2009 Michigan Wolverines Season Discussion

[MattC87]

Five post-spring questions for the Big Ten - Big Ten - ESPN

5. Will Michigan be back this fall? The Wolverines likely are a year away from being back in the Big Ten title picture, but they must rebound from a disastrous 2008 campaign. Many of the pieces appear to be in place on offense, but all eyes will once again be on the quarterback position this summer. If the running game and the defense make expected progress, Michigan should be able to get back on the right side of .500.

[MattC87]

Football Friday: Michigan - Illinois Fighting Illini Sports Football News - IlliniHQ.com

MICHIGAN

Spring game attendance: 50,000

Spring MVP: Tate Forcier. The freshman quarterback from California enrolled early, hoping to pick up Rich Rodriguez's spread offense. Apparently, he got it. In the final scrimmage, he hit 10 of 13 passes for 133 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another 43 yards. The Michigan offense under Rodriguez won't work without a great quarterback. This might be the guy.

What they're saying: "Tate's more than ready. The No. 1 thing you need as a quarterback is confidence, moxie, the swagger to come out and fight. He won't back down from anyone. I think that's the best part about him. I know he's going to do well," Tate Forcier's older brother Jason, a former Michigan quarterback, told the Ann Arbor News.

What I'm thinking: Even if the offense gets fixed (and it sounds like Forcier will be an improvement over Steven Threet), what about the defense? The 2008 unit gave up a school-record 347 points. Greg Robinson takes over as defensive coordinator after failing as a head coach at Syracuse. Maybe he's a guy who is best when he isn't in charge of the whole thing. He did good work in the NFL and in college as a defensive coordinator. He'll have more talent at Michigan than he ever dreamed of having with the Orange. Word from Michigan is that the returning players jumped on board with Robinson and that the rest of the staff likes his work. Robinson is stressing fundamentals to the defense. Based on watching the Wolverines in 2008 that's a good thing.

[MattC87]

Diagnosing 2009: Big Ten

Michigan
Coach: Rich Rodriguez
Returning Starters: 14(10 offense/4 defense)
Most Important Player: Tate Forcier/QB
Breakout Player: Brandon Minor/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Denard Robinson/RB,WR,QB

Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Western Michigan
Sept. 12, 2009 Notre Dame
Sept. 19, 2009 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 26, 2009 Indiana
Oct. 3, 2009 at Michigan State
Oct. 10, 2009 at Iowa
Oct. 17, 2009 Delaware St.
Oct. 24, 2009 Penn State
Oct. 31, 2009 at Illinois
Nov. 7, 2009 Purdue
Nov. 14, 2009 at Wisconsin
Nov. 21, 2009 Ohio State

Forecast:
After a horrendous start for new head coach Rich Rodriguez in 2008, the Wolverines hope to make some progress in 2009. It looks like talented freshman Tate Forcier will be the QB(unless Denard Robinson can unseat him in the fall), and that's a much needed upgrade. The offense should be led by RB Brandon Minor, the unquestioned best player on this UM offense. The WR crew is loaded with raw speed and elusive bodies; Martavious Odoms, Terrance Robinson, Denard Robinson, Junior Hemingway, and Roy Roundtree should all see action. The O-Line is a patch work unit that will have to grow up quickly. The defense, the biggest disappointment last year, should be led by CB Donovan Warren and DE Brandon Graham. With new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson in the mix and a lot more talent on offense I would be surprised if Michigan didn't make a bowl game in 2009.

Top 10 Players

6. Brandon Graham/Michigan

On The Rise

Donovan Warren/CB/Michigan

Immediate Impact

Denard Robinson/ATH/Michigan
Tate Forcier/QB/Michigan
William Campbell/DT/Michigan
Jeremy Gallon/ATH/Michigan
Craig Roh/DE/Michigan

This site lists Michigan State LB Greg Jones as the Big 10's best player. Uh, yeah, about that.

[MattC87]

Ex-quarterback Threet gives starting nod to Sheridan in spread offense | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Steven Threet started nine games at quarterback for Michigan in 2008. He has since transferred to Arizona State, but offered his thoughts on this year's quarterback race and the U-M offense.

The competition is between veteran Nick Sheridan, freshman Tate Forcier, who participated in spring practice, and freshman Denard Robinson, who will arrive next month. If Jason Forcier, Tate's brother, becomes eligible as a graduate student, he also could enter the mix.

Continued...

I disagree, Steven.

