Michigan Spring Football: Fact or Fiction
Still bored...still a slow morning. Why not one more for those of us that are up this morning...
FACT or FICTION
1. Drake Johnson will leave the Spring as the #1* RB (Note: Toussaint, Green and Smith not considered)
2. Darboh or Chesson will finish the Spring as a starting WR
3. At least 2 Freshman (true or redshirt) will finish the Spring on the 1st team OLine
4. The "Pistol" will emerge as our most commonly used offensive set
5. Dennis Norfleet will play both ways (offense and defense)
6. Chris Wormley will emerge as a starter on the DLine
7. James Ross will cement his role as starting WLB
8. Joe Bolden will cement his roles as starting MLB
9. At least one Cass Tech CB will find a significant place in the CB rotation
10. Dymonte Thomas/Jeremy Clark have a better shot than Marvin Robinson/Josh Furman to start opposite Thomas Gordon at S
March 17th, 2013 at 11:11 AM ^
Another one? My, my, my....aren't we the little curious george this morning........
And this one is harder. You have know things.
March 17th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
March 17th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
March 17th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
1. False. (Rawls or Hayes.)
2. True. (Counting Dileo as a slot.)
3. True. (This seems almost a given.)
4. False.
5. False.
6. False. (Nothing against Wormley, just playing the odds.)
7. True.
8. False. (Bolden will back up both Morgan and Ross.)
9. False. (Cass Tech CBs are guilty until proven innocent.)
10. False? (Pretty sure Gordon/Wilson/Avery is the starting lineup at SS/FS/Nickel; Robinson will likely sub in before Thomas/Clark.)
March 17th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
March 17th, 2013 at 11:32 AM ^
Assuming all of these questions pertain to the end of spring practice:
1. Fact Caveat: this still doesn't mean he will be actually good
2. Fact/Fiction: how many receivers are considered 'starting?' Top 3? Then probably still fiction. This staff really seems to like/want experience at receiver
3. Fact
4. Ficton
5. Fiction: coaches have said he's moved back to RB
6. Fiction: I don't believe he'll be full go for contact in spring ball
7/8. One of those LBs will cement a role as starter at one of the positions (cop-out, I know)
9. Fiction
10. Fiction: give the edge to experience in the spring
March 17th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^
1. Drake Johnson will leave the Spring as the #1* RB (Note: Toussaint, Green and Smith not considered)
Fact, but I think Green is starter
2. Darboh or Chesson will finish the Spring as a starting WR
Fact, Darnoh starts Chesson finds way into rotation
3. At least 2 Freshman (true or redshirt) will finish the Spring on the 1st team OLine
Fact, my guess is Kalis and not really sure on the other maybe Magnusson
4. The "Pistol" will emerge as our most commonly used offensive set
Fiction, I think pro style spread with Manball
5. Dennis Norfleet will play both ways (offense and defense)
Fiction, needs to stay on offense and kick returns
6. Chris Wormley will emerge as a starter on the DLine
Fact, but I'm not 100% sure which side. So if it is frank Clark's side then no, but if it's the opposite side then yes.
7. James Ross will cement his role as starting WLB
Fact, I think his athleticism is great for this position.
8. Joe Bolden will cement his roles as starting MLB
Fact, he played really well last year when he got time.
9. At least one Cass Tech CB will find a significant place in the CB rotation
Fact, Jordan Lewis is my guess.
10. Dymonte Thomas/Jeremy Clark have a better shot than Marvin Robinson/Josh Furman to start opposite Thomas Gordon at S
Fact, Dymonte Thomas is an upgrade from Kovacs and anyone else at S. I know Kovacs was a hard worker and smart I just think once Mattison can get Dymonte in the right spots and making the right choices he is going to be a monster for us.
March 17th, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^
1. Drake Johnson will leave the Spring as the #1* RB (Note: Toussaint, Green and Smith not considered) Fiction. Rawls I bet
2. Darboh or Chesson will finish the Spring as a starting WR Fact, who the hell else is it gonna be?
3. At least 2 Freshman (true or redshirt) will finish the Spring on the 1st team OLine Fiction. Kalis is the only one I have penciled in as starting
4. The "Pistol" will emerge as our most commonly used offensive set Fiction. Seriously?
5. Dennis Norfleet will play both ways (offense and defense) Fiction, only offense and special teams
6. Chris Wormley will emerge as a starter on the DLine Fiction, too much ground to make up over Black/Clark/Beyer/etc etc
7. James Ross will cement his role as starting WLB Fiction, there will be a 3 man rotation at the two spots
8. Joe Bolden will cement his roles as starting MLB See above
9. At least one Cass Tech CB will find a significant place in the CB rotation No clue actually. This one is tough
10. Dymonte Thomas/Jeremy Clark have a better shot than Marvin Robinson/Josh Furman to start opposite Thomas Gordon at S Fact, Robinson/Furman just don't have it I don't think
March 17th, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
1. Fiction. I think Drake will look ok, but I think Hoke is pushing for Rawls or Hayes to step up. I'll guess it is Rawls. Touissant, Geen or Smith will start in Fall.
