Spring Games open thread
there is another Boren?
And this is why you wait a week Brandon/Hoke.
74 degrees in Columbus today and 71 degrees in Ann Arbor.
Well they always have it the first week of April which is stupid. Time to change it.
times. It normally is the same week as my birthday.
Uh, they had the "spring game" this weekend last year and it was the coldest I've ever sat through at one of these things.
Meanwhile, ohio's was PERFECT weather and it was on the same day. It's a luck of the draw type deal. Michigan had theirs early so people could be bored to tears at home as well as those in the stands.
We should have the damn thing in May.
Seeing Gareon Conley and B. Dunn...oh what could have been...I'm sure there are others I don't recall right now.
Apparently tickets to OSU's game were $20 at the gate and $12 in advance. That is fucking criminal. They reduced them to $5 today and are providing refunds.
Michigan has not had enough depth to host a spring game...
...this is stupid to keep bitching about.
This year we FINALLY had enough depth on defense, but we didn't on offense.
Next year we will FINALLY have enough on both sides of the ball to have a REAL game. If we don't have a REAL game next year...feel free. I can look at next years roster and give you a decent 2-team format right now. Something you can't do this year because we have no OL.
See below...
Obviously walk-ons would add depth to both teams...
Note: I used an old 2015 depth chart so some positions/years may be off...this still had Chris Bryant on it so it wasn't up-to-date, but I did the best I could. The potential early enrollees are added as well.
QB - Maize
1. Shane Morris (Jr.)
2. Brian Cleary (RS Jr.)
QB - Blue
1. Wilton Speight (RS Fr.)
2. Russell Bellomy (RS Sr.)
RB - Maize
1. De'Veon Smith(Jr.)
2. Drake Johnson (RS Jr.)
RB - Blue
1. Derrick Green (Jr.)
2. Justice Hayes (RS Sr.)
3. Ross Douglas (RS So.)
FB/H-Back - Maize
1. Sione Houma (Sr.)
FB/H-Back - Blue
1. Wyatt Shallman (RS So.)
WR - Maize
1. Jehu Chesson (RS So.)
2. Freddy Canteen (RS Fr.)
3. Da'Mario Jones (So.)
4. Drake Harris (So.)
5. Jaron Dukes (RS So.)
WR - Blue
1. Devin Funchess (Sr.)
2. Amara Darboh (RS Jr.)
3. Dennis Norfleet (Sr.)
4. Maurice Ways (RS Fr.)
5. Csont'e York (RS So.)
TE - Maize
1. Jake Butt (Jr.)
2. Khalid Hill (RS So.)
TE - Blue
1. Ian Bunting (RS Fr.)
2. A.J. Williams (Sr.)
LT - Maize
1. Erik Magnuson (RS Jr.)
2. David Dawson (RS So.)
LT - Blue
1. Mason Cole (So.)
2. Logan Tuley-Tillman (RS So.)
LG - Maize
1. Kyle Bosch (Jr.)
LG - Blue
1. Patrick Kugler (RS So.)
2. Jon Runyan Jr. (Fr.) *if EE*
C - Maize
1. Graham Glasgow (RS Sr.)
C - Blue
1. Jack Miller (RS Sr.)
RG - Maize
1. Blake Bars (RS Jr.)
RG - Blue
1. Kyle Kalis (RS Jr.)
RT - Maize
1. Chris Fox (RS So.)
2. Dan Samuelson (RS So.)
RT - Blue
1. Ben Braden (RS Jr.)
2. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS Fr.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
WDE - Maize
1. Mario Ojemudia (Sr.)
WDE - Blue
1. Lawrence Marshall (RS Fr.)
DT - Maize
1. Ondre Pipkins (Sr.)
2. Chris Wormley (RS Jr.)
3. Brady Pallante (RS Fr.)
DT - Blue
1. Willie Henry (RS Jr.)
2. Bryan Mone (So.)
3. Maurice Hurst Jr. (RS So.)
SDE - Maize
1. Taco Charlton (Jr.)
2. Tom Strobel (RS Jr.)
SDE - Blue
1. Henry Poggi (RS So.)
2. Matt Godin (RS Jr.)
WLB - Maize
1. Michael Ferns (RS Fr.)
WLB - Blue
1. Ben Gedeon (Jr.)
2. Jared Wangler (RS Fr.)
MLB - Maize
1. Chase Winovich (RS Fr.)
2. Noah Furbush (RS Fr.)
MLB - Blue
1. Joe Bolden (Sr.)
SLB - Maize
1. James Ross (Sr.)
1. Michael McCray (RS So.)
SLB - Blue
1. Royce Jenkins-Stone (Sr.)
2. Allen Gant (RS Jr.)
CB - Maize
1. Blake Countess (RS Sr.)
2. Channing Stribling (Jr.)
3. Reon Dawson (RS So.)
4. Garrett Taylor (Fr.) *if EE*
CB - Blue
1. Jourdan Lewis (Jr.)
2. Jabrill Peppers (So.)
3. Terry Richardson (Sr.)
4. Shaun Crawford (Fr.) *if EE*
FS - Maize
1. Jeremy Clark (RS Jr.)
2. Brandon Watson (RS Fr.)
FS - Blue
1. Jarrod Wilson (Sr.)
2. Tyree Kinnel (Fr.) *if EE*
SS - Maize
1. Delano Hill (Jr.)
SS - Blue
1. Dymonte Thomas (Jr.)
Nice work! Somebody alert Matt Shehard that Funchess will be a WR next spring.
