Coaches Corner: Sixteen Points -- Football is the one true team game! -- Part 2

Coaches Corner: Sixteen Points -- Football is the one true team game! -- Part 2

8) Defensive tackles/defensive linemen: Will Michigan’s defensive line get the penetration necessary to help the linebackers fill and stop all those annoying cutbacks? Also, will the defensive linemen get their hands up when penetrating to help close the passing lanes, so that defensive backs have a chance to stop the slants, hooks, and outs that have killed Michigan in the last few years!

9) Special teams: Will Michigan's return teams hold onto the ball and then get Michigan some positive yards and short fields? And will UM cover well and give the defense the great field position needed to make opponents drive the entire field? In our opinion, special teams play will be the number one factor for Michigan 's improvement this season. This team will find it very difficult to overcome consistent poor field position on both sides of the ball.

10) Defense: Will the defense stop the opposing offense on third down, allowing the offense to get the ball back in better field position? There are not many offenses that can be expected to consistently drive a “long” field. The offense needs to get some help.

11) Will this defense finally create some turnovers? As annoying as Michigan 's turnovers last year were, the defense’s inability to create turnovers was equally harmful. Turnovers are such momentum builders and game changers. The turnover margin must improve if Michigan is going to get to that 8-4 or better mark this season.

12) As already discussed, Michigan’s defense needs cornerbacks that can close down cushions. This will only happen if the safeties can cover the entire field and take away the deep passes, if the cornerbacks get beat. Cornerbacks are vulnerable to quarterback’s going over the top in press and jam coverage. It is quite an advantage if the safeties are skilled enough to provide a safety net when/if this happens.

13) Michigan’s 2008 offense was terrible at generating big plays. Much blame fell on the Michigan quarterbacks. They certainly did not help the cause. But neither did Michigan’s split ends (poor blocking). There were multiple times running backs and slot receivers had shots at breaking long gains, only to get tackled by a safety in pursuit.

14) Special teams, overall, were another huge negative last season. Besides mediocre to poor coverage and returns, Michigan missed way too many short field goals and extra points. Nothing drags down a team more than missed short field goals (see Toledo) or extra points after a long drive. Will the special teams correct this deficiency and give the TEAM a huge boost?

15) The staff is part of the team. They must use personnel in the best manner possible, which sounds easy but sometimes is not. Two of the most talented athletes on the current team are tight ends: K. Koger and M. Webb. If these fine athletes are used properly, they can help provide valuable space for the running game. It is absolutely imperative that the coaches find a way to include these two in the offense more.

16) Michigan 's split ends became very frustrated last season, making a bad passing game even worse. The inability of the quarterbacks to get them the ball took a huge toll. This downturn showed in every aspect of split end play. Will T. Forcier, or whoever is the quarterback this season, be effective in spreading the ball around and getting everyone involved? If so, look for a brand of football that will be much more exciting and productive. Even to the casual observer.

Thanks for stopping by http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions please e-mail erocwolverine@gmail.com

Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

Fitzgerald Toussaint: Video

Looking back at past videos to see what Michigan fans can expect this fall at players coming in from the 2009 recruiting class.

Players talk at Big Ten Media Day

Al Glick Field House Pictures: New Football Practice Facility

from Coach Rod's facebook

BTN: Coach Rod Interview at Big Ten Media Day

Coaches Corner: Sixteen Points -- Football is the one true team game! -- Part 1

Coaches Corner: Football is the one true team game!

That is the quote Coach Rod used at the spring football clinic. CoachBt always tells his kids that football is the ultimate team game. From any viewpoint, or actual endeavor, football is all about team.

With the above assumption in mind, this discussion examines how certain still to be answered question marks might affect the overall achievement of the 2009 University of Michigan Football TEAM.

1) B. Graham has a shot at being one the best pass rushers in Michigan history. He is that talented. For Graham to wreak havoc, someone else, anyone else, has to step up and provide a meaningful threat. It can be another defensive linemen, a linebacker, like Mouton, otherwise even a blitzing safety or nickel-back. If opponents only have to account in game planning (protection schemes) for B. Graham, he, in our opinion, will be lucky to hit double digits in sacks this year. If this lack of a second high quality pass rusher materializes, Michigan, again in our opinion, will be in big trouble.