3. Fact. I see Kalis and Braden as most likely, especially with Bryant weighing in at 325. Hopefully now that he can move around a bit he'll get his weight down over the summer. Burzynski would be my best bet to beat one of them out.
10. Looked like Robinson was with the starters (at least Gordon) in the practice video and Wilson running with the 2nd team. This surprised me as I expect Gordon/Wilson to start. Only a snippet from one practice, but likely ahead of Thomas/Clark. Will be fun to watch.
March 17th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^
March 17th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^
Will be interesting discussion over coffee in am. I will be noting my answers and revisiting them after spring game! Thanks for the thought provoking!!
March 17th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^
1. Drake Johnson will leave the Spring as the #1* RB (Note: Toussaint, Green and Smith not considered)
False. I think the Johnson stuff is mostly hype. My guess is either Rawls or Hayes has that position.
2. Darboh or Chesson will finish the Spring as a starting WR
False. Reynolds is the third WR behind Dileo and Gallon. Jackson/Reynolds/Darboh/Chesson are on pretty much even ground, but the nod goes to Reynolds. Darboh/Chesson become in the top 3 in the fall though.
3. At least 2 Freshman (true or redshirt) will finish the Spring on the 1st team OLine
True. I think both guard positions are won by redshirt freshman.
4. The "Pistol" will emerge as our most commonly used offensive set
False. It's part of the package, but I-form is the most common set.
5. Dennis Norfleet will play both ways (offense and defense)
False. They want him to at least learn one position. He isn't used a ton, not nearly as much as people around here claim he should. Still mostly a ST guy.
6. Chris Wormley will emerge as a starter on the DLine
False. Not this spring at least. Still recovering a bit from injury and he didn't get to practice all that technique last year. He's still at least a year off.
7. James Ross will cement his role as starting WLB
True.
8. Joe Bolden will cement his roles as starting MLB
False. The two inside LB positions will be split evenly between the 3 LBs, with the other LBs (Stone, etc) getting some spot duty.
9. At least one Cass Tech CB will find a significant place in the CB rotation
False. A year too early still.
10. Dymonte Thomas/Jeremy Clark have a better shot than Marvin Robinson/Josh Furman to start opposite Thomas Gordon at S
True. Though this is dependent on the team played, as Robinson could be a solid in the box safety. Gordon's best position is still probably SS though, so finding a FS may be in Michigan's best interest.
March 17th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
1) Fiction (Drake Johnson buzz sounds a lot like Rawls buzz)
2) Fact (Kind of by default, as Jeremy Jackson and Joe Reynolds are two guys that don't seem on the verge of breaking out)
3) Fact (Braden and Kalis)
4) Fiction (Borges has talked about it, but it will only be sprinkled in)
5) Fiction (Defensive switch was an emergency one, not permanent)
6) Fiction (D Line is Clark, Washington, Pipkins and Heitzman, but Wormley will be key rotational guy)
7) Fiction (Morgan and Ross are a good rotation, depending on defensive scheme, like speed offense versus power)
8) Fact
9) False (Countess, Taylor, Avery, but one might get into dime packages)
10) Fiction (Jarrod Wilson?)
March 17th, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
March 17th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
1) Why would you ask a stupid question like that? Dogs. Obviously.
2) Why would you ask a stupid question like that? Blue (with some sort of Maize color around it)
3) Why would you ask a stupid question like that? Chicken, duh.
4) Why would you ask a stupid question like that? Hell no.
5) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
6) Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Iz
7) Good, but overrated by many a man as a saving grace. I'll take it if it's available though.
8) Jeans
9) Peaches
10) Watching a John Wayne movie while walking in the park. This is the 21st century, it's time to multi-task.
March 17th, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
1) Fact.
2) As someone else said, "Who the hell else is it gonna be?"
3) Fact: Kalis and Braden, who will start over Chris Bryant, which will cause much muttering and chin-pulling and scrutinizing on the part of the MGoPriestly class.
