Spring Game Day Open Thread

Submitted by M-Wolverine on
Whether you're in line for the locker room tours (with the Android, everyone has an App now, right?), or getting ready to drive to catch the Alumni Game, or waiting till the actual "game", or just tuning into BTN at noon, let's here your thoughts and reactions.

Hugh Jass

April 16th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^

appears slow to me - seem to be lacking playmakers.  On a positive note the defense looks aggressive and vastly improved.  I am fine with winning games 10 - 6 in the fall, as long as we win.  Of course that would mean that we were able to kick a field goal.............

IPFW_Wolverines

April 16th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^

Does this look like a football team with almost everyone back? This looks like 2008 all over again.

trussll12

April 16th, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^

Best thing about the game was the punting.  Reminds me of 2008. 

Of course, we had just about everyone returning this year, including the Big Ten offensive player of the year, but at least we now have a coach that knows his way around Ann Arbor, and more of the old players feel comfortabe!

UMxWolverines

April 16th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^

I'm not usually a negative person, but not really impressed with anything yet. At least the defense looks like they know what they're doing. And at least the kickers can hit the post from 47 now instead of missing ten yards wide!

trussll12

April 16th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^

And this game reinforces all my fears and preconceptions.  Mattison is a very good coach, and he'll make a competent or better defense with the talent he has (which is limited).

Hoke and Borges likely will not be able to maximize Denard and our offensive players; there will be a huge, painful period as the blocking scheme we've had since the last couple years of Carr gets thrown out the window; etc.  Folks, there is a reason RR was offered the Alabama job before coming to Ann Arbor, and Hoke was considered for the Indiana and Minnesota openings.  (And after Auburn let Borges go, which major program has clamored for him?) 

Bash me all you want -- that's fine.  I feel bad for the players, who will have to suffer through another transition, and the resulting losses. 

 

nc-blue

April 16th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^

neither have  looked sharp under center, and this one from the shotgun had an awful result (pick 6) and a second pick the next play.

I'd like to think an improved D has something to do with this...

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 16th, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^

I don't know about all of you, but I'm pretty happy with the spring game so far.  The defense actually looks like it knows what it's doing, and are running some pretty good confusing schemes.  As for the offense, well it's pretty much exactly what I expected.  Decent, but nothing very special yet.  Seriously, don't worry about the offense too much.  Offenses usually suck in spring games, especially with coaching and scheme changes.

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 16th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^

But that was year three in RR's scheme, and unlike last year, our D actually looks like it may know what it's doing.  New scheme and real defense (hopefully) means exactly what we had in the spring game.  Keep in mind that only like 60% of offense has been installed according to Borges.  Hopefully the rest will be wrinkles that keep the D off-balance.  And after the RR years of the offense kicking butt, I'll take the D winning this year.  I have much more confidene in the O overcoming a crappy spring game by the fall than I do the D.  Am I a bit dissapointed?  Yes.  But I'm not worried.  Yet.

DoctorBlue17

April 16th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^

Seeing as our defense routinely made opposing teams look like offensive juggernauts last year, using Michigan's performance last year in the Spring Game seems silly to me. I honestly think the RR loyalists and/or Hoke haters would have ripped this game regardless of the outcome. If our offense looked great they would contend we haven't done enough on defense.

I don't think anyone could watch this and say with a straight face that our defense doesn't appear to be making significant improvement (as opposed to consistent regression the last three years).

Maize and Blue…

April 16th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^

One long run against the second team D and a TD on an obvious offensive pass interference again against the second team is decent?  That may be one of the worst offensive performances I have ever seen.

I realize Molk and Lewan didn't play, but that was a pathetic display.  It'll be interesting to see who transfers as there were a lot of unhappy looking players leaving the field today.

MGoBlue96

April 16th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^

part of the game, Can somebody tell me what kind of offense plays they were showing with Denard at QB? Were there still some designed runs for him?