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Friday Morning Notes
So week 2 of practice is over – what have we learned? Denard Robinson is showing some folks that he sure can play – and he’s making it happen on the practice field. In looking at some practice notes you’ll consistently see that Denard is making big plays everyday. I would still say Tate is the starter come September 5th. I prefer not to entertain the thought of Sheridan starting that game – don’t want to go there. The running back depth chart seems to go in this order: Minor, Brown, Smith / Grady / Shaw. The other Grady, Kelvin Grady, is continuing to impress coaches as his speed and good hands are going to contribute to the offensive production on the field this year. The Defense seems to be coming along – but a bit harder to gauge than that of the offense. Let’s face it – if Michigan can come close to having a positive turnover ratio – the team is already a huge step ahead of the team last year.
Here are some news, notes and happenings from the past couple days…
- In a Freep.com article it sounds like the offense is producing bigger plays more often in this camp than last year. And my reaction? THANK GOD because improvements on the offensive side of the ball is critical to the success of this years team. Having two quarterbacks that can make something happen when the play breaks down is a huge difference relative to having zero. RR on big plays..
“I think there has been,” he said, referring to the mgoblue.com reports of a few 60-plus-yard runs from quarterback Denard Robinson, plus long passing plays from all three quarterbacks. “There’s been a few more explosive plays offensively, and I think part of it is due to guys executing a little bit better, and part of it is due to the skill sets of some of the guys who are doing it.”
- Brandon Minor is geared and jacked up for his best season as a Wolverine. He’s finally first on the depth chart and has his body to a point where he can go full throttle. Assuming Minor runs in a similar manner to that of the Penn State game in 2008 – his statement shouldn’t be all that surprising…
“Very physical play,” said the 6-foot-1, 218-pounder. “I don’t want to put numbers out there, but you can expect a real aggressive, physical game.”
- Here are Wednesday’s practice notes from MGOBlue.com…click here for Monday and Tuesday’s notes.
• Actor Jeff Daniels watched practice and talked with U-M head coach Rich Rodriguez.
• Former U-M head coach Gary Moeller attended practice today as well as Athletic Director Bill Martin.
• Quarterback Denard Robinson had a pair of plays over 40 yards, including a 45-yard TD pass to receiver Greg Mathews in the two minute drill.
• Kicker Brendan Gibbons converted a 45-yard field goal in the two-minute drill to tie the game.
• Safety Mike Williams collected an interception during one-on-one drills.
• The defense stopped four of the six offensive possessions in skelly.
• The defense stopped the offense on four of six possessions on end of game situations where the ball was spotted at the 12-yard line with 14 seconds left and the offense had to score a touchdown.
• The two scores on the end of game situations came on a Nick Sheridan pass to running back Vincent Smith and a Robinson run.
- Michigan Stadium was one of 32 stadiums to make the cut to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
- Brandon Graham is 25th on Mel Kiper’s draft board.
- To purchase the “All in for Michigan” towels you can go to Fan Day on Aug. 23rd – or you will be able to buy them online and in stores in the Greater Ann Arbor area.
- Per MGOBlue.com – Brandon Graham, David Molk, and Stephen Schilling have been named to the Lombardi Award watch list and Graham for Bronko Nagurski Trophy
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