Saturday Punting Demo Bits
So the open practice on Saturday was not much use. They spent most of the day punting or kicking or running kneel-down drills. By the tenth kneel-down the boredom was crippling and I wished they weren't having it at all. I'd be surprised if it returned for a third year. I kind of hope it doesn't since I have to be there if it exists.
They did run about ten minutes of two-minute drill at the end. Impressions follow.
Ricky Barnum is injured. He dressed but did not participate; he's got a big ol' brace on his left knee. He was out there so it's probably not too serious. He might miss a week or two. In his stead Schofield drew in at guard. They initially played him at RG, moving Omameh to the left. The two Gs swapped positions late.
Raymon Taylor was also banged up and held out.
New numbers are confusing. That is all.
I don't think Isaiah Bell was out there. There was no 34 in white (defense). Unless he's just switched to a new number that would be a sign he might not be on the roster much longer. Either that or he's hurt, but Hoke just said they were basically healthy.
Woolfolk did position drills but did not play in the two-minute drill, FWIW. Bellomy didn't take any snaps.
The defense has a three-man-line rush package. We're going to see a Shafer-style okie package on passing downs with three linemen, four or five linebackers and DBs hovering over the opposing OL. The D zone-blitzed like mad from that unit, often dropping guys like Mike Martin into zones. The O did a pretty decent job of picking the blitzes up but Roh got in for a touch sack and Denard had to scramble around a bit.
Denard had a hard time finding receivers. A few crisp rhythm throws, a lot of ball-patting, scrambling, and difficult sideline improv throws. Not sure if that's on him or the WRs. Gallon twice ran comebacks that the quarterbacks expected to be fly routes, so they've got some pro-style sight reading in the O. Not functional sight reading, but sight reading nonetheless.
There was only one running play, a QB draw on the first snap that went for eight or so yards and would have gone for more if they weren't playing touch.
Non-Hagerup punters are C- types. It's not going to kill Michigan to have Hagerup out; the punting will be sub-average until he returns.
Gibbons hit a 42-yard field goal to finish. The crowd went wild.
Under center: not so much. There was no under center. Part of that is the two minute drill, but the passing skeleton was a 3x1 four-wide shotgun set as well.
Gallon didn't do anything horrible returning punts. So we've got that going for us. I still think Dileo should get a shot.
There are some weird players on the special teams units. Gunners included Vincent Smith and Fitzgerald Toussaint; Hopkins and Shaw were on the kickoff team. Junior Hemingway was one of the upbacks on the punt team. That's all of our fragile offensive skill players save Denard.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
This has nothing to do with this thread, but i just ordered my Vada Murry t-shirt And cannott wait! Wish i could hug all of you bitches!!!!! You all RAWK!!!!!!!!!!!
August 27th, 2011 at 5:49 PM ^
I'm ok with them not showing much to the general audience this year. less information for opponents to have on us.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:31 PM ^
Hagerup was so much better than the others... let's hope we can get through these first four games unscathed by crappy punt dictated field position.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
This read like a Scotty Bowman playoff presser. I guess I can live with that provided Denard goes all "Datsyukish" in the opener.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:21 PM ^
I thought Gibbons's FG was from 47 - though I could be wrong.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:54 AM ^
Not that we would expect anything less. If only we could bring GERG Robinson back to coach the scout team for the defense, it might raise morale for the scrimmage!
But fantasies aside, punting should be less valuable against Western Michigan.
Against Notre Dame, I would hope a little trickery would not be out of character. One begins to appreciate Tate Forcier's ability to pooch kick on demand.
I would not expect many cards of strategy to shown during the Western Michigan game; instead, just establishing fundamentals. See Denard run, See Denard pass and complete, see Denard fake run and pass, see Denard hand off to Shaw and run. A boring west coast pro offense for Denard would be a good change of pace.
As for the defense - can we get some magic dust to activate Will Campbell as a pass rusher and run tackler. Just a thought!
August 28th, 2011 at 2:40 AM ^
Why do you want to take it out of my sails? I'm only halfway through this Ufer CD.
August 28th, 2011 at 8:41 AM ^
Did I just spend a minute of my time watching paint dry? I thought so at 30 seconds in but gave Brian the benefit of doubt. Never again Brian! Never again!
August 28th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
With the system moving into place, I think it is smart to not show much to the media or anyone else. Nobody really knows what schemes Borges and Mattison are going to use. Probably works to our advantage for the first couple weeks to keep it shuttered.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
Flat paint? At least next time could you post Glossy? Thanks
August 28th, 2011 at 12:50 PM ^
Interesting gunners and players on special teams. However, these could be great blockers for our team to spring some big plays! Hoke knows best I guess!
August 28th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^
BIG SHIATS
Comments