From Denarded re: saturday's scrimmage
From Denarded in the "There Are" thread. Now the 2nd individual calling out Fitz as standing out at RB.
Since there's not much recruiting updates I did catch a little bit of Michigan's scrimmage saturday a couple of info.
- Fitz and Shaw looked great, Shaw was running with a ton of rage, while Fitz probably had the best day out of all the runningbacks, hopefully they can stay healthy because they were forces.
- Rawls did not play, has a bum shoulder, but nothing serious, should be back this week.
- Desmond Morgan was playing WLB with the 1s, maybe a sleeper to start?
- Carvin had a big knee brace and was playing with the 2s. T-Gordon was with the ones next to Kovacs.
- Brink was starting at SDE, RVB has moved inside now.
- When Taylor Lewan pulls he is a very scary man, him and Shaw put poor Courtney Avery off his feet one play.
- J.T. Floyd lit up Koger on a tight end screen.
- Hawthorne made an interception yesterday off Gardner, while Carvin picked off Denard, but other than that the QBs looked solid.
- Did not see much of McColgan at Fullback, rather Steve Watson I believe is playing a little H-Back.
- Gallon looked like the most impressive wide out.
- Roy had a couple drops, hopefully that won't translate to the field again.
- Wile was making field goals effortlessly, looked like a veteran out there.
- The D was HITTING, man the helmets were cracking out there.
- All in all it was great to see the winged helmets on 12 days away!!
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^
the reason why he is not being mentioned is becaues he played sparingly with the 2's and saw work on special teams. I hardly saw him play at all and was watching pretty intently, it was an awesome atomsphere at the scrimmage though, I was next to Matt Godin and Taylor Lewan's dad (who is huge) for the duration.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
can go right here. Right below this post. Just hit "Reply" and let it stream
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
Seriously, please start a new thread just with your thoughts and observations from the scrimmage. This would be immensely interesting for all of us who are craving information about the weekend. Thanks!
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:32 AM ^
Also read via Rivals that Marvin Robinson was just blowing guys up.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
MOAR SCRIMMAGE INSIDERZ!!!!!!
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^
What happend to FormerWolv? I know he gave us a bunch of insider knowledge last year during this time and I saw him comment a few weeks back that was sort of implying he may do the same thing this year (maybe my optmisim read too much into his post though).
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 AM ^
In the little action Fitz has seen he's looked good. As long as he's been healthy it doesn't surprise me that his name is being mentioned...
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^
Please please please be healthy. I have been on the Touissant bandwagon from day 1. I am pretty surprised no one expects him to win the starting role. He has moves, power and speed. If he stays healthy, he is our best running back, I think.
I still think Shaw will get the start because of his experience. I don't think Hopkins or Rawls bring as much to the table as Shaw and Touissant.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^
If you're on Toussaint's bandwagon, you should know how to spell his name.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^
Sam Webb said this morning that as of right now, he thinks Brink would start over BWC.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^
got a crack at #1 SDE over VanBergan is a testament to the camp he is having so far...b/c that shouldn't happen on gameday. Also, I hope BWC can hold him off for DT b/c Brink is just not heavy enough. I can't see him taking VB's spot, but what this shows is that, hopefully, he has the ability to back up both spots on the line, which gives us flexibility and (!!!) DEPTH!
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
I don't think he was starting over RVB, but he got to play SDE cause Ryan might need to fill the hole at DT.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
Sam said his guess is that the starting line as of today would be Roh at WDE, Martin at the 1-tech, RVB at the 3-tech, and Brink at SDE.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
Cliff Notes that I got from the scrimmage
- Defense looks great at times, other times not so much, Denard sometimes carves them up and other times they flat out shut him down (d had 4 picks in the scrimmage)
- Kovacs has locked up a starting position (for now) Marvin Robinson had 4 monster hits that pumped up the D, but until he can be in the right spot at the right time he will not be an every down player
- Demens has been THE MAN, but was flat out run over by Shaw (yay!!) in the scrimmage, observers say something has finally clicked and he is playing well
- Freshman who WILL play, Morgan, Clark, Countess (competing to start) and Beyer
- BWC was solid in the scrimmage but if season started today Brink is your starter
- Incase you are a mongoloid and havent realized is already, Denard is fast, he should have a monster year and is really learning that when a play breaks down to tuck and run.
- Gallon "has been incredible lately" and looks jacked, has been really good after the catch
- Other receivers that looked good were Roundtree, Hemmingway, Jeremy Jackson, and Dileo
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
You forgot to mention that Countess had a pick-six to end the scrimmage.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:23 AM ^
Pick six. I almost forgot what that was.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^
Also known as "TAINT" - touchdown after interception. I believe this term was agreed upon at some point last year.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^
I know of something else known as "TAINT". I like this one way more.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^
Nice summary of the Rivals material
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
I realize Countess is freshman, and it's not the best situation to have a freshman start, etc. etc. However, after two years of having the top CB prospect of the class (Turner and Christian) fail to live up to expectations, I am very excited to hear that so far Countess is on track to be a productive, and perhaps even star player. It is a much welcome change.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
I'm okay with Freshman starters if they're just that good. It's scary when Cam Gordon switches positions to start the season at safety as a RS Freshman because there isn't another option.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^
At least we had Avery who was not as hyped as Turner or Christian, but preformed adequately as a freshman.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:35 AM ^
Think you could find a different word than "mongoloid" next time? This is an out dated word with negative connotations to it. As someone with a mentally disabled family member I find it insulting. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that maybe you thought it was funny, without realizing the negativity some feel towards that word
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^
and I have never even heard that word.
