Michigan Thursday: Denard Version 1.0 Speaks About Denard 2.0

Pat White who is now a member of the Kansas City Royals organization spoke about Denard Robinson:

"He's a beast, that's all you can say," White said Wednesday in a teleconference announcing his shift from pro football to a baseball career with the Kansas City Royals. "He's just doing amazing things out there."

"He obviously knows the position and looks like a hard runner and a good leader," White said. "He doesn't look afraid to run the ball or stick his nose in there."

"I do think he's durable and will hold up," White said. "It's more than just being the right kind of quarterback, though. It's the right 11 guys doing the right things most of the time.

"He just needs to show up for work every day and be who you are. That's what he's doing now."

BG will be back in town to play his home town Detroit Lions this weekend.  Here is what he had to say about RR and Denard:  (freep link):  “I know he’s going to be there,” Graham said. “I know he’s staying there. He ain’t going nowhere, you can say that. I can see that, already within the team, that those guys, very strong. A lot of linemen that was light last year gained a lot of pounds to get ready, got stronger and got faster. “I don’t see Coach Rod leaving now. I just think them boys going to take it one game at a time, and a lot of people are going to have a different perspective when they talk about Michigan.”   On DRob:  "just one move, and he was gone,” Graham said. “That’s what I see that he gained a lot from last year. Last year, he was trying to do too many juke moves. Now I see him just making one cut, and he’s gone. “That was the biggest thing that we had to get him to do, to know his own speed. And to see him out there really killing it right now, I’m very happy for him, because I know he worked hard.”

• U of M to honor Ron Kramer #87 before the kickoff of the UMass game

• 3 Keys to an UMass Upset on Saturday.  Stop Denard, Stop Denard, Score points 

• Mike Marrow a former Alabama running back has decided to transfer closer to home and picked Eastern Michigan, over Wisconsin and Michigan?  That U of M offer doesn't pass the sniff test in my book.  Maybe there was a walk on offer.  Mike is from Toledo. 

• We will see how good UConn is this week as the take on a quality Temple team that is expected to compete for a MAC Championship and already has a win over Central Michigan.

Wolverine Wednesday: Starts to Look at 2012 Recruits

In recruiting, the early bird gets the Worm.  Michigan hopes that analogy rings true when it comes to 2012 recruit Chris Wormly a 6'4, 255 pound defensive end out of Toledo, Ohio.  Chris is expected to be one of the top players in Ohio in 2012. 

Chris was in town for Michigan's win over UConn and will be a high priority for the Wolverines in the next class. 

James Ross is a 6'0 209 pound linebacker from Orchard Lake, Michigan.  He was also in town this past weekend and enjoyed his visit.  He has Michigan as his early leader.

Maty Mauk, a 6'2, 185 pound QB from Kenton, Ohio.  Some of you may remember his brother Ben Mauk who was the QB for Brian Kelly at Cincinnati.  Maty will be a very highly recruited QB and already has a Cincinnati and ND offer.  Maty was in Ann Arbor this weekend as well.

Danny O'Brien is a 6'4 255 pound DT from Flint Powers. He enjoyed the UConn game: "(Mike) Martin is a beast. The defense looked good. Me and Matt both had a great time, it was an awesome game."  Danny already has offers and interest from programs like Tennessee and Ohio State.

Matt Godin is a 6'5 243 pound DT from Detroit Catholic Central.  He is friends with Danny above and was on the sidelines as well on Saturday.


Nick Patti, Dee's QB in Orlando, Florida. This is Nick's second trip to A2 and he enjoyed himself: "It was great for me, I loved it. It's hard not to like it there," he said.  Nick is a 5'9, 171 pound QB, I'm guessing Michigan would want him as a slot WR. 
 
Basketball Recruiting:

The Next Big Dog?  Michigan is recruiting 2012 shooting guard Glen Robinson, III from St. John, Indiana.  Glen is 6'5 and 212 pounds.  Many of you will remember Glen's dad who starred at Purdue and was known as the Big Dog.  Glen III is being heavily recruited by John B and staff and was up as well for the UConn game.

Michigan vs UConn Preview

Date: September 4, 2010

Time: 3:30 EST

TV: ABC/ESPN 2

Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Weather: 65 degrees
Line: Michigan -3

Final pre-season rant: 
Harvey Danger has a song called Flagpole Sitta that has a line that states:  "I'm not sick but I'm not well".  This line best describes the Michigan football program the last 3 years.  Yes, the last 3 years.  The last year in the Lloyd Carr era was full of lows and highs with some things that were just un-excusable.   We all know what has happened under RR the last two years.  This program is not sick but it's not well either. 

The time for change is now.  Not a year from now, it's f'ing now!   It's time to flush the past 3 years down the toilet and start playing Michigan football.  I don't want to hear about the Freep, Stretching Gate, players leaving, players with out wings, past records, or hot seats.  I want to see some GOD DAMN Michigan football.  I want to see fast, physical, smart football.  On Saturday it doesn't matter if your a freshman or a senior, it doesn't mater if you love or hate the new Big House.  On Saturday it's time to STAND UP and play Michigan Football.  Play hard, Play for the men that came before you, Play for MICHIGAN!

Ok, I feel better.  Thanks for the letting me get that out. 

Game Preview:

I don't expect any surprises on Saturday.  Both teams are pretty familiar with each other.  The reason being is; Michigan is full with a Big East coaching staff and UConn of course is a Big East Team.   Rich Rodriguez and Greg Robinson are two former head coaches in the Big East vs Randy Edsall.   It's clear both teams are better on offense then they are on defense and whichever team get more stops is going to win.  Pretty simple, right?