We really need some impact def ends. We are looking at Gregory's Calhoun's and Bosa's at our rivals and right now we have a lot of pluggers instead of impact guys. Hope Charlton is the one but we need to find somebody impactful for 2015. Love the DTs though. Damn you Saban.
But Furbush and/or Winovich may end up at WDE. I don't know if that is "impact," but it's certainly more than what you see above.
LB was pretty tough to forecast because truthfully you don't know where guys are going to play and how they're going to grow over the next year. I just put them at MLB because I had them at SLB before we switched the defense and I consider them Jake Ryan types who may grow into Beyer/Roh types.
This is where I call a huge mountain of bullshit.
Michigan hasn't had a spring game in 13 years.
You mean to tell me Michigan has had depth problems for THAT long?
It may not be a full game like others, but we've had years that were more than just a practice like we've done under Hoke.
Especially when Mott got involved. It was certainly a game format even though no one knew how it was scored.
A spring game is when there are two known teams: Blue vs White/Maize in a game format that is subject to a few tweaks.
A spring scrimmage is a game-like substance with a harebrained scoring system, no known teams and the scoring on the board is Offense vs Defense or a Blue vs Maize. But nobody knows who the hell is on what team or if they just put that up there to get ooohs and ahhhs.
A spring practice is when no score is kept whatsoever.
Michigan had scrimmages in 2007 (42-41 White), 2010 (49-37 Blue), 2011 (14-7 Blue) and 2012 (17-0 Blue). No game since 2001 when John Navarre led White to a 21-7 win over Blue.
Plenty of schools still do that weird scoring shit and don't have "real" games.
But at least it's a "real" scrimmage and it's two teams that were drafted or they go 1v1, 2v2, 1v1, 3v3, 1v1, 2v2, 1v1, 3v3...with the series, which is still better. They have first downs and move the ball down the field. They punt and everything.
We just ran 5-7 plays from one spot (most of the time) and then moved the spot. It was awful.
I think people are more upset at THAT then the formatting of the scrimmage/game/whatever.
I'd love some kind of score that I can record.
If they can't have a full game (they can), then draft teams and have a weird scoring system.
I'm taking a stand next year*. If I hear "it's going to be more like a practice" out of Hoke's mouth in the presser, I'm not going. I've had it with this.
*hollow threat even though we all know I'm full of shit and will be there regardless because I can't stay away.
It's a spring game, scrimmage or practice...I don't think anyone cares if you're there or anyone else.
I wouldn't say that for a regular season game, but I have no issues with people who don't want to go to a spring practice or scrimmage. If we're talking about a real game, then I wouldn't say that at ALL.
But why suffer through that shit we watched this year? I almost turned it off and I was watching from my couch. I can't blame anyone who did turn it off.
I just give Hoke the benefit of the doubt for these 3 years. IMO you need at least 13, preferably 15 scholarship OL to really have a spring game, a TRUE game. You don't have that and you're watching the equivalent of the Duke/UNC managers game before the real teams play the next night.
Now Hoke may not play next year, I'm not sure what his thoughts are on having a game when he has a full (experienced) team.
But if he doesn't I have no problem with anyone who bitches either.
Again, go back and look at the teams I put together, then think about how many of those guys will get KEY experience this season. After this year the majority of those guys will have played significant minutes. You can't say that today. They're all RS FR and SOs...but next year they will have real game experience.
Next year they will be RETURNING starters...not battling for a starting spot or significant snaps.
Even if Michigan put together something like we did under Rich Rod I don't think there would be nearly as much complaining...
Maize
LT: Cole
LG: Dawson
C: Miller
RG: Bars
RT: Glasgow
Blue
LT: Tuley-Tillman
LG: Bosch
C: Kugler
RG: Kalis
RT: Braden
...how in the WORLD are Green and Smith supposd to run behind THOSE offensive lines in a real game?
Come on people, are we being serious? You want to sit around and watch a real game in which we have a new OC, and watch our RBs run behind, THIS?
Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather they just practice and get better.
Now if they would've went 1v1, 2v2, 1v1, 3v3, 1v1, 2v2, 1v1, 2v2, 1v1, 3v3....etc. then maybe, but then who is your 3rd team?
IMO, they should've practiced for the first "half" and then played 1v1, 2v2 and alternate for a real "game" but only play the 2nd half (in terms of minutes). I think that's the best compromise. But it's not a real game that is going to get us on ESPN.
April 12th, 2014 at 10:38 PM ^
48-52 guys off this lineup that will be considered "experienced" AFTER they get a full year in this year.
That is RIDICULOUS.
For all you bitching about firing Hoke. I'll tell you this, whoever coaches this team in 2015 is going to have a SQUAD! There is going to be some old experience and young experience, some very solid pieces on offense and defense.
