Biggest spring game surprise?

Submitted by Magnus on

Which player, position group, or development was the biggest surprise to you in the spring game? 

My pick would be the linebackers as a group.  We know several of them are solid (Morgan, Ryan, Demens), but Hawthorne, Ringer, and Cam Gordon played pretty well, too.  Bolden didn't really stick out in any way, but at this point, I think we've got five linebackers who could legitimately start without much of a drop-off: Morgan, Ryan, Demens, Hawthorne, and Gordon.

I would also like to toss in that all of the position coaches seem to be doing a good job, but Mark Smith seems to be doing an excellent job with his guys.

Wolverman

April 16th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

 Devin Gardner threw a deep completion to Gallon early in the game. He threw it a little behind so he had to stop to catch it but, if he had led Gallon it would have prolly been a long TD

 

 I remember it because it was the only good pass Devin threw

michiganfanforlife

April 16th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^

several people have pointed out who he was playing against, and used that to try and say it would be much different against better competition. No matter who he is running against, that dude is a thick monster below the waist and I love his headhunting style. Armtackles will not bring him down and he always falls forward. The guy is a mack truck. I can't wait to see him in a couple years - he's got some promise.

Wolverman

April 16th, 2012 at 12:29 PM ^

   The biggest surprise to me was how bad the coverage was by the BTN. They botched the score at the half 7 to 0 White , when it was 10-0 Blue. They called players by the wrong name all game.

 Devin ran a lot but , he ran forward! He did'nt scramble backward 20 yards which was a huge improvement over last year.

 The format of the spring game was kind of bad. All of the offensive players where on the Blue team and the defense ( white team)  could only score off a turnover? You couldn't really tell when the first team was in because it was constant hodge podge of personel the entire game.

 i'm just taking for what it was , a glorified practice. The offense last spring game looked pretty bad and they did ok most of the season

 

Mgodiscgolfer

April 16th, 2012 at 12:37 PM ^

By far was the biggest suprise for me. I have been a FANatic for a very long time and I can't remember a team (all the players) looking this strong, like Lamarr Woodley strong. These guys look like they have been working out in there sleep as well as all day long. Cudos strength and conditioning coach's and the leaders on this team to keep everyone motivated for I am sure, a very tough season. GO BLUE!!!!

steviebrownfor…

April 16th, 2012 at 1:08 PM ^

more of an observation...

It's very interesting to see how much of an active, hands-on approach Hoke takes to coaching in comparison with both Carr and Rodriguez.  I was watching Hoke work with the defensive line on the field, and for some reason it just stuck with me as being a good thing.

At first when we hired Hoke I didn't think that all the talk of him coaching an actual position was going to matter all that much. After watching him work with the D-line on Saturday, however, I have had a very clear change of heart on this subject, and I think that our D-line will be a source of consistency thorughout Hoke's tenure at UM.

 

just my 2 pence.

steviebrownfor…

April 16th, 2012 at 1:12 PM ^

I know alot of people like Brandstatter, but I can't stand him or Frank Beckman.

It would be far, far better to have no stadium announcer during the game... these guys are just annoying.

BlueMan80

April 16th, 2012 at 7:03 PM ^

Better than I remember from last season. Last year, they tended to chase down the guys Martin/Van Bergen slowed down in the backfield. Mattison said that was a point of emphasis this spring and it looks like they really did improve. So, maybe the D-line won't be as disruptive, but the linebackers can stuff the back in the hole instead. Works for me.