I think with JB Michigan will always be far more skilled than most other teams especially in the BIG. With his drills and overall program methods and philosophies whatever the reason we just always seem better at handling the ball and pressure than others. We always seem to have better shooters than most everyone else. Contrary to a lot of others in the big who seem to favor the brawn and brute physical path. The BIG tourney game with MSU vs OSU really brought this to light for me when watching OSU just look horrendous on offense. Jacking up brick after brick and just look awful on offense in general. The only head scratcher for me sometimes is the approach Beilien takes with the post players. And maybe I'm just not patient enough. We've had attrition with the NBA and that is hard to overcome. I just feel like maybe he should put a little more onus on the 4/5 position.
2015/16 should be a big turnaround. But I think a more pressing issue than if Caris comes back is going to be how Doyle, Wilson, Chatman, Robinson, and especially Donnal develop between now and next November. To me Donnal needs to toughen up. He has an opportunity to take a big leap. He could be an inside outside guy but he has to get bigger and stronger. Same goes for Wilson. Quicker, stronger, and faster is going to be their biggest challenge. And shooting! If Donnal, and Wilson can stretch the floor a little more it's really going to add a dimension but they have to get tougher and stronger. Duncan Robinson seems to be a lethal shooter at 6'8" or 9". Dj Wilson could be a poor mans Corey brewer or a Jared Jeffries type guy. Although I haven't seen his athleticism portrayed much yet so that could be a stretch. Get these guys to Camp Sanderson and next year could be a big turnaround.
I think the biggest problem right now is that M is just not at a point program wise where we reload with top 5 talent especially when it comes to quality bigs. I know JB has a certain big in mind when he's building a team but you just can't expect to have a lot of success especially in the tournament when you're running out MB and Donnal at the 4/5 positions. I apologize if I've offended anyone here by saying that but to me it's the hard cold truth. We had the most tourney success when we had McGary(NBA now), and Horford(rebounder/ decent rim defender) and Jmo.
I truly believe that to have real success especially in the tournament you HAVE to have quality post players. Look back 20 years and I would say 95% of all elite 8 and especially final 4 teams have top tier 5's and or 4's.
I think if Doyle progresses and JB can land Wagner or another 6'10"/11" guy and levert comes back you're looking at another deep tourney run type team. I think Wilson and Donnal have a boatload of work to do. Teske joins the team in 2016 but he may need a year of development. The bigs are so important!
In two years we will be rubbing our eyes watching this team and wondering if it's the 2012 49'ers dressed in Michigan maize and blue! Drevno will make nasty road graders out of these guys and Jim will have one of these 6 QB's throwing bombs to anyone of these WR's! Said it before and I'll say it again people think there isn't a lot of talent on this roster, I believe we will quickly see the mastermind ability of Jim H and the glaring shortcomings of B Hoke throughout both complete staffs from top to bottom!
I agree I think JH and staff are setting the bar very high and pegging certain guys that fit whatever they're trying to do because of a weakness somewhere. Being quite picky in other words. They already know that for 75-80% of these guys it's going to be an uphill battle trying to swing them in our favor!
I think JH knows deep down that the cupboards have a little something In them already and that the coaching staff will truly expose the shortcomings of the Hoke regime as a whole in terms of developing a competitive nature and overall player development. JH will turn his attention to the 16' class as where he and the staff will really do damage! Not making light of the 15' class but it is what it is and we are a little late to the party.
You Have to be pretty excited about the future! All the injuries and early entries will be a blessing in disguise moving into next year. You throw MAAR, Dawkins, and even dakich and lonegran into the fire and it forces them to compete. And they have and they're getting better. If Duncan Robinson and Wilson can get stronger and jump right in that will add depth. Wilson needs a big offseason however. But you gotta love how the team competes!
Titus Booker could be interesting in that if he puts on 10 LB's he could be an interesting change of pace back for JH's offense. 6' 195-200, while maintaining 4.40 speed. Could be nice
At first glance yes. Then I think that between JH who coaches the QB's(arguably our weakest most ill-performing position) will now be in great hands, and then Drevno, who sounds like exactly what this program needs and lacked under hoke is toughness, foaming at the mouth competitiveness, and technique. The line got better as the season wore on but I think we will see a big increase in productivity from the O line this season IMO. We are possibly getting one of the best 5 OL coaches in the country. Far cry from Funk.
May not happen fast.. It may not happen slow.. But it will happen RIGHT! JH is piecing together a pretty damn good staff! Like in business he understands that you have to surround yourself with like minded and or people who push you to be the best and that is exactly what he's doing. If you look at this staff that is starting to take place it is starting to blow Hokes staff out of the water. The big difference to me will be Drevno vs Funk. I really believe that we will see a big difference in that position group.
Not old enough to live the Desmond years but I grew up on Woodson and crew. My sister got me Woodson's authentic home nike jersey and I about flipped! We have a fantastic basketball coach and he'll have us back to final fours very soon.
