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
  • 14 Months Ago: The Fire Beilein Threads.
    stephenrjking - 3 weeks ago
  • Loyola-Chicago: A First Glance
    Bambi - 3 weeks ago
  • PreSpring Football updates from Sam Webb
    AZBlue - 4 weeks ago
  • ‹‹
  • 2 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 - 197 views
  • This Month in MGoBlog History - March 2008: Pryor isn't coming, Boren has left, and some academic fraud allegations sprinkled in
    Maize.Blue Wagner - 215 comments
  • 14 Months Ago: The Fire Beilein Threads.
    stephenrjking - 91 comments
  • PreSpring Football updates from Sam Webb
    AZBlue - 90 comments
  • Thirteen unlucky minutes (TL;DNR-This is a bit of rant about the refs)
    docwhoblocked - 61 comments
  • It's time to avenge Villanova's 1985 NCAA tourney upset over Michigan
    Communist Football - 11 comments
  •  
  • 1 of 2
  • ››
more

MGoBoard

  • New
  • Recent
  • Hot
  • Nebraska football
    56 replies
  • Lacrosse Hosts #7 Hopkins, Noon, airing on BTN+
    17 replies
  • This Week/Weekend's Football Visitors
    29 replies
  • OT: NFL draft prospects with (state of) Michigan (but not UM/MSU) ties
    5 replies
  • Michigan basketball pursuing Pitt guard transfer Marcus Carr
    17 replies
  • Schembechler Hall practice field ripped out (photos)
    38 replies
  • The Evolution of Commerce - What Industries are Dying, What's Thriving?
    131 replies
  • Softball Wins Series Opener Over Maryland, 6-0
    10 replies
  • OT: How do some student-athletes finish a bachelors so quickly (to transfer)?
    57 replies
  • OT: Avicii dead at 28
    72 replies
  • Chase Young becomes highest drafted Michigan lacrosse player
    20 replies
  • Podcast discussion on the conference
    31 replies
  • Matthews Declares WITHOUT agent
    46 replies
  • OT - Jalen Hurts possibly looking to transfer
    119 replies
  • Game Day Condos - who's gonna buy one?
    71 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 6
  • ››
  • Nebraska football
    56 replies
  • This Week/Weekend's Football Visitors
    29 replies
  • OT: Avicii dead at 28
    72 replies
  • Lacrosse Hosts #7 Hopkins, Noon, airing on BTN+
    17 replies
  • The Evolution of Commerce - What Industries are Dying, What's Thriving?
    131 replies
  • Schembechler Hall practice field ripped out (photos)
    38 replies
  • OT: How do some student-athletes finish a bachelors so quickly (to transfer)?
    57 replies
  • Michigan basketball pursuing Pitt guard transfer Marcus Carr
    17 replies
  • Matthews Declares WITHOUT agent
    46 replies
  • OT: NFL draft prospects with (state of) Michigan (but not UM/MSU) ties
    5 replies
  • OT - Jalen Hurts possibly looking to transfer
    119 replies
  • RIP Earle Bruce
    53 replies
  • Apparently, the NCAA has already received a response from MSU about Nassar
    64 replies
  • Softball Wins Series Opener Over Maryland, 6-0
    10 replies
  • Game Day Condos - who's gonna buy one?
    71 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 6
  • ››
  • Why should we be optimistic about 2018 M football?
    273 replies
  • Belleville coach Jermain Crowell mad at UM again
    244 replies
  • Police investigating Elysee Mbem-Bosse for death threat against Harbaugh
    224 replies
  • "Being Not-Rich at UM" Guide
    168 replies
  • Buckle Up
    159 replies
  • Semi-OT: What sports would you fix?
    158 replies
  • Scouting the Enemy: Ohio State QBs are Good
    158 replies
  • Elysee Mbem-Bosse disturbing tweets
    157 replies
  • Whats the Best Way to Make Flight Arrangements?
    149 replies
  • Urban Meyer throws more shade at Michigan
    141 replies
  • FB new Nutrition plan under Herbert is well received by players
    132 replies
  • The Evolution of Commerce - What Industries are Dying, What's Thriving?
    131 replies
  • What past season would you have liked to see an Amazon-style documentary on?
    121 replies
  • OT: best-selling musical artists by state of birth
    120 replies
  • OT - Jalen Hurts possibly looking to transfer
    119 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 6
  • ››

