4) Wide Receivers:
Is the position group that could see the most defections and we have just one commit for next year (and that one is iffy) so expect a couple of late maybe surprise offers at the Wide Receiver position in December and January. Hemingway of course needs to stay healthy next year, Stonum needs to mature quickly but he is fine, and Rogers needs to make huge strides. Roundtree could possibly end up being the third receiver next year. Matthews had a rough time adjusting to new program. He felt he was going to be the #1 guy in 2008 in old scheme, but he is fine now and expect him to be back next year and be one of leaders on the team.
Another personal note:
It might be just me, but wide receiver position has been the hardest adjustment for me. Think of all the top wide receiver we have had in the past 10 years the way in which we used the wide receiver and now all that seems gone. Now maybe when we get a top quarterback who can throw. I will once again enjoy our wide receiver play, but that time cannot come soon enough.
5) Big Will:
Is such an important recruit for many reasons including the fact he is from Michigan. And I have lost hope on Jenkins, but probably the most important recruit left is Lewan. Is possible we could possibly get a commit from a true offensive tackle? Since Long when have we seen a more impressive looking offensive tackle on film?
6) We need another DE recruit:
I understand Tank may have had some serious issues, but obviously not serious enough for Illinois to offer. Not saying Michigan should of ended up with Tank, but what harm would of visit do? Since Tank is not longer a possibility we need to make defensive end a high priority not only in this class by in upcoming class. With the lack of defensive ends (even LaLota may not end up at defensive end) more and more likely we see more three man fronts in the future.
7) Difference in this yr in terms of off-season is:
Players will start working out immediately after Ohio State game. Workouts in December will be off and on because of finals and holidays, but in January instead of giving players until first of February like in years past workouts will start up as soon as kids return from holidays and will be going full blast by mid-January.
8) Quick note about B. Smith:
He has been told there is very little chance he will NOT be playing safety next year. Of course, he will have to really improve in his ability in pass coverage. They want to upgrade their physical presence at that position next year.
9) O'Neill:
Have to wait till spring, but feelings are if he does not show ability to play right tackle well enough to consider moving Schilling then O'Neill will play more right guard in spring and Dorrenstein will be the back up at right tackle. Of course, a commit from Lewan could change things (longterm).
10) Reading between the lines:
Now you can understand when I kept posting about how Coach Rod during his first ten months has had a difficult time adjusting to Michigan. Coach Rod tried hard at times to tone down his approach and now in retrospect could of made this transition even a longer process.
Personally (AGAIN MY OPINION) I think Coach Rod has had numerous second thoughts about taking the Michigan job, but now since he has a long-term contract has finally decided that he has to do things his way.
Lets face it Coach Rod has had a bad year, a horrible year and it has cause ripple effects, which I have discussed before. Lack of donations, lack of luxury box purchases and now there has even been people trying to cancel their initial commitments.
To make matters potentially worse next year could be another struggle.
In Part three at 4:00pm EST. we will discuss 2009.
written by MaizeMan and ErocWolverine
