Hoke's Tuesday Press Conference
Hoke's evening press conference has been summarized (free content) at both the Wolverine and Scout.
Links:
Rivals: http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1399403
Scout: http://michigan.scout.com/2/1213676.html
Here are a few quick notes:
- Mealer would start at LG if the season began today.
- Funk is trying different combos to have 8 or so guys in the OL mix.
- Roundtree is progressing nicely, and Hoke thinks he'll start against Bama.
- Pipkins is back at full practice.
- Hoke is pleased with the "physicalness" of the 19th practice.
- The freshmen are adjusting well and doing well.
- Toussaint and Clark have not yet been cleared to play vs. Bama.
- The DL coaches are trying different formations to get more beef on the line at the same time. I.e., they want to have BWC and Pipkins et al all playing at the same time on the line in a "big package."
- Gardner is doing well at both QB & WR.
Like all the rest of the guys here, I'm starved for news and looking forward to the season. One comment: Hoke seems very positive and pleased, with not many critical comments. I'm waiting to hear what Mattison has to say.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:15 PM ^
Classic Hoke: "(Clark is) in the same boat (as Toussaint) right now," Hoke said. "They've both got an oar."
August 21st, 2012 at 10:15 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 10:28 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^
I'm rooting for Mealer to win the starting spot. Every Michigan fan knows his story, and he genuinely seems like someone you should root for. Also, selfishly, it would make feel better about the o-line that he is beating out a 6'1 walk-on and a true freshman (albeit a stud true freshman).
August 21st, 2012 at 10:37 PM ^
I'm rooting for Mealer for all these reasons plus the beard.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:45 PM ^
Which, without getting political, was featured prominently on Andrew Sullivan's blog today, including a quote from Jeremy Gallon.
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/08/quote-3.html
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/08/elliott-mealers-badass-…
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:21 AM ^
the pick change back, but I'm still partial to Lake Margrethe.
August 22nd, 2012 at 7:39 AM ^
I've never been to that lake. Actually had to look it up on a map to see where it is. Just to the north and west of Higgins.
I'm partial to Higgins just because it's the only lake I've ever known. My parents both have houses on the lake so I spent every summer weekend on the lake since I was 3 days old.
I'm trying to make a few trips up before the end of summer. Might hit up Short's one weekend just because it's so close. Already planned out the weekend of September 29th to take out the boat and dock....AKA Michigan's bye week.
August 21st, 2012 at 11:08 PM ^
I'll say, I want the competition won fair and square, whoever that might be, but I hope Mealer wins out. This is his last rodeo, and with all the grief and trauma he's gone through, the dislocated shoulder, his brother paralyzed and his father and girlfriend killed, I would love to see him succeed. In his "countdown" segment, I was pleased to see how level-headed he appeared, without bitterness or rancor. And yes, what a gorgeous beard.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:30 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 10:34 PM ^
Probably a little bit of both, but I am believe (and hoping) it is more the former. Hoke doesn't seem like the type to burnish his team's progress before the season, and at least from his public comments, he has been somewhat complimentary of the d-line's progress.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:45 PM ^
Keep in mind that Mattison likes to rotate a lot on D-line. If they're trying different combos on the line, that would give Mattison more flexibility to rotate during a game. While Black's size is not ideal, others of his current size have been effective at the 3-tech. The only real problem I can see is goal line/short yardage where the beef package could come in handy.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:56 PM ^
They would try to implement a big line. With Black they are going to have to slant/stunt a lot, which just isn't practical on short yardage downs. I still think Black is more natural at a 5-tech, and needs another year to truly be ready for the 3-tech, but the bodies available and his athleticism may make him the best option at 3-tech still on normal downs.
August 21st, 2012 at 11:11 PM ^
The coaches have shown they want to cycle in a lot of players with a multitude of looks so it might be a little premature to call Black a bust, but I never really thought he'd be playing full time inside this year, either. I think of it a little like the NYG dline. They've run essentially (physically) 6'7" Chris Canty and a bunch of Ends at times, but they're all athletic, lanky, tweener types who can bump inside. They often run a very unconventional combo of a lightweight 3-4 NT, 2 athletic SDE types, and a WDE. I know they're truly elite players, but I've heard quite a few nfl coaches say JPP and Justin Tuck can play inside at the 3tech, not because of their size (6'5" 275lbs) but because of energy and athleticism.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:46 AM ^
It is a more than a little premature to call Black a bust. Multiple practice watchers this spring said Black was our best interior defensive lineman. Campbell at 3-tech is mostly a rest rotational and bulk situational thing. No one else on defense has the size and quickness to adequately rotate with Black. Black is better at 3-tech than end because Black misses fewer assignments at 3-tech than he does at end.
August 22nd, 2012 at 11:28 AM ^
To be clear, I wasn't declaring Black a bust. I was speculating that he may not be large enough to be the every down 3T. But as always, what the hell do I know?
That would be very encouraging info. if accurate, what you've posted.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^
The slow countdown to Bama is starting to cause me physical discomfort.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:51 PM ^
I have half a mind to go to my boss tomorrow and just tell him to overload me with work so that I can't concentrate on a minute of football for the next 9 days.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:49 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 10:58 PM ^
I'm trying not to read too much into it, but from the Rivals article, Hoke's tone about this team has me starting to get more and more optimistic about the season. I think everyone on this board is well aware of the team's possible weaknesses in terms of the receiver position, defensive line, and offensive line depth, but I'm beginning to think the tempered expectations should get notched up.
