Open practice reaction thread
It won't be over for a few hours still, but I figured I may as well start this thread now. I'm there currently. It's tough to take much from a practice like this, but I can give an impression of the depth chart. Sorry for the disorganization.
Rudock at QB, Smith at RB, Harris/Perry/Chesson at WR (haven't seen much Darboh now that I think of it). Line is as it was reported previously. LBs were solidly Ross/Bolden/Morgan (now wearing #3), and CBs saw a lot of LewisClark (thanks Qmatic), Stribling, and a couple others. Hill and Wilson played with the 1s at S, and of course Jabril played every snap. Butt obviously started at TE. Isaac was first off the bench at RB, Morris at QB. I'll try to update with further impressions as possible. I'd love to see other attendees corroborate the above, and add more details. They came down on phones pretty hard so this is all from memory.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:03 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:40 PM ^
of Harris family Dr. west michigan area. Just spoke with him tonight. He's flying out with his dad (Drake's that is) and is very optomistic about the strides and current state D Harris is at. Good news from a great source.
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:48 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:50 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:52 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:44 PM ^
address the students at any point?
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:14 PM ^
Yes, only briefly to say a) he appreciates us coming out, b) no phones, and c) he wanted us to cheer to simulate crown noise (I think they expected many more students to come out, as our noise really didn't amount to much)
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:48 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:51 PM ^
That would make sense in the 3-4, but in the 4-3, that's odd unless Henry is the second coming of Alan Branch
Obligatory.
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:53 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:07 PM ^
If I had to make a prediction...
Ojemudia/Charlton (depending on down and distance)
Glasgow
Henry
Wormley
Morgan - Gedeon
Bolden - Ross
Peppers - Watson
Lewis - Stribling
Lyons - Clark
Wilson - Thomas
Hill - Thomas
From all the things I'm reading, it sounds like this is going to be the group...2 groups of LBs rotating pretty evenly, the starters for the DBs and their backups. And then the starters on the DL.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^
I agree the 4-2-5 or something functionally similar to it looks to be our base, especially against Utah.
Only Qmatic up there said that Clark and Stribling were the corners with the 1s. I get that one of them is in there because Lewis didn't play. But is Lyons similarly out? Or has eitehr Stribling or Clark taken a spot with the 1s ahead of Lyons? Got to say, I've heard the DBs are the deepest and best group on the team, and this seems to back that up. I mean, Lyons is decent. If he's with the 2s even when we run a 4-2-5, then I be like dang.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:05 PM ^
And Lyons seems to be played CB, NB and FS...today he was apparently playing with the 2nd team.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:28 PM ^
Maybe it's just my optimism, but I'm inclined to take that as a good sign. As in, if Stribling or Clark or both are playing well enough to be ahead of Lyons, then that's awesome because we know Lyons is no slouch.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:50 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:24 PM ^
it's not about whether it's a 34 or 43, it's about technique. A 5 technique is a 5 technique whether you are playing with 3 DL or 4 DL. I can see Henry playing there but I expected it to be Wormley.
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:08 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^
How is the attendance?
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:53 PM ^
Huh I thought it went til 10? I'd bet money that they go over to Glick and practice another hour in the submarine
August 23rd, 2015 at 12:33 AM ^
That was my guess. I remember last year they ran a little over. I'm guessing this year they stopped for the public portion and continued on to the maize submarine. There wasn't as big of a crowd, so it makes sense to simulate noise without ~800 onlookers
August 23rd, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^
At which point Peppers came in on offense, Morris worked with the 1s, and the defense switched to a 4-3 over front!
But yeah, for fall camp the NCAA only allows x number of practices at 4 hour intervals. I don't see Harbaugh wasting a second of that.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:27 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:50 PM ^
Thanks for the info, Qmatic and everyone else!
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:53 PM ^
Posted this a few days ago in the Rudock holder thread, but it was pretty much dead...
Not creating a thread for this, because while I trust the source (entry-level athletics department employee) --- I don't trust the sources knowledge of football to that of a coach or someone on the football staff. I used to know folks on the actual staff (Carr days/RR days), so I felt more comfortable saying it was thread worthy...now I just know athletic department people rather than football people. So take it or leave it at your discretion. Make sense?
Anyway...wanted to share what I was told last night.
