Don't mean to impugn Ronnie Bell's assessment...

Submitted by Nervous Bird on August 27th, 2021 at 12:42 PM

Ronnie Bell stated that the defense bested the offense at the scrimmage the other day. I didn't see anyone post this video, but highlights from the scrimmage indicate the offense made a play or two. So, calm down ladies and gents, we may see vast improvements on both sides of the ball.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1431051143438737412

jasgoblue

August 27th, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^

We'll know in 8 days. Not sure why we need so many thread talking about it. None of us know and our hot takes will have no bearing on how the season goes.

DennisFranklinDaMan

August 27th, 2021 at 1:08 PM ^

I'm as excited and nervous as the next guy, but the lack of historical perspective on these kinds of comments coming during off-season workouts can be a little frustrating. I've only been a Michigan fan for 47 years now, so my experience is limited, but I've heard the exact same kinds of comments every one of those 47 years -- including last year. And we saw how that worked out.

It's not that anybody's lying, of course. Of course the players are excited and hopeful. Of course the coaches (who have yet to see their players torched by opposing players) are optimistic. I should hope so -- God knows it would be pathetic for coaches to say, "jeez, we really suck, and I think fans should temper their expectations about the talent level and abilities of the players on this underwhelming team."

But ... man, so many people seem to accept it without a grain of salt. We'll see, man, we'll see.

JFW

August 27th, 2021 at 2:37 PM ^

Well, and beyond that it can just be truth telling. These kids have played against each other for years. They know their strengths and weaknesses. This team has a decent amount of talent. But you see a new defensive scheme and that might tip the balance. Briefly. 

Alternatively, sometimes the defense does great. It always irritates me to see middle school kids flex on defense when they know the damned play call. 'Oh I got you!'. Um, yeah. 

By mid season not so much. Playing against yourself is a necessity but it isn't a great predictor. 

BlueSky

August 27th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^

Run up the middle, looks like it was 2s or 3s vs 2s or 3s.  I think Dunlap was the ball carrier.  He looks to be able to break tackles.

Was Mazi getting some penetration?

Deep ball to Wilson was over McBurrows.  At least it was a true freshman who got beat.

Two passes from McNamara were perfectly lead to the receivers.

McCarthy looks athletic in slow-motion.

 

mwolverine1

August 27th, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^

I think he will be Aidan Hutchinson's backup at EDGE. My sense is that position is more DL than LB while the Ojabo EDGE is a bit more on the LB scale. I want to call them SEDGE and WEDGE.

So for SEDGE:

  1. Aidan Hutchinson
  2. Mike Morris
  3. Braiden McGregor
  4. Gabe Newburg
  5. TJ Guy

And for WEDGE:

  1. David Ojabo
  2. Taylor Upshaw (these may be 1a and 1b)
  3. Jaylen Harrell
  4. Kechaun Bennett

Upshaw and Newburg may have some flexibility to go in between here (Newburg lost 15 lbs, so they may see him more at WEDGE), but I think this is a decent approximation. 

mwolverine1

August 27th, 2021 at 2:55 PM ^

I am excited to see it in action, but yes it does look like the two positions are different and the WEDGE has more pass coverage responsibilities. Sending Aidan Hutchinson into pass coverage regularly seems like a misuse of his talent (though he will have to do it on occasion).

But I think the real answer is that the ILBs have a ton more pass coverage responsibility. There will be a ton of pressure on them.

Ezekiels Creatures

August 27th, 2021 at 11:16 PM ^

 

Are these number on Adain Hutchinson real?

While at Michigan, Paye clocked the second-best 3-cone time on the team at 6.37. This offseason, Hutchinson timed 6.54, which would’ve been better than anyone at the 2020 combine. In addition, he vertical jumped 36 inches, ran a 4.64 40 and ripped off a 4.07 shuttle time. Hutchinson also did a 2.57-second reactive plyo stair, which at 265, amazed even his strength coaches. He is the first athlete that veteran strength coach Ben Herbert has witnessed do a “Turkish Get-up” with 135 pounds and no collars (to lock on the plates) in 24 years working in college weight rooms. (Any mistake or hint of imbalance in keeping the bar perfectly level, and the weight will slide off.)

https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-wolverines-football-aidan-hutchinson-big-ten-jim-harbaugh

What a frickin freak!!!

 

Turkish Get Up:

 

 

Nickel

August 27th, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^

Ahhhhh late August, when hope reigns supreme across the college football land!  I'm pretty sure 90% of the teams in the country believe their defense is on par with the '85 Bears and their offense is capable of winning a shootout with the '99 Rams.

ldevon1

August 27th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^

Why are we making posts about statements players make about the team, the offense, the defense, or individual players? What do you expect them to say? 

Reporter: How does the defense look?

Bell: They are horrible. They couldn't stop a runny nose with a box of tissue.

Reporter: Who is the toughest DB you face in practice?

Bell: None of those guys can cover any of the receivers, they are way worst than last yr. 

It's what players on football teams do. All of them, from every team. Show me 1 example of this not being true. 

gm1234

August 27th, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^

I don’t see how anyone can glean any useful information from these…I like seeing them, but spend more time trying to figure out who’s who and then they’re on to the next clip and end up confused…

kurpit

August 27th, 2021 at 3:20 PM ^

It's absolutely insane that people still think they can get an idea of how good the offense or defense will be based on a couple hype clips.

nowicki2005

August 27th, 2021 at 3:35 PM ^

How much longer until Michigan is irrelevant? Our facilities are good but every college has good to great facilities now. 

There is no media buzz about the team because michigan hasn't been allowing it.

 

Our games and style of play are still trying to be modern. 

 

Another bad season what happens? I don't know why people think kids in michigan should even want to go to michigan. In their lifetime they just see us as the most over hyped team every year. Only difference this year is that there isn't even any hype

 

Ezekiels Creatures

August 27th, 2021 at 11:26 PM ^

Bowman is 3rd, yes.

 

If McCarthy gets some experience, we might have a true blue QB controversy some day. Which I would hate, because I love both McNamara and McCarthy. But Dodge might not be big enough for the both of them some day.

Rhino77

August 27th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^

Old fart here, but damn it would be nice to click on a video without it being an auto-tuned music video. Could you mix in a little ACDC AV Kids? 
 

okay, back to yelling at kids on my lawn and sippin’ sarsaparilla.