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Michigan Fall Camp – Week 1
Well, if you’re obsessive like me then you know that Michigan is wrapping up its first week of fall camp today – and today being the first day that the team is in full pads. The Big Ten Network dudes are at practice today doing their preseason practice shtick – it’s usually weak if you ask me but you do catch some glimpses of the team practicing.
Quickly – On JT Turner…
I’ve gotta say – while a lot of fans felt as though JT Turner’s departure was that of grave significance to an already inexperienced secondary – I’m telling you right now it has virtually no impact on this year’s team. There’s a reason that the highly touted, #1 player to come out of Ohio in his recruiting class, didn’t see the field last season when Michigan’s secondary needed help badly. And they needed help in the worst way. It’s simply a case of a highly touted recruit not living up to the hype that was created amidst the duration of his recruiting phase. Here’s a decent article from Michael Spath at Rivals – who points out that the media and general fan perception of the player attrition during the Rich Rodriguez era has been largely blown out of the water. Snippet:
Since Rodriguez was named U-M’s head coach in December 2007 a total of 16 Wolverines to have set foot on this campus are no longer with the team – again either forcibly removed or having chosen to leave on their own accord. Of those 16, which include high-profile names such as quarterback Ryan Mallett, offensive guard Justin Boren, tailback Sam McGuffie and, most recently, Turner, only three count as Rodriguez recruits. The rest were originally offered scholarships by former coach Lloyd Carr for fits in his schemes.
And goes to say…
What does this all mean? Well, it should take ammunition out of the hands of those loading up on even more criticism of Michigan’s current boss. Certainly, his 2+ seasons at U-M should not go unscathed but be sure to know the facts before you start firing misinformed cannon balls. And in this instance, any such claims that he’s running off players or cannot keep players happy are misguided.
Friday’s Full Pads – See it if you must…
Pics from today’s practice.
Earning Your Wings? …
I haven’t really gotten the full scoop on this, but apparently some players have to “earn their wings”. You can see Tate in this picture on the right has an all blue helmet – no wings yet. Could be something interesting developing here…Click the picture if you want to see it larger. EDIT: 30 seconds of research yields indications that Tate’s helmet had wings all week – and the fact that he doesn’t today means absolutely nada. Neat.
From the Big Ten Crew…
This is from BTNBrentsBLogs Twitter page.
- Dave Brandon was at practice to observe this morning
- Devin Gardner can’t put a pass in the wrong place here early on. Rapid fire drill, he’s on the money with everything
- Vladimir Emilien just made a bone-crushing hit on a 1-on-1 drill. The entire defense celebrated the hit
- Gardner definitely looks like he could get snaps. He’s very impressive, but Denard has improved as a passer quite a bit
- One thing’s for sure Michigan coaches are very intense and vocal
- Denard Robinson looks like a completely different passer. Add the threat of pass to his running ability, and Michigan could give d’s fits
- Roundtree on how he’d define success this year: “Everybody playing for eachother.”
- Mike Martin on difference between this year’s defense: “I think we’re a lot closer.”
Hey MGoMike, I think you need this for your crib:
http://www.fathead.com/college/michigan-wolverine…
Yo MGoSkoTho what it do? I need to get me a legit crib first – then fathead it up. That's money.