QB - Everything being reported by "insiders" is true...Morris started camp the best, but it was largely based on knowing what he was doing and chemistry with WRs. Rudock has caught and passed him - extremely bright kid. Now Morris is losing focus and his INTs in practice have gone up as the coaches bring the heat up in practice. Morris HAS gotten better (from last season) - so that's nice.
a. Also noteworthy that there is a worry among some on how Shane will take it if he doesn't win the job. He's always carried a small sense of entitlement around (which doesn't seem farfetched if you know that he and his family requested Shane was the only QB in his class and Borges didn't take one a year later). There is a worry that his game goes to shit even if he's not THAT far behind Rudock.
b. Some folks think if it's close, it may be better to start Morris and allow him to fail to give him no leg to stand on if Rudock is put in - OR of course if he succeeds, then Michigan has a 2 year starter at QB.
*opinion* While that makes sense, I don't think Harbaugh is the guy to give a shit about ego. He's going to find the best guy to beat Utah and that's as far as he's thinking. I understand the "win-win" thought process from 1b, but if Rudock is .01% better than Morris, please believe he's going to start. I personally don't think it'll be that close by the time the game rolls around - Morris just turns the ball over too much.
RB - The guys have been told the competition has been extended to the B1G opener --- all 3 or 4 guys will get a shot to win it during games and in practice for the next month or so. The staff doesn't feel ready to pick a guy at this point.
WR - This crew is very '08, I believe it was '08...I was told "they're like the year Greg Mathews was the best WR." They've got guys who can make some plays...but in the end, they're just contributing type players #2 's and #3's. Still too many drops, not enough separation or playmaking. "All very nice guys though..."
TE - Butt is the best receiver on the team. The group as a whole is "as good as they've been since Carr."
OL - "Not getting my hopes up, haven't seen anything unscripted (scrimmages)...but everything I'm hearing is they're above average. 2 years ago D, last year C, this year B."
DL - "Same as the OL...until they go full speed at one another, you never really know. Of course they look the part, but Frank Clark looked the part for 3 years. Losing Mone SUCKS, everyone said he was a starter and most improved (individually) on defense."
LB - "Best unit on the team - Bolden is A LOT better and they have depth." I'm was told that the guys are smart, in position and Durkin's given them more freedom and leadership since they're all older. Told the 2nd unit is better than people think.
DB - Sounds like they are also a solid unit - they miss Countess (or Taylor) though, a steady performer. The positive was on the safeties...I was told they're "by far the most improved unit on the team along with the TEs."
Mainly the conversation was around the QBs, naturally...I found it interesting that there's still a mental concern with Morris. The thought is because he's bought his time and sat behind Gardner that this is now his turn. Nothing sounded like the kid is an asshole or cocky, just sounded like he's a nice rich kid who may have a sense of entitlement and may be a little embarrassed if he doesn't win the job. Transfer rumors will swirl, especially once he gets his degree. Local media knows his story and the spotlight and questions will be "unfair."
If it's close, I may almost start Morris and just put him on the short leash. The upside is a 2-year starter and the downside is he's pulled at the end of the 2nd quarter and we all know for sure, he's the #2. I don't think that's how it'll be handled, but I'd hate to lose the kid for a season if he doesn't see him name on the board as the starter vs. Utah. I'd hate to go the other way around and see Rudock struggle in a game and then Morris come in pressing trying to prove everyone he's the starter.
That said, when I said that outloud...my friend said "I'm not sure the coaches care, because #1, they want to win...but almost as importantly...they REALLY like Malzone and he would be a solid #2 option if Rudock stays healthy. Don't want him playing, but you want him getting those reps in practice and mop up duty. He's better than people realize."
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:01 PM ^
The stuff about the offensI've line and WR's is interesting but I would expect this offense as a whole to improve much more than we have seen an offense improve during the course of a single season since probably before Lloyd wad our coach. They have talent, veterans and an offensive guru as their coach.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:10 PM ^
"He and his family requested Shane was the only QB in his class and Borges didn't take one a year later)"
AHHHRG. That Drew Henson clause is total BS. Its great that Harbaugh does not subscribe to recruiting QBs with that type of entitlement attached. All of that for a sub 50% HS passer. What a waste.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:12 PM ^
...I've seen multiple rants from him about it (he, like me, likes to look ahead to future rosters - and that "clause" put us in a hole at the position).
