Michigan Football Tidbits: Miscellaneous items from the Coaches Clinic. (Lost Article)

Michigan Football Tidbits: Miscellaneous items from the Coaches Clinic. (Lost Article that just found that we did 4/7/09.

1) In his presentation, Rodriguez said he does not read negative e-mails or letters. He has his secretary go through them. He joked that one advantage of a lousy season could be that "you do not have to read as much".

2) Rodriguez also had his staff put a 2008 highlight film together. Although those in attendance enjoyed some of the behind the scenes stuff, afterwards he said “you do not know how hard it was to find enough material for a highlight film” (Mesko’s run for the first down on a fake punt was in the film).

3) Defensive Coordinator Greg Robinson is putting in a new tackling system, and he talked about it during his presentation. It was evident while watching defensive players go through drills that they were working on various techniques. There's too much to post, but I find it funny that the kids call the final tackling fundamental (when they actually tackle the guy) a "wolverine wrap".

4) Big Will: I watched him very closely this week. He has a long way to go, but do not compare him to Gabe Watson. They are completely different kids. The biggest difference is that Big Will now has Barwis. Big Will is going through a transition not just from high school to college; he is going through a body transformation as well. Barwis' program is tougher on "big players". In fact, during Barwis' presentation, he even mentioned he has different drills for different player types.

Remember players like Ortmann and Schilling a year ago? Barwis broke those kids down; they lost a ton of weight. Schilling admits he just did not have the strength, and it affected his play. But he is much bigger now, and has maintained his quickness.

I think this is what is happening to Big Will Campbell. Barwis is breaking him down; he is losing weight, and it may be another year until Big Will is both in great shape and has great strength. Therefore, I think Big Will plays this year sparingly and at times may look ineffective, but give him a year and I expect the five star recruit to emerge.

Based on spring practice these are my ratings for the early enrollees.

1) Tate Forcier: Gets top billing because of all the pressure and responsibility he carries for a true freshman. Getting better everyday and I think he is starting to understand what he can and cannot do at this level.

2) Vlad Emilien: Could have been 1a, but the only other sure starter of early players.

3) Big Will: By fall think he solidifies his position as the #2 defensive tackle, but Sagessee and Helmuth are both ahead of him right now.

4) Vincent Smith: Some may think he should be higher, and they may be right. He has probably been the third most impressive freshman, but he is behind Minor and C. Brown. Also, Shaw will return this summer. Shaw has been watching and he knows he is going to really have to compete, and Shaw does have a lot of talent.

5) Brandin Hawthorne: Is in the two deep and plays the hybrid safety / linebacker position. He is doing much better than expected.

6) Mike Jones: Third on depth chart behind Hawthorne, but it is close, and at times he and Hawthorne alternate. It looks like Jones may play a lot on special teams.

7) Anthony LaLota: Of the early enrollees, he looks to me like the most likely to red-shirt.

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Written by MaizeMan and ErocWolverine