If Hoke is fired in 2015...whoever is hired is walking into a OSU like situation that Meyer walked into.
This year we're still going to have growing pains, but in 2015, I don't care who the coach is...we should be ELITE.
Just because so many of your are fair weather fans, I hope Hoke wins at least 10 games this year with wins over his MSU and OSU and holds on to his job to coach this 2015 team...and I hope they do reach that ELITE status and you all eat your words.
IMO, this year's team is Michigan basketball in Burke's freshman year. Next year is when we should make that jump to the past 2 years of Michigan basketball. The elite level.
Half you guys would've fired Beilein after his 3rd year...(he was 15-17 that year) or even his 4th year (1st, don't call it 2nd round loss to Ohio). Now Beilein is a god.
He needed time to build his system. The Novak's and Douglas' had to grow up and better talent had to be added. Let Hoke get the Ross' and Bolden's to grow up and add better talent (Green/Smith/Peppers/Mone, etc.)...should be a ridiculous combination in 2015. If it's not and Hoke is the coach, he should resign himself.
Put together 2 teams like I just did...I guarantee you'll see the GLARING holes.
Hell, just do the offensive line.
Defensively we were fine this year...offensively we were close. But we don't have 10 scholarship OL that are even healthy. WTF are you talking about?
What's the point of playing a spring game if you haver starters that are walk-ons that will never play? You may as well toss the managers out there too for some added depth.
People like you want to make acccusations and then you have NOTHING to back up your claim.
So, prove it. Please show me where we could've had a spring game full of scholarship players. Then show me any amount of significant experience.
We could've done 7v7 drills and been fine, we've always been fine at the skill positions (in terms of the depth, not quality)...but on the lines we've been horrid. At CB we've been HORRID, which is why this year is so amazing that we FINALLY have CB depth.
Was there even a TE on the team when Rich Rod left? Did Hoke get Koger for a year? Because we didn't have depth there either.
I call bullshit on anyone who thinks we could've had a legitimate spring game under Hoke - I call on them to make the teams as well. Then see what they're left with...you simply can't do it. You have to start putting walk-ons in key positions and that's not the same as what you all are watching on TV. They're not putting walk-ons to start the spring game. Either that or its a bunch of RS Fr who've never played and probably won't play this year either.
Again, if we don't get one next year...have at it, I just made a team and proved that we have enough depth to have a legit spring game next year. Especially when you take into account that many of those young guys (on the team I posted) are guaranteed to get significant experience THIS year. But I couldn't have done that the past 3 years.
Yeah, because I'm confident in this athletic department conducting a coaching search.
Michigan could have Les Miles right now. But we all know how that went. An AD who put his agenda ahead of the program.
April 12th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^
It's pretty well understood that Harbaugh wasn't coming to Michigan. At least not for less than 6 million a year.
He wasn't leaving California.
The Miles arguement is also bullshit because there is NO guarantee he was coming.
You two are talking like you know exactly what happened...like you guys were in the room with Brandon.
Les Miles never said he was coming to Michigan.
In truth, we just picked a horrible coaching year when we hired Hoke. The choices were limited, we got unlucky.
But who's to say Hoke isn't going to have significant success at Michigan.
It's fans you two that would've run Beilein out too early.
Rich Rod left Michigan with some seniors and NOTHING else. He didn't lineman!
Rich Rod left Michigan in just as bad of shape as Carr left the program for Rich Rod.
We had to start all over from scratch unless we were going to run Rich Rod's offense, and even that wasn't going to work with no OL.
You guys have no idea what you're talking about...you can't expect a coach with 8 scholarship OL to do anything right away.
Then you look at what Meyer got at OSU, he got a QB HE WOULD'VE recruited ANYWAY! He got a experienced OL and a good defense. Hoke got Denard, Gallon, Lewan, Martin, RVB, Ryan, Demens and Kovacs. That's it. Maybe you can toss Schofield and Omameh and guys like that (Roh) on this list. Still that's nothing when you're completely changing the system.
The easiest way to judge Michigan in the Hoke era. What NFL players did he have to worth with? How much NFL talent were on these teams. Not much. Now look at what Meyer got - doesn't compare.
April 12th, 2014 at 10:35 PM ^
Short sleeves. Head set. Clap. Clap. Herp. Derp.
Short sleeves. Head set. Clap. Clap. Herp. Derp.
It's pretty much the MGoIdiot theme song.
April 12th, 2014 at 10:13 PM ^
Please share this inside information that apparently only you have.
April 12th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^
Green was starting at the end of the year...
The OL was bad for Fitz, Green and Smith. Who did you want back there a freshman Mike Hart? Sorry, it's not happening.
Yeah well he learned from the best of doing that in Lllllloyd Carr.
Apparently Mr. Harris is at the OSU game... not sure if he was up at UM last weekend.
...looks a lot like Derrick Walton in the picture in that article...weird.
Looks like there were more Michigan fans at Ohio State’s spring game than Michigan’s: pic.twitter.com/Q0mq3Jz647
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) April 12, 2014
Nah, he goes to every team's Spring Game.