward got huge in the NFL—like, may have pushed 300 pounds—but in college he was 240-260 and quite good at running: 1800 yards and a Heisman finalists from Pitt as a junior and a departure to the first round of the NFL draft.

Receivers

BRV9mAdCMAEY5Eq[1]

Darboh impressed in a major way.

Da'Mario Jones had a nice one-handed catch as well. Lots of good young WR talent. Darboh has taken a particularly large leap. –Revsine

WR Amara Darboh looks primed for a breakout. Big, fast and physical –Dienhart

At #Michigan practice, WR Amara Darboh looked good. Al Borges marvels about how strong his hands are. He was running 1st team today. –Dienhart

Funchess is fantastic - serious match-up issue. They will use him well. –Revsine

Q: Who do you think will be the number one receiver for Gardner?

A: Gallon - but Darboh & Funchess right there. –Revsine

Offensive Line

As mentioned, a grain of salt here. There were no warning flags from this visit last year.

Little bit of a battle going on at C. Always give the caveat of it was just 1 practice on 1 day - but Glasgow delivered first snap. –Revsine

I asked Brady Hoke about interior of o-line; he told me all spots are still open. Lots of bodies. I have to think Kalis will get one spot. –Dienhart

Lewan is a very clear leader. Most of his leadership 2day was keeping young guys focused and loose. I observed a good exhange with DeVeon Smith –Revsine

Q: Does the interior of the OL look more athletic? Will the Gs be able to pull efficiently? [ed: almost certainly an mgoreader, right?]

A: Yes - OL looked good. –Revsine

Defensive Line

Taylor Lewan is really fun to be around - one of my favorite B1G interviews. He said Frank Clark reminds him of Clowney. As in Jadeveon. –Revsine

Fun to see Brady interact with DL (for me - not necessarily for DL) - really worked Ondre Pipkins hard. Clear they are counting on him. –Revsine

Q: Frank Clark warrant the off season hype?

A: Hard to say - they weren't in full pads. Teammates were raving, though. –Revsine

If there is a more impressive true freshman DE in the nation than Taco Charlton, I want to see him. Can't wait to see him in a year. –Dienhart

Chris Kiffin, the brother of Lane and Ole Miss defensive line coach/booster payment organizer, upheld the family honor by responding to this tweet with "Lol."

Linebacker

Nothing of note. Linebacker is another spot where no-pads means evaluation is hard, if not impossible. Bolden nominally running with the ones is interesting, but unless he's made a lot of progress at hitting people I don't think he's going to displace Morgan. Spell him for a few drives a game, sure. Start, no.

Safety

Mattison mentioned that Thomas Gordon has really emerged as a leader in the absence of Kovacs. –Revsine

Miscellaneous

This is really starting to look like a #Michigan football team - they are big, they're physical and they can really run. –Revsine

Defensive team can really run. I would say the validity of recruiting rankings was alive and well in AA today. –DiNardo

One of the most interesting things about the Chicago panel with myself, Sam Webb, and DiNardo was how DiNardo dismissed the usual coachspeak muttering about recruiting rankings. Instead he emphasized their importance and how the Big Ten's lag in that department was reflected on the field.

I love this coaching staff. There is a ton of teaching that goes on at their practices - giving constructive feedback after nearly ever rep. –Revsine

Assistant coaches do as good a job as anyone teaching technique. No music constantly playing helps staff teach. –DiNardo

The usual.

Once again got to watch one the the best D Line drills in college football. –DiNardo

I don't think he's referring to this one, but he might be?

Greg Mattison is really pleased with his defensive depth. Said there are several positions where he feels good going three deep. –Revsine

Um… WDE, SDE, CB(ish), maybe if you look at ILBs jointly.

Much like Ohio State, many of Michigan's freshmen look physically ready to play right now. Taco Charlton would be Exhibit A. Other true freshmen that stood out - De'Veon Smith, Dymonte Thomas, and Jourdan Lewis. Thomas had a nice diving pick, Lewis good PBU in the endzone. –Revsine. [Part 2]

I asked Hoke after practice which true freshmen who weren’t here in the spring who could impact. He mentioned Delano Hill and Jourdan Lewis in the secondary; Patrick Kugler on the o-line; Maurice Hurst on the d-line; Mike McCray at linebacker, among others. –Dienhart.

A little surprised it wasn't all-lifting, all-running Ben Gedeon that got a mention there instead of McCray. Also, Hurst is a bit of a surprise given how his weight has fluctuated (at least on paper): if he's really 270 instead of 302 I find it hard to believe he's going to push through to see playing time.

