2008 Michigan Wolverines

[wadc45]

ESPN - Rittenberg: Big Ten notebook - College Football

Michigan hopes to get Carlos Brown back before the end of spring practice after the running back broke a finger lifting weights two weeks ago. Brown, expected to compete with Brandon Minor and Kevin Grady for the starting running back job, missed three games last season after breaking his hand in preseason practice.

Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez called Brown's broken finger "a freak accident" and said Brown would have auditioned at both running back and slot receiver. Brown also might have seen snaps at quarterback, the position he played in high school. Fortunately for the Wolverines, Grady is participating in practice after redshirting last season with a torn ACL.

[wadc45]

Rodriguez lost in transition

Thursday, April 3, 2008
New U-M coach must remain strong and do things his own way, former coaches say.
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- The recent coaching transition isn't the first in the Michigan football program's history, and it won't be the last.

That does not mean Rich Rodriguez's first few months on the job have not been without inherent challenges.

A week ago, two days after Rodriguez announced the Wolverines' most experienced offensive lineman, Justin Boren, had decided to leave the team, Boren issued a stinging, pointed statement.

Continued...

U-M coach might rotate QBs

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- Two could be better than one. Three could be even better than two.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, far from deciding his offensive personnel for the upcoming season, said he's not opposed to running multiple quarterbacks this fall.

"Some say if you have two quarterbacks, you don't really have any," Rodriguez said Thursday after practice. "I don't believe that. If you've got two quarterbacks good enough to win with, you play both. If I have one good enough to win with, I play one, if I have three, I play three."

Continued...

[wadc45]

U-M offensive coordinator: On QBs Nick Sheridan, Steven Threet and more | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee met with reporters following Saturday's spring scrimmage and talked about a variety of offense-related questions. Here's what he had to say:

On Nick Sheridan:

Nick’s been coming along all spring as the other quarterbacks, he’s gotten a lot of reps. You wish you could cut down on some of the mental mistakes but he’s coming along fine.

On the fullback usage:

Fullback’s a big part of the offense, all positions are. So everybody has to be ready to play and make plays. You saw today how we used the fullback. We’ve got a good one in Mark Moundros, I think he’s going to be a hell of a player.

Continued...

[wadc45]

Steven Threet: U-M QB speaks out on competition, running the option | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

FREE PRESS STAFF • April 16, 2008

Redshirt freshman QB Steven Threet spoke to reporters following last Saturday’s spring game at Saline High school. Here’s some of what he had to say:

On throwing deep:

The deeper timing routes are just something you’ve got to get used to so that’s something we’ll definitely work on in the summer.

On his leg:

It’s getting better. It’s pretty good right now. It was good enough to play with but I don’t know if I’ll say it’s 100%.

Continued...

Morgan Trent: On Terrance Taylor's lack of playing time, the QB race and no free weights

FREE PRESS STAFF • April 16, 2008

Senior cornerback Morgan Trent spoke to reporters following last Saturday’s spring game at Saline High school. Here’s some of what he had to say:

On who will be QB:

I have no idea to be honest with you, I really don’t. It’s great competition. All of them are playing great. I don’t think anybody could tell you, I don’t think Coach Rod could tell you.

On Terrance Taylor:

It’s kind of whatever. They just move him around. I wouldn’t read too much into that. Come August 30th I’m sure you’ll see him out there.

Continued...

Nick Sheridan: U-M QB speaks out on competition, being a walk-on | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

FREE PRESS STAFF • April 16, 2008

Walk-on QB Nick Sheridan spoke to reporters following last Saturday’s spring game at Saline High school. Here’s some of what he had to say:

On the QB competition:

That’s what you come to Michigan for, you don’t want to shy away from competition. Every day in practice it’s definitely cool and I think everyone’s having a good time with it. I hope they wouldn’t name a starter after 15 practices. This summer’s going to be big not just for the quarterbacks but the whole offense and the whole team so I’m not bothered by that.

On coach Carr’s advice on walking on:

He said, “I’m sure you’re going to have some guys who are going to recruit you” but at what level I wasn’t sure. I thought about that before he asked me and I was fortunate enough to get that opportunity.

Continued...

Troy Woolfolk/Stevie Brown: On U-M's new philosophy, speed and more | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

FREE PRESS STAFF • April 16, 2008

Secondary members Troy Woolfolk and Stevie Brown spoke to reporters following last Saturday’s spring game at Saline High school. Here’s some of what they had to say:

Troy Woolfolk

On his position on the team:

I’m the third corner right now, so I’m just trying to work my way up.

On scoring the TD:

I loved it, it was something I really needed to get the stress off my back. I was just worrying about trying my best out there and trying hard but when I did that I just got more comfortable in the game and could play my best for the day.

