Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Wide Receivers — Predicting the Army Air Corp — A Tough Call
Posted at 7:30am — 8/3/2013
Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Wide Receivers — Predicting the Army Air Corp — A Tough Call
It has been a considerable amount of time since Michigan had numerous massive weapons of mass destruction on the field at the same time. Mario Manningham, Air Arrington, and Greg Mathews made up the 2007 corps. Arrington, Avant, Breaston, and Braylon Edwards were members of a fantastic 2004 receiver corps.
It has been a slow climb up the mountain for Michigan to regain a high status in the passing game. That climb is nowhere near the summit, but some big time climbers are on the horizon. Roundtree and Hemingway have left in the past two years and no bona fide game breaker is apparent. But all is not lost.
January 1,2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jeremy Gallon (10) catches the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half of the 2013 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Michigan Wolverines 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsWhat Michigan does have is some experience, plenty of toughness, and hard workers ready to just get on the field and contribute, regardless of the no gem tags being handed out by many.
The receivers are a big part of any Air Corp success. But the play calling, use of getting Devin Gardner in a position to make clean throws, line blocking, and quarterback accuracy and execution will all be factors that boom or bust the new Air Corp.
Michigan has an unlikely leader of the Air Corps, Jeremy Gallon. Gallon is best described as a football player. He plays with a veteran understanding of the game, and appears to just love competing on the field. He will not win track meets, but will use skills to create big plays. Jeremy can pick a defender short, like a sore, and then all of a sudden is loose down field the target of a longer throw.
September 15, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Drew Dileo (9) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsDrew Dileo is better than many believe. He is a very valuable player. His hands serve the team well, and Drew has saved Michigan’s bacon a few times on critical snaps and holds. He has succeeded on gutsy fake field goals. He is a dependable player, and coaches love that characteristic. Drew is very smart, quick and is a reasonable option at slot. He is not nearly Wes Welker, but is the type of player that can contribute.
Devin Funchess will probably not catch the most passes this year, but he will certainty make some big catches. Devin is a well above average athlete, with great length and hands. He is quite a red zone target. He must be incorporated within the 2013 offense to a greater degree. Gardner throws a nice out to the flat and hopefully will make quicker reads on the inside routes.
Jeremy Jackson can block downfield reasonably well and can make the short catch if the secondary provides room.
Apr 13, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Devin Funchess (19) makes a catch over defensive back Jeremy Clark (34) during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThe newcomers, Darboh and Chesson, are simply on the wait and see watch. Both have size and reasonable speed. Both have focus and outstanding work ethic. Both are really very special kids when all is considered.
So, Michigan fans will soon be able to see how the 2013 revised Army Air Corps turns out. Things, they are a changing, and in 2014 Dileo and Gallon are gone, so at least two of the incoming true freshmen must develop in the next 12 months.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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