Michigan Perimeter Blocking, WR Drills Comment Count

Brian

The youtube search I have that usually turns up Michigan State fans in gorilla costumes and ads for illegal streams has hit upon something actually interesting for a change: cut-ups from the Michigan coaches' clinic.

This one is on Michigan's perimeter blocking:

Hit up 25 minutes for always-entertaining editions of the Michigan drill

The good blocks are widely distributed between Roundtree, Gallon, and Dileo with some cameos by Gardner(!) and Darboh. Darboh just buries a couple guys; Dileo and Gallon bring that Martavious Odoms mountain-goat-style blocking to the party. These clips are just the good bits, for the most part, but it seems like Michigan likes what they have in that department this year. Gallon in particular is ruthless in his desire to put guys on their ass 40 yards from the play.

Darboh should be an asset, as he's got a lot more size than anyone they played last year save Gardner and seems to have the same desire the mighty mites do.

The second item is about 5 minutes of individual WR drills featuring everyone's favorite training landmark:

The big takeaway there is the huge agility gap between Jackson and Darboh/Chesson, let alone the slot-type guys at the top of the depth chart.

Comments

MRH

August 13th, 2013 at 5:34 PM ^

The Power Point says the aiming point is the crown of your helmet to the opponent's face mask.  Doesn't that mean you're trying to use your helmet to hit his head?

Jeff09

August 13th, 2013 at 6:15 PM ^

Jackson looked kind of uncoordinated in these.  The freshmen (now soph and RS fresh I suppose) looked good.  Thought Reynolds looked fine too.

Re: perimeter blocking, I could be remembering incorrectly, but it was my impression that Darboh was kind of a liability blocking on the edge last year.  I don't remember that being a strength.

UMaD

August 13th, 2013 at 6:56 PM ^

If Darboh is a good blocker and looks like one of our most athletic receivers, why did he sit behind Reynolds and Jackson last year?

My hypothesis - size is a secondary concern when you're talking about blocking DBs.

backusduo

August 13th, 2013 at 7:49 PM ^

Dileo looks awesome in these videos.  His ability to get in and out of breaks I thought was best in class.  Sad to say, but Jackson has been here all this time, and he looks more qualified to be the mascot. 

Blue in Yarmouth

August 14th, 2013 at 8:03 AM ^

but my question would be why not just let the guy walk -on rather than using a scholarship on a guy that was clearly not going to contribute at UM? I don't mean to be harsh at all, but that was pretty evident from the beginning. Also, I thought I had heard before that if your parent was a staff member at UM you could attend for free (or at least at a very decreased rate)? If that is/was the case the scholraship for Jackson is even more perplexing. Again, I don't mean to bash the kid as I'm sure he has busted his ass the past few years but he always seemed like he should have been a walk-on candidate rather than a scholarship guy to me.

Ivan Karamazov

August 14th, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^

If you have a parent at the university there is no discount if you are a student, let alone free tuition.  I have heard from friends who held part time jobs in the admissions office that if you have a parent at the unversity it is much easier to get accepted as a prospective student but thats about as far as the benfits go.

Wave83

August 14th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^

My father-in-law was a full professor at Michigan.  My wife and her two brothers both had to pay (or their father, the professor had to pay) in-state tuition.  Most regrettably, his grandson (my son) had to pay out-state tuition.  This fact amazes many, especially those used to professors at private schools (e.g. Case Western in Cleveland) having their kids attend for free.

samdrussBLUE

August 13th, 2013 at 10:17 PM ^

Christ, if our run blocking at the line would have been worth a damn we would have been off to the races with how Gallon blocks down field.  Pure gold right there

 

mgobaran

August 14th, 2013 at 8:26 AM ^

1. That barrel-hitch drill in the second video has Freddy Canteen written all over it. 

2. Drew Delio is our best WR. I don't care who you are. 

[edit]:

3. Denard sighting! Handing off in the Michigan Drill!

MGoManBall

August 14th, 2013 at 8:21 AM ^

I had to look him up but Bo Dever (#3) looked alright in the agility drills. I know he was a walk-on but I feel he has the looks of a better contributer than Jackson... plus Dever likes to block downfield. 

Space Coyote

August 14th, 2013 at 9:18 AM ^

One thing I don't like about that drill, particularly here with such a big group, is that guys are just standing around for so long. It's somewhat difficult with receivers because you always need someone throwing the ball, etc, but it's just a lot of down time with limited practice time.

Gary_B

August 14th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^

During games, I find myself always watching Gallon just to see him bury guys 20 yards downfield. He seems intent on taking someone's head clean off. A couple observations:

1. Roundtree was also a demon blocking downfield that we will miss.

2. It pains me to say that Mealer could have learned a few things about agressive blocking from our WRs. He did more looking around than actually putting a helmet on someone...

3. I feel bad for South Carolina's DBs (not really). They spent quite a bit of time on their backs.

Space Coyote

August 14th, 2013 at 9:57 AM ^

Michigan has always been known for having great blocking WRs. It is something that has been preached throughout the years and is an important aspect of Michigan's offense, under Carr, RR, and now Hoke. But the blocking isn't always perfect and can always use improvement.

Roundtree was always a pretty good blocker at the WR position, but here he lets his guy escape and get seperation between him. Essentially, he stops annoying the CB, when that would have been enough. This is the difference between a TD and a pick on the HB pass the very next play. Denard actually had a really good 1st quarter, and the offense struggled to find rhythm after this. One play, one block, could have made the difference in a whole game, and possibily even had implications for the rest of the season. There was a better view from the replay in the game, but you can still see it here. Roundtree fails to stick on his man and even pester him. If he does that, he seals the CB - that was supposed to force the play back inside - from the sideline and essentially blocks the safety as well, and Denard walks in for a likely TD.