Support MGoBlog: buy stuff at Amazon

Superficial Spring Bullets

By Brian — April 17th, 2010 at 4:29 PM — 79 comments
Filed under:
  • denard robinson
  • denard robinson is made of dilithium
  • devin gardner
  • justin turner
  • spring game
  • tate forcier

denard-robinson-signs-forehead

Get used to it, Denard?

I'll try to figure out some more stuff after the replay at 8 but for now, things I noticed. They are mostly about offensive skill position players, because I'm a person.

Denard! Denard! Denard! Disclaimer: It was all ones versus twos and whatnot, so Denard took the starting offense against a motley collection of walk-ons and Tate took a bunch of freshmen up against the first team defense. The playing field was far from level.

That said, holy crap. Robinson looks like a quarterback now. A running quarterback with rudimentary passing abilities, but a quarterback. There were zone reads and screens and rollout passes and a number of zippy seams that hit players between the numbers. When the offense broke down, Robinson made the concept of "pursuit angles" humorous. Putting him on the edge, as suggested by the coaches' clinic tea leaves, puts the defense in a bind. His throws were all on a line but they were accurate aside from a couple mediocre bubble screens. There were multiple times where I was thinking "just run why don't youuuu runnnnn" and he zipped a pass in for a first down or touchdown.

How close to Forcier's passing does Robinson have to get if he's going to start? If Forcier can't set up in the pocket and throw on rhythm, how far apart are they now? It'll be an interesting summer for both guys. Right now it looks like edge Denard.

As for Forcier: Hemingway's absence and the sparing use of Stokes saddled Tate with a couple of true freshmen at wideout, so it's hard to tell whether or not the helter-skelter offense Tate was running was just Tate doing what he does or the receivers screwing up the rhythm of the offense. Wild guess: some of both. Tate also fumbled (again) and chucked a pass that Mike Jones should have picked off. Robinson didn't have anything close to a turnover.

Meanwhile, Devin Gardner looked raw as hell, fumbling snaps, scrambling into trouble, and reverting to that ugly shotput motion whenever he was forced to throw on the run. He looked like a freshman, which is okay because he is a freshman. However, the torrent of spring hype that suggested Gardner would probably not redshirt because he would be Michigan's best quarterback by UConn… eh, not so much. Maybe it was just a bad day. Even if it was an off day, Robinson showed enough to relegate Gardner to the bench for the first couple games and hopefully his whole freshman year.

Gardner did show the his deep touch on a third and long seam to Odoms that was laid in perfectly. Odoms dropped it.

Flipside of all those seams. The concerns about things like four verticals expressed in the Coaches' Clinic Tea Leaves were amply demonstrated. Virtually all of Michigan's big yardage plays that weren't Robinson teleporting from place to place came on seams right up the hashes. Michigan's got to get that fixed.

Vlad… em? Vlad Emilien was wearing a knee brace of some sort so it's likely he's not 100%, but he got dusted by Roy Roundtree (who we last saw getting tracked down on a similar play) on Robinson's 97-yard touchdown. Roundtree tacked on five yards by the time they hit the endzone. Meanwhile, Teric Jones made up most of the ground. Thankfully, not all of it. Roundtree getting tackled at the one on that would have been a dark omen.

Further adventures in Justin Turner worry. It's one thing to be behind JT Floyd, who did look considerably more confident on the short stuff Michigan was trying to his side, but with Woolfolk out with a minor injury it was James Rogers who moved up to the ones. A position move beckons.

