2019 first look

Not a whole lot out of fall camp this year, since they're being a lot tighter with access and Sam Webb has a newborn. But I'll share what we've got.

The Sources:

I draw these bits from insiders who email me, stuff that gets posted on premium/open message boards, pressers from the program, and podcast/radio appearances, most notably Harbaugh's Attack Each Day pod, since he saves some good stuff they want to get out for that, and Jon Jansen's In the Trenches. I try to leave out opinions unless it's the opinion of a direct observer.

A hearty welcome to a relatively new poster who confusingly goes by "umgoblue11" who posted a thread filled with what I recognize as the chatter between former players, which won't surprise you is a lot like the chatter between MGoBlog readers. While he took pains to say he's not an insider, I guess some people are still going "Hey, stop pretending to be an insider." Anyway I haven't included most of that because—as the OP said numerous times—they're just opinions from guys who've been around the program, not news from inside Fort Schembechler.

Big thanks to 24/7's Josh Henschke for typing up Don Brown's presser, after I gave up trying to watch it through CBS's gawd-awful, unskippable 30-second ads-infested video of it. The Gattis one isnt' available yet but fortunately he went on Jansen's podcast.

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Quarterback

What we want to hear: Shea's the bomb. McCaffrey's the bomb. Everybody: the bomb.

What we're hearing: One of the insiders who emailed Brian said "McCaffrey is legit pushing Shea." On the other hand, Gattis said Shea's been awesome so far.

"I was a little bit worried about him coming into camp, because he spent so much time on the golf course this summer," Gattis told media Wednesday in Ann Arbor. "I wanted to see him more calling me and asking questions, but he’s playing lights out. He really is. It just stands out, his playmaking ability, ball placement, his footwork within the pocket. I’ve been really, really pleased. He’s playing at a really big-time level, and so he sets the standard and really pushes the bar high for our offense."

What it means: No change.

[After THE JUMP: a train job.]

1 hour and 54 minutes

We are at the Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown, which has nine or ten conference rooms depending on if we count Wisconsin’s loss to Rutgers in basketball.

We Couldn’t Have One Without the Other

We can do this because people support us. You should support them too so they’ll want to do it again next year! The show is presented by UGP & The Bo Store, and if it wasn’t for Rishi and Ryan we’d be sighing to ourselves.

Our other sponsors are also key to all of this: HomeSure Lending, Peak Wealth Management, Ann Arbor Elder Law, the Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown, the University of Michigan Alumni Association, Michigan Law Grad,Human Element, Lantana Hummus and new this week introducing Ecotelligent Homes

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1. The Bowl Game Happened, and Hey, a Basketball Game!

starts at 1:00

Hit Kenpom Time at 7 minutes, positive step forward for the program despite getting almost nothing from Mo and Matthews. Very different to want Z taking shots. Getting Robinson back to the bench, where he can be on the floor with Teske, is the best part of starting Livers. Typical Beilein team coming together, Teske earning equal time. Best shot at a tourney win is beat Purdue at home—RPI hell going to put a good team on the 10 line. RPI should please adopt hockey’s adjustment where if a win would lower your RPI they drop it. Does Poole need a Xanax or roll with it?

2. The Bowl Game Happened, We’ll Talk About It

starts at 32:14

Every quarterback who played this year regressed. Losing the mash brothers lost the running game. Standard crazy good D with a big safety crack on a slot fade. Not upset with the direction of the program; upset with the takes this year invited. No excuse for pass protection to be THIS bad.

3. Next Year

starts at 46:17

Defense returns Don Brown and 10-ish starters, with some backups in line for breakouts. One guy they lose is the best DT in program history but deeper team could murder a la 2016. Bring back two elite LBs with a lot of good backup options, and possibly the two best CBs in the country plus Ambry Thomas.

Offense seems pretty bad. Looks like another staff shakeup coming. RB should be fine, Ben Mason is fine at fullback, Gentry/McKeon will improve, get more from Eubanks and Wheatley. WRs won’t be all freshmen anymore. Interior OL has to get better at pass pro. Bredeson needs a jump next year since he doesn’t fit with the mash-you unit. Gotta find two tackles, can probably find at least one?

Special teams: Gotta find a punter, Nordin good.

4. Star Wars: The Last Jedi wsg Richard Hoeg of HoegLaw

starts at 1:13:28

One of our advertisers wrote a viral Star Wars take so we invited him on. Brian loathed The Force Awakens for making a 2016 remake of IV. Agree there was a Marvel-ish iconoclasm to it—this bothers Richard and Brian thinks this series badly needed it. Ryan Johnson got a crap sandwich and figured out a way to make the third movie not Return of the Jedi. Do you want Windsurfing Skywalker? Casino planet too ham-handed—important for plot because it sets up a bigger galaxy that hates the First Order.

MUSIC:

• “X”—Xzibit
• “Fiery Crash”—Andrew Bird
• “Star Wars Theme Kazoo Cover”—Morpeef
• “Across 110th Street”

THE USUAL LINKS

• Helpful iTunes subscribe link
• General podcast feed link
• Direct download link
• What's with the theme music?

Kylo-Ren. Kylo-Rey is like they’re now dating. You’re shipping them.