Continued...

[wadc45]

TheWolverine.com - Hutchinson likes defensive ends' 2008 potential

Former Michigan All-American defensive lineman Chris Hutchinson knows what it takes to bring down the quarterback, and in fifth-year senior Tim Jamison and junior Brandon Graham he sees two Wolverine defenders with a chance to put up huge numbers this fall …

A 220-pound lineman out of Houston, Hutchinson arrived at U-M just hoping to contribute in some way. In his sophomore season, he started seven games and he was a full-time starter in 1991 and 1992. As a senior, Hutchinson tied Mark Messner's single-season sack record with 11. That mark stood for four years before David Bowens (1995-96) notched 12 in 1996. LaMarr Woodley (2003-06) tied the record-setting mark in 2006

Continued...

[wadc45]

Scout.com: 2008 CFN Michigan Preview

Scout.com: 2008 Michigan Preview - Offense

Scout.com: 2008 Michigan Preview - Defense

Scout.com: 2008 Michigan Preview - Depth Chart

National writer: There's 'no justifiable reason' Michigan should be in top 25 | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

ESPN - Coaches poll out, five Big Ten teams in - Big Ten

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Sorry I'm a little late with this -- spent most of the morning delayed at O'Hare Airport (big shocker) -- but the preseason coaches' poll came out earlier today, and the Big Ten tied both the SEC and Big 12 for the most teams [5] in the initial rankings. So much for the league being down, right?

Here's the rundown of the rankings:

No. 3 Ohio State (tied for second place in first-place votes with 14)
No. 12 Wisconsin
No. 19 Illinois
No. 22 Penn State
No. 24 Michigan

Not many surprises except for the last team on the list. Either the coaches really respect Rich Rodriguez, regard unproven talent extremely highly or put Michigan in the poll based off the program's history. I'll go with the third option.

I'm not big on preseason polls to begin with, but there's really no justifiable reason to put Michigan in the top 25 before seeing it play a game. The Wolverines lost their record-setting quarterback, their record-setting running back, two dynamic receivers and four starters from the offensive line. That sounds an awful lot like what Notre Dame dealt with following the 2006 season. I'm not saying Michigan will struggle nearly to the extent Notre Dame did last fall, especially with Rodriguez as its coach, but the personnel situations run parallel.

The coaches got it right with Ohio State, a team I also rank at No. 3. Wisconsin might be a little higher than it should be, given the uncertainty at quarterback and all the injuries this spring. Illinois and Penn State seem about even going into the season, somewhere in the 18-23 range. Both teams boast plenty of talent on defense and some promising skill players on offense, but both have questions in the backfield (running back for Illinois, quarterback for Penn State).

The Bulletin: USF Sports | Tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times: Archives

July 29, 2008

Leavitt: 'I wish Rich would have stayed'

USF coach Jim Leavitt can say this because he knows he probably isn't playing Michigan anytime soon, but I'll put this up against any zinger you'll read out of Newport today. Here's what Leavitt had to say when he was asked about new West Virginia coach Bill Stewart:

"He's got a great reputation, because he is who he is. He's a down-to-earth, good person, loves the game. ... The people who wonder on how he'll be (compared) with Rich are nuts. This guy's probably better than Rodriguez. I'm worried about him. We beat Rodriguez. We haven't gotten this guy. This guy worries me. I wish Rich would have stayed. But he didn't, so we'll have to go play Michigan now."

Continued...

The Wolverine offensive line: Almost no experience, a ton of hope | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

BY MARK SNYDER • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • August 4, 2008

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez has long contended that the essential piece in the spread offense is the quarterback.

He has to make the snap decisions and then execute.

But that is not a solitary fate. If he gets no protection, then most of that becomes meaningless. For that reason, the offensive line might be as important -- and as uncertain -- as any position group on the Wolverines.

Fortunately for U-M, which starts fall practice today, a number of the players stood out in the spring.

The first fall depth chart, released by U-M at last week's Big Ten meetings, listed Mark Ortmann at left tackle, Tim McAvoy at left guard, David Moosman at center, Cory Zirbel at right guard and Stephen Schilling at right tackle.

Continued...

[wadc45]

Rich Rodriguez's first U-M practice | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

August 5, 2008

Construction workers laid cinder block at the new indoor practice facility for Michigan's football team Monday afternoon. Several months after breaking ground, the first wall of the 100,000-square-foot, $26-million complex was taking shape.

In its immense shadow were the players and coaches of the program, holding their first preseason practice on the outdoor field adjacent to the budding behemoth.

On the outdoor field, the architect of the new design couldn't stand still. Rich Rodriguez was running, from receivers to quarterbacks to punters and back, blowing his whistle, even leading his players in exercise drills. At one point, the new coach dropped to the field to do a push-up.

