Hey all,
Been a long time... cough cough: a year and a half since I fired up the blog.
Today I had the opportunity to go and see a live Michigan practice, so I thought I would share some of the notes I took at the scrimmage.
The practice pretty much resembled the Spring Game, but with fewer actual plays and more position drills. It was held in the Big House and there were probably a few hundred people who were lucky enough to watch. So, I will try to give you Michigan fans my perspective on the day as a fan. I will try to put this is some order, but please forgive me if I am jumping around.
The Good
- Will Hagerup was BOOMING punts. He kicked one from the 40yd line that crossed mid field and landed out the back of the opposite endzone. 70yds in the air.
-Thomas Gordon is a freaking monster, couldn't believe how rock solid he is.
-#1 OL unit when the team was running plays was Lewan, Kalis, Barnum, Omameh and Schofield. When the #2 OL came in, Gunderson and Magnuson were the OTs.
-Kalis also came in with the #2's. Seems like they are giving him as much work as he can handle. Noticed Lewan talking to him on almost every play, mentoring him.
-#1 DL unit was Roh, Washington, Campbell and Black (As Montgomery stated in the B1G special)
-BOLD PREDICTION OF THE DAY: Devin Funchess will see major time this year and will be special by the time he leaves UM. He was all over the field with the #1's and caught a few really nice deep balls. He could be a match-up nightmare for a LB or safety.
The Bad
-Front the center-to-QB snap drills, it seems to me that Ricky Barnum was the only center who looks physically ready to play. The others seemed so small. Jack Miller seemed to be a distant second. If Barnum goes down for any reason, this position could be a problem.
-I debated where to put this, but Mario Ojemudia played an awful lot with the #1's. Quick off the ball no doubt and I think has a bright future, but man is he small. If he has to play, he will be a liability on run plays and will be torn up by OL.
-As a follow-up, Frank Clark dressed, but didnt see him on the field at all. (could have missed him)
-None of the WR impressed me all that much. Gardner looked the part and was silky smooth running routes. But he dropped some balls (as did Jerald Robinson). We will see what we have with DG the first time he gets hit by a safety coming across the middle.
-Didnt see either Darboh or Chesson with the #1's (or #2's, for that matter) in the final scrimmage portion of the practice.
The Funny & Weird
-The kickers came out first. If I didn't have a printed roster to check numbers I probably would not have been able to tell that Brendan Gibbons was actually Brendan Gibbons. He was as thick as a linebacker and had the craziest mountain man hair.
-Craig Roh wins the award for, "What the hell were you thinking uniform modification". He had shorts on that were so short, Charles Barkley would have been embarrased.
-At least twice when the offense was running plays, they were blasting "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynard Skynard. The boos from the fans were hilarious.
-On one offense-only play, the team ran a "Hook and Ladder" with Dileo and (if I remember correctly) Smith.
-After sets of drills, the team had to run from one side of the field to the other. On one such run, Bellomy blew by Denard (who was just jogging) and said something to him as he ran by. The next time they did this Bellomy tried the same thing. Denard wasnt having it and blew by him. Funny stuff.
Injury Updates (from a non-doctor)
- Roy Roundtree was out there running routes at what appeared to be full speed. Didn't see any hesitation in his cuts.
- Chris Wormley was in street clothes with a brace and seemed to be walking normally. He is still obviously out, just good to see him in a normal state.
-Chris Bryant had a big cast on his leg and was on crutches. Spent the entire practice on the sidelines by the teammates. After the game he made his way towards the tunnel where he was met by who I assume are his mom and dad. There was a pretty cool moment when both coach Hoke and Funk went over to talk to the Bryants. Hugs all around. You can tell the family was in love with the coaches.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
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