2) The offensive line must be a primary strength, if the 2009 team is going to reach the 8-4 mark many are predicting. Of all the line spots, the biggest question mark remains right tackle. NO line spot can be an obvious, consistent, liability. Huyge is likely the most improved lineman (compared to last year). Omameh is the most physically talented offensive linemen, but both lack substantial college game experience.

Michigan cannot again become a pure left-handed team, as such a deficiency would result in teams more easily defending the Michigan offense. Think back to 2007 when Michigan was incompetent running right. Even with the all-American monster Jake Long at left tackle, teams could stunt and overload the left side, greatly restricting the offense. This team needs to be balanced, not only in pass/run ratio but also running both right and left.

3) Offensive back help: B. Minor also has a shot at having a great senior year. His improvement physically under Coach Barwis’ tutoring has been nothing short of amazing. But as we all know, no running back will be worth a crap if the big boys upfront do not do their job.

4 Offense: This is probably going to be the quickest Michigan defense since 1997. It is also going to be one of the smallest in recent memory. This liability may be minimized if the offense can help the defense stay off the field. Michigan cannot have as many offensive three and outs as last season. Michigan cannot have all those annoying turnovers again. The offense has to protect this defense, if for no other reason than to keep it healthy. Tired, overworked players are much more likely to be injured!

5.) For B. Minor to have a special year, Michigan must demonstrate a vertical passing game/threat. This entails more than just talented split ends and slot receivers. The responsibility is on the offensive line to provide the protection needed. Responsibility also falls on T. Forcier to hit open receivers. B. Minor and other running backs must help in the need to protect a young quarterback. All these facets must come together for Michigan to back those D*MN safeties off the line of scrimmage.

6) Defensive Backs: If Michigan is going to generate a meaningful pass rush, defensive backs must close down the very large cushions given last year. No longer can the d-backs let opponents just play catch against air. No defensive linemen can be expected to get to the quarterback if the passer releases in less than two seconds. Defensive backs have to make quarterbacks hold onto the pass a bit longer.

7) Linebackers: Michigan’s safeties have not played well for several years. But better safety play is linked to linebacker performance. Michigan’s linebackers have not been very good at rerouting inside receivers, or filling, and have let running backs have tons of room to cutback and make safeties look silly. The back seven/eight (linebacker’s and defensive backs) must work as a coordinated, effective unit.

Thanks for stopping by http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions please e-mail erocwolverine@gmail.com

Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

Mailbag question: Feagin released from the team

I just read that Justin Feagin was released from the team. Do you know why? And now that he is gone did you truly believe he would have seen playing time?

Evan V.

---------------------------------

Thanks for the question.

At this point, all we are hearing is that J. Feagin was dismissed for violations of team rules. That is the generic party line response whenever a player is dismissed, at most universities, when the coaches or school does not want to release the specific cause. Really, we do not want to get into what might have happened (speculation), as many will, or use code to tell people without actually saying.

J. Feagin was a valuable member to the team because of his versatility. He could play slot receiver, quarterback, and help on special teams.

Without numerous injuries, we do not believe J. Feagin would have been a starter, this year or in the future. Largely, this is due to the players that are at Michigan now or will be next year.

T. Forcier had early admission to Michigan and J. Feagin, if we remember correctly, reportedly had mono. So, Justin lost a great chance to show what ability he had early on this spring. Because of the spring qb depth situation, Justin would have taken snaps, along with playing the slot receiver position.

When T. Forcier played well this spring that hastened a likely decision by the coaches to permanently move J. Feagin to slot receiver. Include within this scenario that Michigan now has D. Robinson on campus and also has a commitment from D. Gardner. Therefore, depth at quarterback is not a current primary program issue in our opinion. Yes, coaches would like at least four quarterbacks who can run your system and be prepared if needed. Next year might be the year for this wish to become a reality.

At slot receiver, Michigan has M. Odoms, R. Roundtree, and T. Robinson, who all have more experience than J. Feagin. Then, you have talented players coming in like J. Gallon and J. Stokes, who we believe will see playing time at slot receiver this year. The coaches, we have heard, in an effort to get J. Stokes on the field, will try him at both slot receiver and split end. So, Justin was behind others at two positions.

We wish Justin well. Remember, we have been saying for quite awhile this might happen, and recently stated that we believed this could / would happen.

Thanks for stopping by http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions please e-mail erocwolverine@gmail.com

Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine