by the linebacking corps. Like our two deep should be better than most teams' first string.
Or just back on track to do so.
Anyone have any recent word on his progress?
Also, like everyone else, I'd like to see O-line improvement and a running back stepping up.
a running game
I think the O-line will have its growing pains early on, but should grow strong as the season progresses.
I'm more worried about the receivers--we need someone to develop into at least a solid #2 option, or those 3rd downs could be trouble.
I'd love to see the interior of the O-line looking polished with their footwork and getting to the second level on plays. I'd also love to see Gardner showing some touch on deep routes to Gallon and Darboh.
If this offense can prove they can stretch the field, it will take that much more pressure off of the interior line on running plays.
A comittment from Da'Shawn Hand.
Edit: Guess I should have read all the comments before I posted.
MOAR MANBALL!!!
No, seriously. A dominating O-line and a couple of cannonball RB's to run through it. Also a QB with a playbook deeper than, A: handoff up the gut for 1 yd, B: scramble for -1 yds, C: bomb for either TD or arm punt.
As for the D? JMFR.
RUN
THE
BALL
Sorry, I'm stuck at home that weekend.
(Yea, I know I'm off by 4 letters - go away, you joke stickler you)
1. O-Line has, and I mean HAS to start coming together. There is a ton of talent there, but its got to grow up pretty quickly. Hopefully Lewan and Schofield can show the way for the younger guys. If they can gel quickly, we've got a lot of potential maulers on that line. Also would be nice because it'd help our run game to get started off on the right foot.
2. Gardner makes progressions. He's got all the physical tools to be successful, but has to work on the accuracy. Killed me to watch him miss some wide open receivers in the Outback Bowl that could have potentially changed the game. Also hope he takes the next step as a team leader. Now for all I know, he's already a great leader, but if he is, we haven't heard much about it.
3. More receiving threats emerge. Right now, Gallon seems like our go-to guy. And he's good, but we need someone else. I'm hoping Funchess takes a big step forward and emerges as one of the best TE's in the conference. I'd also like to see some progressions with Darboh. I've heard a lot of good things about him, and am hoping we can see some things in spring. I'd also like to see what Chesson can do. We need a speedster out there, and he looks to fit that mold nicely.
4. Defensive line. I think Q-Wash will be a force next year if he continues to progress, and hopefully Pip starts to live up to his potential. Maybe more importantly, the defensive ends need work. We need to get pressure on the QB, and this is why I'm incredibly thankful that Taco is enrolled early. Hopefully he's as good as advertised. If these things can come together, our defensive line can be a force to be reckoned with.
5. I want to see how Dymonte looks. It will be tough to replace Kovacs, but this kid looks too good to not see the field next year, maybe even start at some point.
6. Please no injuries. Fitz, Blake, please keep rehabbing, and hopefully be ready to take the field Aug. 31st.
7. Hopefully we have enough depth to where we can finally have an actual game.
Is this how you format your homework? :P
I am excited to see what Ojemudia can do after a year in the program and some added weight.
specifically if we will get meaningful contributions from Darboh, Chesson, Drake Johnson and Justice Hayes. Each of them has gotten some practice hype but shown nothing in gamers so far. I think we need at least 2 of them to become quality contributers.
Our 2 biggest issues in 2012 were the interior OL and WR. [Excluding Gallon's Outback showing.]
Specific performances: Kalis, Miller, Bryant, Darboh and Chesson. We really need all 5 to show capabilities of productively contributing at B1G level.
Little question marks at all areas . . .
We are going to pretty young in the front 7. I would like to see if Q. Washington is for real. Can Ash get into the rotation? How will the inside LB's look minus Demens. I also think Pipkins needs to make a big leap and Wilson or Robinson need to fill the Kovacs void.
Oline, unkowns at the skill positions, it's all mostly been covered. I'd love to see Bellomy look sharp, confident and putting a little more zip on the ball (I know he's never going to be Brett Favre). Hoke alluded to him maybe not being 100% in that nebraska mess. The kid was a 3 star committed to a big ten school before UM offered, so there is/was some talent there, hope to see him take steps forward.
My biggest rooting interest in this year's spring game will be for Bellomy. Partly, I'd like to know that we have a viable, non-redshirt-burning option if Gardner goes down. Even more than that, though, I feel for the kid. There's no way that he's as bad a QB as he was against Nebraska. That was an awful situation for a freshman to step into, and I'd really like to see him show some things before he gets buried on the bench.
Does anybody have an update on Wormley? Wasn't Ojemudia headed for a redshirt before Wormley's injury?
Out of all the injured freshmen / sophomores from last year, he was having the quickest / best rehab. That news is at least a few months old, though.
He was stomping onstage doing the Haka with Sione Houma a few weeks ago, I think the knee is okay.
I think the most important thing has to be no injuries...
just no major injuries...please no major injuries
references!!
