What I've seen from the practices so far.
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.
August 14th, 2010 at 8:55 AM ^
The Book was WAY better M-o-o-n, that spells the book is better.
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.
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?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^
or even just offense or defense?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:45 PM ^
Who's your favorite all-time Wolverine?
August 13th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^
Can we play guess that Former Wolv? My flyer on the subject would be Mark Campbell, who did the spring game with Matt Shepard IIRC.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
What's the first team Nickel defense look like?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
Woodson found a final year of eligibility.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
heh...heh...heh...
August 13th, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^
Actually, I'm genuinely curious what the order looks like behind Woolfolk and Floyd. As far as I can tell, that's the single most critical depth area (despite all the talk of QB's). Hence, the question.
August 13th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^
Cullen Christian is probably number three, and after that, I don't even want to think about it.
But:
August 13th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
has been getting good reviews too. He will be undersized but he is very smart so that will help him pick up the defense better. It does appear we have 2 true freshman in the two deep at CB though.
At least CB is one of the positions where it is not impossible for a Freshman to contribute.
August 13th, 2010 at 9:58 PM ^
than 6 games with that lineup. the spur and bandit are not good enough to win with at this level. dock me all you want but it is true. Kovac is a hell of a kid but is does not have the talent/speed to play at this level.
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.
August 13th, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^
I want you to know that I just spent one of my MGoPoints negging you for this stupid comment, but it was well worth it.
And since you'll be below 20 points very, very soon, I'm not worried about you negging me back. Suck it.
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.
August 14th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
This doesn't support your claim that Kovacs is inadequate. It contradicts it. It says that another player may have improved beyond Kovacs but that position isn't a problem anyway. The problem is at deep safety and CB.
August 13th, 2010 at 7:54 PM ^
The guy makes decent comments from time to time and gives insight into the enemy. Keep your friends close,... and you know the rest. Besides, we're better than those douche canoe's anyway. We just have to be better than them in football now.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
Did I imagine Geaux Blue's comment re: how FormerWolv knows this or did it go away?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
we tend to make sure "insider info" isn't just some jaded rival fan etc.
this one's legit. feel free to feel fired up.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
I was just editing to say that I don't really care how he knows, but if it's legit, thanks for posting. And, I appreciate your skepticism for inside info.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:38 PM ^
Co-sign the veracity of the poster. He is a name I would recognize.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
It was removed, but I still suggest laying off the peyote.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
Thanks for sharing...please stop back often.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
stop back often and keep the updates coming.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
August 13th, 2010 at 5:39 PM ^
[deleted]
August 13th, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
Besides the ones already covered?
Also, can you speak some more on the secondary. Thanks.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
Formerly and Geaux, thank you for the backing!
I would love to write more on each bullet, but I only write what I know.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:47 PM ^
I can only assume you are Zoltan.
P.S. I hereby grant you an additional 4 years of eligibility at Michigan. I didn't use mine.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:51 PM ^
Actually, he's currently defeating the klingons and battling the Trade Federation at the same time. Chuck Norris is his next target.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
This guy comes on here and gives us would appears to be legit insider info we can't get from the MSM and somebody decides to be a dick and neg him. I bet it was "Not a Blue Fan". That guy is always negging people's diary entries.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:14 PM ^
It was me! Chuck Norris defies physics! Zoltan relies on Kepplers Laws and Newton's Law of Gravitation. I'm just worried for Zoltan!
August 14th, 2010 at 9:22 AM ^
There's a reason yoda** now says "Let the Zoltan be with you"
August 13th, 2010 at 7:34 PM ^
He had a great debut with the Pats last night. And I don't think a single one was returned. [Too lazy to go back and check. Too many posts here to read before Brandon makes his debut. Hmm... So we know OP isn't Brandon...]
August 13th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^
anytime Mr. Carr
August 13th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
From a fictional former Wolverine to an actual one, thank you and Go Blue!
-Tim "All The" Waymen, LSA '94
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?
August 13th, 2010 at 7:12 PM ^
August 13th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
He's surpassed me on my list of favorite posters as well.
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.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
Any thoughts on the LBs?
August 13th, 2010 at 6:29 PM ^
mondrous is doing well at MLB, Roh and Mouton will flank him.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:36 PM ^
Is that saying something good about Moundros or something bad about the rest of our MLBs?
Are those your projected starters as of right now?
August 13th, 2010 at 6:38 PM ^
good about moundros, and yes.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
Moundros has over-taken Obi... Wow... I really don't know what to think about that...
I guess we know exactly what Obi can do and if Moundros is better I guess that's a good thing? Right?
Right?!?!?!
August 13th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
He's really playing better?... half full, half full,half full, half full,half full, half full,half full, half full,half full, half full,half full, half full...
August 13th, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^
dont forget obi was pulled a good number of times in favor of leach...
August 13th, 2010 at 11:47 PM ^
and hearing coach Rob saying the "Obi has good intentions"...not exactly a glowing review. I'm scared somewhat if a FB moves to LB and starts, but if it improves things then go get 'em Mark!
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.