Michigan Preview 2008: Part 10- Top 10 Reasons Michigan will be GOOD

On the eve of the Michigan football season, it's time for some optimism. Some of this might be overly optimistic, but I think everyone should have something to feel good about on the way to the game tomorrow. Here's ten reasons Michigan will be GOOD this season. I could have put Mike Barwis for all ten, but I chose to be semi-creative.

10. The players really seem to love Nick Sheridan
Yes players usually back up their teammates to be politically correct; but after seeing what, or more importantly, how, Greg Matthews and Stephen Schilling spoke of Nick Sheridan, it seems as though his teammates have a great time playing with him and respect him. While asking about Threet drew a generic “He’s a more serious guy, but we feel comfortable with whoever’s back there,” Speaking of Sheridan drew laughs and “He’s funny, we really love having him in the huddle.” Now this could just mean he’s a funny guy, but usually fellow teammates won’t be laughing if a guy is doing a terrible job. As much as I have had a hard time excepting that anything good could come out of Sheridan starting, I’m starting to feel that there could be a great story brewing here with the walk-on turning out to be fairly good. I’m probably too optimistic, but his teammates do like and respect him it seems.

9. The schedule
While losing to Miami and Notre Dame would be embarrassing, while a Utah loss might be expected by many, starting 0-3 is not a big deal considering none of the games are in Big Ten play. Those three games are followed by a bye week. I see this as Michigan having four weeks to get ready for Big Ten play where Michigan will truly be judged. Many people will disagree, but I tend to think Big Ten play is the most important, particularly this season with so many question marks. If Michigan wins a lot of conference games, people will start to forget about the first few weeks. Four weeks to prepare for the conference could lead to great success.

8. The Corners
If two years ago someone said Morgan Trent would be a candidate for All-American, that person would have been considered a moron. After a decent season last year, and an offseason full of praise from the new coaching staff, and Mike Barwis, Trent could be terrific this season. Opposite him is a guy many fans think will be better than Trent, Donovan Warren. Warren played very well as a true freshman last year, and with a full year under his belt, and also drawing praise from the coaching staff this offseason, he’s primed for a great year. Both of these guys say they are faster than ever too and Warren will return punts while Trent may return kickoffs. Couple these two with sophomore Troy Woolfolk, who is also ridiculously fast, and incoming hyped freshman Boubacar Cissoko, the corners should be making plays with the aggressive front seven and safeties pressuring opposing QBs into quick decisions. They should force tons of turnovers this year and really make some big, big plays.

7. The offense shouldn’t tell defenses what they are going to run by the same substitutions over and over
The last 5-10 years of Michigan football, Michigan has had one of the most predictable offenses in the country. If Mike Massey was in, expect run. If Mike Hart was out, expect pass. If the fullback was in, expect run. If the slot guy comes in motion towards the offense line, run. It’s amazing Michigan’s offense has been as successful as it has been, minus last year, with the predictability of the offense. With the no-huddle coming in with an offense that likes to get as many skill players on the field and get the ball to them quickly, those days should be over. Of course it’s tough to tell without seeing this coaching staff call a game here yet, and it’ll take a few games to start noticing any trends. But, the fact that Rodriguez will often play two “starting caliber” running backs in the backfield at once, and move the skill guys around from slot, to outside, to the backfield, it should be very difficult for opposing teams to guess what’s coming. That should help the inexperienced offense big time this season.

6. Scott Shafer’s scheme
Blitz, blitz, pressure, pressure, stop the run, force turnovers, and score, is essentially Scott Shafer’s defensive philosophy. Yes, he does say scoring is something he wants this defense to do. With the talent that this defense has particularly on the D-line and at the corners, Michigan could end up with the best defense in the Big Ten IMO. Constant pressure on the quarterback will force them into bad decisions and beat them up quite a bit. Maybe we can see what happened in the ’06 Penn State game (down goes #1, down goes #2). Shafer has a very good track record of turning around defenses in his first year, particularly at Western Michigan when they led the NATION in interceptions and sacks in 2006. The year before that, the team was 1-11 so it is not exactly like he had much talent on his hands. Now, he has plenty of experienced talent and that should lead to disaster for opposing offenses. This defense should be extremely exciting to watch, and if they can force turnovers, they can give the young offense great field position and maybe even do what Shafer says he would like, score.

