Video from todays spring practice
The boys were in full pads today, and a fight almost broke out. I love the spring.
http://www.mgoblue.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?id=170798&categ…
March 19th, 2009 at 10:05 PM ^
I love Greg Robinson's non-answer when asked about watching last year's defense.
He sounded like Billy Madison talking about high school.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:10 PM ^
big will got some, and it looks like the boys have some attitude and confidence.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:13 PM ^
...it looks like Robinson is under control and is doing good coaching of fundamentals, which is certainly needed.
And, Big Will already looks like he'll be a beast this year. In one drill he just blew by an O-lineman and was in the psuedo-QB's face.
I know, I know, 3-9, off-season, first practice in pads, blah blah. I have a good feeling about this year. GO BLUE.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:15 PM ^
I'm with you. At this point, I'll be surprised if Brandon Graham doesn't injure at least one qb this year.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:16 PM ^
I wanna see the RBs and QBs working together. Watching the defensive drills are boring. The "Wolverine Drill" was pretty exciting stuff.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:20 PM ^
I was listening to Sam Webb and Andy on the insider the other morning and they were talking about their impressions on the first practice and the one thing that Andy said is a difference in how Robinson coaches the defense. He said that and how the guys just looked ripped. Sam talked about it as well. They say that the Barwis effect is started to be evident in how the kids looked and how they were a lot more in shape this year as opposed to last year when they looked gassed (sp?) at the end of practice. I think one of them specifically mentioned how the O-Line looks too. Anyway enough of the rant...I just can't wait for this year to get going already. lol
March 19th, 2009 at 11:56 PM ^
3-9 doesn't mean jack shit. It was an aberration caused by a combination of transition and not having a real QB. Both problems will be solved this year, and they will be back to playing Michigan football again.
Remember when Carty said we wouldn't believe how bad the QB's look during last year's practices? Nobody is saying that now. And, barring incredibly bad luck, nobody will.
In 1984, UM had to suffere through Jim Zurbrugg at QB because of injuries, and went 6-6. Last year, the QB's were even worse than Zurbrugg, and it was reflected in the record.
Those are the only two times since 1967 that UM wasn't able to pull off a winning record. I don't see another year like that until about 2049 or so.
To those who are scared about this year: take heart, and don't let last year dampen your enthusiasm. It was just a very large bump on a very long road.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:32 AM ^
...to say that "nobody" is saying the QBs look bad, there are a few realities we all recognize point to a significantly improved year over 2008.
(1) the confluence of bad happenings around the program simply cascaded - everything that could go wrong, did.
(2) last year's Defensive Coordinator did not agree with the rest of staff (and there were divisions amongst the players). The defense lacked focus and fundamentals. It seems this is being addressed.
(3) the players seem stronger and better conditioned than last year.
(4) We've got some powerful players being added to the roster to add depth and provide competition at several positions.
(5) Rich Rod is recruiting as well as, if not better, than Lloyd did at his best. And he's 2 for 2 so far, with an excellent third year of recruiting already shaping up.
(6) Most importantly, the O-line will be improved and our running backs will hopefully be healthy. With the rushing attack in full swing (like Magnus says, about 200 yards per game), we only need mid-level competence from Forcier or Robinson. If the team gets that, it will win 7 games (mid-level competence from the QB last year would have beaten Utah, Toledo, and Northwestern. A sound defensive scheme would have beaten Purdue). If the QB play is good, the team will win 8-9 games.
Everybody - the renaissance begins in 2009. Believe.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:30 AM ^
greg robinson sounds like an old dude to me. i don't think that's necessarily bad in any way, he is just way chilled out. wonder if he's always been that way.
I think so. I feel like everyone talked about him being too chilled out to be a head coach (obviously Pete Carroll is an antithesis to this, but he also has a great staff and is a great recruiter)
From what I've heard in practice he gets after it. They say he is a hands on sorta coach. It seems the kids are responding well to this. At least from initial impressions.
Somebody post the picture of him screaming his head off at the Syracuse kid?