Stop hypersensitive political correctness.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
It is an older word, not typically used to day as it is considered derogatory. It typically has to do with people that have Downs Syndrome. It was used to describe them as they have the same epicanthic fold of the eyelid that most Asian peoples have. It is not a term I would have people use in 2011.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
Beat me to it..
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:27 AM ^
Probably a good word to let die off then.
Respeck.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:10 PM ^
Jump to 1:24 (I can't figure out how to link to the time with an embedded video). Great series, in case you don't know it.
Edit: Just to clarify, I mean no disrespect to anyone with a mental disability of any kind, I just love Extras and Stephen Merchant's obliviousness. And the male co-host biting on the challenge is awesome too. Check out the very end of the clip, if you're interested.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
I think of mongoloid as a term so outdated and old-timey that it really has ceased to be offensive.
I first came across the term in "Confederacy of Dunces" ... I believe Ignatius drafts some business correspondence to someone as [Name], mongoloid, esq.
Anyway, if hardly anyone still knows what the hell the word means, it seems a stretch to deem it offensive, IME.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^
Matt Dillon's character refers to a "retarded" kid named "Mongo" to show how unaware he is of the proper nomenclature of our time. Pretty funny but only because the joke is on Matt Dillon for being so stupid. Maybe some still don't find it funny...
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^
If they'd dominated like they did in the spring, everyone would be concerned about the O. Denard should carve up a defense, even a good one. I'll take what I'm hearing so far.
Kovacs/Robinson, Woolfolk/Avery/Floyd/Countess, Carvin/Gordon, Gordon/Ryan, Roh/Black... we have some depth. We even have a few LB's
What position is Clark playing?
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^
They are using him as a rush defensive end. I suspect mostly WDE.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
Clark is up in the air, but it looks like he'll join Roh / Black as rush end.
I would be careful with your groupings there. My best guess for current D depth chart:
DL: Martin (S), RVB (S), Roh (S) - BWC, Black, Brink, Q as rotators
LB: Demens (S), C. Gordon (S), and...??? Des Morgan? Mike Jones? I don't know. Ryan gets some good PT I am sure.
DB: Woolfolk (S - though whether CB or FS remains to be seen), Kovacs (S), Avery, Floyd, T. Gordon, Countess, Robinson, Johnson
I think this should be a decent defense this year if Woolfolk, Martin, and Demens stay healthy. I am inclined to say Demens is the most important, but that could easily be Martin or TWoolf.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
DB: Woolfolk (S - though whether CB or FS remains to be seen), Kovacs (S), Avery, Floyd, T. Gordon, Countess, Robinson, Johnson
wait... we can play 8 DBs? WHY DID WE NOT DO THIS LAST YEAR?
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
We ran a 3-3-5, right?
/s
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
Because we didn't have 8 DBs?
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:02 PM ^
Hawthorne might figure into the WLB spot.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
Is there any word on someone actually being a competant punt returner this season?
Returning punts the last couple years has caused me just as much stress as the field goal kicking.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 AM ^
Wow, you read the Rivals premium info and regurgitated it all here. Hooray for you.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
Shaw has been taking lessons from Brandon Minor.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^
Toussaint is someone I've been wanting to see since he was a freshman. I'd really like to see him fighting with Cox to be in the mix behind Shaw. Guys are going to get dinged up, so a solid rotation doesn't bother me one bit.
Really I think we have a lot of guys that should be solid, we just haven't seen it yet either due to injury or youth. Looking forward to seeing how things play out.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:14 AM ^
Great to hear Morgan is doing so well. I really think this kid will impress even more in game situaltions if he can get some time, which it sounds like he very well might.
Having watched him play since he was a sophmore in HS I've been impressed all along. I think he'll be a classic Michigan linebacker that we'll all enjoy watching for years to come.
Great work Des, keep it up.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
Glad Shaw is running with rage.
I appreciate not having to comment on the blog with it.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
only thing I'll mention is talk of a true frosh running with the 1s at Will.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:35 AM ^
I don't have a Scout membership but this is obviously Des Morgan. It is mentioned in the OP. Nice try there, though, slick.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
Woop, not intentional. Well if the OP didn't get his info from there, then at least I can say it seems there is little conflict in information.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
My insider info tells me a running back whose name sounds like Titz Foussaint is looking "solid."
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^
Or does "Titz Foussaint" sound like a stripper from the 70s? Or maybe a Bond Girl?