Title tells all. Thoughts?
yes plz
Phil Steele: Michigan 2nd to last in Legends division
June 7th, 2011 at 12:07 PM
#1
Phil Steele: Michigan 2nd to last in Legends division
June 7th, 2011 at 12:08 PM | 
Phil Steele is a clown.
Phil Steele is a clown.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:09 PM |
Phil Steele is completely awesome
Phil Steele is completely awesome
but that doesn't preclude him from being wrong.
There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:19 PM |
He may be right
He may be right
Lets face it, The defense has most of the same guys as last year so the only way we improve is (a) Woolfolk & Floyd comeback healthy and make a little jump in the backfield (b) what talent we have has improved exponentially (c) Some of these freshmen come in and can make an immediate impact.
As far as offense, yeah they basically kept us in games last year and most of our wins were because we were able to rack up huge points.Granted we have the same guys but a new offense for them to learn that isn't particularly suited to what they were recruited for. I'm not saying they're not going to actually be successful but if they don't pick up and execute the offense successfully and quickly, it could be a long season.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:24 PM |
This really could be a
This really could be a
This really could be a difficult season if the offense can't get things together. Hopefully, having a functional defensive staff will balance out ther early struggles.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:24 PM |
I agree with this
I agree with this
I just wanted to defend Phil Steele's badassery without having to get into a debate about how good Michigan would actually be next year.
There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:54 PM |
In my front pocket is where I think we will finish Mr. Steele
In my front pocket is where I think we will finish Mr. Steele
see more Gifs
June 7th, 2011 at 12:25 PM |
That's the ONLY way the
That's the ONLY way the
That's the ONLY way the defense improves? So improved coaching and fundamentals cannot improve a bad defense? Good to know.
And really, Shaw, Hemingway and Koger were PRECISELY recruited to run a pro-style offense, and most RBs do have the ability to run forward and through holes when they're available. Going from a spread offense to pro-style is immeasurably more straightforward than the other way around.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:30 PM |
Because if the coaches didn't
Because if the coaches didn't
Because if the coaches didn't know how to properly run the defense, the players had no chance in hell, no matter how talented they were (are).
I hope to be like dang for large sections of the season.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:30 PM |
I did not know.
I did not know.
RR recruited Shaw to run a pro-style offense?
"After all was said and done, there was nothing left to do."
June 7th, 2011 at 12:34 PM |
Shaw committed in Feb. 2007.
Shaw committed in Feb. 2007.
Shaw committed in Feb. 2007.
I hope to be like dang for large sections of the season.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:44 PM |
Not correct. That should be
Not correct. That should be
Not correct. That should be 2008. Rivals has it wrong for some reason. Shaw was purely an RR recruit.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:48 PM |
Fair enough.
Fair enough.
Fair enough.
I hope to be like dang for large sections of the season.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:49 PM |
As stated above
As stated above
Shaw was in the 2008 class, and RR snake-oiled him from PSU (see http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=771414)
June 7th, 2011 at 12:36 PM |
I disagree that bc alot of
I disagree that bc alot of
I disagree that bc alot of the same players returned, that means the results will be the same. Same guys with experience is a big thing. However, when I watched the defense last year, it was just sloppy. Poor tackeling, bad angles, missed assignments, and poor discipline were very prevalent. THe talent is there, and with an influx with the freshman class (a small addition granted), and the return of T-Wolf, I would expect on talent and experience alone would lead to a better defense. With the addition of a defense first staff that knows how to develop talent and teach discipline, I would expect another jump up.
Now lets not expect miracles, but allowing less than 20 pts a game on average would be reasonable to expect
June 7th, 2011 at 1:52 PM |
Now lets not expect miracles,
Now lets not expect miracles,
Now lets not expect miracles, but allowing less than 20 pts a game on average would be reasonable to expect
Actually, I think it would take a miracle for the defense to improve from 35 ppg to less than 20 ppg. I am hoping for around 25 ppg from the defense in 2011.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
June 7th, 2011 at 2:09 PM |
I believe 24 was the median
I believe 24 was the median
I believe 24 was the median last year.
June 7th, 2011 at 2:13 PM |
That is what I am hoping for
That is what I am hoping for
That is what I am hoping for from the defense in 2011: average (aka median) performance.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
June 7th, 2011 at 9:49 PM |
Points in the right place
Points in the right place
I don't think the points per game is what matters as much as a competent defense that doesn't give up points at the wrong time and is able to stop drives, force 3 and outs, and maybe give our offense a short field with a timely turn over occasionally.
June 8th, 2011 at 9:26 AM |
Points are all that matter in
Points are all that matter in
Points are all that matter in the end.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:50 PM |
This
This
Going from a spread offense to pro-style is immeasurably more straightforward than the other way around.
sounds like "defense wins championships" and other pieces of conventional wisdom that people repeat without proving that they're actually true. We have a 5'11 lightning fast QB with some accuracy issues who has never operated in a pro-style scheme, and an offensive line that spent 3 years blocking in a different way than they'll be expected to do now. It's totally reasonable for people to be forecasting some serious growing pains.
There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.