It's crazy when you think about all the great coaches that we've had especially Bo but then I think that JH honestly has the potential and the star power to become Michigan's most successful and decorated coach to date. Not putting the cart before the horse and maybe it doesn't happen but it could!
Yup, play Dawkins and even Rahkman. Everyone outside of maybe CL will return and by next year we'll have a better everyone including a stronger wilson and Duncan Robinson
Jim did tell us at the intro presser that he couldn't say wether the process would move fast or slow. I'd rather have him take his time and get it all right! Measure twice, cut once. And I agree I think they'll announce and make all hires official at one time
I think that there is an element that may be overlooked. And that is intensity. Which age could play a factor for that with Jackson. Harbaugh is an intense guy, same with Drevno, Durkin, and probably 98 percent of everyone JH will hire. Even Mattison with being a little older is still pretty passionate and intense. I'm not saying Fred can't coach but he may not line up with what JH wants. Just my thought on it FWIW
Ya it's going to be very interesting to watch this new regime unfold. All these O linemen that we've brought in over the past three years that we all thought would really pan out but never did or took forever to under Hoke. Now we have a guy who specializes in that position group so I'm optimistic about what lies ahead for that unit!
Could be getting info about Trevno's intensity and borderline psychotic approach and isn't digging it. Wouldn't think he'd make that decision at this juncture though. Whatever, best of luck to him it just opens a spot for another guy.
Ya this really does make sense. Otherwise wouldn't M want to keep it consistent but couldn't by ending Nike and signing with adidas. Personally I like the "Nike" maize a lot better!
Yup. I think Urban and Nick are the best examples of coaches who are atop the recruiting hill but coach them up like they have a bunch of duds. It's been overly stated that Hoke recruited almost on par with Urban but coached and developed them like they had already arrived and had peaked.
I think you'll see JH right on par with Nick and Urban. He'll recruit just as good if not better in some areas but will coach and develop the piss out them. I'm actually chomping at the bit waiting to see what Trevno does to these O linemen we've been bringing in! Could be interesting.
I think Nike is just a better product across the board. And if the players like it better and UM isn't really too concerned about the monetary result of it than I think let's re-up with Nike.
Honestly adidas doesn't make hardly anything that I like or find cool or fashionable from a fans perspective. Born in '83 I'm so used to seeing a nike outfitted Michigan team not to mention I've purchased more apparel and what have you during the nike era than I have in the last 7-8 years. Adidas just doesn't turn my crank like Nike does. I also would put UA in the same boat as adidas. It's okay stuff but it isn't Nike. If were trying to be an elite program with an elite coach I think we should return to an elite outfitter!
I like simplicity within the traditional confines of our uniform.
Home uniforms would consist of: all navy blue jersey with maze numbers and nike logo. All maze pants with navy blue nike logo. Black and white cleats with white socks. Blue or white compression garments.
Away: all white jersey with blue and maze stripes on the sleeves and navy blue numbers and nike logo similar to either Woodson/tom brady era or even an updated harbaugh(playing years) era. All maze pants, blue nike logo. Black and white cleats and white socks.
You could add an occasional throwback from the 1940-1960's era for a big game. I think you can be very simplistic and traditional if you go with nike because all of the secondary things players and coaches are outfitted with severely blow away anything adidas comes up with. I can see JM donning an all navy blue nike michigan crew neck, of course the khakis blue, or traditional, a nike all navy block M hat and black and white nikes. There, it's settled lol
They naturally play outdoor sports more lol! Listen I'm not saying that fast ball players can't come from northern colder weather states I'm simply saying that there are more of them located and come out of southern states where the chance of them playing, running, doing outdoor athletic things are more frequent and probable. We can argue till you're blue in the face but I am right and you are wrong. Lol This be funny
All good points I think it's just a demographical thing they look at. Kids who reside in good weather states naturally have the potential to be a little quicker/faster. The amount of these speedy guys I think tend to be a little more abundant in good weather states.
I think getting some assistants with some southern ties is a good thing. Blackledge made a good point in the bama osu game in that osu has recruited enough speed on defense that in a lot of ways they were a
Stalemate with bama. They have an sec level d line. So being able to pull some speed and talent from there would be nice IMO
Jim Hacknasty running through the forest clipping peeps off with rifle shots from the waist is just great! You know in all reality there is just something mysterious about Jim Harbaugh like he knows something no one else knows. He just seems like a bad ass MFer! He has the most bizarre personality ever like he gets satisfaction from very strange things and the gif epitomizes his competitive nature perfectly
I really believe that Jim will instill the two things that BH failed at.
