“We were losing a bunch of one-goal games, and now we’re able to pull these games out,” Hunwick said. “It’s huge in the second half to know you can play in games like that.”
Wednesday Presser Notes 11-11-09
Injuries:
- Brandon Minor practiced a little bit yesterday, and they're hoping he can go today. Minor is day-to-day with a shoulder injury from the Purdue game. Playing can't do any more damage, but he needs to get practice reps in order to see the field Saturday.
- Carlos Brown should be fully healthy for this week.
- Junior Hemingway is day-to-day with a back issue.
- Martavious Odoms is still day-to-day with his knee injury.
- David Molk's knee surgery will take place tomorrow.
Personnel:
- The coaches are still looking for linebackers that they can trust to play downhill. They aren't sure whether Obi Ezeh or Kevin Leach will start against Wisconsin. Both guys will probably play a lot. At 200 pounds, Leach is more the speed guy.
- More backups will probably get in this week because they're playing a physical opponent. It can destroy a young guy's confidence for the future to go in before he's ready.
- William Campbell got increased reps the other day. He still has a lot of technique to work on, but should be a very good player down the road. He's got the size that Michigan's defense needs.
- Patrick Omameh has won the right guard job. Mark Huyge and Perry Dorrestein will compete for the right tackle spot.
- The coaches wish they had been able to redshirt both Denard and Tate, as with all freshman quarterbacks. Denard is improving each week.
Wisconsin:
- The Wisconsin offense is different than Michigan has seen this year. They have big linemen, tight ends, and backs. They'll be a challenge for Michigan's smaller lineup.
- Michigan's troubles covering tight ends have been different issues each time. Wisconsin has 3 good tight ends, and they'll be a challenge.
- The team needs to move on from the last game, and just worry about this one.
- Players practice well, but sometimes they don't take that solid play from the practice field to the game. The coaches just have to keep on coaching them to fix this.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:32 PM | 
RE: the last bullet...
RE: the last bullet...
November 11th, 2009 at 4:49 PM |
Came here to say the same thing
Came here to say the same thing
Obviously at this point, we can all agree that there is clearly no correlation between playing well in practice, and playing well on the field. Hell, at this point I'd be interested to hear that the team had a terrible week of practice, just to see what the outcome might be.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:19 PM |
Agreed
Agreed
I'm getting tired of the coaches saying how well everyone is doing in practice just to have them come out and lay an egg on Saturday.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:23 PM |
I am led to believe that the
I am led to believe that the
I am led to believe that the coaches dont like Thursday All Americans either.
Those who stay will be champions!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:33 PM |
worried
worried
I'm not too worried about Wisconsin's physical rushing game. I'm much more worried about their TEs.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:41 PM |
Gardner
Gardner
Anybody else think the Tate/Denard redshirt comment is RRod pretty much saying he wants to redshirt Gardner next year?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:51 PM |
I want to redshirt Garner too,
I want to redshirt Garner too,
If it's correct that Jones will play on defense, then that means we only have 1 QB recruit coming in. If we see Tate take a big step forward next year, and Denard improves enough to throw the ball adequately, we wouldn't need to, but the prospect of only two QB's able to play and the uncertainty (right now) of Denard's position future, will likely mean DG is kept from a redshirt.
"Everyone gets dumped Gabe. Let me give you some advice: a little coverup on your Adams Apple will make it appear smaller. Which will make you appear less like a transvestite."
November 11th, 2009 at 5:29 PM |
the uncertainty (right now)
the uncertainty (right now)
the uncertainty (right now) of Denard's position future
How can this be uncertain when Rich gets to make the decisions? If Rich really wants to redshirt Gardner, he makes Dennard the second-string and lives with the consequences.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:24 PM |
"wolverine1987;" Chances are
"wolverine1987;" Chances are
"wolverine1987;" Chances are extremely high and I mean 99.9% that Gardner will redshirt next year. I'm basing this statement on that fact that with the NCAA rule change that Sam Webb eluded to this morning not allowing early enrollees scholarships to be allocated to the previous class that their will be plenty of scholarships available for Sheridan and maybe even Cone next year that RR will grant at least one if not both a 5th yr. Not saying that’s anything we should hang our hats on, but the depth will be their to redshirt Gardner and have Jones move to DB.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:18 AM |
5th year seniors
5th year seniors
Being able to count guys towards last years class actually hurts the possibility that 5th year guys come back. It means that they can sign more than 25 this year. They still have only 85 scholarships available total the more freshman coming in on scholarship the more guys will have to be leaving to make room for them. With all the attrition RR has seen the last two years I wouldn't be surprised to see him go over 25 this year just in case kids don't qualify, early entries, academic causalities and transfers. If we don't see the attrition of the last couple of years the first guys to go will be the borderline 5th year guys.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:08 PM |
got it wrong
got it wrong
He actually said that they CANNOT count guys toward the previous year, meaning they can only bring in a class of 25, including Witty. Sam did say this morning that they can oversign by as many as 3 players according to Big 10 rules, but that they need to be down to 25 by the time practice starts. Sam indicated that his information was gained from UofM coaches when he asked them this exact question. So, he suggested they likely would sign Witty and 4-6 more players this year.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:01 PM |
Yeah,
Yeah,
I took the same meaning from that.
