umbig11

August 3rd, 2015 at 8:04 AM ^

JH is limiting access to practices. Media will be limited to a few times a week. Highly unlikely that there will be open practice times for videos. Past traditions of an open practice for the public and donor invitations are lookng like they have been scrapped as well. It's going to be all work and focus during this camp. 

umbig11

August 3rd, 2015 at 8:26 AM ^

It looks like JH is cutting access to the players during this camp. It could be a brutal camp for some. I am envisioning a Bear Bryant type of camp this year where only the toughest are left standing. Let OSU do their thing. Let it go to their heads. I hope VT neats them right out of the gate.

csmhowitzer

August 3rd, 2015 at 9:38 AM ^

I'm not making a comparison, but I think a new reboot always needs to weed out the garbage habits or thought processes. Players will learn to buy in if they haven't and they will be condintioned to partipicate with "enthusiasm unknown to mankind!"

This is where the "hard work" stories about JH when he was at San Fran come to play. He drove those guys hard, nothing new, and it will be result in something great.

dragonchild

August 3rd, 2015 at 9:39 AM ^

I don't think it's going to be "brutal" in any way that'll get dudebros salivating.  It's football, not SEAL training, and while Harbaugh is crazy, I don't think he's a sadist.

What I expect to see is expectation.  One thing I thought Hoke was particularly wishy-washy about was what he expected from the players.  At times he talked about toughness but then he treats QB more like a rite of passage than a competition.

Here's the thing -- Harbaugh wants to know who wants to play footbaww.  He doesn't need to crack the whip to find that out.  He just needs to make it clear that the players' effort will decide who plays, and from there it'll be clear enough who really wants to be out there.  How?  Well, for starters, he added like a half a dozen QBs to the roster.  Harbaugh doesn't need to lift a finger to get Shane Morris to try.  Starting this week, that's what Jake Rudock will be doing.

Lovemybluebudz

August 3rd, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^

people say special teams is a third of the game. Offense and defense get at least 3 plays to ST one. It's actually more like 5-15 to one. This is not a shot at you at all, a lot of people say it I've just never agreed. However I do believe ST is huge and Baxter will definitely improve the group drastically.

I'm just ready to see the offense move!! Watching them not even be able to score two TD's in a game just hurt. That's where Harbaugh vs Hoke is going to make the biggest difference. I wanted to smash my TV watching them take a knee with a minute and a half left in the 2nd, we're down, get the ball second half and you're taking a knee because you don't want DG to throw another pick6?! AGGHHHRRRR!!! That's when I knew he was gone. That's not coaching to win!

EDIT. I will acknowledge that ST can win or lose a game. If your offense and defense are good ST can be just okay. If you have a good ST and just okay offense or defense it's not going to be great.

ST3

August 3rd, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^

Out of curiosity, I counted up the number of special teams plays in last season's M-Maryland game. Michigan had 59 offensive plays, Maryland had 69 offensive plays, and there were 26 ST plays total (punts, kickoffs, FGs, extra points.) That's about 17%, or 1/6 of the total number of plays. I'm sure that varies considerably from game to game, but I'd guess it's closer to 1/6 than 1/3 over the course of a typical season.

EDIT: OSU game - 29 ST plays out of 163 for 17.8%. Granted, 10 of those were XPs which should be automatic, but they are "scoring plays" so they are still important.

EDIT2: MOON game - 23 ST plays out of 166, or 13.9%. I thought that would have more with all the punting, but scoring plays give you two ST plays (XP and kickoff) and there was no scoring in that game. NU did run 84 plays to our 59. Let's just move on...

ST3

August 3rd, 2015 at 6:21 PM ^

looked up "boxscore" and all my old boxscore diary links popped up. The MGoBlue.com website doesn't have the old boxscores in a prominent location, so it's a good thing (for me, at least, and everybody who cares about old boxscores) that I have links through this site.

Danwillhor

August 3rd, 2015 at 8:29 AM ^

and given my lower than sky high expectations for the season I know I'll be fine but I'm a bit concerned that the atmosphere for the first home game under Harbaugh will rest a bit too much on the results in Utah. Many of us were there for the torrential beating (and downpour) against Utah last year so I don't like the thought/feeling that a loss could keep the first home game from being anything but nuts. The reverse is true, too, and what I obviously hope for. We come back home 1-0 and I don't care if it's a 9am game, the Big House will be rocking. We just have that kind of OOC schedule this year that could see us go 1-3, 4-0 or any combo in between. I think we only have one sure win in the first 4 games. I actually think we split them but I'd love to be ahead of my predicted record after Utah as I don't think we leave there with a win. I don't think we get spanked again but I don't see a win either. Maybe some practice info/footage can get the taste of last year out of my mouth? Haha

Danwillhor

August 3rd, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^

I feel like Oregon State is closer to a push right now. Admittedly, I could be carrying over too much from last year. Yet, players are players and I think CFB programs truly turn around with new players along with a new staff as opposed to just a new staff. A new staff can only make so much of an impact even though I think winning in CFB is more on a staff than than other sport. That's to say that even though I think (and have said here many times) that no sport can equate winning directly to their HC/staff more than CFB, those coaches need "their players" to truly change what the program is beyond a couple more wins in the immediate. I hate saying it but I don't think most guys on this team are capable of creating a team that dominates the Oregon State types like they should. So. a loss last year may be a win this year but I'm not so confident as to say it's a sure thing. I think this team will essentially be what it was 8-9 months ago but with a few more wins due mostly to new leadership. It's not enough for me to say I think we'll definitely beat Oregon State this very moment. Yet, we'll see. Maybe they were just THAT poorly led, coached up, put in a position to win and held accountable? I hope so! I desperately hope so! I also hope this made sense as I'm typing in a hurry with one thumb lol.