June 7th, 2011 at 1:03 PM |
D'Rob played under center
D'Rob played under center
in High School. Unless you mean more of a college level pro-style, and then yes he hasn't played pro-style in college...yet.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
June 7th, 2011 at 1:15 PM |
Blah
Blah
forgot about that. My bad. Can I revise to "hasn't played in a pro-style system in college, which is probably more complicated than playing in a pro-style system in high school"?
There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.
June 7th, 2011 at 1:26 PM |
Nice use of a Blah.
Nice use of a Blah.
Timing, execution, motivation, everything. It was a good blah.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
June 7th, 2011 at 1:05 PM |
Didn't Denard run a pro-style
Didn't Denard run a pro-style
Didn't Denard run a pro-style in high school? I think the change is definately worrisome but it is not as bad as some seem to believe. I think the defense will improve as the season goes on, the better coaching and emphasis on fundamentals will pay dividends.
Semper Fidelis
June 7th, 2011 at 1:24 PM |
A lot of people on this site
A lot of people on this site
A lot of people on this site seem to have Millen syndrome. That smarter than the room fever that makes someone say, "well, most people think this, but I am going to assume they are idiots." What is so wrong with conventional wisdom? Some of the greatest coaches in the history of the game think that defense wins championships, that time of possesion matters, etc. but what do they know, right? I am not saying there is no room for argument on some of these issues, but to just dismiss something because it is conventional wisdom is ridiculous.
June 7th, 2011 at 6:23 PM |
ding ding ding
ding ding ding
"That smarter than the room fever that makes someone say, "well, most people think this, but I am going to assume they are idiots." What is so wrong with conventional wisdom?
we have a winner. glad someone else is able to see this too
June 7th, 2011 at 1:47 PM |
I think he was referring to
I think he was referring to
I think he was referring to the fact that downsizing (increasing speed and elusiveness) is probably tougher than upsizing (increasing muscle mass). I think he is right that it is tougher to run a spread with pro-style guys (imagine Threet running), especially since the spread requires at least a somewhat mobile QB. For example, didn't Texas run more of a Pro-style offense with a mobile Vince Young (not sure so anyone feel free to jump in)?
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
June 7th, 2011 at 2:02 PM |
Been watching UT up close and
Been watching UT up close and
Been watching UT up close and personal for 15 years. When Mack Brown came in his OC (Greg Davis) tried to run a pro-style while transitioning to a spread style. Vince is who helped them make the full switch. Prior 5 years had been Major Applewhite and Chris Simms trying to run a hybrid because they didn't have the full capabilities to be a spread QB. That said, Texas' spread was a little different than Michigan's. Although Colt McCoy had decent running stats, it really does not focus on the QB run. Much more like Oklahoma where they pass to set up the run.
An interesting note, Texas has had periodic problems over the years getting their running game going which leads me to wonder if our lack of RB dominated running game would have had similar problems over time.
"Anyone who isn't confused, really doesn't understand the situation." - Edward R. Murrow
June 7th, 2011 at 3:00 PM |
I'm hoping that D Rob looks a
I'm hoping that D Rob looks a
I'm hoping that D Rob looks a lot better in the fall than he did in the Spring game. Many of his throws were high and off target. That can prove to be devistating. I know it was spring ball but he made tremendous leaps the year prior and showed it in the spring game. I hope this years spring was not what we are going to see all season. If so it could turn out to be a long one. I know new system=growing pains. Hope there is less growing pains and more wins. GO BLUE!!!!
June 7th, 2011 at 3:32 PM |
just my two cents..
just my two cents..
but I think a lot of the throws he made that were high broke down to 2 main distinctions
1. he wasn't entirely fluid in his drop backs (3/5/7 instead of his normal roll out and decide)
2. he is still learning his timing routes.
QB is the hardest position on the field for a reason. You have ot know every check down for every player and then deliver the ball when and where it it supposed to be based on a read of the defense.
My personal belief was that Denard was thinking to hard instead of just playing, whcih is easy to expect based on the fact that he just learned the entire offensive scheme 3 weeks earlier. Give him 6 months with the playbook before you start to worry.
On the fifth night—possibly the sixth—a breeze arose.
It was cool and dewy.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:34 PM |
Overlooking possible
Overlooking possible
Overlooking possible improvement in two areas: defensive coordinator and running backs. Depending on the health situation, we could be looking at a more viable run attack. If Shaw and Toussaint stay healthy, Smith's knee improves, Cox bothers to learn the playbook, and the improvement of Hopkins, then that will really help this season, particularly in the big games. In the big games last year, we were significantly outgained in non-Denard rushing yards. Hopefully that will change.
Hopefully we will also see less of our defensive subs rushing onto the field right before the snap with Mattison versus Robinson. I think Mattison alone improves the defense to top 85-90 defense. Factor in improvement in physical ability, experience, depth, and the development of talent, and the defense will hopefully just be sub-par or rough versus terrible.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:37 PM |
Right, but as you said, we
Right, but as you said, we
Right, but as you said, we have most of the same guys from last year. That means one more year of practice and conditioning for the guys, some of whom were freshmen that got thrown into the fire day one. Add in some guys that redshirted, and others that maybe just needed some more time in the weight room, and it is entirely possible that the defense becomes at least competent.