So, really, to sum up, EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:34 AM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 11:00 PM ^
Been hearing good things about Gunderson in the battle at LG. He's a big boy at 6'6".
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:23 AM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 11:16 PM ^
So it's Better Than Ezra at LSU, (new) Country at Clemson, DJ's at Oregon, Katie Perry/Nicky Minaj at ND, and according to Hoke it's AC/DC playing at Michigan practice. I'm okay with this...
August 22nd, 2012 at 7:23 AM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 11:39 PM ^
So here's a thought I just had... Wouldn't it have been a good idea strategically to keep the different D-line packages under wraps so that maybe Bama's O-line wouldn't watch much film on some of the guys they'll be facing up against? I trust Hoke as much as anyone, but I do like the element of surprise. Thoughts?
August 21st, 2012 at 11:50 PM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:44 AM ^
Is much film out there? I think Hoke has kept things much more under wraps than has happened for years. There has been much less footage of practice than last year, which was less than that during the RR era.
There are two ways to look at this as well. If Alabama actually starts preparing for different packages, perhaps they won't practice as much of any one scheme themselves.
Regarding footage from practice, my biggest concern is not to reveal much in terms of receivers. Between Jerald Robinson, Devin Gardner, and the freshmen Chesson and Darboh, no one but the coaches and the team know how they're lining up, how fast they are, how they jump, what schemes they're using, who has the best hands, YAC, etc., etc. My secondary concern is to keep them from seeing what Denard is doing. My hope is that he has improved greatly in his passing ability, and that at least two of the above four receivers have turned out to be comparable replacements for Hemingway and Stonum. The money is on Gardner and Darboh, but I'd love to be surprised by either Chesson or Jerald Robinson doing very well.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:10 AM ^
Fantastic points here. In the end, I'm sort of comforted by how hard it is to tell what Hoke is doing from a fan's perspective. Is he revealing different schemes to make it hard to plan for? Is he mum about receivers to conceal their awesomeness? I have no idea, and if the situation is so opaque, I think there's a good chance that Nick is similarly befuddled.
But I'm worried that this buys Michigan only one half of football--about Alabama's half-time adjustments. Now, in general, I think the capacity for such adjustments are overblown. But when you have a team as athletic and 'schematically competent' as the Tide, making such adjustments seem entirely possible. On the other hand, they seem too inexperienced to pull this off flawlessly.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:14 AM ^
For Hoke to be pleased with the physicalness of practice, those players must be knocking eachother senseless. Great to hear they are playing tough football. Of course, it could just be coach speak, trying to build up their confidence as the season approaches, but let's hope this team is practicing with a chip on their shoulder, getting ready for Bama!
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:31 AM ^
I'm kind of intrigued by Hoke's "Norfleet has a specific skill" comment (while discussing why he's a leading kick return candidate right now).
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:52 AM ^
Holding onto the damn ball?
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:34 AM ^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgmO32IdwuE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prLLifss1Bw
That will make Dennis Norfleet a Nightmare for teams in Green and Red.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:33 AM ^
It sounds like Wormley was playing the 3-Tech/DT spot...that was somewhat of a question going in. With some (one person in particular) insisting he was a 5-Tech/SDE.
Again, when you have guys who are in between positions...SLB/WDE, SDE/DT, CB/S, any OL position...NONE of us know where these guys are going to play. I don't care what they are told on their visit during their junior year, I don't care what has been rumored. Camp is a fresh slate for everyone.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:37 AM ^
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 AM ^
First off, that name is going to stick.
Secondly, I think Black would get bumped to SDE and Roh to WDE. The DT and SDE positions are similar (hence Heininger and RVB flip flopping all season).
IMO, you'll see this lineup.
Beyer - Roh - Washington - Campbell - Black
We ran this "BEAR" package last year and it was...
Beyer - Roh - Martin - Heininger - RVB
...it was actually quite effective and Beyer made a GREAT play on the edge in one game last year.
I also think you can see a base 4-3 with Roh - Washington/Ash - Campbell - Black/Brink quite a bit.
My biggest concern with this line is guys finding a home. We have flexibility, but on the DL, we can't afford to have guys lining up late and out of position. Remember during the first 3 games last year when guys were always flipping around and could never get set?
We have to find some guys that are going to stick. Hopefully Pipkins can move into that starting lineup alongside Campbell and Black can be the '11 Schofield of the DL backing up 3 positions.
August 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 AM ^
When are the Borges/Mattison Pressers? I searched briefly for the day of the week in previous posts, but didn't find the info. I'd love to have an mgoquestion or two on the DL formations. (Heiko? Ace?) I'd also like to hear what Mattison has to say about BWC, Pipkins, Roh, & Beyer.
Mattison expects perfection, and doesn't get it, but by setting the bar high, our defense is rapidly ratcheting up what it can do.
I'd also like to hear more about LB play. I can really see Ryan, Morgan, Demens, & Gordon causing lots of havoc this year, along with Roh, Beyer, & Clark, and occasionally Kovacs. It strikes me that even if the DL just does ok, we could see a significant improvement in LB & secondary play, causing the defense to be even better overall than last year, despite the loss of Martin & VanBergen.
August 22nd, 2012 at 6:16 AM ^
cam gordon is going to contribute big time this year. one thing i did not like last year was seeing demens and morgan playing on passing downs. i think cam can thrive as a LB in nickel or dime defense.
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:01 AM ^
Demens covers pretty well.