The offense was too conservative, continues to telegraph its plays making opponent preparation prior to the game and adjustments during the game easy for opposing defensive coordinators. The offense continues to do a poor job establishing tempo mainly because they don't play with "reckless abandon." The offense needs to be hungrier and more aggressive in my opinion, and go all out for every first down on every drive. We are not using or utilizing our players to their full potential. Chris Spielman is correct when he says that we are recruiting good players, but not developing them; that is a lack of coaching. Any good Division I team should be able to dominate Appalachian State and Miami-OH, but defeating solid Division I defenses is another story.

Let's have a "get real" with our offense! Devin Funchess may be a Top 35 NFL Pro Draft pick, but he'll never make it big at any level until he conquers the mental toughness phase and matures. He has more drops than any receiver at Michigan it appears, and although he is playing at less than 100%, he does not step up to make big plays when we need him to. He is no Braylon Edwards. Amara Darboh has improved, and may now be our best overall receiver. Jehu Chesson has also been fighting injuries, but he has talent as does Freddy Canteen. Unfortunately, our offense is not a threat to opposing defenses, and one of the worst in the Big Ten. Doug Nussmeier has had no "magic" for this team, and overall one may assess his play calling as weak especially in the red zone. We ranked 114th nationally in total offense, 14th in the Big Ten and 111th in scoring offense, 14th in the Big Ten.

Nicole Auerbach and Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News; Chengelis graduated from the University of Cincinnati

Quarterback

Gardner
Morris

Comments: Devin Gardner was 174 of 283 for 1896 yards, 10 TDs, 15 interceptions (-5) and 4 fumble losses for 19 turnovers; he did not have a good final season at quarterback. He is a great person, and a class guy; one has to admire that he played hurt most of the season. Unfortunately, he made many poor decisions and didn't have good vision to see the whole field while making his progressions. He also takes too long to make decisions. He was indecisive, tentative, and consistently underthrew his receivers resulting many times in interceptions. He also had 98 carries for 462 yards and 4 TDs, but only netted 258 after 204 yards in sacks were deducted. Gardner ranked 7th in the Big Ten in passing efficiency, and 9th in passing. Devin Gardner the Journey "Sugar" Shane Morris was 14 of 40 for 128 yards with 3 interceptions, 2 fumble losses plus 28 yards in rushing with 9 carries minus a sack. A good example of what Chris Spielman stated about not developing our players can be make with two 5 star quarterback recruits, Gardner and Morris; neither have developed as expected, and as a result neither has our offense under Brady Hoke, Al Borges or Doug Nussmeier. We are simply not developing quarterbacks in the "Pro Style" system, and haven't over the past 4 seasons under Brady Hoke's leadership and Offensive Coordinators Al Borges and Doug Nussmeier. Russell Bellomy came in against Penn State, and almost threw an interception while going 0 for 2 in passing. Wilton Speight redshirted although he's made all travel teams. Hoke doesn't think Morris is ready to be the starter. Morris Interview Quarterback Outlook in Spring Alex Malzone has committed for 2015 , and will enroll in January.

Fred Jackson Coaches Running Backs

Running Back (Tailback)

Johnson
Smith/Hayes

Comments: Deveon Smith carried 108 times for 519 yards and 6 TDs plus 3 catches for 26 yards. Drake Johnson Feature Drake Johnson came in the start the final few games, and ended up with 361 yards with 60 carries for 4 TDs plus an 11 yard reception, and an 18 yard completion; he was very impressive. Justice Hayes carried 48 carries for 213 yards plus 11 catches for 65 yards. Derrick Green had 82 carries for 471 yards and 3 TDs plus 2 catches for 26 yards; unfortunately, he broke his collarbone in the Rutgers game, and is out for the rest of the 2014 campaign. Derrick Green on Running Back Competition. Ty Isaac transferred from USC; however, his hardship application for immediate eligibility has been denied, and his appeal was denied; he had to sit out 2014 and be eligible in 2015. Thomas Rawls transferred to Central Michigan where he is starting, and is ranked 7th nationally in rushing. Mikey Weber had committed for 2015, but decommitted on November 22. We signed Karan Higdon instead.

Brian Cook started MGoBlog

Fullback/H-Back

Kerridge
Houma

Comments: Joe Kerridge had 4 catches for 35 yards; he was mainly a blocking back, but rambled for 52 yards on a fake punt against Maryland. He finally got two carries against Ohio State for 4 yards, but two first downs. Sione Houma and Wyatt Shallman have also seen action at Fullback/H-Back. Shallman fumbled on a kickoff giving Miami-OH a red zone chance that they scored a TD. Hoke and Nussmeier considered using Maurice Hurst at Fullback in Goal Line situations as an extra blocker.

