Several of us went to the Michigan Coaches clinic and were able to watch the practices and drills. The first day was shorts and helmets, second day was full pads, and third day was scrimmage. Of course, the players need to continue to work hard and keep on developing, but this is what we saw so far this spring.If season started today:
Graham and Jamison.
Overall:
Defensive line might just be most talented, deepest position group on the team. If the defense is going to be great, the defensive linemen need to be great. We all agree that defensive line is the key to the team, but it is time for them to make plays and become productive. The defensive line group really struggled the most during S&C program and it seems to me it the defensive line that Coach Rod is referring to when he says the team will be in much better shape this fall.
Defensive Ends:
Jamison:
Strength:
He has really improved his strength and overall conditioning. This is another spring another standout performance by him. He has probably lost a good twenty pounds (maybe more). He has great athletic ability, quickness, explosion, and played really well both Friday and Saturday. It seems he has taken a leadership role with the defense. He is playing with much more confidence (he knows he is one of top players on team) and he is in very good shape now and expects to increase strength in summer. He has a very explosive first step. He looked to be the hardest defensive linemen to block this year going off the coach’s clinic. He is playing on the right side that is a change from last year.
Weakness:
Will the great performance translate into the fall? We have seen this before in the spring and did not see it in the fall. He still needs to improve defending the run and like Graham its time for him to make productive plays and stop just getting close. At times he is easy to push around the quarterback needs to become a more effective "bull rusher" from his position.
Note: As stated early in spring Graham and Jamison are the keys to the Defense in 2008.
Graham:
Strength:
One of top overall athletes on the team and looks more like a linebacker now with the weight he has lost. He has really improved his overall conditioning, having lost twenty pounds or so. They like his pass rushing ability. He has great potential with being very versatile and can play both inside (which he does in base Defense) or inside (which he does when they go to three man front. He is quick, strong and has explosion. Plays with great leverage. He was quite vocal in scrimmage so he looks to have some leadership possibilities. He played mainly on the left side of the defense so he went up against Schilling most of the time.
Weakness:
He did not do anything great or bad nor did he stand out during the clinics (may be because of very high expectations) and seems to continue to just miss getting to the quarterback. He still needs to get more aggressive against the run and at point of attack. As much as he has trimmed down his strength still needs major improvement. He just needs to start making plays always seem close right now his eye appeal is much better than production. A key player in this program and will be for years to come. Still has tendency to give up contain and outside leverage. He has had a good spring, but not the real impact player he needs to become in order for this team to be special on defense.
Note:
As stated early in spring Graham and Jamison are the keys to the Defense in 2008.
VanBergen
Strength:
He is a big, strong, and great at point of attack. Also has a very good bull rush from the edge. He plays very hard on every play. There have been some rumors that RVB had lost his desire to play football. We have not heard or seen any signs of that, but will keep "listening". He is the most impressive defensive linemen in terms of size (he is one big kid). He really looks like he is enjoying himself out there. He seems to be good at both pass rush and defending the run, but not great, but a good overall defensive end. He has a good motor and competes on every play.
Weakness:
He needs to improve his first step and explosion. He is not either great at the pass rush or run, but he is a good overall defensive end. He needs additional leg strength and has to be careful not to play too high.
Note: When Michigan goes to a three-man front, RVB plays on first team with Graham moving to inside.
Banks
Strengths:
The off-season program has really helped. Before spring it was thought that Banks would be competing with Patterson (looks like Banks is far ahead at this point) for defensive end spot as of now Banks is winning the battle. He has shown good passion and some decent pass rushing skills. Look for Banks to get a good deal of snaps this year. He is a tough kid who is very good against the run. Banks played on second team. He is doing fine and surprisingly is part of the three-man wall in our new punt team (it is a spread formation).
Weakness:
He has lost some weight that put him at defensive end instead of defensive tackle in old program, but still needs to gain some additional quickness.
Patterson:
Overall:
Just cannot explain Patterson. He was one of the players we were anxious to see this spring. We were under the impression that he was under utilized last year, but watching Patterson this spring just does not see any competitiveness at all. He just looks to go through the motions. He does what he is asked, but nothing special in his production. Unless something drastic happens in summer (barring injury) Patterson will play a very limited role. He looked very good in one on one drills, but disappeared in team concept (practice and scrimmage). He really surprised us with his quickness in one on ones. He needs to show same intensity in team as one on one.
written by CoachBt, MaizeMan and ErocWolverine
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