Fill In The Blank: '23 Spring Practice Version

Mike Barrett x 10

1. After spring ball, the most improved offensive player will be Darius Clemons or Tyler Morris.
2. After spring ball, the most improved defensive player will be Kenneth Grant or Derrick Moore.
3. I am (you are) most excited to hear about the defensive line this spring.  Could be one of the best in the country.
4. Running Back room and OL room will be Michigan's biggest strength coming out of the spring.
5. Having a trascendent WR and quality depth at TE will be Michigan's biggest concern coming out of the spring.
6. Cornerback will be the biggest transfer portal need after the spring.
7. The biggest story surrounding Michigan Football this spring is the 2023 team will be better than the 2022 team.  JJ will be much better, offense will be more balanced, OL will be better, DL will be better, LB will be better.
8. The position battle that I am (you are) most interested in is at cornerback and WR!
9. It's time for Darius Clemons to step up this spring.
10. Outside of remaining healthy, passing game chemistry and developing cornerbacks and tight ends is the most important thing Michigan Football must do this spring.

2023 is Natty year for the Michigan Wolverines.  Book it.

1. Jj

2. Amorion Walker

3. Amorion Walker

4. Secondary

5. 404 Not Found 

6. I think they're all set. No additions needed

7. Will they unleash JJ more in the pass game? 

8. Figuring out the starting 5 O-line (seems like a few guys arent there for spring or are injured tho)

9. Kenneth Grant. Want Mazi 2.0 plz

10. Croot good, land Jaydn Davis

1. Tyler Morris

2. Walker

3. Moore / McGregor 

4. Run game

5. Back up CBs

6. None

7. Walker / 2nd CB

8. ILB / 3rd DT

9. McGregor 

10. Be prepared to throw for 300 / game if needed 

1.) Colston Loveland. More time to figure out blocking should make him a complete TE.

2.) Derrick Moore. I expect him to make a jump like Kris Jenkins did.

3.) I am most excited to hear about development of our WR/passing game. New QB coach, "new" OC. Lets take this thing to the next level.

4.) The depth on this OL will allow them to do anything they want.

5.) Kicking game will be the biggest concern. Hard to replace the GOAT. 

6.) I honestly don't know if there is portal need. Maybe a 2nd CB, or K but I'm hoping we have the guys on roster ready to step up.

7.) Biggest storyline is being top dog in the B10 and having a real shot at a NC. Need our leaders to keep everyone humble and hungry.

8.) The OT battles are most interesting to me. I think Persi is ready to go, and the film and versatility of Henderson is exciting.

9.) Trente Jones, CJ Stokes, Hibner, McGregor

10.) Obvious.. but just keep improving. Springs a new start for a lot of these guys looking for roles on this team, and a true live test for the new guys coming in to see what they need to work on this summer.

Can I have my coffee first? 

1. After spring ball, the most improved offensive player will be Darrius Clemons.
2. After spring ball, the most improved defensive player will be Braiden McGregor.
3. I am most excited to hear about this o-line being better than last years this spring.
4. Linebackers will be Michigan's biggest strength coming out of the spring.
5. Kicking will be Michigan's biggest concern coming out of the spring.
6. Cornerback will be the biggest transfer portal need after the spring.
7. The biggest story surrounding Michigan Football this spring will be Sam Webbs love affair with Amorion Walker. 
8. The position battle that I am (you are) most interested in is at offensive line.
9. It's time for Braiden McGregor to step up this spring.
10. Outside of remaining healthy, tempering expectations is the most important thing Michigan Football must do this spring.

I see what you're doing here, but how are we actually supposed to find out any of this info until the season starts in the fall? Reports from spring practices aren't always reliable and are a mixture of coach speak and hyperbole. Not to mention a lot can change over the summer

Nice framework, OP. I don't have the energy to run through all ten points now, but I'll mention what I'd most like to hear even if it's not highly probable: "Orji and Denegal are looking like worthy successors to McCarthy."

I like Warren, but until "JD comin'" actually happens it would be nice to have some other QBs that look viable.

Number 7 is clearly HAMBURGERS.  I am so ashamed of our institution for having permitted prospective student athletes to eat a free hamburger while they're visiting campus...and to have a coach potentially leave a tip using funds I might have partially donated to the athletic department is OUTRAGEOUS.  

I thought we were getting these kids hookers, tattoos, cars, coeds and laughable NIL income like any self-respecting win-at-all-cost, who-cares-about-these-kids-in-the-future program. 