Tailback clarity. Nil. There weren't a whole lot of big plays from the tailbacks. Mike Cox had a nice touchdown and Stephen Hopkins lived up to his rep as a thunderous runner who should find himself staring down third and short most of the  year. Austin White is headed for a redshirt. Cox, Toussaint, and Shaw are all in a blender.

Defense thoughts. I did what everyone does and watched the ball more than anything, so I don't have a ton of useful stuff on the D yet. I thought Van Bergen looked like he'll be a pretty good defensive end, maybe all conference level. When Floyd came up on the short stuff he tackled solidly. Most of the stuff in the middle happened against the second team defense.

I did notice the bandit playing deep off the LOS frequently when Michigan went to the spread; Kovacs in deep coverage is going to be a scary issue all year.

We have field goal problems? I expected the placekicking to be a circus given the grim reports from spring, but other than a couple of misfires off of poor snaps from the backup longsnapper the two guys at the top of the depth chart looked solid.

Punter, meanwhile… it's Hagerup's job. If Hagerup tears an ACL it might be Tate Forcier's job. Spring started with speculation of a Robinson position move, but now it seems that Forcier moving (or, rather, pulling double duty) is a more realistic possibility. Not that either are particularly realistic.

  • 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.
April 17th, 2010 at 4:34 PM
#2
gremlin
gremlin's picture
Joined: 01/13/2009
MGoPoints: 593
I was also impressed with

I was also impressed with Floyd's tackling. Especially when he made an open field solid hit on the much bigger Hopkins.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:40 PM
#3
mattbern
mattbern's picture
Joined: 09/11/2008
MGoPoints: 333
At this rate, Roy Roundtree

At this rate, Roy Roundtree will be a unanimous selection to the Spring Game Hall of Fame.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:40 PM
#4
goblue232
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 236
In the Presser

In the Presser Rich Rod said that "Pat White in his Redshirt Freshman year (2nd year) was right about where Denard is right now"...Rich Rod said this with a big smile at first and then took a couple steps back with his praise, but it seems Rich Rod is really liking the direction Denard is going in.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:57 PM
(Reply to #4) #5
those.who.stay.
those.who.stay.'s picture
Joined: 12/31/2008
MGoPoints: 3001
Anywhere I can watch the post-game presser

online?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:46 PM
#6
colin
colin's picture
Joined: 07/01/2008
MGoPoints: 1467
The four verts thing

is an issue, but not exactly unexpected. The vanilla versions of the O and D probably meant a lot of Cover 1/3 vs. Rich Rod's base pass package. I'm pretty sure that's the first pass concept he installs.

Also Im pretty sure Denard's pass to Roundtree for the TD came off a fire zone blitz that th line picked up beautifully. Left Roundtree running across the defense that was flowing the other way.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:53 PM
#7
those.who.stay.
those.who.stay.'s picture
Joined: 12/31/2008
MGoPoints: 3001
Denard Robinson

Weapon of Choice.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:00 PM
(Reply to #6) #8
Mlaw1984
Joined: 07/03/2008
MGoPoints: -1
I was thinking....

..the EXACT same thing. DR made me feel today just like TF made me feel last spring: hopeful.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:56 PM
#9
MGoValiant
MGoValiant's picture
Joined: 03/21/2010
MGoPoints: 298
8:00 cant get here fast enough

So, the first team offense went against the second team defense and the second team offense went against the first team defense? Why? I don't understand. Did the first teams scrimmage each other at all today?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 9:48 PM
(Reply to #7) #10
goody
goody's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1532
Gives you a more equal look

with the offense winning some and then the defense winning some

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 4:57 PM
#11
Blueskins
Blueskins's picture
Joined: 12/02/2009
MGoPoints: 12
Turner to linebacker I guess.

