I’m cool. Real cool. It’s all good. Seriously.
A fury of circumstances has turned me against writing anything for about an entire week. Most of all, I just needed a mental break from thinking about this football program and how this once promising season turned to dog poo. It sucks to be on the bottom of the Big 11. It sucks even worse to lose to rivals again. But it’s cool, really. This is something many elite programs have experienced, because they all go through transitions and most take time. Faster would be nicer, but it will happen.

Thoughts on the Ohio State game
I watched this game at a bar near Dayton, OH and I can tell you that I was one of two Michigan fans out of at least 100 people, and they were worried as Michigan found ways to move the ball. Unfortunately, Forcier found ways to make me drink more beer and not really threaten the OSU lead as the game was winding down. Also, most OSU fans were on my side relative to the hideousness of those throwback uniforms.

Tate had several nice plays throughout this game. The offense played relatively well throughout, and Vincent Smith showed signs of what a starter next year should look like. Roy Roundtree again showed that he deserves to be a starter next year along with Tay Odoms and Darryl Stonum. It was disappointing to see Brandon Minor unable to play in his final home game. Carlos Brown, or not Carlos Brown, na – still can’t break a damn tackle. Brandon Graham = freak, unreal dude. I hope BG is a top draft pick and becomes the next Lamarr Woodley.

About the whole fire Rich Rod thing.
At this point, we can all say that Rich Rodriguez has underachieved after two years as Michigan’s head coach. You cannot be pleased with the alleged NCAA allegations either. You can also scrape the news off of the Detroit Free Press, national media, Michael Wilbon, you name it; and think that Michigan needs to cut their losses with RR and bring in the next Michigan Man.

Or, you could take emotion out of it, spend the time to understand the dynamics of this roster in it’s current state, remember how bad you wanted a change after 2007, continue to remember how bad you wanted a change after 2007, and realize that year 2 was an improvement over year 1. Not a huge improvement, but 5 > 3. The offense improved by leaps and bounds, and somehow was the #1 scoring offense in the Big 11. Any team should be able to win a ball game scoring 36, see Purdue.

I see a coach that is resilient and not beaten down. As RR tells the media, they don’t know what goes on in that locker room, film room, weight room, etc. RR and his staff have created an environment where the players are very close to one another and believe in the system put in place. I’ve been pleased with RR’s demeanor in post-game press conferences, he sticks to his guns and doesn’t let ill-placed questions get the best of him. He often speaks of the bigger picture, the process, that he and his staff put their heart and soul in to – and it’s happening, just not as fast as an irrational fan wants it to.

Will Michigan be a better team in 2010?
Yes. Thank you for asking.

Why will Michigan be better offensively?
A starting quarterback is coming back, yay! And it’s a guy that is actually competent at times, yay! Tate should improve with an entire offseason to pick up where he left off after the Ohio State game. In general, Tate finished the season strong starting with the Purdue game. He will improve as he spends time adding some padding to that frame and slowing the game down in his head. Let’s just hope he’s got the work ethic to make all of that happen.

QB’s aside, the majority of the offense is back – and the unit should once again improve with another year under its belt. The year 1 to year 2 jump is always big, but so is the year 2 to 3 jump.

5 offensive players with 2010 expectations.

1. Vincent Smith
   Played lights out against Wisconsin and Ohio State, and shows the ability to break tackles and make something out of nothing. Oh yea, he can catch too.
2. Roy Roundtree
   Played lights out since the Purdue game. He’s got sure hands and great acceleration – although his breakaway speed could be improved, see Illinois game.
3. Denard Robinson / Tate Forcier
   Tate will start. Denard will play QB and find his way into other formations as a back or receiver, a la Percy Harvin. I know RR is keeping him at QB, but he’ll see time on field in other ways. Tate is a natural, it seems as though he needs to mature a bit and stay more focused during games. A lot will be expected from Tate.
4. Darryl Stonum
   Stonum really created a name for himself returning kicks this year, so that will naturally be the talk on his behalf leading into the season. Michigan needs a deep threat, and Stonum needs to be that guy. Would like to see him get a little more established as a key part of the offense.
5. David Molk
   Many believe this was Michigan’s most impactful injury of 2009, and it may have been. Once Molk was out, Michigan was out. Regardless, his rehab will be a major story and Michigan will need him back in the starting line up.