[MattC87]

Spring Game unofficial boxscore - College Football - Rivals.com

[MattC87]

Who emerged in the Big Ten this spring? - Big Ten - ESPN

MICHIGAN

Offense
Vincent Smith RB, Fr. -- The bite-size Smith (5-foot-6, 158) stood out in a crowded offensive backfield, showcasing tremendous speed and agility.

Defense
Stevie Brown, S/LB, Sr. -- The hybrid role in coordinator Greg Robinson's defense suits Brown, who won the Meyer Morton Award as the senior who made the most progress during spring drills.

Is this the year where Stevie Brown finally parlays a great spring into a good season? Eh, probably not.

[MattC87]

Ranking the Big Ten: Brandon Minor, No. 22 - Big Ten - ESPN

No. 22

Brandon Minor, RB, Michigan, Sr., 6-1, 216

Why he's here -- Minor emerged as a bright spot for an otherwise miserable Michigan offense last season and enters 2009 pegged as one of the Big Ten's best running backs. Despite battling a wrist injury that literally forced him to play left-handed, Minor came on strong during conference play and led Michigan with 533 rush yards and nine touchdowns.

He racked up 117 rush yards and two touchdowns against a Penn State defense that ranked eighth nationally against the run. Minor followed up two weeks later with 155 rush yards and three touchdowns against Purdue.

Michigan is a year older along the offensive line, and Minor leads a stable of running backs that should be the team's strength this fall. If he gets any help from the quarterback and the passing game, Minor could be in the mix for All-Big Ten honors.

[MattC87]

Wolverines running back Kevin Grady jailed for seven days after several probation violations - Michigan Wolverines Football: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio & Video - MLive.com

WYOMING -- Kevin Grady, the former East Grand Rapids football standout and a University of Michigan player, is in jail for seven days after violating his probation on a 2008 drunken driving conviction.

Continued...

Bye.

[MattC87]

U-M's Greg Robinson breaks down some of his defenders | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Since being hired in January, Greg Robinson has had time to evaluate his defensive players through film work, offseason conditioning and spring ball.

Here he breaks down some of his defenders

Continued...

[MattC87]

U-M's Greg Robinson a natural fit | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Monte Kiffin fully admits he had little idea whom he was hiring.

As North Carolina State's new coach before the 1980 season, he needed a linebackers coach and looked to defensive coordinator Pete Carroll for recommendations.

Continued...

[MattC87]

Rich Rod on grades, mass murder and '09 | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez gave a speech Monday in Washington, D.C., to 350 alumni, plus athletic director Bill Martin and other coaches.

During his 5-minute, 40-second speech -- which can be found on YouTube -- he addressed a number of topics:

He said that when the final few player grades come in, the team could have its highest grade-point average for a semester in 25 years.

Continued...

[MattC87]

ESPN columnist names U-M's Smith as 'recruiter to watch' | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

In his column today, espn.com's JC Shurburtt named Michigan quarterbacks coach Rod Smith as a "recruiter to watch." Here's his writeup on Smith:

The Wolverines recruit nationally, and Smith is a true national recruiter. He is in on multiple prospects in Florida and California, arguably the two best states for talent production in the country.

"I would say that coach Smith is one of the best recruiters in the country," running back Brennan Clay (San Diego/Scripps Ranch) said. "I look at him more as a mentor and a friend. He's one of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met. He doesn't just recruit you because of your talent, but because of what you are made of, what's in your heart as a true person."

[MattC87]

U-M's Rodriguez: Grady's status with team uncertain | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez said this morning he has not determined Kevin Grady's status with the Wolverines.

Continued...

[MattC87]

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NCAA Football stats, scores, standings, and blogs from NCAA Football columnists

Michigan (2-6, 3-9)
Quarterback remains a wild card, but the Wolverines are as solid at running back as any team in the conference. Carlos Brown, who finally seems to have shaken his history of nagging injuries, had a big spring. He could be a nice backup to likely starter Brandon Minor and also could get snaps behind center as part of a wildcat-type formation.

[MattC87]

Charles Woodson wants U-M to win again, beat OSU | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

For Charles Woodson, simply being an outstanding NFL cornerback isn't enough.

He wants to retain pride in his school, something that was difficult last season when Michigan finished 3-9.

"For me, it's just about winning," Woodson said Sunday at the Brian Griese/Steve Hutchinson, soon-to-be Woodson, golf tournament. "I don't care what happens or how it gets done. I just want Michigan to win again. I take a beating during the season at work in the locker room with something being said about Michigan. So I want to get back on top."

Continued...

There's gotta be a loophole where we can get Charles another year of eligibility, right?