Wide Receiver-X

Funchess
Chesson

Comments: Devin Funchess led the team with 62 catches for 733 yards and 4 TDs; Hoke gave him the legendary #1 jersey, and he responded with a record of drops. Funchess will play the rest of 2014 at less than 100% Maurice Ways made the travel team to South Bend, Rutgers and MSU, but redshirted. C'sonte York was dismissed from the team for three charges of assault; he pled guilty, and was sentenced to probation, 7 days in jail plus a $2,000 fine. York transferred to the University of Toledo. Brian Cole committed for 2015, and will enroll in January; however, he tripped to Wisconsin last weekend, and it is unsure if he'll honor his pledge.

Wide Receiver-Z

Darboh
Canteen/Chesson

Comments: Amara Darboh had 36 catches for 476 yards and 2 TDs. and Jehu Chesson had 14 catches for 154 yards. Darboh Feature Freddy Canteen had 5 catches for 22 yards, and a TD. Demario Jones made the travel teams to South Bend and Rutgers, and caught his first pass for 11 yards against Miami; he also has 2 tackles on kickoff team, but didn't make the travel team to MSU or Ohio State. Harris has a hamstring pull limiting his practice participation so he redshirted. Chesson-Darboh Bond Extends Beyond Field

Slot

Canteen
Norfleet/Dever

Comments: Dennis Norfleet had 15 catches for 111 yards plus 9 carries for 64 yards. Bo Dever was listed as backup, and got his first catch against Indiana plus his first start against Maryland. Ross Douglas moved from cornerback to running back, and now to Slot Wide Receiver; he saw action against Appalachian State, but didn't see action since although he made all travel squads.

Jeff Hecklinski: Amaizing Sounds

Wide Receiver Rotation Taking Shape

Wide Receiver Rotation: Devin Funchess and Amara Darboh were solid targets, and Jake Butt was another threat; however, Funchess had way too many drops. Dennis Norfleet can be dangerous in the open field, but opponents recognized this, and wouldn't let it happen. Jehu Chesson, Freddy Canteen, and Demario Jones saw action, but overall this group was not a threat to opposing defenses. We ranked 113th in passing offense nationally, and 116th in passing efficiency; this ranked us 111th in the Big Ten in both categories. We averaged 16 catches a game for 170 yards. Our wideouts have only accounted for 7 TDs in 12 games with our tight ends chipping in for 3 more for a grand total of 10 TD receptions from our receiving corps. We sure missed Jeremy Gallon.

Drew Sharp and Mark Snyder write for the Detroit Free Press

Dan Ferrigno: Amaizing Sounds

Tight End

Butt
Williams/Heitzman/Jocz

Comments: Jake Butt caught 21 passes for 211 yards and 2 TDs. A.J. Williams started against Notre Dame; Khalid Hill started 5 games, but tore his ACL ending his season. Hill had 4 catches for 37 yards, and Williams had 4 catches for 33 yards. Jake Butt Feature Keith Heitzman caught 2 passes for 32 yards and a TD. Michael Jocz also saw action in the first game, Penn State and Indiana games; he made the travel teams to Northwestern and Ohio State. Recruit Ian Bunting redshirted; Jordan Paskorz left the team. Chris Clark committed, but decommitted on December 2.

Right Tackle

Braden
Tulley-Tillman

Comments: Ben Braden started all 12 games at Right Tackle. Logan Tulley-Tillman was the backup. David Dawson saw action against Appalachian State, but no action since; Blake Bars made the travel teams to Notre Dame and Rutgers, but no more since then. Juwan Bushell-Beatty redshirted, but did make the travel team to Rutgers. Grant Newsome pledged for 2015.

Right Guard

Kalis
Burzynski

Comments: Kyle Kalis started the last 7 games at Right Guard. Joey Burzynski had one start. Fox saw action against Appalachian State.

Center

Miller
Kugler

Comments: Jack Miller had 12 starts at Center. Redshirt Patrick Kugler was the backup. Glasgow to remain at Center.

Left Guard

G.Glasgow
Magnuson/Kalis

Comments: Graham Glasgow moved over to Left Guard; has started 11 games after Joey Burzynski started the first game due to his suspension for a DUI. Glasgow started 3 at Right Guard, and 8 at Left Guard. Magnuson nursed a high ankle injury, recovered, but never returned to the starting line-up. It was announced on September 3 that Kyle Bosch left the team for personal reasons after the Appalachian State game; he apparently plans to returns to the team in January. As a result, he may redshirt in 2014. Jon Runyan Jr. pledged for 2015.