WichitanWolverine

August 3rd, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^

Our first four opponents went 9-4, 5-7, 2-11, and 8-5 in 2014...against pretty weak competition (IMO). If Michigan is even marginally improved over last year, they should go 4-0. The question really is how quickly can they improve. It's unfortunate that the toughest game of this bunch is week 1, so they really need to hit the ground running. I see 3-1 as the floor in the OOC slate.

dragonchild

August 3rd, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^

I'm sure someone' here is going to take this the wrong way, but they may not be improved from last year.  Not for any reason other than the coaches are flipping the whole team upside down and rattling them like a bag of shake n' bake.  Baxter in particular is on record saying he's completely breaking down ST and re-building from the ground up.  Which, mind you, is a VERY BADLY NEEDED overhaul, but FFS he didn't even let the kickers kick field goals during spring practice.  Drevno is probably ditching IZ and converting to a gap-blocking scheme which throws the OL back a couple years.  We're doubling down on press coverage but with Peppers' move to FS (which is -- to reiterate -- a great move) there's like one proven guy on the roster who can execute that (though I'm hoping Watson gives us two).  We're recruiting CBs like crazy but they won't be available this season.

The pattern I'm emphasizing here is that I'm ecstatic about all the changes the coaches are making, even as I'm aware most of them will set the team back until it adjusts.  I think this team will be more fun to watch than last season's.  That said, I expect it to start out raw.

I mean, if they win 10+ games I'll be right there with everyone dancing in the street (or more likely posting here with a silly grin on my face), but my excitement for this team isn't in the results but the changes.  I'm willing to put up with some ARGH ARGH moments in September, but at least they'll be playing to win instead of looking like they're trying.

Danwillhor

August 3rd, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^

feeling and sentiment. We get worked up every year no matter what do this year should be no different. I see that but I always try to remain level headed and this year is no different. The "Summer of Harbaugh" is almost "football season" and I'd really like it if people didn't completely deflate should we not win 10+ this year. Its a much tougher situation than many think, IMO.

Wolverine In Iowa

August 3rd, 2015 at 12:28 PM ^

Well said.  There will be gaffes, mistakes, blown plays, etc., this season.  I just think that the difference will be attitude and week-by-week improvement.  I said this before:  back-up QB ready to go in (with helmet on) on five seconds notice; the right 11 men on the field at all times; no stupid penalties -- these are improvements I expect to see immediately.  The rest of the things, missed blocks, a blown coverage, are going to happen.

As long as Harbaugh and co. are safely between "clap clap clap" and Brian Kelly's purpling, with kids responding and helping each other, we will develop into a dangerous team by year end.

dragonchild

August 3rd, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^

I don't think there's a team on the schedule that can afford to overlook Michigan or Harbaugh will make them pay.

But in terms of what will do Michigan in, I'm not quite sure what to expect.  The coaches said they're trying not to overwhelm the players, so it's not like they'll have their own 300-play playbook to start the season.  But simplicity means predictability, so it'll be tough to balance growth with consistency.

So all bets are off, but I'd guess what we'll see in this team is growing pains.  Some days it'll look like they're executing but there aren't enough weapons.  Other days they'll botch the play.  Overall, the team just won't be able to do it all right away.

The one thing I expect WON'T happen is for Michigan State to just march into Ann Arbor and punch this team in the mouth.  Goddamn I'm so sick of seeing that.  They're still the heavy favorite, but this is what Harbaugh does to teams that overlook his players:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mFtGaV_w48

In reply to by New Kid

Danwillhor

August 3rd, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^

That Utah game was a beating in person. The tsunami was coming but it delayed long enough for them to just much our di**s into the dirt lol. The saddest part was Hoke (who I try not to talk about like he was evil) win his first ever game at UM in a similar weathered game after the opponent realized the rain wasn't stopping and they weren't coming back if it did. They called it. Yet, By the time we left, walked a half hour to the car and got out of a jam packed A2 the sports radio guys were still talking about Hoke refusing to call the game. I get it if the team looked halfway competent that day but Utah was in absolute control. The rain was terrible but the best part of the day lol.

LSAClassOf2000

August 3rd, 2015 at 9:31 AM ^

It seems like we've waited for to get to even this point forever, but in reality it hasn't been all that long. I actually like the idea of media access to the practices being limited - they really don't need that distraction right now. It will make the speculation that much more rampant, but personally I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised by who gets the most playing time and where in some instances. 

You can almost see football from here, folks. Not much longer now.