Mailbag question:

Hey guys,

I see you guys haven't really addressed the Justin Boren deal of him leaving and now going to Ohio State. How do you guys feel about that along with your take on the whole situation.

From what you seen at practices how much is Michigan going to miss him and do we have capable guys to replace him this year?

Hank
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Thanks for the question. You have to look at the Boren situation in two ways, short term, and then long-term effect. In the short term, this is a huge lose for Michigan. Boren was our most experienced offensive linemen and quite possibly our best. He also played the game with a toughness and edge that is going to be tough to replace in the short term. His loss puts a big stress on the offensive lines already stressed depth. No other way to spin this in short term but a as major negative.

In the long term, it is best that Michigan and Boren split ways. He was obviously not happy at Michigan and had some difficulties with the new Michigan regime. Having an unhappy player, regardless of talent is not a good thing. Michigan is better off in the long term playing with guys who are truly happy to be part of the Michigan team.Wish Justin luck in the future, except when he plays against Michigan of course. My only disappointment was his parting shots. Wish he had just said it time for Michigan and me to part and left it at that.

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Mailbag question:

Coach,

How do you think Jake Long will do at the Dolphins along with being in the NFL? Do you see him as a better LT or RT in the NFL? Sounds like he is going to start out at LT for the Dolphins and I thought he would last longer in the NFL at RT?

Eric
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Thanks for the question. Big Jake is excellent fit for Miami, and the great thing is he can play either side very well. Remember Coach Parcells was the coach who ignored "the experts" and saw Jumbo Elliot as Left Tackle when nobody else did. Reason for Jumbos success and my confidence with Big Jake is any team with coach Parcells involved is going to have a strong power running game component.

This will limit some of the effectiveness of those nasty edge rushers. When the Defensive End/Outside Linebacker has to be worried about the Offensive Tackle putting a hand on the ground, coming off the ball, and burying their ASS it will naturally his pass rush down.

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Mailbag question:

It seems like these days you hear a lot in college football press about owning "time-of-possession." I think that a lot of commentators make a little bit too much of a deal about it, but you can tell that teams that consistently have better possession times than their opponents usually have great records.

It makes sense to me that you want to let your more conditioned offense tire out the other team's less-conditioned defense, plus every minute you have the ball the other team doesn't. But given how much the past couple posts on your blog have talked about the no-huddle and hurry-up offense, doesn't this kind of emphasis hurt time-of-possession? Or, is it the argument that you want more possessions of less time rather than less possessions of more time?

Love your blog keep up the good work, I will keep reading!

LTR
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Thanks for the question. Time of Possession is more important to some offenses/teams than to others. Teams like Old Michigan, LSU, or Ohio State who play a field position game and the time of possession is huge. To a team like Boise State, or Appalachian State time of possession is less important.

There philosophy is constantly stress or challenge a offense. This philosophy also includes making teams change their offensive game plan because they have opponents playing from behind. In first half of App. State game, and second half of Oregon game, Michigan was unable to use their superior size and strength advantage on offense because they were so far behind. In first two series against Oregon where Michigan could pound the ball and mix in the passing game, Oregon could not stop them.

So you are correct that some times time of possession can be very misleading, but if you playing an Ohio State type team, and you let Coach Tressell control the clock and field position, he will win a large percentage of those games.

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Mailbag question:

Guys going off your last e-mail:

Do you guys think Coach Rod will run the no huddle offense and what are the advantages and disadvantages for Michigan or will they just d a hurry up where they still get into huddle, but rush to the line? When you hurry up or go no huddle that puts a lot of pressure on the defense along with the offense moving the sticks. Isn't this kind of risky especially when we aren't sure how good of offense we have along with if they can actually sustain drives.

Jim
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Thanks for the question. Michigan will use both. Coach Rod and staff are big on offense setting and maintaining a fast pace. They practice this way, scrimmage this way, and fully expect them to play at this type of pace. Maintaining a quick tempo helps an offense at and maintains a good rhythm. It stresses a defense, and helps to wear it down.

Also expect to see Michigan use the no huddle. Coach Magee and Coach Rod are huge proponents of the no huddle. Coach Magee has a rep of being one of the top no huddle guys around today. No huddle helps offense by again helping them get into a rhythm. No huddle also helps offense by allowing them to manipulate match ups and preventing the defense from being able to substitute and getting into nickel or dime defenses.

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Jake Long signs with Dolphins:

Dolphins eyed Long for awhile
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/SPORTS0101/804230353/1131/SPORTS0201
from Detroit News
by Angelique S. Chengelis

Tackle agrees to terms with team, will become U-M's first top overall pick since Harmon in 1941.

In the days before Michigan played its New Year's Day bowl game in Orlando, former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr began fielding calls from his good friend Bill Parcells, at that time the newly appointed executive vice president of football operations for the Miami Dolphins.

Naturally, Parcells was interested in Carr's well-being, but he also began inquiring about personnel, specifically Jake Long, the stellar Michigan left tackle about to play his final game for the Wolverines.