Left Tackle

Cole
Magnuson/Tulley-Tillman

Comments: Mason Cole had 12 starts at Left Tackle; he was backed up by Erik Magnuson, and Logan Tulley-Tillman.

Funk Moving Forward, "We Don't Have Any Choice"

Hoke lays out Offensive Line Starters

Cole-Glasgow-Miller-Kalis-Braden

Magnuson-Magnuson-Kugler-Burzynski-Tulley-Tillman

Samuelson-Fox-Pliska-Bars-Bushell-Beatty

Our top lineman are: Glasgow, Cole, Braden, Miller, Kalis, Magnuson, Burzynski, Tulley-Tillman, Kugler, Bars, Fox, Samuelson, and Pliska.

Offensive Line Drills

Defensive Back-Wideside (LCB )

Lewis
Countess/Stribling/Richardson

Comments: Jourdan Lewis has 36 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 2 interceptions and 5 pass break ups in 12 games with 9 starts. Channing Stribling has 5 tackles, one for loss; he was beat by over 10 yards on the 80 yard TD strike by Rutgers. Terry Richardson is also playing on special teams and has seen some action on defense. Lewis steps up in Spring Lewis is now Top Corner Garrett Taylor decommitted on October 27.

Defensive Back-Shortside (RCB)

Taylor
Hollowell

Comments: Senior Raymon Taylor has 7 starts at cornerback, he has 33 tackles with one for loss, and 6 pass break ups after returning to play after recovering from his leg injury.  

Defensive Back-Nickel

Countess
Hollowell

Comments: Blake Countess had 23 tackles and 8 pass breaks up in 7 starts plus another tackle on kickoff team; he has moved to Nickel with Ray Taylor and Jourdan Lewis beating him out for the two starting positions at corner. He did not have a great season, and Hoke gave him Charles Woodson's #2 jersey; he hardly exemplified and emulatedWoodson's play. Jabrill Peppers had 8 tackles at Nickel and Boundry Corner; he redshirted after his ankle injury. Delonte Hollowell had 9 tackles, one for loss and a pass break up plus another 5 tackles on kickoff and punt return teams rotating between Nickel and Boundry Corner. Is Peppers the next Charles Woodson?

Strong Safety

Thomas
Hill/Clark/Pearson

Comments: We were very weak at this position especially on pass coverage. Dymonte Thomas started the final two games. Delano Hill made 4 starts, and had 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. Hill has recovered from a broken jaw, a leg injury; but he was suspended for the Maryland game, and didn't dress. Tony Lippett burned Hill for the 80 yard TD pass in the 3rd quarter in the MSU game; he is weak on pass coverage. Jeremy Clark started the first 6 games, and had 17 tackles plus another on special teams with a pass break up; he did not have a good game against Rutgers, left with an injury, and tried to come back arguing with the medical staff after they took his helmet removing him from action. He didn't start another game. Jeremy Clark Feature A.J. Pearson is another backup, and he has one tackle, but his block in the back on the Norfleet punt return may have cost us the Maryland game. Delano Hill broke his jaw, and is out indefinitely. Josh Furman transferred to Oklahoma State where he is starting at linebacker

Free Safety

Wilson
Thomas/Clark/Pearson

Comments: Jarrod Wilson has 49 tackles, one for loss, a forced fumble, and 2 pass break ups plus another tackle on kickoff team; he started 9 games. Dymonte Thomas had 26 tackles and a forced fumble seeing plenty of action; he earned 3 starts, one at Free Safey and two at Strong Safety. Joey Hewlett to Walk-On Tyree Kinnel pledged for 2015.

Countess-Taylor-Wilson-Thomas-Lewis

Hollowell-Clark-Hill-Stribling-Richardson

Dawson-Watson-Pearson-Peppers

Our defensive back play was sub-par for Big Ten and National Championship competition. Coach Mallory, Coach Mattison and Coach Manning are not getting the most out of this group, and it really showed in the Notre Dame, Rutgers, and MSU losses. The Irish game plan was to attack our cornerbacks with their receivers, and it worked even better than they hoped. Rutgers game plan was to attack our safeties, and they threw for 404 yards. The injuries to Raymon Taylor and Jabrill Peppers didn't help our cause, but Countess is consistently beat, and our safety play was atrocious. We rank 63rd in pass efficiency defense, 11th in the Big Ten.