1. An out of body level of competitiveness/intensity from his players. I'm talking borderline foaming at the mouth
2. The ability to develop and create an offensive team that is physical and adapts to the players we have. But at UM he'll be able to make whatever style work consistently with minor variations ala dual threat QB/pocket QB
I can picture JH sleeping in his bed in his Bay Area home tossing and turning relentlessly while hearing vivid voices of Bo to awaken in a sweat with a ghost of Bo standing at the foot of his bed much like Babe Ruth visited Benny the jet Rodriguez in the Sandlot and Bo saying "it's time jimmy, it's time to come on home...remember Jimmy..heroes get remembered, but LEGENDS
Never die!!
You hit it on the head blusage! There is talent all over this current roster. The main objective for Jim as it's one of his areas of expertise will be to start developing and molding a couple QB's. That and get someone in there to coach these O linemen up. The backs, TE's and WR's will be just fine! The D will be fine as well.
I feel like if JH signs on he will have a considerably more youthful staff at UM! I think that would go a long way in helping to resurrect the program.
The adidas contract was suppose to be for 8 years 60 mill. So it has to be running close to being done. Maybe a year left with adidas.
I just think Nike is a better product. If you think back UM was one of the very first to sign completely with nike. I mean shoes, jerseys the whole 9 yards. I personally would like to see them bring that back.
Recent Comments
2015/16 should be a big turnaround. But I think a more pressing issue than if Caris comes back is going to be how Doyle, Wilson, Chatman, Robinson, and especially Donnal develop between now and next November. To me Donnal needs to toughen up. He has an opportunity to take a big leap. He could be an inside outside guy but he has to get bigger and stronger. Same goes for Wilson. Quicker, stronger, and faster is going to be their biggest challenge. And shooting! If Donnal, and Wilson can stretch the floor a little more it's really going to add a dimension but they have to get tougher and stronger. Duncan Robinson seems to be a lethal shooter at 6'8" or 9". Dj Wilson could be a poor mans Corey brewer or a Jared Jeffries type guy. Although I haven't seen his athleticism portrayed much yet so that could be a stretch. Get these guys to Camp Sanderson and next year could be a big turnaround.
I truly believe that to have real success especially in the tournament you HAVE to have quality post players. Look back 20 years and I would say 95% of all elite 8 and especially final 4 teams have top tier 5's and or 4's.
I think if Doyle progresses and JB can land Wagner or another 6'10"/11" guy and levert comes back you're looking at another deep tourney run type team. I think Wilson and Donnal have a boatload of work to do. Teske joins the team in 2016 but he may need a year of development. The bigs are so important!
2016 class will be interesting
I think JH knows deep down that the cupboards have a little something In them already and that the coaching staff will truly expose the shortcomings of the Hoke regime as a whole in terms of developing a competitive nature and overall player development. JH will turn his attention to the 16' class as where he and the staff will really do damage! Not making light of the 15' class but it is what it is and we are a little late to the party.
It's crazy when you think about all the great coaches that we've had especially Bo but then I think that JH honestly has the potential and the star power to become Michigan's most successful and decorated coach to date. Not putting the cart before the horse and maybe it doesn't happen but it could!
I think you'll see JH right on par with Nick and Urban. He'll recruit just as good if not better in some areas but will coach and develop the piss out them. I'm actually chomping at the bit waiting to see what Trevno does to these O linemen we've been bringing in! Could be interesting.
Honestly adidas doesn't make hardly anything that I like or find cool or fashionable from a fans perspective. Born in '83 I'm so used to seeing a nike outfitted Michigan team not to mention I've purchased more apparel and what have you during the nike era than I have in the last 7-8 years. Adidas just doesn't turn my crank like Nike does. I also would put UA in the same boat as adidas. It's okay stuff but it isn't Nike. If were trying to be an elite program with an elite coach I think we should return to an elite outfitter!
I like simplicity within the traditional confines of our uniform.
Home uniforms would consist of: all navy blue jersey with maze numbers and nike logo. All maze pants with navy blue nike logo. Black and white cleats with white socks. Blue or white compression garments.
Away: all white jersey with blue and maze stripes on the sleeves and navy blue numbers and nike logo similar to either Woodson/tom brady era or even an updated harbaugh(playing years) era. All maze pants, blue nike logo. Black and white cleats and white socks.
You could add an occasional throwback from the 1940-1960's era for a big game. I think you can be very simplistic and traditional if you go with nike because all of the secondary things players and coaches are outfitted with severely blow away anything adidas comes up with. I can see JM donning an all navy blue nike michigan crew neck, of course the khakis blue, or traditional, a nike all navy block M hat and black and white nikes. There, it's settled lol
Stalemate with bama. They have an sec level d line. So being able to pull some speed and talent from there would be nice IMO
1. An out of body level of competitiveness/intensity from his players. I'm talking borderline foaming at the mouth
2. The ability to develop and create an offensive team that is physical and adapts to the players we have. But at UM he'll be able to make whatever style work consistently with minor variations ala dual threat QB/pocket QB
Never die!!
I just think Nike is a better product. If you think back UM was one of the very first to sign completely with nike. I mean shoes, jerseys the whole 9 yards. I personally would like to see them bring that back.