5. The freshmen
While Michigan’s philosophy over the years has been to recruit bigger physical guys at the skill spots, Rodriguez seems to not care about size, but more speed. If they can’t catch you, you don’t have to be physical, right? That seems to be what Rodriguez thinks, and with true freshmen speedsters Martavious Odoms, Sam McGuffie, Michael Shaw, and Terrence Robinson (when healthy) contributing often if not starting. Odoms is starting tomorrow and McGuffie and Shaw could start and if not, will play a ton. These guys, especially Odoms, will be central to Rodriguez’s offense and their speed brings an extra dimension to the skill positions for Michigan. Matthews, Clemons, and Hemingway are all legitimate receivers for possession, but lack the breakaway speed that makes them a real threat every time they get the ball in the open field. If Odoms, McGuffie, or Shaw get the ball in open field, they should have a chance to break one each time. The freshmen will make the big plays for this offense.

4. The cupboard is not bare. Michigan does have talent even if we haven’t seen it yet on the field.
When Rodriguez took over West Virginia, WVU did not have near the talent that Michigan has right now. I know recruiting services aren’t great to go by, but they are the only real source of rating incoming talent. WVU was full of 2-star talent when Rodriguez took over there. The last five classes for Michigan have been top 15 classes full of mainly 4-star guys and 3-star guys with some 5-stars there too. Rodriguez won at WVU with a bunch or recruiting classes full of 2 and 3-star players. Instead of trying to win with scrubs who don’t fit his system, Rodriguez has talent players to work with, even if they don’t fit his system. Obviously the quarterback spot is the exception to this and the depth on the O-line is not good either. But Rodriguez has never gotten to inherit a defense this good and talented, and skill guys as talented as the backs and receivers. There is a lot more talent at Michigan, comparing this team to the team in Rodriguez’s first team at WVU simply is not a legitimate comparison.

3. Defensive Line
This D-line could end up way better or at least as good as the 2006 D-line (prior to O-State and USC). Tim Jamison and Brandon Graham in Shafer’s scheme, might end up with better numbers than any defensive ends in the country. Terrance Taylor’s off-season makeover should take him from good player to “beast” for four quarters, as his teammates are now calling him. If Will Johnson uses his strength (many team weightlifting records) to play more aggressively this season, he could end up being a beast too. Johnson has unparalleled size and strength, the only big question is whether he will actually use it this season since last year it seemed like he chose not to. The guys in the middle should be able to stuff the run, and the ends will get to the quarterback alot. If Shafer’s D at Western could lead the country in sacks and interceptions after a 1-11 season, the talent on this D-line could lead to similar success rushing and hitting QB’s all season. The D-line will be the heart and soul of this team and with their talent, they should succeed and help the team succeed too.

2. Rich Rodriguez has never had a first season at a new school with Mike Barwis
Rich Rodriguez went through his first two seasons at WVU without Mike Barwis helping the football team. The Barwis came on the scene for the 2003 season, where the team was looking to replace WVU’s all-time leading rusher (Avon Coburne), three O-line starters, and their top two receivers. The team the year before went 6-1 in the Big East (with Miami and Va. Tech). Despite losing the talent, after Barwis’s first offseason with the team, WVU repeated that success after a rocky start to the season. Enroute to their 6-1 conference record, their lone loss came at the hands at the #2 Miami Hurricanes by a score of just 22-20. And the #3 Va. Tech Hokies came into Morgantown and got smacked 28-7 by the Mountaineers. Granted that Rodriguez’s system was already engrained in the kids and that type of success probably won’t be duplicated this year, but there is some merit to Barwis having an immediate impact. Oh yeah, and that year WVU made their first January bowl since 1996 and has gone bowling in January every year since Barwis’s arrival.