Why will Michigan be better defensively?
Greg Robinson will be here. That means this defense doesn’t have to start over with a new defensive coordinator, first time this has happened in four years. This defense was not good, and simply having some consistency from a coaching standpoint gives the case for improvement credibility. Brandon Graham is gone, and was nothing short of amazing in his senior season. He was a game-changing beast, it’s too bad that he wasn’t complimented by a couple more playmakers in the back seven. The general feel is that Donovan Warren will stick his foot in the NFL pool and decide that it’s a little too cold to jump in. Losing only Stevie Brown and BG puts nine guys back in 2010, so the simple default of improvement from experience sets in here. Woolfolk and Warren should lock down the corners if GROB finds two safeties that can play at an average to above average level of play.

5 defensive players with 2010 expectations.

1. Justin Turner
   The 5 star from Ohio redshirted last year after much speculation that he would get his shot to prove himself on gameday
2. Craig Roh
   Roh has a hell of a motor and only stands to get a lot better. He’s played relatively well and was very undersized as a true freshman. Combine his experience with an entire offseason of bulking up and Roh should have a huge impact in 2010.
3. Brandon Smith
   All Brandon’s that play at Michigan are good right? Let’s hope some of Brandon Graham’s dominance rubbed off on Brandon Smith. He’s always played well on special teams and saw some time in the final two games in the defensive backfield. He’ll get his opportunity to be a starter and make an impact, whether it’s at safety or the quick position Stevie Brown was playing.
4. Will Campbell
   Will got some decent experience as a true freshman, while he didn’t always play well, he should anchor that D-line in 2010 along with Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen, and Roh.
5. Donovan Warren
   I hesitated to include DW in this list, but he could stand to have an absolute breakthrough season if he comes back. His play was solid at best as the season progressed. If he comes back, he’ll be the spokesperson for the defense.

What do I do now?
Watch Michigan basketball have a decent season, hopefully better than last year. Watch Michigan’s hockey team recover from a rough start. Assume that the Michigan football program can stay out of the negative headline category this offseason. Let time do its thing. Then as next fall approaches, get psyched about a team that should give Michigan a winning season and a bowl game. It’s fun being optimistic, because that means we’re talking 8 or 9 wins for this team next season.

Later today I will be posting a drive-by-drive game analysis for both the offense and the defense. First, here are some thoughts and observations gained from yesterday’s smackdown.

• Michigan looked crisp and like they were on a mission. The crowd was louder than usual. Once a lead was solidified – the student section began a RICH ROD-RI-GUEZ chant. I know it was supposed to be a decent Western Michigan team – and perhaps they will be – but Michigan played like a team possessed and a team that was very prepared.
• Michigan definitely passed the “eye” test. They looked fast, very fast, especially on defense.
• The offense executed. Forcier and Robinson made plays that we, as fans, wouldn’t have dreamed of seeing out of who Michigan had behind center on the field last year. Forcier plays within himself and is very talented. He is quick, very accurate, and seems to play with a maturity level that is beyond his years.
• This may have been Junior Hemingway’s coming out party – he looked very solid getting in the endzone twice. Carlos Brown was solid as well – although expected Brown to break a long run – maybe he is saving that for Notre Dame!
• Kelvin Grady reminds me so much of Steve Breaston – taking long strides and is very fast at the same time. He looked fast and a lot like Breaston on an end-around play that went for about 10 yards. He also had a nice catch on a ball thrown high and fast from Denard Robinson.