Turner to linebacker I guess.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:03 PM
(Reply to #9) #12
Mlaw1984
Joined: 07/03/2008
MGoPoints: -1
I think

his more natural position is safety.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:44 PM
(Reply to #11) #13
mattbern
mattbern's picture
Joined: 09/11/2008
MGoPoints: 333
So you think he will be a

So you think he will be a supernatural safety?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:40 PM
(Reply to #11) #14
MGoPacquiao
MGoPacquiao's picture
Joined: 12/13/2008
MGoPoints: 414
Yeah, he looked enormous at

Yeah, he looked enormous at CB. On Roundtree's reverse, I laughed watching Stonum try to block him. I wouldn't say I'm worried about him, but I guess it's unfortunate he outgrew the position.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:53 PM
(Reply to #11) #15
kman23
kman23's picture
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 288
Turner should replace Kovacs

This is just my guess but I think the ideal Michigan secondary has Turner replacing Kocavs as the weak side safety (is that the bandit or spur?). That weak side safety needs to be able to drop into a deep zone (Turner is faster than Kovacs), cover a TE/WR running a seam route (he was a 5 star CB), and contain the weak side (he is a big guy with decent speed). To me Turner is perfect for this position.

The deep safety needs to fly and if Floyd is going to win the 2nd corner spot why not put Dorsey there? I know having a true freshman as the last line of defense is scary but would you rather have a RS Freshman who isn't all that fast (Emilien), a recent WR convert (Gordon), or a natural DB that can catch almost any Big 10 WR? Also, if the front 10 do there job then Dorsey can just read and react to the quarterback. Dorsey can probably cover 80% of the field (sideline to sideline) on deep throws. No QB without a cannon is going to risk a deep throw near him.

The really question to me is what happens to the strong side safety. Does it go to Marvin Robinson (like it probably should) or Emilien (if he's moved), Gordon, Kovacs, Williams, Furman or someone else? This position is similar to Stevie Brown's position last year (LB/S mix) and Robinson has the ideal size and speed for this position. I know having 3 young safeties is terrifying but I'd rather have talent on the field that makes freshman mistakes over veterans that just don't have enough talent for the Big 10 (Williams & Kovacs).

So I guess my ideal secondary would have Woolfolk and Floyd start at CB (Christian can be the third string CB), Dorsey at FS, Turner at the weak safety spot, and Robinson in the strong safety spot. That secondary would be big, fast, and talented. Then next year the only adjustment you'd have to make is replacing Woolfolk, but then you just bump Floyd and Christian up one spot.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 8:26 PM
(Reply to #38) #16
Gustavo Fring
Gustavo Fring's picture
Joined: 09/29/2009
MGoPoints: 1733
Not a fan of the Gordons?

I think I'd rather have Gordon at deep safety. Though Floyd looked good, I'm still not sold on his ability to run with speedy receivers.

I thought both Gordons looked good today, as Thomas had a couple of nice plays.

I think Dorsey should play corner. He's got great speed and if he makes freshman mistakes, at least he's not the last line of defense. As for the safeties, I'd be happy with a starting trio of the Gordons and Turner, or Cam Gordon, Turner, and Emilien.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:16 PM
#17
jg2112
jg2112's picture
Joined: 11/25/2008
MGoPoints: 7764
Regarding the running backs,

Regarding the running backs, their performance today should not be unexpected. They got a normal distribution of rushing outcomes against a solid defensive front, one that has been practicing against them for a month (and of course, all previous years too) and knows all their plays pretty well.

It should have been much more concerning had the defense not made as many solid tackles as they did today. I was very happy with the rushing defense. Ezeh, Mouton, Roh and C. Gordon, in particular, seemed very effective.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:17 PM
#18
jg2112
jg2112's picture
Joined: 11/25/2008
MGoPoints: 7764
Oh

And........

Denard's gonna rush for 1,000 yards this year. I'm not sure how anyone will contain him to his 2009 rushing average (5.1 ypr) when he is able to run this many parts of RR's offense with competence.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:42 PM
(Reply to #13) #19
Michigan Arrogance
Michigan Arrogance's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 15317
well, in the fall the D

well, in the fall the D *will* be allowed to tackle him, right?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:57 PM
(Reply to #15) #20
WolvinLA2
WolvinLA2's picture
Joined: 11/13/2009
MGoPoints: 52761
That's easier said than done.