1. Chocolate Milk
Mike Barwis. He seemingly has changed the culture and attitude of this team. I believe he is the reason that more people did not leave the team with the coaching change. The fact that the players could see physical results in their bodies within weeks of working out with Barwis, probably coerced them to buy into the system. Who would have thought Terrance Taylor would be the guy running sprints at the end of practice even when the coaches said he and the rest of the seniors didn’t have to. Yes the same Taylor that had a big bag hanging over his pants all year last season. It’s amazing to see so many players excited about conditioning and it seems to have helped their confidence greatly. This team truly believes they are the best conditioned team and that should give them a swagger unbelievable for a team that lost so much talent. Yes Barwis has gotten too much press this offseason. But buy into the hype, it is real. Mike Barwis’ intensity is contagious and this team should carry that from the weight room to the field.

The season is here!!! There's reason to believe!!!

Go Blue!!!

Michigan Preview 2008: Part 3-Receivers and Tight Ends

So, Kevin Newsome decommitted yesterday and that means he probably won’t be coming back. Come on down Tate or Eugene Smith. But, today is for the receivers and tight ends that Threet and/or Sheridan will be throwing to. The outside receivers won’t be looked to as much for big plays. Their role should be third down conversions so just hanging on to the football. The inside guys actually will have to be the big play threats after they get the ball in their hands. Speed is what those guys have and they will be dangerous after the quarterbacks get them the ball. Everyone is still wondering what Rodriguez will do with all these tight ends. He insists he will use them, since there are so many talented ones, and I’m starting to actually believe him a little bit, at least for this year. With a weak offensive line, the offense will need some extra bodies for blocking so expect tight ends to be in there often mainly to block. Also, since the offense has athletic tight ends like Butler and Webb, he will be able to use them for some quick 5-10 yard pick ups from time to time. I believe Rodriguez will make the most of what he has this year regardless if he really likes having tight ends or not.

Outside Receivers:

1. #13 Greg Matthews 6’3” 207 Jr. Orlando, FL (Edgewater)
Matthews really came along last season, especially towards the end of last year with 7 catches in the Capital One Bowl. He will be the top deep threat and third down target for the Wolverines this year. Matthews will have to have sure hands throughout the year for the Wolverine offense to stay on the field. While the freshmen and slot guys will be looked to for yards after the catch, Matthews will have to be that reliable guy who will pick up whatever yards are needed either down the field or across the middle. His experience from the last couple of seasons should pay off and he should be ready to be the go-to guy for this offense. He will have to also make some very tough catches with the raw quarterbacks this team will have. He is no Braylon Edwards, but some Edwards-esque catches will certainly help and might even be needed for this offense to be successful.

2. #22 Daryl Stonum 6’2” 190 Fr. Stafford, TX (Dulles)
Stonum was a highly touted recruit, was here early, and could make a big splash at outside wide receiver. He will be on the field a lot, being in the top two with Matthews. He was highly sought after as many know with the whole Urban Meyer being a complete scum and lying to Stonum in an effort to lure him to Florida after the coaching change. But Stonum stayed true and is loved by the coaches. He should be a legitimate deep threat and will be relied on to make some tough catches with the questionable quarterback situation. Matthews and Stonum will be forced to step up their game early either making spectacular plays on poorly thrown balls from the QBs (since there will be a lot of poorly thrown balls) or simply making sure defenders don’t pick them off. Stonum has the speed, size, athleticism, and hands to be a great outside threat. He should be fun to watch as the season progresses.

3. #21 Junior Hemingway 6’1” 214 So. Conway, SC (Conway)
Sidelined with an injury in the spring, Hemingway fell behind Daryl Stonum for that second spot at outside receiver. The fact that he played last year as a receiver and kick returner, plus his talent, pretty much ensures that he will see the field. He even got a couple of snaps from the quarterback spot against Penn State which is something Rodriguez certainly will not shy away from doing. He’s too talented to keep off the field when healthy, but he probably will not play as much as Matthews or Stonum. I think he will get to play a little bit of slot and outside receiver throughout the year and will have a chance to become a playmaker.

