Michigan Football Tidbits: Past Contributor Doc4Blu — Part 2
Offensive line: MaizeMan has been singing their praises. They are better (duh), maybe even much better. Collectively the group is bigger, faster, and most important have some (opposed to none) cohesion. They work together, move together, and only a couple of Coach Rod lite-ups were directed their way. Maize likes the left side. With Schilling on the left, this side is better. In addition, this means the backs will be cutting back to the right, which most backs like to do. Center play: adequate, hard working. This unit is still a work in progress and these guys are smart enough to know that if they take a day off someone might forget who they are for a while and they become Wally Pipp. Depth = on the way up!
Tate: First, the obvious, he is a good fit for this offense. He is indeed much better rolling out. Tate is not a good pocket passer right now. Reading, reading, reading, and then late into two coverage. I may be in the minority, but I believe some of these problems are related to the passing game schemes. But on the other hand, this team cannot run crossings and wheels at the same time if it wants a live qb past the third game. Tate is good, likely very good. YES, HE CAN RUN. This team cannot afford him running around 10 times a game getting crushed. He will have to pick his spots and be smart. Guys were getting the ball about 1 second late. I am not worried, this will only get better. These three weeks are invaluable to Tate.
WR’s: Greg M is a very solid player, reliable and the best UM has. He needs a little more time to runs routes than say AA or MM. Greg is not their equal and this shows how many weapons the passing game possessed with Henne, AA, MM, and Greg M. The other WR’s: MIA in my short period of observation. Look, out if these guys do not get the ball, 8-9 man fronts will reappear.
Slots: They all had their ups and downs. This position is still up in the air, but the talent level does not drop off. I hope that Tate will not overthrow Odoms by a foot all season or there will be a ton of picks
TE’s: our esteemed gentlemen have commented this is an area of strength. I agree very much. All of have heard about Koger, Kevin is very impressive. But so is Webb. Webb gets a big wow from me. Get him the ball and give him 10 yard to build up steam and look out, it will take 2-3 guys or a lucky shoestring to bring him down. Now here is the real key: will these guys be used for more than sideline decorations? For many reasons, these two need to be a focus of the O scheme going into the season. Both of these guys are bombs waiting to explode. Webb could be close to 255. Maize and Coach have commented on new wrinkle packages being put into place for the TE’s should happen, good wrinkles. I know this, Obi and Stevie B did not like the wrinkles.
Backs: No Mike Hart but three maybe four guys who contribute well. Carlos looked like a pissed off combination of an antelope and a raptor when he broke those big runs. If you have doubts, as to whether or not Carlos is fast: he is fast, period. Carlos just, like every back, get to the second and third levels to hurt you. Using Carlos on wheel routes and screens makes sense, tackle to tackle 20+ times, not so much sense. Minor had the ball on his hip the second or third play of the Scrimmage and fumbled: On the sideline we were split as to bad handoff or bad carrying. Brown then took the ball to the house. Vinnie Smith is the smallest thing I have ever seen in a UM backfield. He reminds me of the fifth year senior from California who played a couple years ago. Vinnie has Mike Hart instincts but obviously not Mike Hart strength. He hits the hole quicker than Mike and can get 2 yards out of nothing or 5 yards out of two yards. He will contribute as much as the O line allows. Grady and Cox can play and were just fine. Who will run the ball inside the five is a concern.
Conclusion: There are two questions: one addressed the level of D talent; the second is which way is the program going. Is this the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? The answer lies in the defense. Assuming very good O linemen continue to come the offensive future is very bright. The Florida kids are clearly more ready to play that the other recruits and a healthy dose of five or six more high level kids from down south will only be helpful. Predicting wins is like forecasting energy costs, not very precise. However, everything will need to go right to raise the over under above 5/6. The O will be better and more enjoyable for fans, the kicking and return game should be at least average, and teams will continue to spread out UM until the talent level/scheme makes this a losing proposition. Know that my predictions are usually conservative.
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Written by Doc4Blu