Q: The way UM/OSU have recruited, are you seeing a separation in talent?

A: Need to see everyone - but trending that way. –Revsine

I came away impressed with #Michigan. But most of best talent is young, so the Wolverines may be a year away. This is a well-coached team. –Dienhart

Yup.

  • Login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
August 12th, 2013 at 11:51 AM
#2
Erik_in_Dayton
Erik_in_Dayton's picture
Joined: 12/03/2008
MGoPoints: 34198
re: music playing during practices

Is that common at other schools?  It seems like that would be a bad idea unless the purpose is to mimic crowd noise. 

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:07 PM
(Reply to #2) #3
543Church
543Church's picture
Joined: 03/09/2012
MGoPoints: 3933
I recall Rodriguez practices

I recall Rodriguez practices blasting music constantly.  Seemed rather odd.  Probably contributed to all the naughty language the coaches had to yell to be heard over it.

 

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:00 PM
(Reply to #7) #4
Elmer
Elmer's picture
Joined: 04/22/2011
MGoPoints: 5141
Loud Music

Maybe that's why the defense never got "coached-up" by Gerg...among other things.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:09 PM
(Reply to #2) #5
Space Coyote
Space Coyote's picture
Joined: 06/18/2009
MGoPoints: 35079
At many/most colleges it is

At many/most colleges it is. Why? I don't know, I guess the players like it. As a coach I would hate it. I understand piped in sound when preparing a bit for an away game, but I'd want a guy with his hand on the button to shut it off whenever I wanted if I were a coach.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:17 PM
(Reply to #2) #6
BiSB
BiSB's picture
Joined: 08/15/2009
MGoPoints: 44839
Notre Dame used to

I heard Nickelback blasting from the practice field more than once.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:29 PM
(Reply to #13) #7
Blue in Yarmouth
Blue in Yarmouth's picture
Joined: 02/18/2009
MGoPoints: 5720
Maybe this is an old joke...

but given the nickleback hate on this site (well deserved hate I might add) my wife told me this joke she heard a while back:

"If you have a nickleback cd/record and play it backwords you will here the voice of satan telling you to kill people. What's worse....if you play it forward you hear nickleback. "

Again, I don't know if that is an old joke or not, but I thought it was funny given how much everyone here dislikes them.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:30 PM
(Reply to #13) #8
Randy Marsh
Randy Marsh's picture
Joined: 08/28/2010
MGoPoints: 7393
.

Hey their songs speak the truth. It really DOES make me laugh every time I look at this photograph.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:33 PM
(Reply to #2) #9
SC Wolverine
SC Wolverine's picture
Joined: 08/18/2010
MGoPoints: 4338
I went to a Clemson practice and it was constant

I went to a Clemson practice and it was constant country music. A little hilarious.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 11:53 AM
#10
Anonymosity
Anonymosity's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 2480
Summary: Michigan is awesome

Summary: Michigan is awesome at every position and will win the next five NCs.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 11:56 AM
#11
JimBobTressel
JimBobTressel's picture
Joined: 11/28/2010
MGoPoints: 4235
Darboh reminds me of another

Darboh reminds me of another Iowa possesion/ downfield threat receiver, Adrian Arrington. Arrington was athletic (former QB), caught everything on 3rd down, ran great routes and sometimes struck for TDs deep. I was hoping his YMRMFSPA would be that.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:01 PM
(Reply to #4) #12
1 percent
1 percent's picture
Joined: 09/09/2010
MGoPoints: 11173
Florida game!!!!

Florida game!!!!

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:29 PM
(Reply to #4) #13
orangeda
Joined: 06/25/2009
MGoPoints: 372
Thing is, Chesson is built more like Arrington, taller...

slender build with good length, though with a bit more speed, supposedly, where as Darboh is built more like a tank in a WR's body(most people say he could easily be mistaken for a LB).  He's actually built more like Braylon, though shorter and not as fast, either way, very excited to see how he develops based on all the good things we've been hearing about him.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 5:32 PM
(Reply to #41) #14
kevin holt
kevin holt's picture
Joined: 03/16/2010
MGoPoints: 16959
Are you bizarro Fred Jackson? Braylon but smaller

Are you bizarro Fred Jackson? Braylon but smaller and not as fast?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 6:23 PM
(Reply to #41) #15
OmarDontScare
OmarDontScare's picture
Joined: 08/13/2010
MGoPoints: 1800
He may not ever be this good

He may not ever be this good but I picture Darboh as an Anquan Boldin type receiver. Strong, quick, smart with good but not great speed