Opening games are normally sloppy, full of penalties, with a number of turnovers, and special team mistakes.  If we even those things out with both teams, then the game prediction is pretty clear in my mind. 
Let's go to the tale of tape to see if what I am thinking is right.

Michigan Offense vs UConn's D = Michigan

UConn's Offense vs Michigan D = UConn

Special Teams = Push

UConn's offense strength is in the running game with junior RB Jordan Todman who ran for 1,188 yards in 2009.  Michigan defense is the strongest up front with a good defensive line and experienced linebackers (I know - I said experienced).   Michigan weakness is clearly in the secondary where they have a ton of youth with zero experience.   Still I don't expect UConn to go Texas Texas and start throwing the ball around the yard.  They will still try to run the ball, unless they get down big. 

Michigan on offense has two sophomore QB's nicknamed the "Fed-Ex duo"  that can beat you via the air or land.   I expect Tate Forcier to get the start but Denard to get a ton of time.  I also expect some sets with both Tate and Denard in the backfield.  (Maybe Tate pitches to Denard and he throws or runs or maybe he is just a decoy).   This unit with an experience offensive line is the strongest unit on the field for either team.  UConn is also young in the defensive backfield and could give up some big plays in the passing game. 

Whoever plays the best defense wins the game. 

Players to watch for Michigan:

• Michael Shaw at running back
• Cullen Christian at cornerback
• Taylor Lewan offensive line
• Cam Gordon at Safety

Sing Hail to the Victors if...............

• Michigan has a RB over 100 yards
• Michigan limits turnovers and negative plays
• Both Tate and Denard play well
• The freshman CB's know where to lineup
• The senior linebackers play like seniors

Worry if...........

• Michigan has trouble stopping the run
• There is little pressure on the Zach Frazer UConn's QB
• The Big House atmosphere doesn't rattle the young Huskies 

I expect that Darryl Stonum will be the difference at WR and in the return game.  He catches 2 touchdowns passes and one deep.  All the Michigan running backs play and they play well.  The offense line dominates and the new Big House shakes! Michigan wins 31-21.

Brock Mealer you are an inspiration to everyone!    I'm looking forward to you walking across the field! 

Go Blue!

Breaking News: From RR's Press Conference

Highlights:

• RR said that Devin Gardner will not redshirt this year.  Probably going to play.  Let's hope he probably doesn't have to.

• Carvin Johnson a true freshman is getting the start at the "Spur" position ahead of Thomas Gordon (not to be confused with Cam Gordon)

• That 10 freshman could play on Saturday.  Which include:  Jibreel Black, Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery, Marvin Robinson, Jeremy Jackson, Terrance Talbott, and Wil Hagerup (will start at punter).

• All 3 QB's were listed on the depth chart.  Will make a decision later in the week. Same with RB's. Mike Shaw is on the depth chart which should mean he made the grades.

• Starters at CB are JT Floyd and James Rogers.

• Tackling the #1 key on defense for the UConn game.

• Teric Jones is back at running back.  (probably due to the loss of Austin White or improved play of the freshman at CB)

• Fitz Toussaint has a knee issue and might not play on Saturday.

To quote Brian at Mgoblog:

Should we start getting worried about?

-Vlad Emilien: behind a walk-on after a year and a half (he enrolled early).
-Anthony LaLota: behind Steve Watson, also after a year and a half.
-Will Campbell: behind perpetual non-entity Adam Patterson, a guy who moved positions this spring.

The answer is Yes.  Really concerned about Will Campbell.

Michigan Monday: Notes From Media Day

Nothing ground breaking from Media Day besides the Austin White news below.   If you want to see a number of player and coaches interviews see here. 

RR's Media Day Press Conference:

• Happy nobody got hurt in Saturday's scrimmage
• They will have another scrimmage on Wednesday and we put together the 2-deep after that
• Troy Woolfolk hasn't had surgery yet, but they feel he will come back and play football at some point (maybe redshirt and play next year)
• Devin Gardner is having a good camp and they have to remind themselves that he is a true freshman and hasn't played yet.
• They are young at DB and now even younger with Troy out.  James Rodgers a senior is having a good camp.
• Jibreel Black most likely a freshman lineman that won't get redshirted and probably will get some playing time.
• The freshman are out of classes for the next two weeks and is looking forward to see how much they improve not having to go to school.
• Jordan Kovacs has improved and in much better shape
• Kicking game still a concern but he feels better about kickoffs and field goal kicking then two weeks ago.  Kickers are getting better and more consistent.
• Will watch film on UConn this week, familiar with them from the Big East.

Tate:

• Everyone is competing at QB and doesn't believe Coach Rod is close to making a decision on a starter.
• Was happy his teammates called him out because it's all about the team.  Which meant he needed to keep working
• Used the wingless helmet to get better and prove to his teammates that he was ready.
• Tate is exciting because there is so much skill at the QB position.
• Freshman year is over and the freshman mistakes shouldn't happen anymore.

Denard:

• Competition is fun, just trying to win for Michigan.
• He feels he is more "calm" and has improved.
• A whole bunch was going through my head last year.
• Everything has slowed down a little bit.
• More things are coming naturally now

Vincent Smith:

• Learning and not thinking about the knee is the most important part of the recovery.  (after ACL surgery)
• Competition is good at running back because you always have to be ready.
• Having an experienced line in front makes his job easy.

Some fun pictures from Fan Day via the Detroit News:


Bighouse Blog interview and walk-on kicker Jeremy Ross pictured below!

Good to see Troy there!

A DC's Nightmare