"All of the coaches were going to a dinner party one night in Orlando when I got a call on my cell phone from Bill," Carr said Tuesday. "That first time I talked to him, he asked me about Jake. He said, 'You tell Jake that I really like him.' I talked to Bill on and off since then, and he made it really clear that Jake was right there (on his NFL draft board).

"A couple weeks ago, I had a call from him, and he told me they were going to make every effort to sign Jake. I talked to him a few days ago. I'm just happy for the Dolphins and for Jake Long."

The Dolphins made the 6-foot-7, 315-pound Long one happy -- and very rich -- guy when they announced Tuesday afternoon they had agreed to terms making Long the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL draft, which begins Saturday. The deal reportedly is worth $57.5 million over five years with $30 million guaranteed.

Long is represented by Tom Condon. "It's such a great honor to be the No. 1 pick," Long told reporters during the Dolphins' news conference. "I'm real glad we got the contract done, so I don't have to worry about that."

Long is the first Michigan player to be selected first overall since Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon in 1941. He also becomes the second offensive lineman to go No. 1 since 1970, joining former Ohio State tackle Orlando Pace, who was chosen by the Rams in 1997.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, a former offensive lineman, said he was more than impressed by Long giving up only three sacks in his last 26 games and being penalized twice. Long is projected to play left tackle.

"I just think when you're watching the film, and you're looking at the tape, the tape doesn't lie," Sparano told reporters. "With offensive linemen, you're not watching a highlight film, you're watching a game tape, and when you watch his game tape, the tape doesn't like, and that's the thing I think I was most impressed with. Sidebar to the whole thing is the kind of guy he is. That's separate from all that, but watching the game film is what sold me."

Long was a two-year captain at Michigan. He decided to stay for his final season of eligibility last season, although he would have been a certain first-round pick a year ago.

Mike Hart, Michigan's career leading rusher and a co-captain with Long last season, said there was no player more deserving of the No. 1 overall pick.

"If you want to talk about a sure thing, it's Jake Long," Hart said. "No quarterback (in this draft) is a guarantee with the top pick. The smartest pick, the best pick, and safest pick is Jake Long. He's someone who's not going to get in trouble. He's someone who everyone is going to like. He's not going to come in and be a (jerk).

"He's the perfect pick. A lot of guys would go buy a lot of cars and crazy jewelry, but he's probably going to show up in Miami driving his white S-10 truck. I saw him last Friday at a draft party, and I said, 'Jake, you're going to have a bunch of money to go buy whatever you want,' but he still wears the same jeans, same shirts, same everything. Jake is going to be Jake. He's a guy who plays football and acts like he doesn't have any money."

Carr said Long takes nothing but positives into the NFL.

"I think they're looking for more than a great football player; they're looking for a guy who can be a representative of not only the organization in the NFL, but the city and be a guy in the locker room who is going to represent and be the kind of leader that you need to be successful," Carr said.

"I think everybody who knows Jake is thrilled for him because, certainly there is a financial aspect of this thing, but I think in the years ahead, Jake will be everything for the Miami Dolphins that he was at Michigan. The thing I love the most about Jake, I know this won't change him. He's genuine, and he knows what he wants to do in life. I'm delighted for him."

Long, who was joined at the news conference by his parents, John and Denise, of Lapeer, Mich., said Tuesday that while he's relieved the negotiations are over, he's overwhelmed being the No. 1 overall pick.

"I don't think it has sunk in yet," Long said. "It is something I think every kid dreams about. It is something I dreamed about, and I worked hard to get here. Ever since I started playing football, I dreamed about playing in the NFL. It's a great honor, and I'm just excited to start playing football again."

Mailbag question:

I am confused about this no huddle offense:

It seems like it would be difficult to substitute players quickly, a must if you want fresh bodies on the field. Why do they send the plays in from the sidelines via hand signals, as it would seem not only would it slow down the offense, but also at away games, the crowd noise would make it hard to shout out the play from a set formation or audible?

I assume only the QB is looking at the sideline. What ever happened to the rule that the QB could tell the ref he could not hear, and the ref would warn the defense, and after so many times would give them a penalty, I remember in the old days, all Michigan QB used this. Did they change the rule? Really my question boils down to what is the fastest and most effective way to utilize the no huddle along with all our skilled players rotating to take advantage of a tired defense, and did they do a rule change on crowd noise.

Jeff
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Thanks for the question. The idea behind no huddle is limit substitutions by the defense. The defense needs to substitute fresh players into the game because defense is more tiring to play.

No huddle also allows offense to prevent defense from substituting situational players into game. Making for better mismatches for the defense. Ohio State did a great job of this in 2006, using no huddle and prevents Michigan from getting into nickel packages. This force the infamous mismatch of Chris Graham on a wide receiver (Gonzo).

Hand signals are the most proficient way to get plays onto the field. You can literally be standing at the line of scrimmage watching what the defense is doing before signaling in the play. Wrist plays make this process easy and limit mistakes. When offenses want to stress a defense with speed and no huddle they will many times practice all week off scripted plays. Offense will literally memorize a set of 4 to 6 plays and work on them all week. Yes crowd noise rule was changed a few years ago.

