MGOFootball » justin feagin

Notes: 2nd Day of Fall Practice

Mike P. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:54:41 +0000

Dave Birkett of AnnArbor.com writes about Michigan’s early focus on Ohio State via some buckeye decals on tackling dummies seen around the practice field. If I’m Rich Rodriguez, I’m doing something everyday damn day about that Ohio State game. And let me rant for a second. I still don’t understand why writers always preface talking about the Michigan – Ohio State game by saying that Rodriguez somehow wasn’t aware of how big or intense the rivalry is! Come on, the man’s a Division I football coach and he’s been in the game his entire life, recruited in Michigan and Ohio, etc. Anyway, here a bit of what RR says….

If Rich Rodriguez had any doubts about how big the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry was when he stepped on campus, they’re gone now.

Rodriguez was asked Monday about the appearance of Ohio State decals on some of the tackling dummies the team was using during the first day of practice.

“I don’t know how they got on there,” Rodriguez said. “Did somebody from Columbus put that on there? I don’t know where that came from.

The Michigan coaching staff is still waiting to see how the NCAA Clearinghouse handles J.T. Turner and Adrian Witty. Michigan needs J.T. Turner to show up to camp and show up quick to add some depth in the defensive backfield.

Turner, from Ohio’s Washington Massillon High, was one of the highest-rated players in Michigan’s 2009 recruiting class. Rodriguez said last month Turner could play either cornerback or safety, but would begin his Michigan career at corner.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard enough media talk about the Justin Feagin situation. The guy wasn’t even going to see the field this year. I understand people want to make this a big deal and assimilate that there is a deeper issue at hand here. Let’s give it a rest though, Justin Feagin consumed an entire day for many. His story is more comical than anything – well at least the part where a fire in a dorm room was intentionally started! It appears that Rodriguez wasn’t exactly aware of what was going on in Feagin’s life outside of the football program – hopefully this is the last issue of the sort.

ESPN blogger Adam Rittenburg gives his bowl predictions for the big ten. Here’s his take on Michigan’s outlook…

MICHIGAN

Bowl bound: Possibly

Best case: Freshman Tate Forcier takes his first step toward stardom and Michigan’s defense clicks in Greg Robinson’s system, as the Wolverines start 4-0 and finish with eight wins.

Worst case: If the offense falls apart again, Michigan could miss a bowl for the second straight season.

Prediction: Motor City

Check out the rest of his predictions here.

Notes: 1st Day of Fall Practice

Mike P. — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:34:57 +0000

So one day of full fall practice is in the books. AnnArbor.com has some decent notes on some of the action here and also here. Sounds like Rich Rod is beginning with Tate Forcier and Nick Sheridan splitting time with the first team – and Denard Robinson and David Cone are working with the rest of the backups. I suppose that sounds about right. I think Tate’s natural ability to put the rock on the spot that he wants will ultimately win him the position. Anytime I bring up Nick Sheridan, it’s SO hard for me not to go on a tangent about his on-field performances in 2008! I’m resisting. However, Sheridan will be an asset on the sideline. Denard Robinson seems to be as fast as advertised, but maybe a little shorter than you’d like your quarterback to be. A few other noteworthy happenings…

Check out the new practice uniforms, where Adidas has further shown their branding savvy by placing their stripes down the sides of Michigan’s practice uniforms.

A wise man once said “DON”T SELL COCAINE!” – Justin Feagin didn’t heed those words. Looks like Appalachian State doesn’t want to give him a shot based on his recent downfall - check it out.

Here’s a video below of some QB drills from practice today.

Monday Musings: First Day of Practice!, Justin Feagin & More

Mike P. — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:20:24 +0000

Today marks the first day of fall practice – officially kicking off today at 3pm. The boys will be in full pads this Friday.

More on what happened with Justin Feagin. He had a laundry list of problems that the Detroit Free Press expands on here. When you’re in college and you play for a team like the University of Michigan – stay away from things like cocaine! The article talks of a cocaine deal that eventually led to another kid going to jail and a dorm room starting on fire. Sounds like Feagin not only had no clue was he was doing – but just lacks decent judgment and what most people refer to as common sense.

Michael Rothstein of AnnArbor.com writes a piece on the anchor and potentially the next great offensive lineman at Michigan – Mark Ortmann.

More in today’s Free Press – Mark Snyder talks about what to watch out for as fall practice starts. These articles are getting a bit redundant – but hey – we’re almost there!

You could say this is more of the same with a different spin. Here is an article in the Detroit News on Michigan’s key issues and what needs to be resolved in fall camp before the Wolverines take on Western Michigan. Specifically and obviously, the QB sitch, the D, getting back to fundamentals on handling the pigskin. Rodriguez talks about the inexperience on defense and yet another new defensive coordinator for the players to adapt to…

“We’re going to be less experienced, even though it’s a different system defensively (under Greg Robinson ), a lot of the same methods and fundamentals the position coaches were teaching and now have the second year to take hold.

We’re probably more to a pro 3-4 than a 4-3 … There’s some 4-3 stuff in there. Then you have your nickel and dime and third-down packages that are three-man fronts. We’re all over the place, but just about every defense in the country does that.”

How do you feel about those preseason polls? I bet you can’t live without ‘em. You hear it all the time about how “preseason polls need to be abolished!” – blah blah. Here’s the thing – they aren’t going away. It’s a catalyst to all the preseason hype. Could a system be established that ranked teams after 3 games? I suppose so, but you’ll absolutely see unofficial rankings everywhere during the preseason and throughout those first three weeks. This is a topic that I plan to expand on in a different post. Here the Detroit News discusses that preseason polls are solely for the fans enjoyment – can’t argue too much there.

Justin Feagin to Transfer to Appalachian State

Mike P. — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:13:23 +0000

Justin Feagin is transferring to an unfortunate enemy. When you think of a guy transferring to what most to be considered a hated enemy – usually the only possible thought that comes to mind is another Justin, Justin Boren that is, transferring to the hated Ohio State Buckeyes. Justin Feagin was dismissed from the team for an unspecified violation of team rules late this July.