One more month until the spring game...
Game is Saturday 04/13/2013.
Who/what are you most excited to see?
Here are my top five:
1. Devin Gardner - full offseason to focus on being Starting QB
2. O-Line - Who's going to be starting and how much progress have they made.
3. D-Line - Very deep group, but who starts where?
4. WRs - Will Darboh or Chesson develop into a solid WR2?
5. TEs - Will Funchess/Butt make a Gronk/Hernandez type impact? FunchButt? FunchyButt?
The freshmen coming in and the new offensive line. Plus the new guys on DL.
But most importantly, if Maize can finally end the 3 year losing streak and get back within a game of the series record. (28-26 Blue)
/s
I'm most excited to see the linebackers tearing it up. This should be the best linebacking corps Michigan has had in years.
To build on that, they could all be potentially returning for 2014 too. It's too bad we don't have this years schedule in 2014, that has the potential to be a big year for us.
Our schedule will be re-worked for 2014 because Rutgers and Maryland (*sigh*) will be in our conference. Division realignment, etc. The only tough game that will guaranteed stay untouched is @Notre Dame.
It's possible we end up with a more favorable schedule.
That said, even this year we have the potential to do some very special things, depending on Gardner's progression at QB (and if last season was any indication, I think we'll be pretty fine).
So, for the original question, I'm most excited to see QB and our O-Line. If we can get a ground game going by someone who is not also the QB, I think we are going to be an extremely dangerous team. Gardner's arm + mobility + an O-Line that can move defenders bodes extremely well for us, let's hope that happens.
2006 was probably the last time there was such a group.
Hey El Magnus,
I had a question, I was reading Touch the Banner this morning and there was a piece written about the spring game. Since we have so many good LBs the read suggested we could see a couple of guys maybe leave (Ringer, or RJS). What do you think about this? Those guys are so young and they just got Ann Arbor. I would hate for anyone to leave.
I was talking generally about the linebacker group, not just those guys. They are young, and it's disappointing to see young players leave...but it happens all the time. Guys who have been leaving under Hoke seem to have a decent reason (they'll never see the field, they're too fat and will never work hard enough to see the field, etc.).
Do you think they'll give Bolden, Ross and Morgan rotating through the two spots, or do you think there will be two clear starters and one guy who rotates in for both spots.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:10 AM ^
My personal opinion is that Bolden should be a backup at MIKE and maybe WILL, and perhaps they should find another backup for the WILL spot. I think Ross and Morgan should be the two starting inside linebackers.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ^
I didn't phrase my question very well, but what do you think of three guys playing two spots, but basically equal playing time for each? Is Bolden good enough that you he warrants being basically a third starter? or is he more situational?
March 13th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
I don't think it's a good idea to have guys playing multiple positions in the same game if it's not necessary. The reads are different, the drops are different, etc. It would be better if, for example, Bolden/Ringer are the MIKEs and Morgan/Ross are the WILLs.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
Do you have any info on Antonio Poole?
The TE role in the passing game. And I nominate FunchyButtLovin'.
I doubt the O-Line is going to set the world on fire, since the spring practice is a glorified open scrimmage/practice. So don't get too excited.
I actually think the secondary will be a strength next year. Countess (if completely healthy) and Taylor should form one of the best CB tandems in the conference, and Thomas Gordon should have a great senior season playing the more natural SS position. While Kovacs leadership and tackling ability will be missed, whomever steps in at FS will be an upgrade in terms of athleticism. I think Jarrod Wilson will win the job, but I would not at all be surprised if Dymonte Thomas played his way on to the field.
If Thomas plays his way onto the field, it will probably be at SS. Freshman safeties are scary, no matter how good they were in high school. I'm hoping D. Thomas is a backup this year and Gordon/Robinson/Wilson can hold down the fort back there.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^
I will definitely agree with the OP's first bullet - Gardner put up some excellent numbers in the 5 games that he started at QB (including the bowl there, of course), so it will be interesting to see what the progression is from 75-126, 1,219 passing yards and 11 passing TDs in five games (as well as the 7 rushing TDs).
That leads a bit into wanting to know what the offensive line will look like in relation to the running game. I am sort of curious to see the adjustment to running the ball in a post-Denard world and how the blocking looks as that workload shifts to RBs.
Specifically Countess' recovery. We won't be able to count on all B1G WRs being terrible for much longer, and if Countess isn't playing well, we're left with some unproven DOOM behind him.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^
listed on the roster. There is a name for all those unnproven players, though - Wolverines.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:14 AM ^
Was it on the boards or the main page? I was just over there and didn't see any mention of it, and I would like to read it.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 12:39 PM ^
A great crowd on a beautiful, warm April day. I know...it's usually too much to ask for great AA weather in April...but c'mon...give us a nice one!