Mocha Cub

August 14th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^

Is it just me or are we hearing less of "we've got to execute" when referring to the line? I really hope the o-line is gelling together and we'll be able to see the run game open things up for the pass. Good to hear an actual compliment out of Hoke saying that he was pretty happy with the protection by the line during the scrimmage.

MaizeNBlueTexan

August 14th, 2014 at 9:22 PM ^

It's not just you. I remember the pre season pressers last year and that's the main thing I remember hearing. Need to execute, not where we need to be as a team, etc.

Greg Mattison is glowing about his defense. Hoke continually saying that the competition and depth is here he just wants to see someone separate from the pack. Both coaches seem to be very optimistic about this team. 

It's hard to not get excited, but I'll hold my breathe until after the Notre Dame game.

With everything being said about Cole there are one of two options. This kid can really play ball or ALL the other lineman are SOO bad that the coaches are forced to play a true freshman at LT. Even with our line play last year, the former is still more likely imo.

teldar

August 14th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^

We're not IN the season and it seems to me that every 'fall' practice has been positive the last 5 years or so. Maybe not as much as this year, but they never say "This team is a real dumpster fire and it's going to be an embarassment on the field any decent team we play." It's always positive before the season starts. I'm holding expectations in check. I'm interested but I'm not going to let myself get carried away with the "this team is awesome!!1!!1!!"

MaizeNBlueTexan

August 14th, 2014 at 9:53 PM ^

I think I worded it poorly. In no way do I think the coaches were unhappy or preaching doom and gloom in the preseason of 2013. 

The pressers leading up to the first game of 2013, I got the feel they were hedging their bets and waiting for more improvement from the team. I feel like Hoke does this natually and plays things close to the chest regardless of how good or bad things are going.

I bring this up, because I do not ever remember Hoke being so optimistic sounding about the entire team as a whole as he has so far this preseason.

teldar

August 14th, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^

Every year we hear how the team is coming together great and they're going to do well. Then the season rolls around and everything falls apart. The offense can't score and if the offense does score, the defense is like a sieve. Then we start hearing about the need of execution.

 

I'm going to wait and see what happens before I decide to get excited. Preseason hype is a load of crap, as we've seen every year.

GoBLUinTX

August 14th, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^

the week of CMU.  Hoke actually addresses problems which would become apparent throughout the year.  Not just youth, but inexperience with OL footwork and identifying blocking targets.  He also addressed the DL having little experience.  Turns out if you listen to the presser with what you saw, he's quite prescient.

 

bluenbama

August 14th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^

I might be going a bit crazy sitting here over analyzing any piece of info but this press conference seemed positive to me. Almost as if Hoke was trying to subdue his own excitement.

Mocha Cub

August 14th, 2014 at 9:30 PM ^

Especially when they asked about leadership (and I'm assuming when they're voting on captains, couldn't quite hear the question though maybe someone else can confirm). He looked like the cat that ate the canary when he was thinking about his answer to that question. I really like how pretty much in every interview, whether it's players or coaches, they're talking about how they're not worried about who starts but worried more about pushing each other to get better. 

Boom Goes the …

August 14th, 2014 at 9:39 PM ^

is the real deal.  Cole-Mags-Miller-Glasgow/Bosch-Braden is looking very likely.

So if Kalis comes back 100% I could see Mags-Glasgow-Miller-Kalis-Braden up front

reshp1

August 14th, 2014 at 10:55 PM ^

Maybe it's just me, but this is the most open presser I can remember Hoke ever giving. I'm sure I'm reading into it, but he certainly is giving off a vibe that he's not only got nothing to hide but that he's actually excited to show off the product they have. I know he said "I like this team" last fall, but I clearly remember he hesitated before answering and he said it almost grudgingly.

Leonhall

August 14th, 2014 at 11:04 PM ^

Thinking the same thing, he has been upbeat all fall. Almost to the point that I'm going to be extremely pissed if we don't win all 3 rival games on the road...course it could be Dave Brandon in his ear telling him to speak this way to sell tickets, lol, I kid, I kid! But I agree, could be the makings of a special season.

Bill the Butcher

August 15th, 2014 at 2:43 AM ^

I know you said you were kidding but I was wondering this as well.  

Maybe the coaches are talking up the team this much as both a confidence boost for the players and to lift up the fan base and hopefully sell more tickets.  I don't think the idea is that far fetched.  

Hoke and Mattison have always seemed to be guys who focus on what the team needs to improve.  Sure they will give out praise but they always seemed to add something afterwards that let you know there was more they were hoping for.  This year Mattison can hardly control his glee and Hoke seems much more positive overall.  Its just odd for those guys to change their tones so much over an offseason.  But heres to hopin!

Don

August 15th, 2014 at 8:38 AM ^

that fans can now attend the scrimmage without having to register online, and that 26,000+ had registered for tickets. I think the two are directly related. 26K seems a rather paltry amount to me.

The fact that they're no longer requiring pre-registration calls into question why they forced fans to register in the first place.

 

charblue.

August 15th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^

more than a full house at Crisler, so it sets the bar on logistical concerns about public safety and parking issues which have to be addressed. Plus, having never been to the stadium for an event outside the regular season, I am not sure whether this practice would be handled like a game by both fans and vendors along with stadium personnel. So that's why you need to figure out what your needs are. Will they have to open the golf course for parking, or get permission to use Pioneer's lots. 

And, in point of fact, I think getting a commitment of nearly 30,000 with hardly any publicity says a lot about the fan base, period. It's not like there is nothing else going on and this is still vacation season. I mean just because we follow this like a stock market ticker doesn't mean everyone will drop everything to go to a practice. It is still a practice. We're talking practice, not a game, but practice. In fact, even BTN seemed to be bored with broadcasting the spring practice, which is what will most closely resemble. 

charblue.

August 15th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^

of this kind of event given the timeframe of planning it, unless it was to be done by the university itself , which may be something to look into next year if thise goes well. It does, I think, open up opportunities for Michigan's radio network affiliates. I would think this would be the perfect opportunity to bump some regular programming and offer play-by-play along with some chat with fans, players and coaches. 

And I think this could also become a charitable opportunity for the school. But now I feel like I am pushing something way past its original intent, which is practice before a live crowd to give the young players a feel for what to expect in the weeks ahead. 

Short of allowing college teams to scrimmage other competition in a game-like setting, i think we will see these kind of events crop up around the country should this event turn out well.