GBMW Practice Write Up
There is a good practice/status write up over at Go Blue Wolverine (good as in information, not readability).
http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/2009/08/michigan-football-t…
Some Notes:
- T. Jones actually looks like a better cornerback than he did in some film on offense a year ago.
- C. Gordon's physical play and his willingness to go over the middle has been impressive.
- Most disappointing player, easy one for is Ricky Barnum. Not because of poor play, he just cant stay healthy.
- Except for Troy Woolfolk speed in the secondary is a little concerning at least against our running back's.
- there was a couple plays that Brandon Smith was used at the spinner position.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:20 AM ^
disappointing or just unlucky? Oh well, he should be okay, like EROC says, for the next three years, when we'll need him.
I'm glad to hear our offense is making the defense look slow. After last year and four years of Hart, it's assuring to hear that the RBs are breaking off 30-40 yard runs, on top of what Denard is doing in practice. From what I read we should have 5 legitimate running threats, in addition to the 2 QBs. That, is a very good thing.
As for the defense, if they can stay healthy, and if they take the tackling lessons to heart, that will be an upgrade over 2008.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:29 AM ^
Go Blue Wolverine(GBW) is not the same as Go Blue Michigan Wolverine (GBMW), FWIW.
One is an fabulous Eblog, the other; Scout's M paysite.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:42 AM ^
I tried to fix it, but a mod beat me to it.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:54 AM ^
No longer E-Blog. And they are using fancy new fonts too.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:32 AM ^
We are sitting here evaluating every single little tidbit of information that comes out of camp. I'm still not sure whether to think that our offense is just that good and is making the defense look bad on certain plays or the defense just is not where they should be at this point. I could only hope that it's the first one - with the talent we have on the first string they should be able to lock up coverage.
The only thing that I am excited about is that our defense gets to practice against guys like Robinson. Once we hit teams like Illinois and Ohio State - Pryor and Juice should be a downgrade in speed.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:43 AM ^
I've been wondering that since the spring game (which i know what #1 off vs #2 def). The offense looked so good that it worried me about the defense.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:52 AM ^
It only take a Johnny Sears to give up 2-3 TD's and we lose. I am not particularly worried about the offense this year. From all accounts we should, at least, be able to run the ball and that is all it really takes to win 7 or so games. Both our QB's are looking solid and we should be able to win with both of them.
The defense is really worrisome. The players are definitely there but I think we may be running into some of the same problems as last year. You have one coach telling you how to do it, then another and now a third. You need kids to just react and when they have 3 different philosophies running through their head during a play that probably isn't good. I just really hope that this ends up being practice "flukes". Like I said the talent is there and this defense could end up being something great given no injuries.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:39 AM ^
When GBMW says "There will be three or four plays when defense holds the offense then all of a sudden a 30 to 40 yard play" it sounds just like the D last year. But last year they definitely weren't getting to see that type of speed/execution in practice. Fingers crossed it will pay off for us this fall.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:49 AM ^
Practice notes from outsiders are largely useless, in my opinion.
The most useful things are formations, position changes, alignments, plays, etc. As far as who looks good or who doesn't, I'll wait until game days to a) see for myself and b) see who wins the game.
USEFUL
Smith is playing spinner a little bit.
USELESS
Pretty much everything else you listed.
(Disclaimer: I refuse to visit GBMW, so I'm only reading what other people on this thread write.)
August 20th, 2009 at 9:53 AM ^
since you won't visit it I'll just post this extra one, since it's near and dear to your heart:
8) In the last three practices the Tight End's have been used.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:00 AM ^
Thanks.
(I never said the tight ends wouldn't be used. I said we shouldn't expect Finley-Coffman-Gresham-like seasons from Koger/Webb.)
August 20th, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^
My post was more meant tongue-in-cheek.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
I could tell you meant it tongue-in-cheek, but I figured others might hop on the Koger Will Rule the World Train.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:07 AM ^
double post
August 20th, 2009 at 10:02 AM ^
I didn't mean to imply that your post was useless, just that the observations from GBMW were mostly useless. I didn't mean to shoot the messenger, so hopefully you don't take it that way.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:21 AM ^
No sugar coat.
This message was written by Eroc and CoachBT
August 20th, 2009 at 10:36 AM ^
Don't worry, I agree their posts are useless 95% of the time. They are horrible writers and the blog hurts my eyes to look at, but it seems like they get to see some practices so it's nice to get a little "insider" information.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:33 AM ^
There is a lot of "fluff" in the insider posts, however I do think they provide a lot of useful information - you just have to sift through it. Take for example the info about the secondary not being great at stopping the run. While there is no real facts used in that statement it is something that we wouldn't be able to know otherwise. The whole thing about Robinson being fast is just something that you have to skip over. Not only is it something we already know - it doesn't really tell us anything good.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:42 AM ^
GBMW writes their own mailbag questions, and they still can't figure out how to even answer them!
August 20th, 2009 at 10:46 AM ^
Typically, practices are scripted by the coaches. Some portions of practice are designed to put the offense/defense in a bad situation. If fact, in most situations the only time that things are scripted fairly are in designated scrimmage situations. 7 on 7 and team period are usually a way for the coaches to put particular players in specific situations or just to see how a new play they designed may look against a particular defensive play call.
I wouldn't read too much into the 30-40 yard gains. Besides, when guys like Minor, Brown, Shaw, DRob, and V Smith get into the open field it ain't a whole heck of a lot of people catching them...this is extremely important as RR offense will get all these guys into space to allow their god given talents to take over a football game. ANDRE WARE needs to bury himself head first for his recent predictions...when you have a ground game like the one potentially residing in AA, it doesn't matter what year the QB is they should be able to help ease him along.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:51 AM ^
yesterday was a designated scrimmage situation.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:33 AM ^
Let's hope it was 1s vs 2s...j/k!
It's still very possible, maybe even probable, that an entire scimmage be scripted. Especially with all the young QBs and defensive players in the mix. W/o knowing for sure if it were scripted or not, I still wouldn't concern myself with the 30-40 yard gains. There are probably situations when the offense can't block the defense, b/c they are put in a bad situation by the coaches. Players are not really informed if they have been purposely put in bad situations, they are still expected to compete.