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:03 PM
#16
gwkrlghl
gwkrlghl's picture
Joined: 04/13/2012
MGoPoints: 71
So if you follow the

So if you follow the Off-Season Rumor Rules (Believe 50% of the Hype, 100% of the Bad), I'd gather that Darboh really might break out into the #2 target (behind Gallon) and the interior of O-Line (maybe just center) will be iffy to start the year

I can't imagine similar levels of praise aren't handed out at most other schools so you really gotta sift through the "Yes. OL is good"

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:11 PM
(Reply to #6) #17
alum96
alum96's picture
Joined: 04/28/2012
MGoPoints: 63601
Yep. Someone posted on the

Yep. Someone posted on the other thread that last year they had high praise for what they saw in Bellomy, Rawls, and Omameh. So yeah, there's that.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:27 PM
(Reply to #11) #18
BiSB
BiSB's picture
Joined: 08/15/2009
MGoPoints: 44839
It was Magnus

And he took some... liberties. The article basically said that Bellomy might be the number 2 (which he was), Rawls looked like a pile-mover (which is fair), and Barnum looked to be strong, though he lacked some of Molk's traits like athleticism. None of it was exactly glowing.

So yeah, take this stuff with a grain of salt, but an appropriately sized grain of salt.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:10 PM
#19
evenyoubrutus
evenyoubrutus's picture
Joined: 11/04/2008
MGoPoints: -7
Given how many corners they

Given how many corners they recruited whose profiles were very similar to Countess (height/weight, average ranking etc) I would certainly hope that at least one of them could have a similar freshman season. Perhaps Lewis will be that guy.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:06 PM
(Reply to #10) #20
Blue_in_Cleveland
Joined: 09/04/2010
MGoPoints: 308
I wouldn't say they have

I wouldn't say they have recruited a lot of corners fitting Countess' profile. Stribling and Dawson are both 6'2 whereas Countess is 5'10. While Douglas is 5'10 he is a low 4*/borderline 3* whereas Countess was a consensus 4*, Army AA ranked in the 100's. Lewis is really the only one fitting that description (actually Lewis was ranked top 100 by several services). If you go back to last year to Richardson, he had a pretty similar profile (Under Armour AA, consensus 4*, ranked mostly in the 100's) albeit he was an inch shorter at 5'9. I have to imagine Lewis is competing with Richardson for the backup field corner position. The key difference this year though, is we don't have to rely on a true freshman stepping up. We actually have 2 returning starters (granted 1 missed a year, but it sounds like that hasn't hurt him) at CB and both seem to be at least average to well above average.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
(Reply to #29) #21
charblue.
charblue.'s picture
Joined: 05/25/2010
MGoPoints: 6617
Stribling played high school locally and helped lead his team

to a second straight state title in the highest class of high school football in North Carolina. He has played in more than 35 games over the past two years and was both a wideout, cornerback and returner, and he was a threat at every position, scoring multiple touchdowns in several games last year on both offense and defense. He is a highly athletic 6'2 athlete with decent speed. His school produced Michigan starting safety Jamar Adams. 

The reason he was recruited is because he shined during a Michigan camp last year and demonstrated the capability described above. I fully expect this kid to surprise a lot of folks when he gets the chance to play. Stribling's team and class has produced a number of Division 1 recruits. And he is from the same school  as Auburn linebacker Kris Frost, who Michigan recruited during RichRod's final season. 

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:11 PM
#22
Smoothitron
Smoothitron's picture
Joined: 05/15/2012
MGoPoints: 3781
Frank Clark reminds Lewan of

Frank Clark reminds Lewan of Clowney?  Given Clowney's performance against Lewan, I wonder if that was a compliment.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:24 PM
(Reply to #12) #23
stephenrjking
stephenrjking's picture
Joined: 03/15/2012
MGoPoints: 20051376
I noticed that too. Does this

I noticed that too. Does this mean that Clark never gets into the backfield unless someone misses an assignment?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:59 PM
(Reply to #16) #24
gopoohgo
gopoohgo's picture
Joined: 09/12/2011
MGoPoints: 8879
The answer is yes (at least, in 2012)

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 8:53 PM
(Reply to #25) #25
UofMDDS96
UofMDDS96's picture
Joined: 10/23/2008
MGoPoints: 7419
I asked Frank

At Youth Day if he dreams of that hit. He responded,"Nope. I dream of hitting him harder this year." Awesome, just awesome.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:26 PM
(Reply to #16) #26
Blueph
Blueph's picture
Joined: 07/08/2008
MGoPoints: 12760
Or...

