What I've seen from the practices so far.

Submitted by FormerWolv on

 

Now, i'll start this off by saying information on in this entry is accurate, aside from opinions of course. 

Some things I know about the team I feel I should relay:

1. Our RB's **(excluding Smith) can't catch worth a damn & Toussaint is getting a long look as the #1 RB.

**edit: Smith has shown in games he can catch no doubt, but the others worry me...

2. Our o-line will surprise many, lewan is looking more and more like jake long every day. Which will in-turn improve our QB play even more, because how many times did we see tate make an ill-advised throw due to pressure?

3. A 2nd year in GERG's system will greatly reduce the big plays that plagued us last year, our secondary is benefiting from going up against our offense in scrimmages, and you can see the confidence increasing everyday.

4. Odoms and Stonum are also getting long looks at #1 and #2 WR's, roundtree is slot #1.

5. Denard has improved passing, but not enough to warrant a lock on the #1 QB spot. His mistakes are still worrying. 

The major question in my head: Will RRod allow gardner to RS and lead the team next year, because right now, he COULD play a good bit, but, is it worth wasting a year on an OK season with 2 other similar QB's when he could have 4 strong seasons?

6. Not surprisingly, the coaches do not want turner back (unless a major major attitude change). They reward hard work and well, he was lacking in that area. 

7. RRod accepts physical mistakes (within reason), but he will let you know that he does not mental mistakes. He is old school, just like Bo.

8. I'd be very very surprised if we did not make it to a bowl this year. I strongly feel that our D will be IMPROVED from last year. A second year in GERG's system and a good chunk of returning starters will be the main reason for this, not to mention there is a small sense of urgency around the team.

9. Cullen Christian will see the field a good bit this year, and is playing like he should.

10. The true freshmen (non-early enrollees), haven't seen much in scrimmages, yet, mostly due to summer school and the complete lack of knowledge about plays etc. The older guys are really showing some leadership here, and the coaching staff is helping them along. I'd parallel this to your first day in high school, but that feeling of being completely lost lasts a month. 

11. There is a tight knit family atmosphere around the team, and the guys are really thriving from it. 

WolvinLA2

August 13th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

This is good news.  I agree about DG, he likely won't be better than Denard this year.  At least not by a noticeable amount.  Let him RS, have Denard lead the way, and have it be an all out dog fight next fall.  As long as Denard still gets the ball a lot.

WichitanWolverine

August 13th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^

Assuming you have actually been going to a lot of these practices and given your username is "FormerWolv", I would guess that you are a former football player.

I doubt you'll tell us who you are, but can you at least tell us what era or position?

WolvinLA2

August 13th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^

Kovacs had the talent/speed to be a freshman All American last year.  He's in a new position that fits his talent very well.  And if he doesn't start, it's because someone else came in who's even better. 

This team will not live and die by the spur and bandit.  If Kovacs is the worst starter on our team, we'll have a good team.

StraightDave

August 14th, 2010 at 12:43 AM ^

here is an observation from someon with more knowledge than you and me:

I thought he (Jones) did a solid job at Kovacs bandit position. But IMO that is one of UMs biggest problems, too many box safeties, not enough deep safeties or CBs.

El Jeffe

August 13th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^

Sorry Magnus, Geaux, BISB, Chitown, Jamiemac, BGH, etc. FormerWolv is now officially my fave poster. More, please!

EDIT: Also, given

11. There is a tight knit family atmosphere around the team, and the guys are really thriving from it.

may I assume you are neither Justin Boren nor Kurt Wermers?

Maximinus Thrax

August 13th, 2010 at 6:21 PM ^

I like that Odoms is getting some looks.  I really thought that he should be penciled in to start at WR or slot.  I like what he can do with the ball in his hands, and he can make some ridiculous catches too.

RagingBean

August 14th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^

This does make me think of the assessment of the MLB position in Hail to the Victors that said Casteel had gotten away with ridiculously small or unathletic MLBs in the 3-3-5 because their most important duty was making the NT right and sticking his nose where it was guaranteed to get smushed back at him. If Moundros can get to the right hole and take on blocks better than Obi than that's all he really needs to do to be effective.