Michigan Football Tidbits: Few Observations -- Players
1) Huyge: Do not know if he is going to hold on to right tackle spot (certainly the favorite), but what a great kid. He really works as hard as he can. People forget that when Carr recruited Huyge he was a very young senior who needed development. The combination of Barwis and Huyge maturing has put him in a position to contribute.
2) The biggest advantage of Huyge development and work ethic is Omameh understands he really has to progress and produce. But even more important it also sends a message to Barnum. Who is the type of kid who needs this type of pushing internally. Barnum fully expected by now to have won a starting position. Athletically and fitting the scheme he should have, but injuries have really slowed his progress and now he sees he is in a fight.
3) Sometime kids just mature faster than others. One kid who has had some issues at Michigan has struggled despite his talent, but in the past year and half has really turned it on -- B. Graham. There were times coaches were frustrated with his inconsistent play and effort and B. Graham is an example of how important a program like Barwis is. Not only is the program difficult, but it is relentless and it makes kids like B. Graham decide if this stuff is worth it. In Graham's case, he has become a our best player and our team leader. And now, if he stays healthy has a future on Sundays.
4) Kudos to Nick Sheridan. On the one hand he is still competing and on the other he goes beyond the call of duty in mentoring younger quarterback's. Sheridan is a kid who we all know lacks certain abilities, but having a year under Coach Rod has made him tough mentally. His primary message to younger quarterback's is "be the hardest worker on the team, but learn to take criticism as contrastive coaching". and also said "if you do not or cannot you wont play at Michigan".
5) One of a personal weaknesses and can be really stubborn. Notice over the past three years we are probably one of the lone S. Brown fans left. And now, have a new one in Patterson. Just think he is going to contribute this year. Do not know why, because he has shown hardly any production in games, but the kid is a workout warrior. He is one of most productive kids in Barwis program. We know S&C is not the sole indication of how kids will play on Saturday, but just keep asking ourselves why would a kid go through al this crap and not compete as hard as he can in practices and games.
6) Wide Receiver's: Starting to feel better, in fact, much better. Stonum catching the ball and Stokes is the real deal. Roundtree just throw him the ball and Matthews is doing fine. Still do not see a huge homerun threat and this team is going to struggle at times if we get too far behind, but just think teams are going to have to put that extra guy in the box this year and this should allow wide receiver's to have some big games.
7) Okay, just a small beef. Cannot understand why posters/bloggers claim that we have given up on a certain kid or we wont get a certain kid because he already have a commit at that position. Case in point cornerback. We have one cornerback commit -- 1.
This on a team that is using walk-ons on in the two deep. And some of the potential commits are probably better suited for safety and doesn't anyone remember the year Ohio State had about eight defensive back commits. Why is it okay for other schools to do this, but Michigan fans use this as an excuse.
And as far as Mathis -- please -- stay positive on the kid. Why would anyone rather have Grimes a kid who if he does not come to Michigan will go somewhere that does not compete with Michigan and here is Mathis who is just as talented, but could go to a school who is one of our rivals and use it not only against Michigan, but the media as well. Sometimes the recruiting game is not only who you get, but who the other guy does not. (this is one part of recruiting that agreed with Carr).
My point is overall, If Michigan had a choice between two kids who are equal in talent we prefer to take the kid who will not only help, but keep him from opposition and may help with future recruiting.
Another point about this argument about Florida three star vs. Michigan four star is un-provable and in our opinion not true. Top rated kids in Michigan can compete with anybody and think this has been proven over the years.
Michigan's biggest problem with "Detroit area" kids in the past decade were a matter of player development -- not a matter of talent. Mathis is a talented kid. Now one could argue he would be better at slot receiver, but he wants to play cornerback. And with Turner and maybe Cullen coming to Michigan, we could always get another taller cornerback in next years class.
Of course, overall, yes, take them both. We need both of them. Our depth chart should be attractive to any cornerback and we do not see why Michigan would only limit itself to one or two in this recruiting class. It is not just about depth, pure numbers. In our opinion, it is about quality of that depth as well. The drop off after our three 1st group defensive linemen was striking.
8) Quarterback position is fine. Not a big fan of 7 on 7 drills in terms of judging quarterback talent or how things are going. Every quarterback looks good in shorts. Quarterback's are working hard and look fine.
9) Stokes is playing both split end and slot receiver which if learns both positions gives him that much more playing time this year we believe.
10) Patterson is the back-up to RVB, but will push him
11) Demens: Definitely on two deep and will pushing for playing time.
12) Helmuth will add depth, but role will be limited and a lot will depend on how fast Big Will develops.
Coaches:
1) Tall: He just wants to coach. So he will accept any system he is working under and do the best he can
2) Hopson: Another guy who just wants to coach, but see him as having bigger dreams and so he is willing to learn and teach any system he feels will improve his coaching.
3) Gibson: Is Coach Rod's guy -- his right hand man, so Gibby will buy in as long as system is successful. Gibson wants to win, mainly for Coach Rod's sake so its not like Hopson who wants to be a head coach someday. Gibson will adhere to anything Coach Rod puts in place.
4) Magee is a big time recruiter, but in Coach Rod's system coordinators do not have an area.
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Written by MaizeMan, CoachBt and ErocWolverine
5 comments:
@4 in the players section -- Do you think Sheridan's helpfullness and willingness to make the younger QBs as good as they can be, as quickly as they can, alludes to his father being a coach - and perhaps him wanting to do the same?
It almost seems as though Nick is realizing he could have a career in coaching as well. While maybe not the best QB, he has worked with both Lefty in the pro-style offense, and now with RR's coaches in the spread. He has a wealth of knowledge, and really seems to know the game well. (IMO he knew what to do and what he should do, he just physically was unable to do it.)
Its great to see a kid that loves Michigan enough to work for the good of the team, even when it probably means he won't be playing.
As you said, Kudos to Nick Sheridan - a True Michigan Man.
You and Sam Webb are in accordance on the instate vs. the out of state recruits. If there is an equally talented kid instate, such as Austin White vs. Eduardo Clements, take the instate kid 10 times out of 10 if given the choice.
I am very high on Stokes, and think he can be a real difference maker in the offense if he learns it quickly enough. This year the big difference, I think, is that we will have multiple weapons. With Tate who can pass (extremely well) and run (fairly well), Denard as a change of pace who is wicked fast and can be used at multiple positions, 3-4 very solid running backs, 2 high caliber tight ends, a handful of great slots and a functional wide receiver or two, our offense is already going to be leaps an bounds ahead of the barely functional offense of last year. With the development of the offensive line, as you guys say, I think our offense is on the right track. Last year we were limited by poor play, inexperience, and lack of overall depth at multiple positions on offense. This year, we still have inexperience, but we also have talent and speed, which we didn't necessarily have last year.
AND Gallon just qualified. Weapons at every skill position now.
I enjoy the insight on specific players you guys offer. Nice e-opinions. One person I have noticed that does not get any mentioned is Justin Feagin. Is he expected to contribute at any position? Special teams? Slot receiver?
Anonymous:
Regarding Feagin he was out for most of the spring practices and now is playing is second position (slot) since moving from quarterback. Injuries, sick and moving positions does not help a kid get on the field.
He could play on special teams, but so can several others who might be better on the return games ... so depends on what they do.
Would not be surprised if he does not move positions again (defensie) or leaves the program after this year ... this is just an opinion ... no insight, but this is something people will worry about especially from the Florida kids if they do not play right away ... that they can go back home and play and also get out of the cold winters of Michigan.
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