100% of these athletes are going to be in the League(s), so their degree will never really matter, and people will always remember, love and take care of them after they finish wearing the uniform of the school for which they currently root.

There's a MONEY CANNON (of other people's money naturally) we're going to thump our chests and TALK about shooting to take care of these kids...they don't need to seize the opportunity of a free degree track and emerge with a unique skillset that will empower them to set their own destiny long after they're but a "remember when she lit up the Scarlet Knights for 34 points on senior night" footnote in our memories...

The biggest story surrounding Michigan football (and every other varsity sport) every year should be how we (as a university / community) set these kids up for success...if there's really a Michigan Difference, that should be it...setting young adults on a path to be thoughtful, empathetic, contribute and succeed.

Teaching kids right now that THEY are their own best investment is the best thing we can give to every student athlete.

For the 1% with meaningful NIL, if you're not banking it, you're wasting it, because nobody will care (when you're gone) how big your house was, or the car you drove, but they'll always remember the lives you changed and how you made them feel when you entered the room--I stole most of that line, because it's true.

TLDR: Carpe Diem...no one else will do it for you.  Be the Difference.

Go Blue!

#SaturdayMorningEmptyNestPreachyDad

PS - If North Carolina giving bogus credits for bogus classes isn't worth the death penalty, but taking away the opportunity / exposure kids got from satellite camps is (because old men making hundreds of thousands shouldn't have to travel year 'round), the NCAA has no meaningful purpose.

1. After spring ball, the most improved offensive player will be __JJ____________.
2. After spring ball, the most improved defensive player will be ____Will Johnson__________.
3. I am (you are) most excited to hear about ______Walker________ this spring.
4. ____________offense__ will be Michigan's biggest strength coming out of the spring.
5. ____________DBs__ will be Michigan's biggest concern coming out of the spring.
6. ___DBs___________ will be the biggest transfer portal need after the spring.
7. The biggest story surrounding Michigan Football this spring is ___JJ making leaps___________.
8. The position battle that I am (you are) most interested in is at ___________CB 2___.
9. It's time for _____________McGregor_ to step up this spring.
10. Outside of remaining healthy, ___keep working___________ is the most important thing Michigan Football must do this spring.

1. Clemons

2. Walker

3. Walker

4. Play action offense

5. LT (Henderson not on campus until I summer)

6. No pressing “needs” like DT was a few years ago, but could always use a couple more CBs

7. RB carry division of labor

8. OL

9. C. Johnson - become bonafide #1 WR

10. Consistent downfield passing game. I don’t want to be “surprised” by its success against OSU again.

Darius Clemons

Amorion Walker/Derrick Moore

JJ

Offensive Line

Warde Manual

CB

JJ McCarthy’s development and the growth at WR

Walker and McBurrows and Hill

Harbaugh tree service 

CB

Mason Grahem

Develop the deep ball  

Darius Clemons

Derrick Moore

The secondary 

Defense 

RB depth beyond the top two

RB or QB depth

Diversifying the offensive attack 

CB2

A Walker or J McBurroughs

Landing Jadyn Davis

too 

many 

questions,

not 

enough 

brain 

power

1. Tyler Morris. 1b Cole Cabana

2. Amorion Walker. Or Micah Pollard.

3. The backup quarterback battle. Any surprise playmakers on offense. 

4. Offensive line

5. Maintaining health. Possibly cornerback depth?

6. CB. DT. Any wide receiver that's available that is a can't miss. But if I had to point out one it would be cornerback. It would be nice if the Domani Jackson rumors had any legs. 

7. The general focus and attitude of the team and coaching staff. Words are nice but this team needs to be on a mission. And needs to stay focused. " Don't rest on your laurels"

8. Backup quarterback. The progression of Alex Orji. CB2. Also who steps up at tight end (lots of options)

9. Can think of a lot of guys that need to step up and embrace the opportunity. Braiden McGregor Derrick Moore. Jaden McBurrows. Jalen Perry. Darrius Clemons. Davis Warren. And so on. But you know who I think really needs to step up because it's a huge opportunity for him. Is ROMAN WILSON!!! You can be the next Ronnie Bell young man. With your speed you can become anything. Maybe a high level draft pick? But you got to put it together. 