That's easier said than done.

I agree, I think DRob rushes for over 1,000 yards, and I think there will be at least one game where he runs for over 200 yards.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:20 PM
(Reply to #18) #21
TIMMMAAY
TIMMMAAY's picture
Joined: 09/08/2008
MGoPoints: 41349
Do you think

He's our starter?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:38 PM
(Reply to #24) #22
maizenbluenation
Joined: 08/20/2009
MGoPoints: 577
In a Word......

Yes. I went into the stadium today expecting to see an improved Denard but not to the degree that I saw today. The way he can run the ball combined with his closing the gap passing wise with Tate, I would peg him as your likely starter for UConn. (I can't believe I'm even writing this based on my mindset coming into the day)

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:57 PM
(Reply to #25) #23
TIMMMAAY
TIMMMAAY's picture
Joined: 09/08/2008
MGoPoints: 41349
Well

I definitely like what I saw out of Denard today, but I'm still not convinced he's going to be our starter. I think a lot of it will depend on our receiving corps and how they look after fall camp. In my mind Tate is still the tentative starter, the heat is on for sure, but I still have faith.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:06 PM
(Reply to #28) #24
Blue boy johnson
Joined: 03/15/2009
MGoPoints: 6351
I was just going to reply to

I was just going to reply to your Nostradamus post and it no longer exists!! That was weird, it existed when I hit reply.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:14 PM
(Reply to #31) #25
TIMMMAAY
TIMMMAAY's picture
Joined: 09/08/2008
MGoPoints: 41349
yeah

This is way weird. I was just thinking: I know I posted in that thread, where's my comment? Wtf just happened? Then I accidentally hit [control]+<, and my scroll changed to zoom etc.. thought I was losing it.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:19 PM
(Reply to #33) #26
Blue boy johnson
Joined: 03/15/2009
MGoPoints: 6351
I guess when they decided to

I guess when they decided to remove the ludicrous post you responded to, they removed yours to keep the thread in context.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:30 PM
(Reply to #34) #27
TIMMMAAY
TIMMMAAY's picture
Joined: 09/08/2008
MGoPoints: 41349
Yeah

I figured. And holy hell broken html tags! Too bad I can't fix it now, I miss preview.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:11 PM
(Reply to #25) #28
JD_UofM_90
JD_UofM_90's picture
Joined: 11/09/2009
MGoPoints: 4186
Agreed...

There is no way I thought Denard would/could be our starter on opening day. After today's game performance, I would be(and scared to even say) comfortable (gulp) if they said Denard was our starting QB. Denard played WAY above expectations. Tate played like Tate (hints of brilliance broken up by some absolutly terrible decisions) and Devon, played like a Freshman who had enough positive plays to show off his tons of future potential....

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 8:32 PM
(Reply to #32) #29
tjyoung
Joined: 08/23/2009
MGoPoints: 467
how can you be scared to say

how can you be scared to say you're comfortable? aren't those two conflicting feelings of a similar category? =)

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:19 PM
(Reply to #15) #30
joeyb
joeyb's picture
Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 14048
in the fall the D will be

in the fall the D will be *allowed* to tackle him. However, I don't think they will be able to. There were A LOT of plays where they got a hand on him but not two and would have been gone had they been allowed to tackle him.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 10:03 AM
(Reply to #15) #31
chitownblue2
chitownblue2's picture
Joined: 06/03/2009
MGoPoints: 7174
The no-contact rule goes both

The no-contact rule goes both ways. He was whistled down at least 3 times when he was grazed by the flailing hands of someone he had juked the shit out of.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:36 PM
#32
beantownwolve
Joined: 05/15/2009
MGoPoints: 34
JT

Seems like some combination of Turner, Cam Gordon, Marvin, Thomas Gordon, and Kovacs should fill the spots currently occupied by the Gordons and Kovacs. Then, Dorsey would start out at corner along with Christian and others filling out the depth behind Floyd and Woolfolk.