And of course, as mentioned above, coaching could make a huge difference. I am guessing that having a coach that knows how to actually run the chosen scheme must make a difference.
"People who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either being made."
June 7th, 2011 at 1:22 PM |
Agreed (James Burrill)
Agreed (James Burrill)
I'm looking forward to the steady incline to a very successful Michigan team that I have no doubts we are on the path to becoming. But I am not expecting instant success. I think the thoughts of former M linebackers and 10+ win seasons have sugar plums dancing in many M fans' heads. It'll happen at a realistic pace.
I expect that learning a new system on the offense will take time that just has to be invested before success. And the fundamentals needs that we've heard so much about on defense will be filled, but again, as the time is invested by our hard-working new staff.
A Journey of Father and Son
http://mysonsfirstbible.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-things-you-may-have-miss...
June 7th, 2011 at 12:48 PM |
The defense will be
The defense will be
The defense will be significantly better...last time I checked having the same guys coming back from the previous year makes a big difference. Guys will have an year of experience under their belt as well as another off-season to get bigger, stronger, and faster. I know the defense wasn't good last year but our system didn't help along with injuries. I was very happy with what I saw in the spring game especially from our front seven stopping the run.
As far as offense goes, ya their may be some growing pains, but we have a lot of returning starters and by the time big ten play rolls around we will be a good enough unit to win some games.
Lastly, the big ten will be down this year. Iowa, Wisconsin, MSU, and OSU are all losing prominent starters in important positions. I'm not sold on Nebraska especially after their end of the season collapse last year. Maybe I'm too optimistic but I feel a big ten title appearance is closer to where we are at then being a bottom feeder in the legends division.
June 7th, 2011 at 1:27 PM |
Defense
Defense
I totally disagree with your pessimism about the defense.
1. Freshman and Sophomores will now be Sophomores and Juniors.(to go along with MM and RVB). Experience alone will offer some improvement. There's also more depth.
2. The scheme will be changed. The 3-3-5 won't be forced on an unprepared DC. The four man front will make Michigan a more physical team. Big Will is going to be moved back to his natural position (and be coached in how to play it properly). Mike Martin will not draw a double team every time. Craig Roh's athletic ability will not be overcome by his lack of size/weight (as opposed to the opposition).
3. The defensive coaching staff will be significantly better.
4. As you mentioned, Woolfolk and Floyd will be back. That's almost 20% of the total starters (and 100% of the staring CB's).
I think that Michigan was 99th in points allowed last year. I think that they'll jump up at least 25-30 spots this year. They might not crack the Top 50, but I expect them to be clearly out of the Bottom 25.
June 7th, 2011 at 1:36 PM |
Phil Steele didn't count on one thing
Phil Steele didn't count on one thing
an epic 80's music montage.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
June 7th, 2011 at 2:04 PM |
These may be valid points,
These may be valid points,
These may be valid points, but Steele hasn't been anything special in predicting conference standings. Check out last year:
June 7th, 2011 at 1:28 PM |
I love
I love
your hyperbolically charged optimism and passion.
This year, for me, 7-5 is the tipping point. I will be happy with anything better than 7-5 and disappointed with much less. 6-6 would probably hurt, despite the expectations rebuilding, given the competition.
A Journey of Father and Son
http://mysonsfirstbible.blogspot.com/2013/05/15-things-you-may-have-miss...
June 7th, 2011 at 12:09 PM |
Damn, i thought it was a
Damn, i thought it was a
Damn, i thought it was a promising year. Oh well, time to move on. Screw this team. it's over.
ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE
June 7th, 2011 at 12:55 PM |
It's not over...
It's not over...
...was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
June 7th, 2011 at 1:08 PM |
Germans?
Germans?
Forget it, he's on a roll.
Semper Fidelis
June 7th, 2011 at 1:55 PM |
Hell no!
Hell no!
Hell no!
Special Teams means special times!
June 7th, 2011 at 12:09 PM |
Is Minnesota last?
Is Minnesota last?
Is Minnesota last?
June 7th, 2011 at 12:10 PM |
Presumably. SUCK ON THAT
Presumably. SUCK ON THAT
Presumably. SUCK ON THAT GOPHERS!
June 7th, 2011 at 12:12 PM |
Yes
Yes
He picks it:
Nebraska
MSU
Iowa
Northwestern
UM
Minnesota
June 7th, 2011 at 12:17 PM |
Thanks for that. I can't
Thanks for that. I can't
Thanks for that. I can't remember which teams are in Michigan's division.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:31 PM |
It's the legendary ones.
It's the legendary ones.
It's the legendary ones.
"After all was said and done, there was nothing left to do."
June 7th, 2011 at 1:42 PM |
. . . and
. . . and
Minnesota.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:47 PM |
All M and N
All M and N
Pretty easy if you remember it as Iowa plus all Ms and Ns.
June 7th, 2011 at 1:19 PM |
This is very handy- thank
This is very handy- thank
This is very handy- thank you. Hopefully I can remember it while inebriated.
Phil Steele is a clown.