GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Top 22 Offensive Players Evaluations 10-6

Posted at 6:00am — 1/23/2012

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Top 22 Offensive Players Evaluations 10-6

The college football season never really ends for any dedicated aficionado that wishes every week was game week. We here also plead guilty and have prepared tidbits for consumption looking at the 2011 and offensive and defensive personnel.

First off is a look back and ahead for key offensive players of 2011, and below is a short description relating to those key players.

After seeing our ranking of players come to the message board and give your opinion and how you would rank the offensive players.

10. Patrick Omameh:

Yes, Patrick still has some pass protection problems, but his improvement was a huge lift.

Once Michigan returned to a plan of Fitz and Denard on the zone read, Omameh’s run game seemed to pick up. He is a competent but not overwhelming lineman.

Patrick does things the right way and has come a long way from a 245-pound flyer/project so often belittled. Patrick is now near 300 pounds and is still athletic. He will always be a top student and citizen. Michigan has some holes from the graduated linemen and Patrick’s improvement in the off-season can help shore the losses.

Next season:
No mystery here as well: Patrick needs to improve his pass protection, continue to gain strength, and just decide to get a little on the mean side.

9. Mark Huyge:

If Fitz was not the team’s most improved, Huyge might very well be the choice.

After years of bouncing between tackle and guard, Mark finally found a home at right tackle and did a competent job at the position which helped lead to Schofield’s move to left guard when Barnum had his injuries.

8. Vincent Smith:

If you look up Michigan Man in a dictionary, Smith will be pictured.

He has always done everything asked of him and has given everything he has for the benefit of the program.

Programs cannot have too many of this type of player on the team, especially in this age of egocentric player expectations. His blocking in max back (only back) protection has been noteworthy.

Next season:
Vinnie needs to compete hard, not surrender any opportunity of gaining the number one running back spot, and probably work on being a nice third down back.

7. Jeremy Gallon:

Jeremy came back from a shaky 2010 season fraught with doubt and injury.

He caught 11 passes and gave UM a threat in the short passing game, but don’t forget his 10+ yard punt return average which is the second biggest surprise from last season to Gibbons. How interesting changing the coaches seemed to do those two players a wealth of good and made the special teams serviceable and not a liability this season.

This year he showed better control and cut down on devastating turnovers. Jeremy has talent and is just a true football player. His role next year should remain the same, namely a combo receiver and a return specialist.

Next season:
Jeremy needs to improve his down-field route running and pass catching. He still does not break enough tackles and depends on his moves.

6. Kevin Koger:

Another senior that contributed at a level Michigan needed to have a big time season. He stepped up his game not only on the football field, but also being a mentor and a leader for this program. His leadership along with the rest of the captains and the senior’s this season have laid the blueprint on what the future captains and seniors at Michigan need to do for their team to succeed.

Sometimes it isn’t what is best for the player, but for the team that makes the biggest impact.

Kevin had 23 catches and blocked well.

After three basically wasted years Kevin gave all he had and has always been in the team corner more than the me first corner. He has a pro style body and may latch on next fall in the big show. We wish him well and cannot believe his time at Michigan is over already. The one thing that benefited him the first couple of years was getting plenty of experience of blocking and not only at the tight end position, but also being slotted out as well to have to block the smaller, quicker defensive players and not just the bigger defensive linemen or inside linebackers.

Really wish Kevin had one more season at Michigan and think the extra year could have done him a big-time favor for the NFL draft along with this offense. It took Denard and Coach Borges about half the season to get things going, but once things started clicking they got more players involved.

Next season:
Hope to see him on a NFL roster because he deserves his shot. All it takes is one team, one person to find what they are looking for to help their team. Kevin has shown he is a good leader and will do whatever it takes to help the team. He could be used on special teams, as a tight end, as a fullback, h-back and that is a good position to be in where you can benefit a roster in the NFL when you can play multiple positions at the next level.

Next article will be the top 5 offensive players.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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