Michigan Football: Harbaugh, Team, and Player News

Posted at 9:30am — 1/10/2015

Michigan Wolverine Football: Harbaugh, Team, and Player News

I do NOT anticipate any mass departures from players currently on the team.

First we will find out if everyone returned for this semester, if not, they will not be present at team meeting. If they did, they will go through winter workouts and participate in spring to see where they stand. At that time, there may be a couple of kids transfer, but those kids would probably transfer no matter who was the coach based on their perceived playing time next fall.

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Notice how many times Jim Harbaugh discusses “relationships” when talking about what he feels are the biggest priorities in coaching. This is why I felt confident Harbaugh real desire was to get back into college coaching. It is very difficult to have those “relationships” with the majority of pro players, because at that level it is more of a business. I am sure JH felt close to players on San Francisco 49ers roster (players like Kapernick).

But in college, those “relationships” are much more intense and longer lasting.

However, there is a downside to this approach and to me it explains why college is better suited for Jim Harbaugh. “Relationships” are a two way street and many times coaches who are driven as much as a JH, become frustrated because they feel they simply care more about the program or that team, more than a certain player. When that happens, tension develops and you often hear that a coach “wears” on a team or a player.

The great thing about college is players turn over every 4 to 5 years, so there is always that “rebirth” of relationships.

Watching this years version of bowls games I have two thoughts.

A) Overall, there are very few “very good” teams in college football. The SEC was proven to be overrated this year, but I still think overall they have the best talent.

Michigan Wolverines /

Michigan Wolverines

B) Michigan was in worse shape than even I thought. To not make a bowl game with this competition really is unacceptable. Although Jim Hackett had a plan B, I now believe Jim Harbaugh is really Michigan’s only hope. Michigan could not go much longer with mediocre seasons. Whatever capital they had built in in college football was running out and future high school players would less and less mention Michigan as a destination.

Michigan get a renewed, although I think last chance to preserve its place in college football. If Harbuagh fails, Michigan is done in terms of being considered a college power or have the potential of becoming a power.. This is why this hire was so critical.

As a fan, I think Michigan has talent and great kids. But, as CoachBT always states, this team still lacks speed and enough impact players to be consistently able to beat top teams. Of course, our quarterback situation is the most glaring problem.

Having said that, I still maintain that in the past decade Michigan has NOT beat a team it was not suppose to beat and we have consistently been upset by inferior teams.

This has to stop, we need to win a game next year we are NOT suppose to win. Until then or until we can actually win on the road Michigan no matter how they look, no matter what the offensive or defensive stats are will NOT be even close to being a top team.

My early picks for players to make a huge jump in spring:

Ian Bunting: He is a tight end and Harbaugh is the best coach at using the tight end. Bunting can do one thing very well and that is catch the ball.

Patrick Kugler: I just cannot see how he does not start.

Ben Gedeon: He finally becomes a starter and I think will prove to be our best linebacker.

Dymonte Thomas: I put him on the list because of Harbaugh’s desire to have the best athletes on the field, but if Thomas ends up not being a starter under Harbaugh, then he is just not a good football player.

Taco Charlton: A big defensive end will fit perfect in scheme.

Maurice Hurst and Bryan Mone: I thought they were talent wise our best defensive tackles last year. This year, I predict they both start.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — MaizeMan

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