Frankly, I don't understand where all this "Gardner should start next year" talk is coming from. Tate was supposed to be very polished for a high-school QB, and yet the freshman mistakes have still been painful to watch. But with Gardner, the talk is all about 'potential'. To the point, why in the hell would any M fan want to start another true freshman after these last two years? I don't get it.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:41 PM |
Exactly
Exactly
Could not be any better said. I would say most of our problems these past two years have been quarterback related. Turnovers anyone? three and outs?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:55 PM |
OMAMEH
OMAMEH
I think this is awesome news.
Been saying all year there was more OL talent on the bench than on the field. One of them--albeit the least Guru Approved of the bunch--finally cracks the starting lineup.
I do not fear if guys like Lewan step up in the off season and win a job either.
Also, let's give a shout out to the maligned coaching staff. Two of Rodirguez's last minute add ons to the 2008 recruiting class-Roundtree and Omameh--have stepped up and are now big factors for the team. With three more years left of eligibiity.
Both are from Ohio. That is not a coincidence.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:07 PM |
More OL talent on the bench
More OL talent on the bench
FWIW, I know a former UM OL who played under Bo, and he told me before the season started that both Lewan and Washington were going to be great, and sooner rather than later.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:12 PM |
I would agree with that sentiment
I would agree with that sentiment
I can't wait to see Washington play, and Lewan has all the potential. I sense good things in the future. We will be back.
They mostly come at night... mostly.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:20 PM |
Speaking of OL bench
Speaking of OL bench
Speaking of OL bench strength, what's the deal with Barnum? Given he's a year ahead of Lewan and Q, I'm surprised we aren't hearing more good things about him
November 12th, 2009 at 8:13 AM |
Barnum
Barnum
Before all the girls at Scout got in their snit and Maizeman was posting, he was very high on Barnum--but kept alluding to injury issues with him. Last year it wasa wrist thing, and he spent much of spring and summer fighting off nagging injuries.
That being said, it is what it is.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:23 PM |
Odoms was also a fairly late
Odoms was also a fairly late
Odoms was also a fairly late addition, I think, and he has been more than serviceable in his first two seasons.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:43 AM |
Yes
Yes
Yes sir, you are correct. Didnt intend on implying these were the first two to make an impact, alhtough it kind of reads like that.
Odoms, Koger, Roundtree and Omameh are now key cogs in the offense from the 2008 class. Three Ohio kids out of this bunch, too....not bad considering we didnt get a single kid out of Ohio in the 2007 class.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:59 PM |
Angry Brandon Minor Hating God
Angry Brandon Minor Hating God
is hell bent on eliminating our one consistent source of offensive output. I do not like this.
"out of these tunnels will come the meanest, toughest sonsabitches ever to put on pads"
November 11th, 2009 at 5:01 PM |
Not carrying over...
Not carrying over...
performance from practice to the game is a sign of youth and inexperience.
Trust me...I'm a doctor.
Also, should we rest Minor this week to get him as well as he can be for OSU? You know the Badgers will put a pounding on him if he plays.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:29 PM |
No
No
I would emphatically say no to resting Minor. If he can play, he must play. As badly as I want a win over OSU we have a much better chance of getting bowl-eligible against Wisconsin (even if it's on the road).
November 11th, 2009 at 6:15 PM |
A bruise is painful
A bruise is painful
From the presser notes and press articles from the weekend his injury is a shoulder bruise, so playing on it won't make it worse, but if it keeps him from practicing this week, then the schemes they are preparing for Wisconsin won't involve Minor.
well, and it reminds me of the scene from "Miracle", although I couldn't find a YouTube clip that had the section where the Coach asks the team doctor if playing on the bruised leg will make the injury worse. The doctor's reply, "well, No, but it will be very painful"
"That's all there is...there isn't anymore"
November 11th, 2009 at 5:05 PM |
I don't think it's novel that there are practice players
I don't think it's novel that there are practice players
who are lights-out during the week yet can't get it done during the game. I've been hearing about this phenomenon in all sports for years. It may not be common, but it's hardly unheard of.