4) Fiction. I expect the Spring Game to be an homage to the Stately Offenses of Yore.
5) Fiction.
6) Fiction, but he will get heavy rotation.
7) Fact.
8) Fiction. Lost in the discussion of Desmond Morgan's height and weight vs. the ideal MLB measurables is what Brian discovered in many a UFR last season. When Desmond Morgan hits you, you stop.
9) Fact. Because of blind hope.
10) Fact. Gulp.
March 17th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
I agree with a previous poster on another thread. This is definiitely the return of em0 to a higher profile.
March 17th, 2013 at 12:56 PM ^
1. Fiction - Rawls will be the nominal starter
2. Fact - Darboh will be a starter
3. Fact - Kalis at RG and Braden at LG, Braden may be replaced by Bryant come Fall
4. Fiction - Primarily from under center
5. Fiction - He will be taking over the Vincent Smith role this year
6. Fiction - Heitzman will be the starter right now, may change come fall
7. Fact - Ross, Morgan and Ryan at LB
8. Fiction - Ross, Morgan and Ryan at LB
9. Fact - Only because I don't think Countess will be practicing full time yet
10. Fact - Just not sure if Robinson or Furman will ever turn their talent into production
Bonus Fact - At least 5 of these will be wrong, proving I learn less from random spring news then I like to think
Trick question. They are all fact.
1. false
2. true
3. true
4. false
5. false (unfortunately)
6. false, we're too deep in that area
7. hopefully true (no offense desmond morgan)
8. hopefully true
9. false, with countess back i dont think richardson will get a spot
10. I hope true, but I think that it's false
#1 - I'll go with FACT by default. I've had high hopes for Rawls but I've moved to I'll believe it when I see it.
#2 - Once again I'll go with FACT. Who do they really have to battle for it? They both hopefully will show they can play at this level.
#3 - FACT (Braden and Kalis)
#4 - FICTION. They will be more diverse than one single set.
#5 - FICTION. They better not need him on D.
#6 - FICTION. Doubt he starts right away but will play alot.
#7 and #8 - FACT.
#9 - FICTION.
#10 - FACT. Saddly kinda.
1. Fact
2. Fact
3. Fact
4. Fiction
5. Fiction
6. Fact
7. Fact
8. Fiction
9. Fact
10. Fact
1. Drake Johnson will leave the Spring as the #1* RB (Note: Toussaint, Green and Smith not considered)
I've ignored coach chatter before (see: Denard Robinson 2010) but who wins in spring matters very little. Toussaint is the starting running back, Green will probably play more as the year progresses, and otherwise the stable looks much like it did in 2004, when it was David Underwood by default. At this point in 2004 you'd have had your marbles on Pierre Rembert.
2. Darboh or Chesson will finish the Spring as a starting WR
Darboh will.
3. At least 2 Freshman (true or redshirt) will finish the Spring on the 1st team OLine
Braden is almost certainly one. Kalis only has to be better than Burzynski. The other guys are pretty far from competing.
4. The "Pistol" will emerge as our most commonly used offensive set
Total fiction.
5. Dennis Norfleet will play both ways (offense and defense)
He won't. He's back at RB and returner.
6. Chris Wormley will emerge as a starter on the DLine
Good bet. He, Heitzman and Black are competing for two positions that should have very heavy rotation.
7. James Ross will cement his role as starting WLB
He was basically a starter by the end of last year, albeit undersized. File under 'duh.'
8. Joe Bolden will cement his roles as starting MLB
Desmond Morgan is ahead of him in the MLB/WLB rotation, and the coaches love Des. Bolden will definitely be getting some rotation time but he's a super backup more than a starter.
9. At least one Cass Tech CB will find a significant place in the CB rotation
Fiction except by wordplay. Maybe by the end of fall but your CB depth chart at the moment is Countess and Ramon Taylor, and the first backup and nickel back is Courtney Avery. This is less of a rotation position, partly because there's such a big dropoff between the starting three and the rest. Richardson and Hollowell were both behind Norfleet in the bowl game depth chart--that's a bad sign. So then you're hoping Jourdan Lewis will come in and be immediately awesome--we've been spoiled by such things in the past but he needs some time. Delano is a safety.
10. Dymonte Thomas/Jeremy Clark have a better shot than Marvin Robinson/Josh Furman to start opposite Thomas Gordon at S
Fiction. Where'd you get that from? From the coaches the very very very tentative order right now is 1.) Wilson, 2.) Furman, 3.) M-Rob, 4.) Clark, 5.) Thomas, 6.) Gant, 7.) Hill/Dawson.