4. #16 Roy Roundtree 6’0” 154 Fr. Trotwood, OH (Trotwood-Madison)
Roundtree most likely will not be red-shirted, but I don’t see him playing as much as the other freshman. The coaches have said he’ll probably play on the outside and he is way too thin right now to play IMO. 154 is probably right on with how skinny he is (about as skinny as me). But he has impressed the coaches enough to be discussed for playing time and maybe he makes up for his size with speed, athleticism, and hands. Still, he isn’t getting as much buzz as the other guys and should get in a couple times a game. But I’m not expecting much production from him comparatively speaking.

5. #82 Laterryal Savoy 6’3” 210 RSJr. Mamou, LA (Mamou)
Playing with the twos on the outside, in the spring, Savoy was mentioned by Rodriguez as an experienced guy who he liked. However, not much has been said about Savoy since the spring. There were not really many newcomers to the outside spot, since Stonum was here in the spring. The only one really would be Roy Roundtree, if he is still playing with the outside guys. Savoy has played the last two years on special teams and has one career reception which came against Eastern last year. I would like to say Savoy will contribute positively as a backup, but I have to wonder if the reason he never played the last two years is because he simply isn’t good. We’ll see, but don’t expect much from Savoy offensively. On special teams he should have a chance to make an impact.

Inside (Slot) Receivers:

1a. #17 Toney Clemons 6’3” 201 So. New Kensington, PA (Valley)
Clemons was the number one slot guy in the spring and was the main target in that spring offense. He was the recipient of a lot of short passes where he would have to pick up a majority of the yards after the catch. Clemons has conceded that the freshmen, Odoms and Robinson, are faster than him and would beat him in a foot race any day. But, if Odoms and Robinson have trouble hanging onto the ball, Clemons certainly will be the guy the coaches look to for ball security. I expect to see Clemons in more on third and long situations where the offense needs someone to catch it beyond the sticks instead of making a big play after the catch. He should play plenty, but the big plays will most likely come from the freshmen and not him.

1b. #9 Martavious Odoms 5’9”171 Fr. Pahokee, FL (Pahokee)
Rodriguez said he, along with Shaw, McGuffie, and Robinson, will play as freshmen. The reason: speed. Odoms is extremely fast and will play often at the slot position. He will be one of the main guys the quarterbacks will try to get the ball to in open space, or on quick slants. If he gets going it will be tough for anybody to stop him. Odoms should rotate with Clemons and Robinson at that slot position with often times two of them out on the field at the same time. He has a chance to become a fan-favorite really early as this position is an intricate part of the offense and he can fly.

1c. #7 Terrence Robinson 5’9” 170 Fr. Klein, TX (Oak)
Robinson’s little preview is pretty much the exact same as Odoms; he is fast very fast. He played quarterback in high school even though he ran a majority of the time. Some of his highlights are unbelievable. He is extremely fast and he will also rotate at the slot position with Clemons and Odoms. This is based off of nothing really except the little I have seen of the freshmen, but I like Robinson a little more than Odoms coming in. He played in Texas and his highlights are simply more impressive than Odoms. Regardless, both are lightning fast, will be exciting to watch, and have a chance to become huge playmakers early.

2. McGuffie, Shaw, and other backs

3. #26 Zion Babb 6’1” 189 So. Montibello, CA (Alhambra)
Babb got some reps with the first and second team in the spring, mainly the second, and most of it was from the slot. With the incoming freshmen he’s screwed out of playing time at wide receiver, probably. But he could be a big contributor on kickoff coverage and punt coverage. Not something most people will see, but he played a lot of special teams last year and will try to impress the coaches there.

