Michigan Football Tidbits: Stuff

Michigan Football Tidbits:

It is funny sometimes to listen to freshmen talk when discussing Coach Barwis and workouts. All of them know basically what to expect, but until they actually go through it they really have no idea how their bodies will react.

What basically happens is they get to first workout all hyped up and by the middle of workouts they have very little feeling in their legs. They frequently get re-acquainted with their ability to puke and then they ask themselves if they are going to be able to last a week.

By the end of the first week they feel like they have lost about 20 pounds. They cant get enough fluids and they find themselves hitting the sack much earlier than they ever imagined. This is a pretty good description of how most of the freshmen feel today.

What makes me somewhat anxious is that this team is going to rely on a lot of unproven, very young players this year. Prime example is Hawthorne. Here is a kid who is learning a whole new position, but he is one injury away from being a starter behind S. Brown. And he is probably going to be an important part of special teams. In fact, he may play on every special team.

What a wonderful thing competition is. A year ago, even though Minor and C. Brown were there because of injuries Shaw and McGuffie got most of the snaps in fall.

This fall there could be up to six running back's who compete for snaps. Including kids who seem very hungry in V. Smith and Cox. Not to mention Fitzgerald Toussaint (who already is one of those kids who is not going to back down or accept not playing).

The kid who really needs a big fall is Shaw. Who talent wise just may be our most talented back, but injuries, grade issues has put him in a somewhat pressure situation in that he has to have a great fall or he is going to be passed up and may never recover.

D. Robinson athleticism is really impressive. He runs like V. Smith in that he is just so smooth and looks like he uses very little effort, but the difference is he runs at a completely different level than Smith. He is very fast. The thing that is most impressive is that he just looks like a football player who seems to really enjoy being there. He throws the ball similar to Tate in terms of velocity, but Tate is way ahead in terms of accuracy and knowing when to use different touch on the ball.

Although the kid may not play much this year cannot help but really like Khoury. When Coach Rod talks about "loving football" Khoury is one of those kids.

Stokes shows the type of ability that will allow him to play either slot receiver or split end. Coach Rod and Coach Magee like the slot receivers to have that extra ability to be allusive and Stokes, despite his size seems to have that "slot type" ability.

Webb is going to have a big year if he stays healthy. He is in the best shape of his life and although is considered #2 on depth chart, in reality he was one of best players on team in spring. He just may have a future in football if he continues to apply himself.

Witty is spending most of his time defending split ends at the cornerback position. Another kid who looks very fluid and athletic. Floyd on the other hand is jerky in everything he does and must rely much more on being in right place. But Floyd is a tough kid and really wants to play. As of now, Floyd is our #3 cornerback.

Kids are very excited for season to start. Coaches on the other hand would love to have even more time for kids to develop. Coach Robinson has his defensive schemes ready to go, but admits he may have to tweak the system until they have enough players at certain positions. They are convinced the defense can be better than expected "IF" and this is the key, if our best players play great. Warren. Boo-Boo, B. Graham, Ezeh and M. Martin all need to have career years. Leadership by example is a big key (along with staying healthy). Regarding Martin he is probably the second best player next to B. Graham.

MaizeMan and ErocWolverine had dinner the other night. We now both agree that "WE" have all the answers to bring Michigan back to national prominence. So here is the simple formula. Recruit great players, let them be around Coach Barwis for at least two years and then coach the hell out of them. Bet most posters / blogger now think ErocWolverine and MaizeMan are geniuses and bet none of you thought of that formula ... lol ... have a good 4th of July weekend.

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Written by MaizeMan and ErocWolverine