What we need is the reverse: the guy who, for whatever reason, doesn't shine during practice but just makes things happen at game time. (I've heard/read that Joe Montana was allegedly not great in practice, but I have no hard info to back that up.)
To go ridiculously old school, supposedly Bobby Layne was a completely indifferent practice guy with the Lions, from off-season training to showing up on time to showing up at all at practice, but he made things happen during the game. Of course, a big portion of his practice problems was probably due to the fact that he was hammered a good deal of the time.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:14 PM |
What Bobby Layne...
What Bobby Layne...
used to perform on gamedays was about 150 proof and would probably result in another NCAA investigation.
He was very effective though.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:09 AM |
"was about 150 proof"
"was about 150 proof"
Barwis needs to start adding whiskey to the chocolate milk.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:22 PM |
Carlos Brown = Brandon Minor?
Carlos Brown = Brandon Minor?
Are they the same person? Because I haven't seen the two of them healthy at the same time. The guy who played is always injured the next week, and the other one is ready to step in. Suspicious?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:08 PM |
Bruce Wayne wears...
Bruce Wayne wears...
Number 4
November 11th, 2009 at 6:14 PM |
He's more like Bruce Banner
He's more like Bruce Banner
He's more like Bruce Banner to be honest.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:40 PM |
I hate hearing about how a
I hate hearing about how a
I hate hearing about how a team has had a good week of practice; it seems like every time I've heard that about the local high school team, they look bad on Friday night. I'm getting to the point where I want my favorite teams not to have good weeks of practice.
Sportscenter.com raves: Sgt. Wolverine, "Michigan's biggest fan"!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:53 PM |
Gardner...
Gardner...
With regards to comments on Gardner being redshirted, it's entirely possible for him to be second string AND redshirt. This has happened before. You play your top guy and keep the guy you want to redshirt on the bench and don't burn the redshirt unless someone gets hurt. With regards to Denard, he is going to be a weapon on offense for Michigan in the future in one way or another and a season of spring practice may help give him enough good passing experience to make team's pay for stacking up to stop him. The way that Rich Rod likes to run options and fakes and different plays off the same formation and play look, I believe he will find a way to do this. I think it will open up things for him on the ground.
The ball may not be bouncing our ways these days, but I support Michigan. That means I support it's coaches and staff. RR will get it fixed, whatever that takes, give him the chance to do that in the long term. We have a long term issue with the team and it will require a little time to get Michigan back to where we'd like it to be. I believe when we do, that everyone will be very pleased with the result (yes a good portion of this is blind faith, but I like that).
November 11th, 2009 at 6:23 PM |
Gardner
Gardner
What was the comment about him? I though commenting on recruits was forbidden. Time for an investigation?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:27 PM |
Given Tate's skillset and
Given Tate's skillset and
Given Tate's skillset and willingness to throw his body around in a spread offense, there's no way you can have a second-stringer sitting there without the expectation that he'll have to be called on. This isn't Gutz backing up John Navarre, standing statuesque in the backfield in front of an offensive line that won't break down, never scrambling, and never vaulting himself over the goal line.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:37 PM |
Good point
Good point
I dont really see the logic behind calling Gardner the second stringer, and still expecting him to red shirt. If the idea is to red shirt him, then why would he also be the second stringer? Why not just make him third string?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:46 AM |
Denard and Tate
Denard and Tate
Why did the coaches want to redshirt Tate and Denard? I could see Denard needing to be redshirted...but even he has progressed. I kind of think he should be seeing more playing time. He is a always a threat to go all the way! Tate has shown flashes of brilliance and other times he has looked like the freshman that he is.
Overall...I do see this team growing and progressing...I will be at the osu game...all I want is for us to win!!!! Go Blue!!!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:27 AM |
Reading between the lines
Reading between the lines
"The coaches wish they had been able to redshirt both Denard and Tate, as with all freshman quarterbacks."
RichRod does not trust DeathKitten
"Players practice well, but sometimes they don't take that solid play from the practice field to the game. The coaches just have to keep on coaching them to fix this."
How many times have I heard/seen this in the last two years? If playing well in practice translated to wins, we could be looking at two straight national championships.
On a serious note, at SOME point it has to translate, right? Please tell me I'm right.