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:25 PM ^
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the Drew Henson clause also used for Ryan Mallett's recruitment? As we all know, Ryan didn't want to be part of RR's offense and that left us pretty high and dry at the qb position for RR's first year. But then we got Denard'ed!!!
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:40 PM ^
But Rich Rod finished the recruiting class the year after Mallett's freshman year...
And you can't forget about the QB he brought in...JUSTIN FEAGIN baby! WHOOOOOO!
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:00 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:12 PM ^
"We'll always have that one run Feagin made against Minnesota."
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:40 PM ^
Isn't this flipped? If you have someone you trust, you don't take a QB the year before, so he's likely to be a 2-year starter. By not taking someone the next year, you're just messing up the team after the prized recruit is already gone.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:46 PM ^
But if the incoming guy knows he's got to sit or redshirt due to a veteran...he doesn't want to compete with a highly touted true freshman for the starting job when the vet leaves.
Either way, it's complete bullshit.
And as noted below...it was "take another QB in this class" it wasn't about the next class (they took Speight after Morris in 2014).
August 23rd, 2015 at 8:35 AM ^
Yeah I think the confusion is that we didn't take a QB the class before him.
Hoke's first 3 years of recruiting QBs were 2011 - 3 star Russell Bellomy with no big offers, 2012 - No body, 2013 5 star Shane Morris that literally didn't play his senior year due to illness.
That is horrible recruiting for the most important position on the field.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:50 PM ^
To clarify, the promise to Henson was that we wouldn't offer anyone in the class above him, not the class below. John Navarre and Andy Mignery were in the class below him.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:01 PM ^
"He and his family requested Shane was the only QB in his class and Borges didn't take one a year later)"
That's wrong. Speight was in the following class. Hoke didn't take one in the class before Morris, although he recruited a few. I don't think the request (or at least the expectation) to be the only QB in a class in unusual. It's uncommon to be able to get two highly ranked QBs in the same class under normal circumstances. The exception being if one is more of an athlete like Viramontes. Mike Weber isn't here because he wanted to be the only RB in his class. Now that's unusual.
August 23rd, 2015 at 8:26 PM ^
I think everyone's making a mistake in thinking Viramontes will be playing another position just because he can and isn't as highly rated as Peters. He's got a Harbaugh-level intensity about him. His junior highlight reel was the most dominant I've ever watched of a QB - against good competition to boot. I do realize it's a highlight reel, but still. Can't wait to see what he can do here. He'll compete his ass off - wouldn't want to bet against him. Heck, I'm even looking forward to his senior highlight reel!
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:36 PM ^
Does anyone recall the Bryan Fortay story? Fortay was a massively overhyped QB in '89. During a home visit the Fortay’s reportedly asked Bo for a guarantee that young Bryan would start for Michigan. As I heard the story Bo terminated the visit. Bo was blessed with the gift of clarity.
August 23rd, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:17 PM ^
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:25 PM ^
I've gotta believe the coaching staff will play the best player at QB. Giving in to egos is just asking for locker room problems.
August 23rd, 2015 at 8:28 AM ^
That's my thinking too. A locker room knows who is peforming best at the position (and I've seen it written that the team has a points system so that everyone knows exactly where they and their teammates stand) so starting the 'second best QB' would send the wrong message and be a recipe for disaster.
Entitlement has to die if this program is ever going to get back to championship status.
Harbaugh, a former 'all-everything' QB, knows this better than anyone...
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:25 PM ^
Oh please dear God I hope they're better than that.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:32 PM ^
But they did take a QB in the class after Morris.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:45 PM ^
They took Speight.
I was mistaken...it was just take another QB in the same class. Alum96 - fill us in, what was the damn rule?
My fault.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:28 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:36 PM ^
I don't think Hoke ever took more than a single QB in a recruiting class. That seemed to be his standard approach.
The problem was that we didnt take a QB in the class before Shane.
I think the scuttlebutt was that there was a high ranked QB (who's name escapes me) who was interested in Michigan that we passed up on to save a spot for Shane (who committed to Michigan something like 2 years early).
I think the idea was that Shane was a "can't miss" future 5 star that was worth leaving a hole in the roster for.
The problem with doing that is (a) you damn well better be right and (b) even if you are right, you can end up in the position where forced to his redshirt, which is exactly what happened.
It's bad enough that Hoke basically destroyed Gardner's QB career, I hope he poor roster management doesnt cost Shane his career as well.
