cookie1012349

August 9th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

Hurst's first step was on display during his rep but I was surprised how well he used his hands. Got under the pads, shed the block and made the tackle. That was very impressive to me. Taco and Henry both beat the their man back but didn't shed. Also AJ Williams blocked Frank Clark that one time! (Waves tiny flag)

Danwillhor

August 9th, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^

he gets revenge on someone (don't recall) but it's very bittersweet to see Williams dominate Clark there. On one hand you have Clark, a guy who was supposed to put it all together last year and it's like an echo this year. On the other hand is Williams, a guy too big to be a field stretching TE, too poor a blocker to be a grinder TE and lacking the size to be an OL even if he could block. That said, it was one rep haha. It's just bittersweet if that is the season theme for both. We'd gain a better blocking TE but Clark would never fully reach his (at times shown) All B1G potential. Also, Poggi getting over on a telephone pole freshman TE doesn't count as a "win" for me haha. The standout here would have to be PeeWee, imo. Again, just a section of a drill used to see who wants to hit so I truly didn't look too much into it.

JTrain

August 9th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^

I know this drill isn't about the RB's so much as blocks/getting off blocks/tackling, but I had almost forgotten about Drake Johnson. He had a couple of nice cutbacks and we all know he's got track speed......sleeper?

alum96

August 9th, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^

Quick overanalysis - both our TEs completely neutralized our starting DEs so yeah for QB protection out of the TE at least?

Offset by Braden oh no's.  Maybe a lot of TE sets with the TE on Braden's side.

Our backup to the backup of the backup tackles (LTT/Fox) - well they look "a year away".  Unfortunately so did Braden.

cookie1012349

August 9th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^

Anybody else think that miller looked like our best Olineman? Shouldn't we be rooting for him to win the job? I know he lost it last year but he is a redshirt junior who has been playing center his entire Michigan career and is about 300 pounds so he isn't tiny. If he can play center that could move Glasgow to right tackle where Braden didn't really inspire confidence. Maybe I am just grasping at straws here.

reshp1

August 9th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^

I agree he looks better but the first two reps were against 2nd/3rd string guys and his list rep against Henry was mostly a draw. He's probably your starter for App St, although Kugler looked good here too so don't count him out. I'd personally prefer Glasgow stick at center for continuity's sake since he has the most experience there and was decent, but if he's a plausible RT it's good to have the options in case Braden falters or gets hurt. 

atom evolootion

August 9th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^

The players look intense! The offensive linemen look solid. I say they'll tear off nine wins easily and eleven or even twelve with some luck and some misfortune on the side of the opposition...

yoopergoblue

August 9th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^

I thought the first rep by Braden was pretty good even if Hurst shed the block.  He pushed him back a good 4-5 yards but just didn't get a good grip under his pads.  I was really impressed by the AJ Williams block on Frank Clark.  Our DL has amazing depth this year and I was impressed by many of their reps on this video.  

Jack Miller also had a good block and Bosch looked good on his as well.

Bocheezu

August 9th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^

so this is just a guess on the winners/losers.

1.  Bunting vs. Marshall -- close call here, go with Bunting since RB got by

2.  Braden vs. Hurst, Jr. -- Hurst sheds the block here and makes the tackle

3.  G. Glasgow vs. Pallante -- Pallante gets pancaked

4.  Bosch vs. Godin -- Solid control by Bosch here

5.  Norfleet vs. Watson -- Norfleet got a great initial burst here, but Watson still gets off the block and forces a cutback

6.  Williams vs. Clark -- looks like a win for Williams here.  Clark can't shed the block.

7.  Magnuson vs. Pipkins -- Solid push by Magnuson, Pipkins sheds the block and makes the tackle a little downfield

8.  Pliska vs. Morgan -- Some distance apart at the snap; Morgan breaks even on the initial burst and sheds the block and plugs the hole

9.  Dawson vs. Henry -- Dawson gives a lot of ground right at the beginning.  RB technically gets by, but doesn't really mean much when Dawson gives 2 yards at the snap

