Spartans running from the Police, Utah has some injuries, and a Walk On

When was the last time a walk on started at QB for Michigan? Well, it wasn't that long ago and he did pretty well. Brian Greise is his name and he has been an NFL QB for 10 years now. He also happened to win a National Championship his senior year.

Well another former son of a NFL player is trying to do the same thing. Nick Sheridan the odds on leader for the back up role is starting to turn heads at Michigan practice. Leaving Spring Ball and coming into Fall Practice most of us thought Steve Threet, the 4 star QB from Adrian would win the job. As Lee Corso likes to say, "not so fast my friend":

Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet have varying skills and, despite giving away a few inches, Sheridan has more than enough zip on his passes. Threet had a few struggling moments on Tuesday

The reason we all thought Nick would be the back up was his inability to throw the ball, he is hands down the better athlete. So if Nick and Steve are even with throwing accuracy and arm strength, Nick will get the job because he can turn 3rd and 7 into a first down by using this feet. A much harder task for the bigger Threet.

Either way, I expect both to see time this year.
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MSU Freshman are suppose to run at practice, not from the police off the field. 3 MSU players were arrested from running from the police.

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings said MSU police charged safety Charles Burrell, defensive end Cameron Jude and defensive back Mitchell White for failing to obey a police order to stop as they were walking near a campus building. The players ran instead.

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Utah is nursing some minor injuries before they make the trip to Ann Arbor in two weeks.

The most significant is an MCL strain suffered by senior defensive tackle Aaron Tonga, who could be out for a couple of weeks. Joe Dale (hip bruise), linebacker Stevenson Sylvester (knee tendinitis), wide receiver David Reed (tooth extraction) and running back Matt Asiata (ankle sprain). Others on the mend include include linebacker Mo Neal, center Tyler Williams and tight end Neli A'asa.

Take me out to the Big House: The Utes have finalized their travel plans to Michigan. They'll leave Friday morning, Aug. 29, and will likely have a closed walk-through at the stadium in Ann Arbor. Utah has sold all of its allotment of 3,500 tickets to the game.

QB Shuffle and the Offense Struggles

The Michigan Defense will have to go "Baltimore Ravens"this year and help a very young and new offense. The talent is there on Offense but the experience and familiarity with Spread isn't. The most important position on Offense is QB and there may not be a starter announced anytime soon. We all expect Steve Threet to be that choice, but RR has been hinting that he just may play two QB's into the season until one becomes the clear leader.

The problem right now is Steve Threet is a better passer and Nick Sheridan (who is a former walk on) is a better athlete. In Rich's offense the QB has to make quick decisions, the person that shows they can do that on a constant basis will win the job.

"Making the reads in the offense and making sure we know what everybody does," said Threet, who said he and Sheridan worked together -- and alone -- during the offseason, trying to develop footwork and understand the offense.

"There's a lot of pressure in this offense. We have to make a lot of decisions quickly. I would definitely say we're getting better and making those decisions faster."

The third guy in the mix is Freshman Justin Feagin but he is just learning and it will take some time.

"He tries to learn a lot, he asks questions," Sheridan said of Feagin. "He's a good kid. He's a freshman, so he's swimming a little bit, especially at this position."

So how is the rest of the offense doing? RR after Wednesday's practice:

"I thought it was an average practice overall," he said. "I didn't think we progressed a whole lot. I liked what I saw out of the defense today.

Friday will be the first day in pads for the Wolverines. They have three weeks to work out the kinks before Utah comes to town.

Side Notes from practice:

• TE's are doing well.
• The freshman slot receivers are exceeding expectations.
  
• Marcus Witherspoon is home taking classes and trying to get cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse.


• RR likes our Safeties and CB's.


• Mike Martin, a Freshman Defensive Linemen will see playing time this fall


• Fan Day is August 17th

Former Wolverine DE Rondell Biggs was pulled over and arrested for having steroids and driving on a suspended license. Rondell has been working out (and it seems on the Juice as well) to try to get a spot playing professional football. He tried out for the Michigan AFL team, but the league will not start up until next year.

Spread and Time?

All I keep hearing from the media is it will take time for the Wolverines to adjust to the spread offense run by Rich Rodriguez. I even read one article that predicted next years Notre Dame would be Michigan as they go through the adjustment period. They predicted Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. Funny how a trip to the Alamo Bowl equals a 3 win season? Anyways, on to the reasons I believe Michigan will preform well next year in the spread:

• Did you watch the Capital One Bowl? Michigan ran a throwing spread and beat the Heisman trophy winner and a top 12 SEC team.


• Michigan has been playing against the spread all year. Ever since App. State and Oregon hit town, everybody has been spreading the Wolverines out. 9 wins doesn't a national championship make but isn't too shabby either.


• What if Pryor doesn't come to Michigan? What if he does? If he does we go more the running option spread, if he doesn't we see a lot of the offense Michigan was in during the Capital One Bowl. If Mallett had stayed he would have been putting up a lot of 300 yard games - instead he can sit out a year. Good decision young man.


• How come it wasn't a factor for Brian Kelly when he took over a Pro Style offense at Cincinnati this year? They did pretty well.


• Auburn put in the spread between their last game and the bowl game and won the game. It wasn't pretty but they had 10 practices with a brand new coach and still won.


• These athletes are ready and willing to learn a new system where they will score a lot of points. They have Spring and Fall practice to learn the basics.

Does Michigan win a national title next year? No

Big Ten Title? Nope

Will they even beat the Top 5 ranked Buckeyes in C-Bus? Probably Not

Will they struggle with the spread? At times.

Will they win 10 games and go to a new years day bowl? Yes

Michigan will end up 10-2 next year with losses to OSU and PSU on the road. (PSU has to win one at some point). Wisconsin and Illinois are at home. The Juice at the Big House will be tough but I like our chances at home.