Appears that there is some semblance of depth being created.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 5:51 PM
#33
Maize n Blue
Maize n Blue's picture
Joined: 09/09/2009
MGoPoints: 675
New Zoltan-"hand-sign" for Will Hagerup

I was deeply saddened today when I was unable to throw up the Zoltan-Z today on 4th down and it got me looking to the future.

I move that we turn the Zoltan-Z 90 degrees creating somewhat of an H. If there is stern opposition to this, we could always just put our thumbs together creating a W, but I'm one for maintaining tradition.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 19th, 2010 at 7:30 PM
(Reply to #17) #34
Captain
Captain's picture
Joined: 06/12/2009
MGoPoints: 12438
To me, a Z rotated 90 degrees

To me, a Z rotated 90 degrees looks more like a N.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:58 PM
(Reply to #20) #35
kman23
kman23's picture
Joined: 08/03/2009
MGoPoints: 288
Good News!

This news really excites me. Do you know which LB position he was playing? I really don't know whether I'd rather see Mouton or Ezeh replace but replacing both of them should be key this summer.

Can Demens drop into coverage or is he a strictly blitz, blitz, blitz LB?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 1:16 PM
(Reply to #39) #36
Maize and Blue ...
Maize and Blue 4 Life's picture
Joined: 03/15/2009
MGoPoints: 6186
The book on Demens

is he can definitely find the ball carrier, but is not very good in coverage. The 3-3-5 will basically take away coverage responsibility (in most cases) from the MIKE which is where Kenny was playing.
I've heard good things about Mouton this spring. Maybe a carry over from the OSU game last year.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 19th, 2010 at 11:28 AM
(Reply to #39) #37
msoccer10
Joined: 08/29/2008
MGoPoints: 1754
Call me crazy

but I expect both Mouton and Ezeh to have great years. I think Demens and Fitzgerald will play in a rotation with those two, but they won't replace them. Depth and keeping the d fresh are two things the coaches keep harping on, so I don't expect any player to lock down a position and never come off the field. And I don't think the two linebackers will be dropping into coverage much except to cover shallow crossing routes. That is one of the points of the 3-3-5.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:05 PM
#38
West Texas Blue
West Texas Blue's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 1843
The five minutes of punting

The five minutes of punting was "OMG My Eyes!!!!!" Seriously, kids in the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick competiton could have punted for us today.

Front seven was pretty solid, IMO. The secondary, though, is still a mess. Hoepfully the incoming freshmen and fall camp can help iron out some of the issues or otherwise it's bombs away on our D.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:00 PM
(Reply to #21) #39
JD_UofM_90
JD_UofM_90's picture
Joined: 11/09/2009
MGoPoints: 4186
Hands down...

from todays game, the best punter on the team right now, is Tate Forcier.... A surprise, the field goal kickers were actually not that bad....

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 1:14 AM
(Reply to #30) #40
GoBlue93
Joined: 04/18/2010
MGoPoints: 0
Kickers

Kickers didn't do to bad today. Pauloski was 8-8 and Gibbons only missed 2 on the day. Any thoughts on who is going to be the starter?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 12:38 PM
(Reply to #55) #41
joeyb
joeyb's picture
Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 14048
That's probably a game-time

That's probably a game-time decision and depends on the situation and who was better in practice that week. If it's inside the 40, I would say Pauloski because he is the more accurate of the two. If it's longer than 45, it's probably Gibbons because he has the stronger leg.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:05 PM
#42
KBLOW
KBLOW's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 9762
If Robinson can continue his

If Robinson can continue his development then things bode well even if Forcier plays just like he did last year. However, by next Sept. I expect both will be even better than they are now. YAY! Now just get that D improved...

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:42 PM
#43
maizenbluenation
Joined: 08/20/2009
MGoPoints: 577
This may sound crazy but.....

