Space Coyote

August 23rd, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^

You're repping about 2.5 teams in one of these scrimmages and if something doesn't go right you "run it again". They are repping a lot of things, a lot of plays, in a lot of situations. It's more of a simulated practice than anything else, so they are going to run a lot of plays. It's probably a little under 200 plays total, but I would say it's north of 150 for the entire team.

STW P. Brabbs

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:02 PM ^

Of course, Hayes's prevalence on third downs might also not mean that much, as it's possible that Fitz is going to figure prominently there. I'm just saying, it sounded like you were predicting more than just 'based on the relative frequency which Hayes appears as a single back in the scrimmage highlights, it looks like he's the leader of the third down back competition.' More touches than Smith and all. Based on the limited amount I've seen of Hayes, though, I'm not really impressed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the proverbial practice buzz gauge seems to be giving out a pretty low reading for Hayes, too.

Space Coyote

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:24 PM ^

Surely Fitz is far and away RB1. Fitz will be in there on some third downs, he'll get carries in zone based schemes, etc. But from what I've seen of the past and what I've seen in the many reps, both spring ball and otherwise, has Hayes in a fairly well defined role and the others mixing in to combine for a backup role for the rest of the stuff. Being that Borges likes to do some of the things that are a part of Hayes's role, I think my assumption was pretty fair.

STW P. Brabbs

August 23rd, 2013 at 9:40 AM ^

1) Those highlights show the five-star QB we thought we were getting in Morris. Hosiest hose in hoseland - looked like a somewhat more athletic Matt Stafford out there. 2) Deveon is a beast. I'll call it again: he'll be a better back than Green when all's said and done. 3) Devin looks pretty shaky here. Big pass rush, small sample size, and the possibility that he must ended up being on the 'defensive highlights' end of the stick apply. But these plays are rough. 3a) What's the point, MGoBlue, of putting a highlight package together that seems to show only good plays from Morris, and mostly bad plays from DG?

DonAZ

August 23rd, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^

What's the point, MGoBlue, of putting a highlight package together that seems to show only good plays from Morris, and mostly bad plays from DG?

I'm going to put on my official Fort Schembechler Tinfoil Hat here ... full-on conspiracy mode.

These highlight videos are exercises in manipulation.  It's been said earlier in this thread that the first scrimmage showed the offense looking good and the defense only so-so ... now this this shows an almost dominant defensive line and a shakey offensive line.  DG suddenly looks less imposing, and lots of footage of a true freshman QB.

What's an opposition (read: Notre Dame) spy to think?

Spy Chief: "What did you find out?"

Spy Minion: "I got nothing.  Strangest bunch of intel I've ever seen.  Who the hell knows what's going on up in Ann Arbor."

I'll go one step further ... with no names on the jersies you only think that was Smith or Stribling, and you only think you know who was playing along the O and D lines.  They were switching jersies to confuse things further.

Brilliant!

South Bend is an unsettled place.  Panic runs deep there.

/tinfoil hat off

STW P. Brabbs

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^

I don't think it's crazy to feel slightly more concerned after seeing that. Gardner looked, dare I say, almost Harringtonian on a few of those plays. But the emphasis is surely on 'slightly' - the mass of positive indications about Gardner's play this summer is ... pretty massive.

Franz Schubert

August 23rd, 2013 at 9:46 AM ^

It's funny how many (mostly rival fanbases) wrote Morris off as a bust already. I have never questioned his talent and after watching his pocket awareness and mobility in this clip I feel he has a chance to be very special. You can't teach that arm and you can't really teach the 6th sense required to feel pressure and slip it. Future is bright.

Farnn

August 23rd, 2013 at 9:48 AM ^

Stribling running right along with Chesson on that deep ball was very promising to see.  Doubt he sees the field much because he'd get knocked over by a stiff breeze, but he could be very good if he can keep that speed at 200 lbs.

kicknback1

August 23rd, 2013 at 9:56 AM ^

In the short amount of video that we are seeing from the first two scrimmages, I like what I see from Joe Reynolds. I'm optimistic that he can make some plays for us. Will obviously shuttle back and forth with Chesson and Jackson as Coach has indicated, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him contribute. 

I also like what I'm seeing from the TE spot. Funchess of course, and Jake Butt.

 

 

MGoblu8

August 23rd, 2013 at 10:10 AM ^

I think that video was pretty exciting for a 3 minute camp highlight video. A lot of plays being made and the team really seemed fast. I'll agree that the defensive pressure was a little troubling from an O-line standpoint, but the rush seemed very fast to me. Maybe it's "so close to kickoff" bias, but this team seems big and fast. Oh, and even after all the hype, Shane's arm still looked surprisingly live.

