Can we just FF to Sept 3rd already!? It has been a long time since I've been this excited to see Michigan Football hit the field again.
I have a new Harley Softail in my garage...fall can wait awhile.
I have a swimming pool that I haven't opened yet.. (and a couple hot neighbors who swim in it) so hush your mouth
Yup. That is a very good article. Learned a lot, hopefully what he was saying about Ahmir Mitchell comes true during the season
Totally agree. Maybe the best article I've read on the practices thus far. Thanks OP!
Not sure the team needs Mitchell to play this season if Chesson,Darboh, and Harris remain healthy. Also have Mo Ways who has reportedly looked good giving 4 outside recievers. With Perry at the slot and a host of TEs, not sure you need to burn the RS on Mitchell. Unless they like him there for next year and want to get him some game time to take over once Chesson and Darboh are gone.
Agreed. I think if Michigan needs anything at receiver, it's a slot guy who can catch some bubble screens or maybe bust a seam or wheel route. Perry is more of a possession guy. Michigan could use someone like Nate Johnson, Eddie McDoom, or maybe Kekoa Crawford to work in the slot.
Agree with you but don't forget Ways. He might be in front of Harris. Ways is more like Darboh and what it appears Mitchell is.
Definitely thought you said Nike, so I was really confused when I opened the link.
I enjoyed the read. Nothing unexpected or earth shattering, which is reassuring. Brandon Peters looking fluid and composed is welcome news. With virtually the entire offense returning, save the QB position, there probably won't be a ton of interesting news to find on that side of the ball. I'm really excited to see how inexperienced players like Lawrence Marshall, Shelton Johnson, Reuben Davis, and Mike McCray are progressing.
Shelton Johnson is apparently still a rail (I think Baumgardner said that yesterday). Hopefully Tolbert will help him gain weight.
Harbaugh's so focused on getting his quarterbacks to understand what they're seeing, why a certain play is designed the way it is while also showing them every type of obstacle they might face from snap to snap. His ability to coach anticipation at that position is elite.
I would really enjoy seeing some of these drills in person one day as this has to be just a great moment of teaching for not only the QBs participating in the drills, but potentially for anyone looking for inspiration when it comes to powerful ways to impart knowledge gained through experience. There is definitely a vibe of "doing it right" in that regard and we've already had the opportunity to see a bit of it just in last year's performance.
mentality with this team. A totally purpose-driven culture. I think these guys would all follow Harbaugh and this staff into battle anywhere, any time. This kind of work ethic and focus is what wins championships.
Is Bush really 6' tall? Seems like Nick was being honest about weights at least, so he probably wouldn't be overly generous on purpose. But if DBJ is 6' tall that's awesome (either way, he's gonna be great hopefully)
There are varying theories on quarterback gurus. Some claim they help. Some claim they hurt. Personally, I have seen some significant growth with quarterbacks who work with QB coaches in the off-season. I've seen kids increase their completion percentage 10-15 percentage points in one off-season. I've seen kids go from throwing ducks one-third of the time to rarely throwing them.
I would take Baumgardner's thoughts with a grain of salt. I'm not sure exactly how much he knows about QB mechanics, how to read defenses, etc. and how to apply that when he sees QBs on the field.
I'm sure a lot depends on the actual guru.
I remember when Tate Forcier was a freshman, and thinking the advanced coaching must have really helped him. But then with a guy like Speight, it seems as though the main benefiit from the guru coaching was in the recruiting phase.
I think coaching is always helpful from someone that knows the position and also knows how to coach... Those are two very different things.
I do think there is a thing such as "Over coaching" The game is still about some things you can't teach. "A Feel" for the game that only comes with playing.
One thing I think a "guru" for a high school QB can really help with is the early stages of watching film. The earlier you start watching it the smoother the transition from high shcool to college is. Things to improve the IQ and not just the physical skills.
The same thing can be said for any other freshman. Most freshman really struggle after the first game and before the bowl game. The aded school work, the changes to the playbook or calls from week to week, etc really hold most freshman back.
A coach at a young age that pushes footbal IQ is someone that can really help.
I think we'll see a couple variations of Michigan's base defense under Don Brown. If Michigan State comes out in 21 or 12 or 22 personnel, we're probably not going to line up in a 4-2-5 defense with Peppers playing SAM. I think people are making too much of this "change" for Peppers. My take is that he is going to do a lot of what he did last year, but now he'll be called a SAM rather than being referenced as a safety or nickel corner.
When Peppers is out of the game, someone like Noah Furbush or Carlo Kemp can play SAM against those bigger personnel groupings.