Tight Ends:

1a. #85 Carson Butler 6’5” 250 RSJr. Detroit, MI (Renaissance)
Butler is better known for dropping balls, holding calls, and off the field troubles with Carr, but is extremely athletic and talented, and will most likely split starting time at tight end with Massey. Butler’s athleticism will make him the pass target from the tight end spot and he could come up big in third down situations, if he hangs onto the ball. If Rodriguez does indeed try to use the tight ends, Butler might get the ball thrown his way often. Let’s just hope he decides to block and not hold.

1b. #83 Mike Massey 6’5” 225 5thSr. Brecksville, OH (St. Ignatius)
Although he has played for two and a half years (sat out most of last year with an injury) Massey has never been too impressive. Still, he has played a lot. IMO he will be used quite a bit as an extra blocker at the tight end spot. Again, this all hinges on whether or not Rodriguez will actually use the tight end spot, but I do think he will, especially for blocking. Therefore, Massey should split time with Butler, with Massey handling most of the blocking duties. But really there is no way of knowing what Rodriguez has in mind for this group.

2. #80 Martell Webb 6’4” 249 So. Pontiac, MI (Pontiac Northern)
Webb is a very athletic tight end who was recruited by many schools to be a wide receiver. When he came to Michigan though, Lloyd and co. made him gain 25 pounds and move to tight end. That kind of sucks for Webb now as Rodriguez might have used him at WR, but really doesn’t seem to have the affinity for tight ends. Still, Webb is very talented, playing in ten games as a freshman last year. He should play rotating in for Massey and Butler. If he’s improved his blocking he may play quite a bit. Otherwise, he will probably used to gain 5-10 yards receiving a few times throughout the year. I would say Rodriguez might use him as an outside wide receiver, but I don’t think he is nearly fast enough any more to play wide out. But with Barwis you never know.

3.? #86 Kevin Koger 6’4” 220 Fr. Toledo, OH (Whitmer)
Despite the thought that Rodriguez’s offense does not have a spot for tight ends, Rodriguez has mentioned Koger multiple times as a guy who he likes a lot and who will have a chance to play. I’m skeptical of this simply because Koger plays tight end and there are already three experienced guys at the spot. But the fact that Rodriguez likes him probably should not be ignored and might be a sign that he does want to use tight ends this year. Or, perhaps, Koger will be a special teams contributor. Or, he might like him, but redshirt him anyway. Nobody knows, but Koger is an athletic tight end who also plays very physically and blocks well. I doubt he could beat out the experienced guys but who knows.

RS: #88 Brandon Moore 6’6” 221 Fr. Trotwood, OH (Trotwood-Madison)
Moore was also a highly recruited tight end, but Rodriguez has not mentioned him as much as Koger. I expect him to be redshirted, but he has a lot of talent for the future. If Rodriguez does indeed start to include the tight end into his offense, Moore is someone to watch out for in the next few years. Not this year though.

The receivers, especially the slot guys, are going to have to be great after the catch in order for this offense to be successful. With a weak offensive line and very inexperienced quarterbacks, there will be a lot of quick few step drops and short throws to the receivers. If they can’t make something happen after the catch, let alone catch it, this offense will be lucky to score 10 to 17 points a game. If they can make plays after the catch, the offense could surprise a lot of people. They won’t be great, but could be good. Each group has its role and the outside guys are average right now and with balls that will be underthrown, overthrown, and thrown far to either side, they will have to become great at adjusting to the ball. Matthews has shown that potential, but never really has had to make plays on poorly thrown balls, while everyone is hoping Stonum will be able to. The tight ends also are pretty solid, but will probably be used mainly for blocking and sparingly for route-running.

Current Grade: B- The reason this is not higher is because, although we are expecting big things from the slot guys, they have no experience. Also, the offense lost its top two receivers from last year which does not help and we have not seen how Matthews will respond when being the go-to guy. Hopefully this improves as the year goes on, because if the receivers are dropping balls and not making plays with our terrible QB situation, the offense will not find the endzone. I expect this position to improve and be extremely exciting to watch especially with the young slot guys.

Tomorrow we’ll preview the O-line…again, YIKES.