Brian, do you think you could UFR the game? I know the results won't be crazy accurate as it was first team vs. second team for both offense and defense (so the first team grades should be inflated) but it would still be cool to see the breakdown as well as some desperately needed charts around these parts.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:32 PM
(Reply to #27) #44
Brian
Brian's picture
Joined: 05/26/2008
MGoPoints: 118049
I'm planning on something

I'm planning on something approximating a UFR. Won't be until next week probably since the video won't be up until Tuesday.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 6:57 PM
#45
Blazefire
Blazefire's picture
Joined: 04/17/2009
MGoPoints: 25034
Tate

I need to see more of him with the ones, but my feeling now is, "I will not be worried about one or the other starting. They both can." And truly, edge Denard, but again, ones vs. twos. I mean, really, that freshman collection against a defense of RVB, Campbell and the like? That was unfair.

That said, Tate got screwed out of one 60 yard TD run. He made an ankle breaking juke of the only defender anywhere near him, but the defender got about two fingers on him, so the judge whistled it dead.

That said, on a subsequent play, RVB got screwed out of a solid tackle when he had a pretty good hand on Tate and it DIDN'T get whistled dead.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 9:27 AM
(Reply to #29) #46
Seth
Seth's picture
Joined: 10/14/2008
MGoPoints: 94411
The play you were referring

The play you were referring to was one of several where I saw Anthony LaLota uselessly chasing a quarterback, kind of like a smaller Pat Massey. I know he's the Taylor Lewan of the defense, but at this point he is not ready (or else our QBs make all DEs look like fools).

Speaking of Taylor Lewan, anyone else notice he was out there on both the 1st and 2nd teams? And was doing really well? Injuries or no injuries, I get the feeling that RR was getting this guy as much practice as possible in anticipation of him being the guy at LT come fall.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 2:23 PM
(Reply to #60) #47
Magnus
Magnus's picture
Joined: 07/17/2008
MGoPoints: 122951
With Dorrestein out, there

With Dorrestein out, there aren't a whole lot of options at tackle. Lewan, Schofield, and Huyge are about it. Barnum and Omameh can play tackle, but they're more guards than anything.

The offensive line is pretty thin on numbers, especially with a few guys out due to injury. By my count, the only scholarship linemen available for the spring game were: Lewan, Schofield, Huyge, Khoury, Mealer, Pace, Ferrara, Schilling, Barnum, and Omameh. Am I missing anyone?

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 7:32 PM
#48
Coldwater
Joined: 12/14/2008
MGoPoints: 7014
I just don't see why Tate

I just don't see why Tate rarely takes his 3 step drop and flings the ball to a receiver. Why does he always! scramble and turn every pass play into a backyard helter skelter free for all?

I know that's his style and his skill set allows him to do that, but come on man, pull the trigger.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 17th, 2010 at 8:17 PM
(Reply to #37) #49
Blazefire
Blazefire's picture
Joined: 04/17/2009
MGoPoints: 25034
He did

show EXCELLENT pocket poise on a couple of passes. That one about 25 yards on 3rd down was excellent.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 18th, 2010 at 1:10 PM
(Reply to #37) #50
Maize and Blue ...
Maize and Blue 4 Life's picture
Joined: 03/15/2009
MGoPoints: 6186
Seriously

He was out there with two EE freshmen WR who could still be in HS. Neither Miller or Robinson are burners that would cause the DBs to give a big cushion. Three step drop patterns are easily jumped especially when you don't fear the WR beating you deep.

Top
  • Login or register to post comments
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:28 AM
(Reply to #37) #51
Blue in Yarmouth
Blue in Yarmouth's picture
Joined: 02/18/2009
MGoPoints: 5720
I have heard this question a few times.......

This isn't the first time I have heard this question, but I always wonder why the answer isn't evident to the one posing it?

Tate Forcier is 6' tall. What are the heights of the linemen in front of him? Staying in the pocket to throw when you can't see over the heads of the people in front of you seems rather bizarre to me.

Tate doesn't do this to give fans myocardial infarctions, he does it out of necessity, and has shown that when on the run he is far more productive and accurate than when he is sitting in a pocket he can't see out of.

This is my uneducated opinion, but is the answer I always come up with when the question is posed.

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.