MCalibur

August 14th, 2010 at 1:45 AM ^

Good Lord, Mike Martin eats more than my household does, for real. Also, love to hear that he has some strong, deep seated personal motivation. That'll carry him far.

I'm finding it very difficult to settle on a favorite player this year. Sure, it's always hard picking a guy, but it's especially difficult this year; Mike's a front runner though.

aleng

August 14th, 2010 at 6:31 AM ^

These next few years it's going to be very hard to pick one favorite. I have so much  respect for all of the players who have gone through the last two years. I can't even fathom how great it is going to be to watch this program return to the place it should be. Hopefully this year... we'll see, but it's going to be awesome!

cbuswolverine

August 14th, 2010 at 2:10 AM ^

Go back a couple years when we were recruiting Mike Martin and I thought, "Rob Renes Part Deux.  I'll take it."  Mike Martin has been Rob Renes+ from the moment he took the field and I love Rob Renes.  Mike, I had the bar set VERY HIGH for you coming in and you have exceeded my expectations from day one.

Go Blue 

Michael

August 14th, 2010 at 2:10 AM ^

Mike Martin is an absolute MONSTER. He's always been a favorite of mine, but I really feel like this is going to be his year.

There was talk about sliding him over the 3-tech DT position, but it's clear that he's the nose guard for this defense. I feel incredibly sorry (although, not really) for opposing offensive lines because they are going to get fucking destroyed.

BiSB

August 14th, 2010 at 6:59 AM ^

So... when Mike Martin tries to tell a story about how he's not a workout warrior, the best he can come up with is "yeah, after I lift 600 pounds, sometimes I might feel a little sore."

Smash, Mike.  Smash.

michiganfanforlife

August 14th, 2010 at 8:22 AM ^

very well spoken, intelligent talk from one of our impressive student athletes. I can't stop thinking about how our big guys are just huge athletes instead of big fat guys. The Barwis factor will start to pay off in a big way this year IMO.  Our team will dominate at the LOS on both sides of the ball this year. Go Blue!!!

U Fer M

August 14th, 2010 at 8:39 AM ^

I'm thinking this will be the year we will really see the conditioning pay off in the games, just hoping the mental mistakes get reduced or eliminated, especially guys being out of position and giving up the big plays, or even just allowing other teams to move the ball at will. I think the offense will score quickly and often, so the D doesn't need to be on the field any longer than it will be already.

CarlisleWolverine

August 14th, 2010 at 9:14 AM ^

I equate mental mistakes to turnovers.  As Brian Cook stated, 58 turnovers in 2 years has got to improve.  I think it is more than luck.  Maturity + Barisfactor = fewer TO's.  Fewer TO's  = more wins.  See how simple a winning season can be.  Next lesson.......

bklein09

August 14th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^

I have never seen a 300lb man look so fit in my life. With the possible exception of Jake Long, but Jake had 5 more inches than Mike to distribute the weight. 

MM looks like a cannon ball on steroids! (not at all suggesting that he's anything other than 100% natural man-beast though)

LB

August 14th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^

I love watching a well executed running game, but nothing fires me up  like watching a defense just bring it. I like to think that the last couple of years has been spent in the wilderness, searching for the elusive "it". Michigan Football Gods - please show us they have found it.

Note: tearing shit up along the way is an added plus

Mason

August 14th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^

Do any of you think he'd be a good enough to not stay his senior year?  Maybe it's too early to make that sort of prediction but MAN... with him on the team as a senior in 2011 it's going to be EXCITING!

ironman4579

August 14th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^

Not if he's playing the nose all season.

Perhaps I should explain.  Not that he won't be good at the nose (although that is certainly not his best position).  But he's extremely undersized to be an NFL NT.  There's no way he'd be playing that position in the NFL (with the possible exception of Dallas), so they'd be projecting him to the 3 tech undertackle role ala Warren Sapp.  No one's going to draft a DT early if they've barely seen him play his projected position.

I also expect Martin's production (statistically) to go down this year, or at least stay the same as last year.  Even as a NT he saw alot of single blocking last year with BG eating up double and triple teams.  He's going to be facing multiple blockers alot more often this year.

So to sum up, I have little doubt he'll be around for his senior year. 

Ernis

August 14th, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^

I'm like a hunter in the forest, out there looking for some food, trying to bring it back to my family. Out there looking for the ball like a maniac.

This dude is my hero. Always was a beast but this is the kind of mentality every football player should have (defense, at least)

And you know, I believe him when he says that, becaues of the look in his eyes when he says "family"

UMich87

August 14th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^

I think I might have a hard time looking him directly in the eye once he is in game shape.  I don't care how many babies he kisses or old ladies he helps across the street, he will intimidate.

Seems like a really great kid with a good heart.

bacon1431

August 14th, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^

I started whimpering in fear when they started showing the lifting segments. I am still huddled in the corner of the room. I don't think I will leave either.

BrewCityBlue

August 14th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

Gotta love this kid, er, maneating freak.

Definitely one of my favorites on this team.

Off the field he's kissin' babies... you gotta be kiddin' me, this guy is awesome.