• Denard Robinson, holy shit, this guy can absolutely fly and he appears to be the type of guy that will slip out of a tackle or bounce off of a would be tackler to get those legs churnin’ again. In time I look for Denard to be a little more patient on some of those QB draw plays.
• The cornerbacks, Warren and Cissoko blanketed Western Michigan’s receivers and looked very good on their open field tackles. Safety play was solid as well.
• Greg Matthews looks to be a sure-handed punt returner – he understands and apparently has the ability to catch the damn ball! Matthews actually showed some ability to get up field after the catch as well – with a 15 yard return early in the first half.
• Tight end, Kevin Koger, looks as though he will be a key piece of the offense going forward. With a few catches, a TD from Forcier, and a ridiculous one-handed catch I expect Michigan to get a lot of production out of both Koger and beast Martell Webb.
• The defensive line put steady pressure on Hiller throughout most of the afternoon – and a couple of the young guys recorded sacks. Mike Martin had the only solo sack of the day – Ryan Van Bergen and Craig Roh added a sack.
• Michigan wins the turnover battle – with Sheridan’s interception being Michigan’s only turnover. That being said, it’s apparent that Foricer’s and Robinson’s play will buy them sole ownership of the QB role going into next week against Notre Dame.
• The defensive unit as a whole played well – getting several blue jerseys around the ball on every play. Overall speed seems to be better than a year ago. Stevie Brown played a solid game and seems to be a leader out there on D. Obi Ezeh played very well and was in Hiller’s face and making some good open field tackles.
• I advise all to stay away from the Detroit Free Press website – but I can’t help but read how they are now trying to cover their own ass with this story.
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• 

  Donovan Warren

  It’s no secret that Michigan’s secondary is going to be a bit inexperienced this coming season. With Donovan Warren being the only true starter coming back at cornerback. This spring Warren had to get some surgery on his ankle where he apparently had some out-of-place bone chips. Returning starter Stevie Brown is no longer playing back at the Safety position as got burned in plenty of games the last two seasons. He’s a guy that everyone seems to always have high expectations for and this coming season is certainly no exception. Brown will be playing new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson’s “quick” position – which is like a roaming linebacker providing more run support, blitz options, and the ability to cover man-to-man on a slot, end, back, etc. Nevertheless, I’m looking for Warren to step it up this season and be a leader for a very young secondary.
• Speaking of Stevie Brown – in an article in The Detroit News – he is out to find his identity this season and show the world that he is an asset to Michigan’s defensive unit.
• Lloyd Carr sounded off a bit at a question and answer session at the annual Motor City Bowl golf outing. Good ol’ Lloyd expects Michigan to have an exciting season and win some games in 2009…
  

  “I’m like everybody else, I’m hoping and expecting a very successful, exciting season.”

  And continues his stance on not interfering with what Rich Rodriguez is doing in his second year as head coach.

  “One of the decisions I made when I retired as the coach was that I was not going to be a guy that stuck my nose into the new coach’s job because there’s enough pressure on the coach at Michigan as there is in any sport,” Carr said. “And to have the former coach going to practice and commenting on all the questions that would be asked, just in my mind was not in the best interest of Michigan football. And my love is for Michigan. I want the best for our university and for our football program”

• Michigan’s crowd and stadium noise always seems to be a topic of conversation at some point in time during every off-season. What needs to happen to make Michigan Stadium louder? Why aren’t there ever any night games? Will the new stadium construction make it louder – won’t the sound bounce down from the angled press boxes and suites? These are all questions that Michigan fans want addressed in some capacity. Rich Rodriguez has been stirring up the pot a bit recently about changing some things in the Big House. Rodriguez is going as far as working with Michigan’s marketing department to address some of these issues. It shouldn’t be hard should it – I mean you’ve got 110,000 fans to work with!
  Here’s what Rodriguez had to say relative to why Michigan doesn’t have any home night games….

  “I think ESPN would love us to do that,” Rodriguez said. “I think some of our fans would like it, not a lot of them. But I think some would like it. I think we’d entertain it more if we had – lights in the stadium is not an issue, but lights in the parking lots.”

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