Michigan Football Tidbits: Some Thoughts on Today's Practice
We're in, and by we I mean Tim. Huzzah.
A few quick notes from today's practice. More coming this afternoon, since Rich will meet with the press at the conclusion of practice.
- If Vincent Smith is actually 5-6ish, there is no way Denard Robinson is anything taller than 5-10. Denard is overstated on the roster, but I also think Smith might be a little taller than previously thought.
- Denard didn't look too shaky during practice. I know other reports have been concerned with his throwing, but it didn't seem too bad. That doesn't mean he's the next Peyton Manning, but he's certainly capable of throwing it.
- A little bit more on this in the coming days, but it seems as though the infamous "Frozen O-line" play from the beginning of last year will be changed for 2009. [Editor's note: this was the play where no one on the offense would move except for the QB and the WRs; it was designed to pull opponents offside and prevent them from jumping the snap and only worked intermittently.] Instead of the QB floating a ball deep, he was taking a knee. This might will encourage the referees to actually make an offsides call.
- Kevin Grady was playing both fullback and tailback during practice. He lined up at fullback in the I-formation (as did Moundros).
- The most impressive player to me was Mike Cox. Especially during the "M" drill, he was running with authority, breaking a couple tackles, and using a combination of power and jukes to run it. He's not quite Brandon Minor (who did not practice), but he's definitely going to be a useful replacement when Minor moves on (or is inevitably injured during the course of the year).
- Speaking of Cox, Troy Woolfolk uncorked a big hit on him during one of the reps in the "M" drill.
- Darryl Stonum tweaked a knee blocking during the drill. He looked to be in pain, but got up and walked off on his own power. Hopefully that means it's nothing serious.
- In other minor injury news, Fitzgerald Toussaint tweaked his left biceps, but again, it didn't appear to be too serious
August 14th, 2009 at 11:41 AM ^
Especially the one of T-Rob, which shows that a.) he hasn't transferred yet, and b.) is physically capable of catching a pass.
Odoms was certainly a revelation last year (when he took the not-so-sticky gloves off at least). But Robinson was the opening day starter, I believe, and I still have pretty high hopes for him. Hopefully he can earn his way back near the top of the depth chart.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:42 AM ^
You're giving away the frozen o-line play!
August 14th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^
seriously, don't be giving away our trick plays.
however, i don't understand how it could be used to draw a team/player offsides. the o-line is frozen after the ball is snapped. how can the defense then be offsides?
August 14th, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
The line isn't drawing anyone off. The snap count is. The OL was freezing last year to avoid committing a penalty themselves, and negating the opposition's penalty.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:13 PM ^
I thought the exclamation point gave away my sarcasm. Perhaps not enough.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:43 AM ^
I had forgotten about those last year.
Is it wise to just take a knee and hope? They werent called offsides last year, not even close.
Taking a knee will just cost a down. I'd rather see them just run their play and not hope the refs calls something.
Also: great post and photos. I look forward to a lot more of this MGoTim.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
BTW, for those who haven't looked in depth at the photos, Justin Turner was practicing in #2, but wasn't in pads yet.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^
Since you mentioned Stonum blocking, how well did he actually do at that? WRs blocking is obviously very important for many of the spread and shred's bread-and-butter plays to work. A good WR block can actually allow a player to gain positive yards as compared to last year when our blocking wasn't so good and those plays resulted in loss of yards.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^
Hmph. From Dave Birkett:
Michigan's punt returners are having problems catching (or judging) the ball. During the morning punt period, with no oncoming cover team, return men Carlos Brown, Terrence Robinson and Martavious Odoms dropped three consecutive catchable balls. Mathews finally broke the streak with an easy snag on a line drive punt near the sideline.Will it ever end?
August 14th, 2009 at 12:01 PM ^
Honestly, wtf.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:01 PM ^
is the one of Warren about to catch a punt. Notice Barwis in the background screaming while holding a practice dummy? What is the over/under on number of times Barwis pegged someone right before they dropped those punts? 100? Infinite?