/too much?
hitting anything either in or out of stride.
Don't tell him that, now he'll really never stop throwing to the guys wearing red and white.
~Herm
DG throwing ropes to Chesson and Darboh; I want to see this very much.
And a spring GAME!
I want to see which guys step up that we haven't heard from before. Of course, I wanna see the improvement of the interior O-line, the defensive backfield updates, & receivers stepping up but I want to see some guys showing us play we haven't seen before. Always had a soft spot for walk-ons making a name for themselves, too.
D. Hand commit the first day of practice......that is what I would like to see out of spring practice.
After seeing the new post about Peppers' visit in April I am going to say a Jabril Peppers commitment.
a 38 or 32 belly passes to the fullback Kerridge/other in the flat? 2013 Michigan Spring Game will be remembered as "36 Shades of Aaron Shea"....
I'm thinking Borges is hellbent on passing the crap out of the ball this year. Tons of throws to TEs and center screens to UM's running backs. That's my uneducated guess.
Also, UM defense elated not to have chase a free electron at QB in practice for the first time in 4 years.
and defensive lines. I am really looking forward to see who emerges as starters, beginning with spring practice and of course into the fall.
I am also looking forward to seeing weight gains/losses amongst the team, I always find that interesting.
Touchdowns on every play. I don't care how: passing, running, kick return, punt return, interception return, fumble return. Touchdowns on every play.
A decent pass rush from the front four on D.
A younger wide receiver with the potential to wear the #1.
I really like her, erm, ...pad level. It's nice.
As we know from being burned in the past by things like "Cam Gordon is an awesome safety" there is only so much you can learn. I don't expect to see the OL maul people or our DL get tons of sacks. In fact, if you do see too much success in one area then something might be wrong on the other side of the ball or one of the coaches may be calling a simple play book.
So rather than look for performance metrics, I'm looking to hear that some players are pushing to get in the rotation at several key positions. With that in mind, I want to see the following:
- WR - Who is stepping up to get the snaps left by Roundtree?
- RB - Do any of the incumbents look good enough to get snaps?
- OL - Who is playing guard and is Miller clearly the center?
- DL - What does the rotation look like and how do the RS Freshmen fit in (Wormley, Godin, Strobel)?
- DB - What other corners are getting PT without Countess or Floyd? Who is getting in the rotation in Kovacs' spot?
I would like to see Gardner have a good spring and find out if Bellamy is still a viable back-up or not.
- Line play, both OL & DL. I'd like to see them beat each other up, but with no injuries. (I think that playing against the best makes you better, so I'd love to see the best OL against the best DL.)
- Develop tight ends more, both blocking for RB & catching passes.
- More clarity at RB position.
- Gardner working through progressions in a good way, not locking in on WR in a way that the DB's can jump routes.
- Gardner being pressured by the DL, and not panicking.
- WR running good routes and getting on the same page as Gardner.
- DB's healthy, especially Countess.
- One DB to emerge, to grab the open spot by the horns.
- LB really solidify and jump to the next level.
- Manning fit in as the new coach, and get commitments from Hand and Peppers.
I think Gallon's going to turn heads this fall (as will Gardner). I'm talking, 1000 yards this season. The amount that Funchess gets featured really depends on how he develops as a blocker. If he's a total liability, he loses his edge in the pass game because teams will adjust to know that it's a pass only if he's in there.
regarding the wide receivers, I'm not all that concerned. I think Dileo will be a steady producer, to the tune of 30-40 catches. Someone should be able to come in and be productive enough. I think we're in trouble if we're throwing the ball more than 60 percent of the time anyway. Play action needs to be a big element of our offense... Either Fitz comes back strong, or Green steps up early, or we're going to be in trouble.
Gallon: 75 catches, 1100 yards, 10 TDs
Funchess: 45 catches, 600 yards, 8 TDs
Dileo: 35 catches, 500 yards, 5 TDs
Darboh: 25 catches, 400 yards, 3 TDs
As for Devin Gardner, I think he has a huge year. I think he'll cost us 2 games with some bad decisions, but he will also win a good number as well.
62% completions, 2800 yards, 26 Tds, 13 ints
I sure as hell hope he doesn't throw 13 picks. The only guys who have thrown 13 picks or more in Michigan history have completed 55% of their passes (or fewer) and haven't thrown for more than 20 touchdowns.
13 picks???? if he throws 13 picks we better get Morris warmed up quick. i can see more like 8-10.
I am want to see some of the RS Freshmen have a JMFR spring game coming out party.
I also want to see if Will Hagerup has officially used 4 of his 9 football lives and makes it back on the field.
I would like to NOT see the whole time standing around while just a few guys are working. Perhaps that's only done when the cameras are rolling, but it does seem to be a pattern. I would like to see Brady try to maximize every kids' chance for reps, running a more differentiated practice format as often as possible.