I'm hoping it means that he destroys every tackle not named Taylor Lewan.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:27 PM
(Reply to #12) #27
Bodogblog
Bodogblog's picture
Joined: 06/08/2010
MGoPoints: 21199
Lewan is quickly becoming the

Lewan is quickly becoming the Fred Jackson of player commentary

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:34 PM
(Reply to #12) #28
orangeda
Joined: 06/25/2009
MGoPoints: 372
Lewan held up exceptionally well against Clowney...

and I know you're kidding, but Lewan has gone on record saying he has a ton of respect for Clowney's game and that he's the most talented player he's ever faced, so it's certainly high praise for Clark.

Let's hope Clark can start translating hype and practice performance to actual game results.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:36 PM
(Reply to #12) #29
DonAZ
DonAZ's picture
Joined: 12/05/2011
MGoPoints: 9478
Clowney

Frank Clark reminds Lewan of Clowney? Given Clowney's performance against Lewan, I wonder if that was a compliment.

I take it a compliment ... and a high one at that.

Sure ... Clowney was not disruptive in the bowl game, save for the one highlight reel hit on Smith.

But my impression was Lewan and Clowney were locked in a bit of a stalemate -- great player vs. great player, each neutralizing the other. 

What I can't recall is any post-game commentary by either player, Clowney or Lewan, about how well the other played, and how much they had to step up their own game to match the other. 

My guess is Lewan brought his A-game and Clowney was equal to it.  I recall an interview where Clowney specifically mentioned "that guy from Michigan" as one of the better he's faced, and this comment by Lewan is testament to his regard for Clowney ... and Clark.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:19 PM
#30
AriGold
Joined: 02/28/2013
MGoPoints: 732
sounds

like a fair evaluation of the team and the direction they are headed...cannot wait until August 31st!!!!

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:22 PM
#31
MichLove
MichLove's picture
Joined: 08/31/2010
MGoPoints: 452
I cannot wait to see these

I cannot wait to see these young guys on the field this year.. 8/31 can't come soon enough!

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:31 PM
#32
stephenrjking
stephenrjking's picture
Joined: 03/15/2012
MGoPoints: 20051376
I'm not sure whether Gallon

I'm not sure whether Gallon will be an Ann Arbor edition of Jerry Rice, or just a quality player emerging from a time of dearth at the receiver position this year. Either way, though, if Darboh and Funchess are right there with him this year as suggested, that is very encouraging.

We need some players to emerge at receiver for the next couple of years to bridge us to Campbell, or our offense is going to have problems. Funchess and Darboh have the potential if they can put it together.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 12:35 PM
(Reply to #21) #33
Daniel
Daniel's picture
Joined: 11/26/2011
MGoPoints: 956
Someone tall and athletic

like Drake Harris, perhaps?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:02 PM
(Reply to #24) #34
Wee-Bey Brice
Wee-Bey Brice's picture
Joined: 05/23/2013
MGoPoints: 6226
I just got word from EL that

I just got word from EL that that's just the media picking favorites again

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:04 PM
#35
Heiko
Heiko's picture
Joined: 08/19/2011
MGoPoints: 9972
A few notes:

Ahem.

  • Bolden ahead of Morgan is likely temporary. Morgan didn't practice Saturday, so I'm guessing he had some sort of boo boo.
  • No mention of Jibreel Black also probably has to do with a boo boo. 
  • Strobel is a 3-tech, Wormley is an SDE. 
  • No one beats Lewan in pass rush like ever.
  • Dymonte Thomas has been splitting time at backup nickel and backup safety.
  • I wouldn't count out Chris Bryant for LG. Other than Kalis, I think the other two interior line positions are pretty wide open. So yes, I am retracting my previous statement that Braden is a lock for LG.
  • I don't think Green and Beyer practiced this weekend. Still, the general sentiment is that Green will be fine. No idea about Beyer though.
Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:08 PM
(Reply to #28) #36
BiSB
BiSB's picture
Joined: 08/15/2009
MGoPoints: 44839
Wait...

We have a 265 pound 3-tech and a 289-pound SDE?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:17 PM
(Reply to #30) #37
Heiko
Heiko's picture
Joined: 08/19/2011
MGoPoints: 9972
Yup. Now will Strobel see the

Yup. Now will Strobel see the field this year? Uh, probably not. 

