A look at 3 spring games

2008 Spring game held in sleet and rain at Saline HS. It was probably a good thing that it was "closed" to the public, because Michigan looked bad. Threet and Sheridan showed that they could not throw the ball. Biggest highlight was a big TD run from non-contributor and eventual transfer Avery Horn. We knew there that year 1 of RR was going to be rough. 2008 record: 3-9 2009 Michigan fans turned out for a glimpse at the new stadium and a glimpse at what resembled an offense. Hopeful for improvement, Tate showed the moxie that Michigan fans would fall in love with in September. Michigan had a passing game! That said, the defense looked horrible. Despite showing no depth, clipboard QB/rapper David Cone ripped off a huge run, shaking LB Stevie Brown out of his jock. The offense was improved, but we knew that the defense would likely cost us in the fall. 2009 record: 5-7 2010 Again, Michigan fans turned out to see what to expect in a year that could mark the beginning or the end of RR at Michigan. To our surprise, last year's turnover prone qb Denard Robinson looked to have control of the offense. He knew the playbook, made a couple of reads, and wowed fans with his speed and elusiveness. The offense began to even show a little semblance of a downfield passing attack, when Denard connected with Roy Rountree for 97 yds. More importantly, the first string D, playing in a new scheme without potential all conference DL Mike Martin showed, for the first time, the ability to shut down the run. CBs played close to the line of scrimmage, and did a good job in coverage as well. 2010 showed marked improvement over the spring game of 2009. There is hope for a successful fall, with improved defense, a dynamic athlete at the qb position, and players on both sides of the ball who appear to know what is going on and where they are supposed to be. 2010 record: the $1 million question...