Coaches Corner: Eleven questions...
Concerning the OFFENSE...
1) Has the offensive line peaked or will it continue to improve?
The offensive line improved drastically from spring practice, and then, from game one through to the last game. It was the most improved area on the team.
But has it topped out? Even though it improved, it was not good. Has Coach Frey wringed out as much as possible out of this group? Can Ortmann, Molk, etc… raise their game to new level, or this all they have?
If this team is going to compete on a high level, the offensive line needs to be the most improved group again. In addition, if we have to play with some red-shirt freshmen or true freshmen that will slow the short-term progress, at least early in the season. Michigan's offensive line has to play better than last season or it is probably going to be a dismally long season, regardless of who the quarterback might be.
2) Can Michigan reduce the turnovers?
If Michigan had turned over the ball less last season, they would have gotten six or seven wins with the personnel they had. The Notre Dame, Utah, Toledo, Purdue, and Northwestern, games all had Michigan giving killer turnovers. Ball security has to be a priority. When a team is struggling on both offense and defense, you cannot turn the ball over and win.
3) Will Michigan show a vertical passing game?
After re-watching a few films from last season, I was amazed at how as the season went along the opposing safeties crowded the line of scrimmage more and more. If they are allowed to do so again, it will make life extremely difficult for Michigan. Vertical pass plays are one thing I will personally be watching for at spring ball. Michigan has to stretch the field this year.
4) How much does quarterback play improve?
I'm not going to get into who plays, who we're better off with mess. That will work itself out regardless, for better or worse. Michigan has to have better play at quarterback, period. In this offense, the quarterback has to be a threat, or the backside DE/OLB will eat you alive. He is not accounted for by the offensive line. The quarterback has to read the defense correctly and make the right decision or the offense gets shut down. Throws in the short game need to be on time and accurate. Problems were not 100% the quarterbacks fault, as other areas were sub-par also, but quarterback play has to vastly improve or Michigan is in for a long, long season.
5) Can the offense reduce the number of negative plays?
This is simple: no offense will be very successful if 40% of your plays are for no gain or get negative yardage. This is a team issue with all the team's positions being responsible for the final results.
Team:
6) Will team attitude improve?
I can honestly say that the team's attitude last season was probably the worst I've seen in my lifetime. Players pouting, showing lack of effort, giving up...whatever, this has got to change. In addition, it was the defense guilty of this as much as the offense. Hopefully, defections will have taken care of ridding the team of malcontents. Whether on offense or defense, the guys have to accept that Coach Rod is their coach and either get on board or leave.
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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine
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