Continued...

U-M grooves in 1st practice | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

August 4, 2008

Inside the gates at Schembechler Hall:

As soon as Michigan football opened its doors for the 2008 football season, Motown was blasting as the players had the workout music reverberating in their ears. "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch" was the debut tune for the first period. External relations/administrative assistant Dusty Rutledge manned the golf cart, playing DJ.

Immediately, the sights were intriguing.

• Suspended tailback Kevin Grady, who was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated on July 2 and faces a trail date on Aug. 14, was participating in practice along with the other players.

• The numbers on the jerseys were a little bit shorter and a little bit wider under the new Adidas material. The thinner men – including defensive lineman Terrance Taylor – were a noticeable shift in the tight-fitting jerseys.

Continued...

Rodriguez very pleased with freshman skill position players | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

BY MARK SNYDER • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • August 5, 2008

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he plans to use many of the skill players -- wide receiver, running backs and tight ends -- interchangeably so the team has flexibility at various spots.

Given the athletic ability of the incoming class, that seems a legitimate option.

"What I was really pleased with was the freshman skill guys, particularly on offense," Rodriguez said about Monday's practice. "I think there's going to be a handful -- five, six or seven true freshmen who were picking things up pretty good for the first day."

Among those he identified were Martavious Odoms, Terrance Robinson, Sam McGuffie, Michael Cox and Michael Shaw.

NOTEBOOK: Wide receiver Junior Hemingway and lineman Elliott Mealer were the only players restricted at practice because of injury . Mealer may not practice during the preseason. ...

Defensive lineman Terrance Taylor on this year's opening day vs. past ones: "It was harder than what we did under coach (Lloyd) Carr. It was just faster, there was no breaks. We couldn't take our helmets off, we couldn't take a knee."... Rodriguez's camp schedule involves lifting in the mornings, then afternoon practices, before a padded practice Friday and two-a-day workouts beginning Saturday. He said he will emphasize team bonding in the evenings. ... Rodriguez confirmed freshman long snapper George Morales is on scholarship and working out with the team even though he wasn't on the initial roster released last week. ...

On Michigan's No. 24 ranking in the first coaches' poll released last week: "Who cares?" Rodriguez said with a smile. "We already sold all our tickets."

Rich Rodriguez: Quarterback competition may extend throughout the season | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

BY MARK SNYDER • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • August 5, 2008

Quarterbacks Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan spent time this summer working on new coach Rich Rodriguez's spread offense and applying what they learned in the spring.

"There's a lot of different things Steve and I worked on," said Sheridan, whom Rodriguez identified as having a very good practice Monday. "We worked hard on the different techniques and footwork."

Monday was also the debut for freshman Justin Feagin, the wild-card contender to start because of his athletic ability.

Continued...

U-M, MSU embark on fresh starts

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Big Ten EXTRA
U-M, MSU embark on fresh starts
Enthusiasm high for Rodriguez's first practice
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- With Motown music doubling as crowd noise, blaring from a large speaker atop a golf cart, and the sun blazing Monday afternoon on the outdoor field behind Oosterbaan Fieldhouse, the Rich Rodriguez Era officially began.

Rodriguez has been on board as Michigan's head coach since mid-December, and while he's gone through recruiting and spring practice with the Wolverines, this is his first full-team camp. The opening practice was spirited and tough, and no one seems to mind that the national "experts" don't think much of Michigan's chances this fall.

Continued...

Michigan's new tune: Rodriguez excited after first day of practice - Michigan Wolverines Football: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio & Video - MLive.com

Michigan's new tune: Rodriguez excited after first day of practice
by John Heuser | The Ann Arbor News
Tuesday August 05, 2008, 9:11 AM

The sound, at least, was golden oldies all the way.

As the University of Michigan football team's training camp opened on Monday afternoon, external relations and administrative assistant Dusty Rutledge maneuvered his way around the practice field on a golf cart outfitting with a sound system.

While the speaker on top blared Motown favorites such as The Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" to create a noisy game-day-like atmosphere, the players zipped around the new artificial turf surface, quarterbacks pitched the ball left and right, receivers darted this way and that.

Continued...

ESPN - Michigan reserve RB Grady practices but remains suspended for games - College Football

Updated: August 4, 2008, 7:56 PM ET

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Reserve running back Kevin Grady participated in Michigan's first preseason practice Monday but remains suspended for games, coach Rich Rodriguez said.

Grady had been suspended following a July 2 arrest for drunken driving and initially wasn't allowed to work out with the team. But the junior has regained those privileges, even though his legal case is not yet resolved.

Continued...