10. Outside of remaining healthy? Remain focused and unsatisfied. Confident sure. But this team needs a divinely appointed date with destiny type of deep-seated dissatisfaction with themselves... To get better to the next level and where they need to be. I believe they will do that. 

I'm drawing a blank.

The sophomore class is dang impressive and if Walker is as good as hyped. Get of the tracks the pains trains coming.

1.CJ Stokes

2.A.Walker

3.Stokes,Dunlap,Cabana,Hall emergening as 3rd back

4.Qb,RB

5.3rd RB

6.We good 

7.O line competition depth and physicality 

8. Edge with Moore,Stewart and Braiden

9.Cam Goode

10.Unleash JJ

1) Sounds like Walker. Harbaugh is saying he’d probably be starting if the season started today, so that’s pretty lofty praise for a kid entering his second season. 

2) Stuck between Mason Graham and Derrick Moore. I think Graham might be the better player at this point, but Moore has more space to improve, and since that’s what the question is I’ll go with Moore. Although given what we saw last season, if Graham is the most improved then he’ll be pushing for first team all conference.

3) Progression of the passing game. Will we find a player in that arena who can be “the guy”? We’ve got some good to great players in there. Who will ascend to be the clear #1 option?

4) Running back seems like an easy answer, because they’ll have the best RB room in America. But outside that I’ll say QB. McCarthy is already good enough to get us to the CFP, and he’ll take another step forward this offseason and be even better next season. 

5) Tight end depth. Loveland looks like he’s going to be a good one, but behind him there appears to be significant drop off and then freshmen. if Loveland gets hurt then as of now, that position is in trouble. 

6) Corner is my guess. Will Johnson has one side locked down, but the other side is a complete mystery. Anyone know the status of that potential transfer from Ole Miss?

7) Can McCarthy take the next step and be a guy who wins you the game when the chips are down? Can he not just manage the game, but win it for you himself? If he can, then a third straight trip to the CFP is a very realistic possibility.

8) Defensive line. Who is going to emerge? There are some really great candidates who could break out and turn into stars. I don’t think we have a Hutch on this team, but Moore could break out, Graham could become even better, etc.

9) McGreigor. Oozing with potential, but that bad senior year injury may have permanently capped his potential. Still, he showed some flashes last year and several key pass break ups in Columbus. Hope he can take the next step this year and re-capture what made him such a highly sought after recruit. 

10) Recognize that especially after last season, they are now officially the hunted. They are no longer a one year fluke, but with that, they need to avoid complacency at all costs. The minute they become complacent, it’s all over, and OSU or even PSU comes out on top. 

This is fun to think about however relative to the teams that are the perennial leaders in recruiting and on-field performance, once again, the success of this season for Michigan will revolve around the sum of the parts  being greater than the whole. This team has the individual talent to play at a very high level. Here, the individual improvement is necessary but the synergy effect that is achieved by the collective whole will be the difference between them being very good and them being great. 

The past two years Michigan has approached elite status. Can they cross the line this year and become the king of the 2023 mountain??? Man for man they are not 3 scores better than OSU...but this is a team sport-and it is a beautiful thing to be a part of. 

1. Darrius Clemons

2. Derrick Moore

3. Amorion Walker

4. Running backs

5. Cornerbacks (mostly in terms of depth)

6. Cornerback and maybe NT, but those are the two hardest positions to find quality in the portal

7. Is the offense as good as it should be on paper, and is Moore killing it as sole OC?

8. Edge rusher (lots of talent but no clear superstar; transfer might end up being our best player)

9. Any of the talented edge rushers who want to be the next guy from Edge U

10. Get unproven cornerbacks ready to go

NO INJURIES!!! is the answer to any and all questions.

We have the horses, let them run when it matters.

1.       After spring ball, the most improved offensive player will be JJ____________.

• After spring ball, the most improved defensive player will be Walker______________.
• I am (you are) most excited to hear about OL/RB___________ this spring.
• QB/OL/RB____________ will be Michigan's biggest strength coming out of the spring.
• CB____________ will be Michigan's biggest concern coming out of the spring.
• CB____________ will be the biggest transfer portal need after the spring.
• The biggest story surrounding Michigan Football this spring is DL Strength ______________.
• The position battle that I am (you are) most interested in is at RB____________.
• It's time for WR____ to step up this spring.
• Outside of remaining healthy Go 15-0______________ is the most important thing Michigan Football must do this spring.
• Mark my words 〽️ goes 15-0 and Wins the Natty.