10.  Miller vs. R. Glasgow -- Miller does an OK job, RB gets by

11.  Bars vs. Bolden -- Bars totally owned, ends up on the ground.  Bolden strips the ball and runs it the other way

12.  Chesson vs Thomas -- Thomas on rollerskates here; much cheering from offensive teammates

13.  LTT vs. Hurst, Jr. -- LTT owned here, Hurst sheds block and makes tackle

14.  Fox vs. Wormley -- Wormley sheds the block pretty easily

15.  Samuelson vs. Ross -- Some distance apart at the snap; Ross sheds the block but gets trucked by Isaac.

16.  Bunting vs. Poggi -- Bunting's head is down here and Poggi sheds him no problem

17.  Braden vs. Clark -- Great burst by Clark here, sheds the block no problem.  Much cheering from defensive teammates.

18.  Heitzman vs. Beyer -- Beyer owned here and left knee hits the ground.  Cheering for Heitzman

19.  Cole vs. Charlton -- Cole gets pushed back, great burst by Charlton.  RB gets by, but see #9

20.  Bosch vs. Godin -- Bosch controls him pretty well, Godin doesn't get off the block

21.  Kugler vs. Henry (I think?) -- Henry gets an arm on the RB, but doesn't completely fly off the block.  I'd call this a push.

22.  Dever vs. J. Clark -- Good intial burst by Clark, forces a cutback, but Dever doesn't stop either and pushes him to the sideline.  Chippiness ensues.

23.  Dawson vs. Pipkins -- Pipkins sheds the block easily and makes the tackle.  Cheering and chestbumps for Pipkins.

24.  Miller vs. Pallante -- Miller controls pretty well, starts to hold at the end

25.  Bars vs. Ferns -- So #51 is Ferns, right?  Because that guy is tall; he almost looks even with Bars.  He sheds the block and makes the tackle.

26.  Jocz vs. Charlton (?) -- Just guessing it's Charlton, hard to tell number here.  This one's a push, Charlton doesn't fly off the block or anything

27.  LTT vs. Mone -- Mone easily get off the block, but doesn't quite make the tackle.  Still gets the RB out of bounds.  He gets some chestbumps.

28.  Miller vs. Henry -- Henry sheds the block to get an arm on the RB.  Push like #21

29.  Pliska vs. Winovich -- Some distance apart at the snap; Winovich seems to do an OK job and would make a tackle a few yards downfield

30.  Chesson vs. Watson -- Chesson has good initial burst, RB gets by, but Watson does fight back and plays through the whistle to put Chesson on his back

The2nd_JEH

August 9th, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^

Anybody know who that coach was that was getting all fired up and in the DL faces? He seemed really into it and the players seemed to feed off of his energy.

Michigasling

August 9th, 2014 at 2:34 PM ^

to the posting of that video panicking that Clark was turning to "outside" help, implying he couldn't get it from the coaching staff.  In their defense (not that they should panic), I think Clark just said how much he was getting from Carr without identifying him as a coach, assuming listeners would know that.  I for one didn't know until I heard on WTKA that Carr was official.

Love to see former players coming back to help, and feeding that coaching tree.

PIJER

August 9th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^

Since I've been watching the countdown to kickoffs that I've felt this drill was as intense as it should be. I have hoped that I was wrong about years past, but I didn't see the beast in the players that you would hope to see. This year I'm pleased with what I saw. Not going to go out and predict 14 victories, but I think with better play calling we can definitely expect 10+ victories!

BayWolves

August 9th, 2014 at 1:42 PM ^

Have to say they looked more explosive on offense and defense than in previous years. Pipkin looks like he is going to destroy any lineman he is up against.

Jeff09

August 9th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^

Obviously the tiny sample size renders much of an analysis meaningless, but does it seem like the defense on average looked better than the offense during these? For the most part to me it seemed like the D held their ground or shed blocks very well. Not sure if this bodes well for defense, poorly for offense, or a combo of the two (not sure it bodes much of anything at all, frankly).

And another question for the board - yes, the players seem extremely physical and into the drill. But is there honestly any substantive difference from what we've seen in recent years past? From my perspective it always seems like the players want to kill each other when they get into this drill, regardless of the year. Not sure what others are seeing this year that was plainly absent in other years.

Jeff09

August 9th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^

From what I can tell the effort looks the same between the two videos. I did notice, however, that in the 2014 video they appeared to add louder rock music, they switch between reps more quickly, and the rest of the team is doing more yelling after reps. Maybe that's giving the appearance of more intensity but I still don't see what everyone else is seeing here.

GBOD79

August 10th, 2014 at 12:22 AM ^

I think there is more urgency on display in this video compared to last years video. The players seem to be going harder and faster than last year. I think the effort is the same because to say otherwise would mean they weren't trying their hardest. 

Wee-Bey Brice

August 9th, 2014 at 7:17 PM ^

Is it just me or are they A LOT more enthusiastic in this year's video? I don't remember that much talking or intensity in the air last year. 

 

edit: No, it's not just me. Good.