Spring Game TV Replay Open Thread
Well, whether you're watching it for the first time, reliving it from earlier in person or on the Net, or it's just the first of 20 times you're going to watch it (Brian, that means you), we can hash out what happened with a clearer and warmer view. Did what we thought we saw still hold true? Can we find out anything different?
Those who haven't seen the game can decide if the thread should be spoiler free. But I'm guessing if you're on here you've been taking in every soundbite from Brian and the boards.
And while we wait...Michigan Softball on BTN. 8-2 good girls, top of 4th, vs. dreaded Northwestern.
Edit: And just as I hit save, 8-5...sonofva....
Suddenly, Tate looks slow as molasses, but then again he does have a bum foot/ankle...
yeah
on cue...
I'm giddy about Lewan. He locks up everyone he comes in contact with. He's got some serious rage and anger issues out there. I like that.
I absolutely LOVE how Denard protects the ball as soon as he decides to run. He had a lot of trouble with fumbling last year, and he seems to be protecting the ball very well right now.
He did a nice job staying in the pocket on that TD throw.
Great play by him, and not to be a Debbie Downer BUT... He had all day to make that play. The only way he has a chance to make that play is because our 1st team O-Line held our 2nd team D-Line for so long.
In a real game, does he get the chance to make that play?
But I think our O-line is going to be pretty stout this year. I think we're going to enjoy seeing these QB's have some time to pick apart the opposing D's.
April 18th, 2010 at 12:58 AM ^
Also, Denard doesn't make that throw last year even with all day to throw. Whether against the 1s or the 2s, he has made a quantum leap from last year.
Forcier probably would have taken off and not let the play develop even with that protection. I like seeing the QB's stay in the pocket when it's warranted.
Stupid Montreal blew it against the Caps. Washington wins in OT
April 17th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^
Montreal just shit on their golden goose. They stole fizzy lifting drinks.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
Holy Fuck! Keith Jackson?!?!?!?!?11! Oh I am so tuning in to watch him talk about the Big Ten.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
at the blown up version of your avatar? Who is that?
April 17th, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
And not the coat of arms that follows it.
It's Lucy Pinder.
Google away.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
Hahaha... this joker just said, "practice session or 'spring game', if you will." LOL there's no "if you will" about it, that's what it's called!
April 17th, 2010 at 10:06 PM ^
My roomies and I have already made a drinking game out of listening to these announcers. Every time the phrase, "if you will" is used it's 2 drinks. We're all pretty buzzed right now, or drunk, if you will.
We did the same with "having said that".
April 17th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
Man Kennedy looks impressive. I'm not even kidding, either.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
when i was doing the live blog i turned into the biggest kennedy cheerleader if you will
Having said that, he's still on the outside looking in when it comes to the QB competition.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
But I think it's kinda cool they're broadcasting the graduation with the President's speech. I'll watch it.
It'd be more awesome if I was a senior student.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
That's got to be a nightmare for secret service. Holding a speech at a huge football stadium.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
He accepted the nomination for President in front of a huge stadium? And as impressive a facility as Michigan Stadium is I doubt it quite matches the crowds in Grant Park on Election Night or on the National Mall on Inauguration Day.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^
It's not so much the size of the crowd as the location, being on the ground surrounded by elevated seating in all directions.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^
I have high hopes for him.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
I'm confused as to why they're not allowing tackling of the Quarterbacks today since, in every one of the Inside Michigan Football videos from spring practice, the defense was tackling the QBs.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
but maybe it has something to do with the emotional damage it would do to everyone in the stadium if one of the QBs broke a leg in front of them.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^
Actually, you're probably basically right. To have someone get hurt the last day of spring in an exhibition would be needless and costly.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
I love how easy it is to find GERG on the sidelines with that beautiful silver mane shining like a beacon.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
We're so hosting more softball open threads. Wish I could have seen it. Damn no BTN in this complex.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:27 PM ^
Brian was right. I was skeptical, but he looks pretty freakin awesome. God it's great to have depth at QB.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^
Denard looks a lot better. Forcier looked meh. Gardner probably needs a reshirt. Roundtree still looks like the go-to guy. Odoms and Miller had a few catches. DLine played pretty good against the run, at least the runs up the middle. Kovacs had some nice tackles, especially on Hopkins. Kicking and punting this year will give many people heart attacks.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
I agree about Forcier, but in all fairness to him, I can't imagine that he wouldn't have looked a lot better had he been playing with guys whose names we know.
Wasn't he also in a walking boot earlier this week? He might still be a little dinged up.
All in all, we have a lot to be excited about at QB. It would only have taken one or two more plays in a few games last year to make us 8-4 or 7-5. This year should be fun.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^
that made him call out DG as the one who impressed him most?
April 17th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^
I LOLd when the guy said "Devin Gardner is probably nervous since he's playing in close to a full stadium".
April 17th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^
Forgive my absence for most of the evening, but have stats for the Spring Game been posted anywhere yet?
April 17th, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^
You want stats for a practice? Really?
April 17th, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^
Yeah, if for no other reason than because Denard scored so many times that I lost count :D
April 17th, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^
Haha, I was thinking the exact same thing...
To the OP:
They definitely don't keep stats for the spring game. I guess all I can tell you is that Denard accounted for four TDs (1 Rush, 3 Pass), and looked great, as did the first team D against the second team O. Roundtree and Tay looked solid. The RB battle will continue to be wide open, and Lewan is a beast.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^
Is it just me or does Taylor Lewan look like a mirror image of Jake Long? He looks HUGE out there, and I'm extremely excited about this kid.
April 17th, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^
Yea, I definitely did a few double takes at first. He looks like a future stud.
April 17th, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
Good Spring Game. It leaves me pretty excited for the upcoming season.
April 18th, 2010 at 12:50 AM ^
SIAP: Top Ten plays from today:
That 97-Yard touchdown pass from Denard, was placed perfectly! Denard really impressed me today.
The O-Line looked greatly improved, and that's without our best lineman, Molk. Once we get him back we should be pretty good in the trenches. What impressed me the most today was Denard's progression as a quarterback. He was reading the defense, making good throws and good decisions. We've all said that once he develops as a passer, look out, because he already has All-American wheels. Sure, there was "wtf moments" at times throughout the day, but overall this team is becoming what we were hoping it would.
God, the defense looks horrible.
I can't say I came away stoked, but there were some gleams in the look of some of the personnel: Gordon, Lewan, Patterson, and Shoelace, all guys we heard little if anything from last year look prepared to step up their games. The biggest single concern, what is going on with JT?
Overall, the team is STILL too young; we need at least another year to accurately gauge how well the offense truly works. We have no 'Senior' leadership but hopefully we have enough moxie to have a successful season.
Defensively, did we really see much? Patterson looked good out there, Big Will looked the part; overall, the defensive personnel appear that they have made progress across the board, and that's with the loss of Brandon and Stevie. Again, with the caveat that the 'D' didn't tip it's hand out there. I do look forward to seeing if Demar can make an impact his first year...if he's here.