Michigan Football: Tidbits from Practice on Friday

Posted at 6:00am — 8/9/2008

Michigan Football: Tidbits from Practice on Friday

First off, let us talk quarterback situation. First posters need to understand that on each play run by the offense, Coach Rod literally stands right next to the quarterback. If our offensive center would snap the ball wide, Coach Rod would catch it that is how close he is to the plays.

Coach Rod is very demanding of the quarterback and is more involved with quarterback’s than any position group by far. The running backs may be next, but it is a big gap between the two positions.

This is our opinion, but we believe it is so important that Threet be successful this year at Michigan. The reasons for this are that a successful Threet buys Michigan time, which in fact is much needed time.

1) He is the quarterback on the roster that has the biggest upside.
2) He is the quarterback on the roster that gives us a chance at a vertical passing game.
3) This is the main point. If he is successful it relieves the pressure on incoming quarterback’s (Newsome, Beaver, or whoever signs with Michigan) next year and from Michigan to start all over agin two years in a row.

If Threet is not successful and Sheridan becomes our regular quarterback it will be a one-year deal and we will once again be starting a first year quarterback in 2009 and telling everybody that we will have a freshman starting.

Regarding Practice on Friday:
Threet had a good practice on Friday. So far, Coach Rod is not allowing the quarterbacks to be hit. (let us hope that continues). There is some concern that Threet may have a hard time staying healthy since in spring he was hurt on the first snap they allowed defense to go after the quarterback and hit the quarterbacks.

Threet biggest issue, which needs immediate improvement, is his reads and getting rid of the ball sooner, which means passing the ball before wide receiver makes his break. In this offense, the quarterbacks know where the wide receivers are going to be and he needs to get the ball to them quicker.

Another problem that we saw in spring and continues in fall is Michigan’s new version of the “check down” pass. What they do is take one of the slots and he will run a flare toward the sideline (which means does not take steps down the field, but “drifts” to the sidelines). When quarterbacks feel pressure they are told to get rid of the ball which more times than not is just throwing a short pass to the slot who has run the flare toward the sideline.

This is why Coach Rod is recruiting those allusive slot type players because they will be asked to get about five-six yards out of virtually nothing. So far, our Quarterbacks are throwing this pass excessively often and think it is due to lack of confidence.

Wide Receivers:
During drills, Stonum has looked his usual impressive self, but during offensive plays he is not getting the ball enough. This is another thing coaches are harping at the quarterbacks about. Once in a while they want quarterbacks to throw the ball down-field. If not the defenses will just cheat and become excessively aggressive with their safeties and bring them closer and closer to the line of scrimmage and almost dare Michigan to throw the ball down the field (meaning the 20-yard pass). In addition, current and future Michigan recruits to see what kind of offense Michigan will use.

Good news is our quarterbacks are learning a new system and they are learning it against our defense. After watching practices for a number of years I have come to the early conclusion that Shafer and English are almost the same coach.

Shafer is a little more detailed oriented when it comes to corner-backs, but the big difference is Shafer is allowed to run his defense his way. Although Coach Rod sure has some say you would be hard to not conclude that Coach Rod has told Shafer “just do your job” and I will not interfere.

Defense is allowed to hit and hit often. There was as much hitting yesterday as almost the entire fall in some years. In addition, what we like is they worked a lot of tackling fundamentals especially in open field. Players really seem to enjoy the physical part of practice.

Offensive Line:
Coach Frey is very vocal and is really a stickler on fundamentals especially proper footwork.

Some quick analysis:
Ortmann:
He seems to be comfortable needs to improve his ability to handle speed rushers. He is not a great offensive lineman, but one our best in terms of doing everything right. He is adequate at both run and pass blocking.

McAvoy:
He is probably a little better at pass blocking right now. Although he has to be more physical at point of attack. He has been beat a couple times by pure bull rush. His run blocking has improved and he is probably one our quickest offensive lineman off the line.

Mooseman:
The big improvement is his snapping the ball, but has a ways to go. He has to be the most improved player from a year ago. Never thought he would ever play at Michigan. Now looks to be a sure starter somewhere.

Zirbel:
He is becoming one of our favorite offensive linemen. At times, he really punishes people in run blocking. He is a very physical kid. He has some big improvements to make in terms of pass blocking and understanding blitz pick-ups. (Michigan works a lot on blitz pick-ups because we believe they feel opposition will come after them hard because of quarterbacks situation).

Schilling:
He of course is our best offensive lineman, but even he will tell you he needs to improve his pass blocking. He is a different kid this year. He is the leader of the offensive line and he does it by actions not words. I mentioned in spring he was always the first offensive player on the field. The first one to the line of scrimmage. Not once in a while, but every play.

A report on defense after today’s practices.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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