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Coaches Corner: Breaking down the Quarterbacks:

CoachBt broke down some of the quarterbacks in several different categories. Among these quarterbacks is Kevin Newsome (’09 recruit), Tate Forcier (’09 recruit), Shavodrick Beaver (’09 recruit), Eugene Smith (’09 recruit), Justin Feagin (’08 Michigan freshmen), and Terrell Pryor (’08 Ohio State freshmen).

Arm Strength:
1) Pryor: He has very strong arm.
2) Newsome: Close to Pryor, another very strong arm.
3) Beaver: Strong arm, just touch less
4) Smith: He has plenty of arm, just not quite on par with others.
5) Feagin and Forcier: (Tie) Feagin arm is just average still has enough arm to be very success. Forcier has good not great arm strength, but makes up for this with superior mechanics and accuracy he has plenty of arm to succeed in Coach Rod's offense.

Touch:
1) Beaver: He throws excellent ball, that is very easy to catch, and excellent spiral.
2) Smith, Forcier and Feagin: (Tie) Smith also has very easy to catch ball. Forcier throws excellent ball with nice tight spiral that is easy to catch. Feagin throws a nice easy to catch ball.
5) Pryor and Newsome: (Tie) Pryor needs to learn to take something off short pass, and Newsome spiral needs work.

Release:
1) Beaver: He has excellent release and nice short arm motion, does need to force ball up at times.
2) Newsome, Pryor, Forcier and Feagin: (Tie) Newsome and Pryor have tendency to wind up instead of zipping with the wrist. Forcier has very good release, short compact motion. Feagin has nice compact throwing motion and quick release.
6) Smith: He holds the ball to low, and release point needs to be higher.

Footwork:
All had good footwork, but all also need work. Of all areas, that high school quarterbacks need to improve footwork is generally #1. Too many do not understand they need to throw with their feet as much as arm. Feagin has excellent footwork already. It is one of strengths of his game.

Mechanics:
1) Beaver: He has pure smooth arm motion.
2) Feagin and Forcier: (Tie) Feagin forces ball up and gets shoulder and feet around on boot. Forcier is technically sound, forces ball up, and see's entire field.
4) Pryor: He has solid mechanics.
5) Newsome: Had him almost tied with Pryor, but has this little hitch at times.
6) Smith: Again, holds ball too low and releases point is low.

Reading Defenses:
This real tough one, without knowing what play is called or system this real guess/ semi educated.
1) Beaver: Film shows him adjusting and pointing to defenders.
2) Forcier: Ranks right behind Beaver. You can see him adjusting to defenses and even appears to slide protection to pick up blitz.
3) Smith and Feagin: (Tie) Smith is the same as Beaver. Feagin on film you can see him pointing out defenders and getting balls to check down receivers.
5) Newsome and Pryor: (Tie) there are signs of both reading defenses so I do no think this is problem just that Beaver in particular looks advanced at this time.

Decision-making:
Remember these are highlights, so bad things are not shown on clips.
1) Beaver, Forcier and Feagin: (Tie) Beaver holds onto the ball as long as possible, and does not seem to force into coverage. Feagin’s film shows him making right read in option offense and hitting under receiver instead of forcing ball deep. Forcier takes what defense gives, not forcing the ball into coverage. also checks down to under receiver very well.
4) Smith: He is close to these guys.
5) Pryor and Newsome: (Tie) Guys with strong arms have habit of trying to force everything, thinking they can use arm strength to get it done. Think Farve and Elway.

Quickness:
None of these guys are slow, all have plenty of quickness.
1) Newsome: He has great feet and explosion.
2) Smith: He has super quick feet.
3) Feagin: On quickness, not up with Newsome, but more than enough to be effective in Michigan’s offense.
4) Pryor, Forcier and Beaver: (Tie) again no problem here, good quickness, just not on par with top three.

Speed:
1) Newsome: Kid could play number of positions
2) Pryor: If not for Newsome’s elite speed, Pryor has outstanding speed also.
3) Smith, Beaver, Forcier and Feagin: (Tie) Smith and Beaver both have plenty of speed. Feagin had good speed but not elite level like Pryor and Newsome, but plenty to get job done. Forcier no problem here he has plenty of speed. just not quite up with top three.

Elusiveness:
1) Newsome and Pryor: (Tie) both have take it to the house skills.
3) Smith and Feagin: (Tie) Smith is excellent in space and good creator. Feagin is very good in space.
5) Beaver and Forcier: (Tie) Again not a problem, others just better.

Overall potential:
1) Pryor: Potential difference maker.
2) Beaver and Newsome: (Tie) different, but all three have potential to be outstanding.
5) Smith, Forcier and Feagin: (Tie) No disrespect and would be happy to have either one with Feagin - Just like others better. Forcier although not sure he is quite the fit as Feagin or Smith. He still shows enough skill to succeed in this offense.

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