August 14th, 2009 at 12:02 PM ^
Now is when I have to ask, who is coaching special teams? Because there is definitely something that they need to work on.
This also makes me worried about their ability to catch passes too.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:42 PM ^
Do we have a dedicated special teams coach? I think RR handles the special teams which is different than the way he did it in West Virginia where Bill Stewart handled it. May be time to add one to the staff? Not that I expect that to help with dropped balls or anything though.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:48 PM ^
it is handled by committee. You can't really add on as they are at the maximum amount of coaches. One of the position coaches would have to take over that duty full time.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:02 PM ^
is the one of Warren about to catch a punt. Notice Barwis in the background screaming while holding a practice dummy? What is the over/under on number of times Barwis pegged someone right before they dropped those punts? 100? Infinite?
August 14th, 2009 at 4:37 PM ^
they should try Vince Smith at punt returner...he seems to have good hands and certainly has the quicks and moves to be a good punt returner.... im just sayin.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^
glad to hear he made some noise. he's my choice for irrational fandom this season, just because his dad gave me so many great saturdays in my youth.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:05 PM ^
Matthews and Warren looked pretty consistent, but a lot of the younger guys (Odoms, Gallon, Roundtree, Cissoko) seemed to have some problems.
RE: WR blocking: I didn't notice Stonum too much, but Roundtree and Hemingway both seemed to be doing really well in the M drill blocking.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:32 PM ^
Location: Miami
Year: 2008
Height: 6-0
Weight: 176
40-Yard Dash: 4.38
Short Shuttle: 4.34
Vertical Jump: 36.5"
3-Cone: 7.28
Broad Jump: 10-1
Interesting commentary on Dernard's size (noted observation).
August 14th, 2009 at 12:14 PM ^
Awesome keep it coming please
August 14th, 2009 at 12:34 PM ^
I second that, great coverage!
August 14th, 2009 at 12:34 PM ^
Sweet, that's the first I've heard about Mike Cox. It's good to hear he's not just a legacy scholarship and could actually become a major contributor. Also, I can start making bad jokes again.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
Cox isn't a legacy.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:39 PM ^
Figure of speech; he was recruited for DeBord's system and stayed on for the RR era. I know he's from a background that was unrelated to Michigan.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:15 PM ^
...to channel the Church Lady when she had Walter Payton on her show, I can't wait until Mike Cox penetrates any opening he can find in 2010.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:37 PM ^
Who is number 8 in white catching punts?
August 14th, 2009 at 1:18 PM ^
Are you sure it isn't #6 - Je'Ron Stokes.....
And for the future.....
http://www.mgoblue.com/football/page.aspx?id=181772&sortBy=number&sport…
August 14th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
I know how to find the roster. You're an ass.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:41 PM ^
Looking at the large versions of the images, it appears to be 9, not 8.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:45 PM ^
Thanks GCS.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
It's good to hear about Cox, we are going to have a stable of backs this year that can do big things as long as they stay healthy.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:26 PM ^
Please tell me those are some sort of practice jerseys destined to never see the inside of the Big House...
August 14th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^
Just like the other Adidas wearing teams. No worries, although some posters here would actually like the white ones to be the road jerseys.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:33 PM ^
Thank you, I think my heart had actually stopped.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
I love those practice jerseys... but of course, only for practice, not for games... but IMHO they are sweet looking for practice. I want one.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:42 PM ^
Tim, that's a nice camera you got there!
August 14th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
has demonstrated that the additions to the blog are terrific. Thanks.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:06 PM ^
Is Toussaint going to play defense or RB? I have read that he is an ideal RB for the system.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:00 PM ^
Yes he is going to play RB. I'm hoping he redshirts but he is an ideal fit.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:05 PM ^
Thanks Tim.
August 15th, 2009 at 12:21 PM ^
AAARRGGGHHH!!! I wish they had left that out, just so I can stop worrying about it. Someone on the roster has to have the ability to wave and catch. Who cares about what they do after the catch? Just get someone who can secure it for god's sake!
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