Flying Dutchman

August 23rd, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^

Shane turns the wrong way and whips the ball back across his body to Jake Butt for that last touchdown.  Not the best throw, but he got it out there and Butt slid under the ball.   Impressive physical play by a couple really young guys.   Here is to bright futures.

Goblue89

August 23rd, 2013 at 12:47 PM ^

He actually didn't turn the wrong way it just looked like that because he is left handed. The play called for a roll out to the right and because Morris is a lefty he had to stop and reverse his body to make the throw. It looked really weird but would have been the same had Gardner rolled out to his left.

gotohail

August 23rd, 2013 at 10:34 AM ^

I'm seeing the OL break down after just a few seconds and the only way the QB has any real time to let a play develop is to boot leg or scramble out of the pocket.

Artie

August 23rd, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^

Can anything really be gleaned from this short clip?  Those could have been Shane's best throws of the day while the ones we didn't see were miserable.  The Oline looks >porous in the video but it was a lot of second teamers.  I keep having to remind myself not to get too hyped or frustrated from these things.  I suppose we can, at the very least, take away the flashes of brilliance shown by Morris, Smith, et al.

MJ14

August 23rd, 2013 at 12:26 PM ^

Cam Gordon dominated Schofield on the one play I saw that he was playing LT.

Green has a nice run around the :50 mark.

Jarrod Wilson made a nice knock down and seemed to be in the right place at the right time. I think people panic way too fast around here.

Smith also looked fantastic on his run. Did anyone notice the shotgun formation with Morris, Hayes, and Smith? I definitely would love to see some of that formation more.

I couldn't figure out who number 8 was, but I saw everyone talking about Stribling. I then saw the coverage on that monster pass by Shane. Stribling is going to be really good. Yes, small sample size and all, but he's all over every single receiver in these videos. Dude has a nose for the ball and you can tell he wants it.

Leaders and Best 21

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^

I've been reading Mgoblog for a couple years now but have been too lazy to make an account (this is my first post and I just recently made this one). However, I finally decided to make one since I feel most of the people on here are very informative and usually have good information such as Ace with his recruiting and hello posts, as well as various bloggers who are able to break new stories before recruiting 'experts' can such as the George Campbell commitment. I know I'm going to get negged hard for saying this but people on here are overreacting way to much to Derrick Green. He's 240 lbs and looks solid. I was watching the 2000 M vs Ohio game and the A-train looked like he had a little pudge on his belly but that didn't stop him from being the leader rusher in M history until Hart. Not to mention the A-train was heavier than Green. Everyone here is saying Smith will be the better back (he may be but who knows) based off high school highlights and a couple runs in practice with cameras completely zoomed in. Statistics show #1 backs do very well their freshman seasons and I expect Green to not only play well but eventually take the job from Fitz midway through the season unless Hoke continues to be too loyal to his seniors. I love you guys which is why I've read Mgoblog for the last couple years but I've never seen a fanbase complain about getting the the #1 back in the country as much as us michigan fans (not just MgBlog). Minimum 700 yards and 5-6 tds rom Green this season. Any takers?

Ron Utah

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^

On offense, I was most impressed with:

  • Shane's pocket presence and footwork.  He's obviously got an arm.
  • Jake Butt getting open.  On one play he left Ross in the dust...that's a good sign
  • AJ Williams running all the way across the field to almost catch a great pass from DG
  • De'Veon Smith's run.  Yes, Ash was held, but Smith was nearly impossible to bring down.  Reminded me of this (jump to 20 seconds in):

 

I was not impressed with DG's play action fakes...I hope he does better in real games

On defense, I was most impressed with:

  • Channing Stribling...will this kid contribute as a true freshman?  Brian's SOTY prediction looks pretty damn good.  And kudos to Hoke and the staff for finding a gem.
  • Gordon was everywhere again.
  • D-Line in general...I know Lewan was held out, but our guys looked good.

WolverineInCbus

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^

Was the slow motion catch from Reynolds, but not because of the catch. What stood out to me on that play was the absolute cannon that Shane has for an arm. I'm surprised the ball didn't take Reynolds hand off.

MGoManBall

August 23rd, 2013 at 1:53 PM ^

Smith's run was nice, yes. But on the next play he dumps out on a delay route and bypasses the player that sacks Morris... Why didn't he pick up that end?