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:12 PM
(Reply to #28) #38
Space Coyote
Space Coyote's picture
Joined: 06/18/2009
MGoPoints: 35079
The Strobel/Wormley point

Some are probably wondering why Strobel is a 3-tech and Wormley a SDE. It's likely the same reason Black is a 3-tech rather than a SDE, and it has to do with holding up to double teams at this point. Strobel is probably better as an undersized slicing 3-tech that doesn't face as many doubles than he is at 5-tech where it's more important he simply requires to be doubled. Wormley is a little bigger though, and can likely hold up and make plays out of the 5-tech position. I don't have evidence of this, but that would be my assumption right now.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:15 PM
(Reply to #28) #39
Bodogblog
Bodogblog's picture
Joined: 06/08/2010
MGoPoints: 21199
Great news on Bryant.  The

Great news on Bryant.  The lack of mention recently made me think he'd been passed by (even as RS sophmore).  Even if he doesn't take the job, if he's right there it gives us depth and an idea of who steps in next year when Braden moves to tackle.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:17 PM
(Reply to #28) #40
Blue_in_Cleveland
Joined: 09/04/2010
MGoPoints: 308
I see you mentioned that

I see you mentioned that Morgan didn't practice. Do you know if Black practiced? I agree Morgan seems too good to be passed up on the depth chart (although I don't disagree that Bolden should still see lots of time as well), but it doesn't seem inconceivable that Black could be passed up. Also, is the comment on Strobel's and Wormley's positions due to observation or supposition? Wormley is a lot bigger (well, heavier) so I just assume he would be inside with Strobel on the outside.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:22 PM
(Reply to #35) #41
Heiko
Heiko's picture
Joined: 08/19/2011
MGoPoints: 9972
Black didn't practice,

Black didn't practice, either. That's why I'm guessing he had a boo boo. Strobel's and Wormley's positions come from people who have been at Michigan's practice.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:23 PM
(Reply to #35) #42
Blue_in_Cleveland
Joined: 09/04/2010
MGoPoints: 308
OK, I see Space Coyote

OK, I see Space Coyote responded to the SDE/3DT question while I was typing. Do we know why the article assigned Strobel to SDE and Wormley to 3DT though? It almost sounds as if it is based on observation.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:25 PM
(Reply to #37) #43
Heiko
Heiko's picture
Joined: 08/19/2011
MGoPoints: 9972
They were in nickel, so

They were in nickel, so having a guy next to Wormley in a four-man front could have made him look like a 3-tech.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:56 PM
(Reply to #38) #44
Space Coyote
Space Coyote's picture
Joined: 06/18/2009
MGoPoints: 35079
From what I hear

From what I hear from my sources - which don't exist - is that Wormley is better at defending the bubble screen from the 5-tech, and Borges has just surprise attacked the defense all Fall camp so far by bubble screening at least 50% of the time to the strong side. It sounds crazy, but it's what I've gathered from a nonsensical thought process based on nothing what-so-ever.

Could you possibly touch on that Heiko? Maybe ask Borges if 50% of his plays are bubble screens now at the next presser? TIA.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 4:13 PM
(Reply to #42) #45
philibuster
Joined: 08/10/2009
MGoPoints: 2994
Hmm... seems like a trap.

Hmm... seems like a trap.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 4:24 PM
(Reply to #53) #46
M-Wolverine
M-Wolverine's picture
Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 42199
(No subject)

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:26 PM
(Reply to #37) #47
Space Coyote
Space Coyote's picture
Joined: 06/18/2009
MGoPoints: 35079
For whatever it's worth

I'm guessing the goal is to have them somewhat interchangable eventually. As Heiko said, Strobel likely won't see the field a lot this year. May be just moving them around to give Wormley practice at both for now, while they are likely to get the majority of their snaps for the time being at the positions Heiko said.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:08 PM
#48
bronxblue
Joined: 11/22/2008
MGoPoints: 59223
Everyone is high on Clark,

Everyone is high on Clark, but I just hope he can provide a moderate amount of pass rush. The fact he keeps getting hyped almost worries me at this pint. The best players you just kind of expect to be great, so no need to talk them up. But still optimistic.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 2:11 PM
(Reply to #31) #49
ChiBlueBoy
ChiBlueBoy's picture
Joined: 10/11/2011
MGoPoints: 5704
Not everyone

I'm high on life.

...and heroine.

 

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 2:37 PM
(Reply to #47) #50
M-Wolverine
M-Wolverine's picture
Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 42199
Like this?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
August 12th, 2013 at 1:57 PM
#51
borninAnnArbor
borninAnnArbor's picture
Joined: 10/10/2012
MGoPoints: 1680
Young Talent

With all of the young talent, I really hope Gardner decides to stay another year.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
  • 1
  • 2
  • next ›
  • last »
Powered by Drupal, an open source content management system
Theme provided by Roopletheme; sidebars adapted from Chris Murphy.