Michigan Wolverine Football: Answering Some Questions

Jul 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner addresses the media during the Big Ten football media day at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Posted at 1:00pm — 8/11/2014

Michigan Wolverine Football: Answering Some Questions

I have been asked by several what my perceived changes are in place in 2014 vs. last year.

1) Pace of practice, especially offensively.

Coach Nussmeier is a fast paced practice type of coach, teaching between snaps where Borges was much slower (emphasis being on executing a certain play etc…). It was typical to be close to 30 seconds or more between snaps under Borges where under Coach Nuss it is almost always less than 20.

2) Coaching assignments.

We have discussed this, but it does make a difference when they do “break down drills” and go into position groups. Since (my opinion) Cornerback is the second most important position on the field, it is great to have a coach dedicated to that position and Coach Roy Manning (again opinion) is one of our best coaches.

3) Leadership

I understand the need to have Senior leadership, but this year the emphasis is on leadership through coaching and practice execution. While players like Jake Ryan (LB), Frank Clark (DL), and Devin Gardner will bring leadership from players. Coaches are making it clear that players will play through performance not entitlement.

4) Simplification

Coach Nuss is a big believer in having certain plays that are plays teams can rely on both in passing game and running game. Those plays are being run over and over in practice and Coach Nuss also believes in throwing deep which is being used more in practice.

5) Film work vs. Reps.

Borges was a big believer in film work. Last year they seemed to be in film room all the time and besides certain drills that were suppose to work on fundamentals and after a while became very monotonous very little other on field drills were used. This year completely different.

Jul 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jake Ryan addresses the media during the Big Ten football media day at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports6) Competition

We have discussed before, but it has been a long time since there has been the amount of depth and competition. Take a kid like Mike McCray (LB) who we rarely talk about, but may be one of our most athletic linebacker’s. In the past 5-7 years, McCray probably would be starting or at least pushing for playing time, but now he is behind Jake Ryan (LB) and Ben Gedeon (LB) and has time to develop. This creates more consistent practices.

7) Last

Although Coach Hoke wants all players to understand “tradition” at Michigan, we have to remember most of these kids were not even born when Michigan was at its peak. So while history and tradition are important, winning now is crucial. So, message is we can do things the “right way”, but that is just part of the goal. Michigan has to win.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — MaizeMan

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