Michigan Football Tidbits: Just some stuff about the team during this slow period:

Spring game was not the last spring practice. As many know, they had an additional practice the next Tuesday in which they were in full pads.

Coach Rod completely changed up the starting line-ups. He wasn’t upset with anybody, but he sent the message that no one’s starting position is etched in stone just yet.

Summer routine is important. Even the offensive line had different starters including Omameh, Ferrara, and Khoury.

As we all know Barwis is relentless, but he has actually told a couple kids that he does not want them around the weight room as much the next two weeks. He understands that kids need a mental break more than a physical break, but it sure is a good sign when players are motivated enough to want to show up almost daily even when they are not required, with Schilling being the leader.

Coach Rod wants the defense to play fast and physical. As of now have not seen it. Most of this is because of so many different schemes and so many young players; Barwis will have them in top shape this fall.

Wonder if there will be some additional player moves when Coach Robinson analyzes spring tapes this summer. Main concern is the “spinner” position. Herron is the likely starter and although jury is still out on his production, we think he is going to be a good player. However, Evans and Watson do not exactly excite us as the back-ups.

To continue with point above Coach Hopson only had three scholarship players at linebacker this spring, but since we now only play two linebackers, and with Mouton coming back from injury along with B. Smith being moved to linebacker, we wonder if once again they will consider moving Ezeh to “spinner”.

Question becomes is Michigan a better defense with Evans at spinner or Fitzgerald at linebacker. Thoughts are Mouton will replace Fitzgerald in line-up, but if Ezeh moves then Fitzgerald and Mouton will become starters.

Had someone close to the program talk about how excited coaches are about the future athleticism of the offensive line. Think about a starting O-Line of Omameh, Barnum, Washington, and Lewan (Wouldn’t Henderson look good with this group?), along with Khoury (who is a pretty athletic offensive center), the offensive line seems like a strength for years to come.

After spring the biggest stock up candidates.

Huyge: We talked about him.

Roundtree: With so many questions at both slot receiver and split end Roundtree ended up being the most consistent wide receiver in the spring. Not the biggest or fastest, but reputation of being fearless over the middle and catching everything held serve.

Webb: Injury hurt, but he outplayed Koger this spring.

Boo-boo: Very good spring for him.

RVB: He solidified his starting position.

We have talked about the need for defensive recruits many times, but the concerns raised also came directly from Coach Rod’s mouth at the coaches clinic.

In today’s college football offensive schemes are ahead of defense. Main reason for this is because offenses perfect the system they run and Coach Rod is one of the best at this. Defenses, however, have to prepare for different offenses almost every week.

Just think how many different versions of spread offenses there are. This is why it is so essential to not only recruit for depth on defense, but recruit the best athletes. Have used this phrase before, but when you talk to coaches they will tell you “you develop offensive players and you recruit defensive players”. Meaning defensive players just have to be very athletic and very good; defensive players have a tendency to wait longer in the recruiting process.

With Gardner committed and D. Robinson on his way to Michigan this situation could possibly put Michigan in a strange dilemma. Assuming Tate is the starter at quarterback it is possible that the best two athletes on the team are back-up quarterbacks. Coach Rod is going to have a challenge and some fun scheming to place them on the field and maybe at the same time.

Look for Stokes to be in the two deep by the end of the fall. Its tough for any incoming freshman, but he seems to have the attitude and work ethic that will allow him to develop quickly this summer. With his ability to play both slot receiver or split end he will push for playing time.

Matthews at this point is the only sure starter along with Odoms (at least at the beginning of year). As much as we have gotten on Matthews, he really turned it on the last few weeks of spring practice, and looks to be ready to finally lead our wide receiver group.

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Written by MaizeMan and ErocWolverine

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