Soft Press Man Coverage Defensive Back Fundamentals Defensive Back Tackling

The discrepency between 764 and 778 is that some tackles are shared (i.e. 0.5 each).

Special Teams

Bill Simonson broadcasts The Huge Show from Grand Rapids

Overall, our special teams were very consistent; consistently bad, that is.

Placekicker/Field Goals/Extra Points/Kickoffs

Wile
Allen

Comments: Matt Wile is 15 of 21 in field goals in 12 games plus 24 of 24 on extra points. Wile has 48 kickoffs with 22 touchbacks; his average is 63.1 yards per boot. We are ranked 72nd nationally and 6th in the Big Ten on kickoff defense. Kenny Allen has a 55 yarder in his first attempt. Kyle Seychel has committed as a preferred walk-on. J.J. McGrath to transfer. Andrew David pledged for 2015.

Long Snapper

Sypniewski
Liesman/Miller/Robinson

Comments: Scott Sypniewski was the starter all 12 games, and got his first tackle as a Wolverine against Penn State. Andrew Robinson made the travel team to Notre Dame, and Dan Liesman made all the rest of the travel teams. Andrew Robinson to walk-on. Defensive Lineman Garrett Miller also worked here.

Holder

Kenny Allen started all 12 games with Anthony Capatina as his backup plus Shane Morris and Russell Bellomy.

Punter

Hagerup
Wile

Comments: Will Hagerup returned after a one year suspension, and had 53 punts for a 42.9 yard average; 9 touchbacks and 16 inside the 20. Matt Wile had one punt for 44 yards for a touchback. Our Net Punting ranked 107th nationally and 10th in the Big Ten. Likely took back a 28 yarder in the Maryland game, and Thompson took back a 23 yarder in the Ohio State game.

Chris Balas writes for The Wolverine; he is pictured with MSU's Drew Lane for 105.1 radio

Punt Returns

Norfleet
Darboh

Comments: Amara Darboh had 2 returns for 12 yards; he started at Northwestern when Norfleet didn't trip to Evanston. Dennis Norfleet has 10 returns for 38 yards, and a fumble in the Minnesota game that Justice Hayes bailed him out with a recovery. Norfleet's TD return against Maryland was called back with a block in the back by A.J. Pearson. Jabrill Peppers started the season as our punt returner, but went down to injury so he'll redshirt; he had one 6 yard retirn. We ranked 85th nationally and 11th in the Big Ten. Ben Gedeon ran a 32 yard punt block by Michael McCray for a TD against Appalachian State. Peppers to get his "feet wet."

Bob Wojnowski and Matt Charboneau write for the Detroit News

Kickoff Returns

Norfleet/Hayes
Canteen/Chesson/Johnson/Taylor

Comments: Dennis Norfleet had 19 returns for 438 yards including a 42 yarder. Justice Hayes had one 15 yard return. We ranked 87th nationally, and 11th in the Big Ten. Khalid Hill brought back a 10 yarder; Wyatt Shallman fumbled a kickoff that Miami-OH recovered, and it led to a TD. Jehu Chesson, Freddy Canteen, Drake Johnson, Raymon Taylor, and Channing Stribling were also in the mix for kickoff returns.

Coach Ferrigno continues to provide the Wolverines poor special teams play. It is just another reason why we aren't competing for championships.

Special Teams Players utilized so far (5+): Allen, Capatina, Hagerup, Sypniewski, Wile

IMG Football Academy Drills

Build the Boat: Strength & Conditioning at Western Michigan Football

Penn State Strength & Conditioning for Football

Alabama Football Program on 60 Minutes

Ohio State Training Days

Nebraska Strength and Conditioning

Iowa Strength and Conditioning

South Carolina Football Strength & Conditioning

Stanford: Take The Rope Shannon Turley Stanford's Unique Program Redefines Strength

10 Best Strength & Conditioning Programs in College Football

Sam Webb and Ira Weintraub talk Michigan Football on WTKA 1050 AM

Michigan Football Schedule-2014

Observations on the win over Appalachian State, 52-14

Observations on the loss to Notre Dame, 0-31

Observations on the win over Miami-Ohio, 34-10

Observations on the loss to Utah, 10-26

Observations on the loss to Minnesota, 14-30

Observations on the loss to Rutgers, 24-26

Observations on the win over Penn State, 18-13

Observations on the loss to MSU, 11-35

Observations on the win over Indiana, 34-10

Observations on the win over Northwestern, 10-9

Observations on the loss to Maryland, 16-23

Observations on the loss to Ohio State, 28-42

Big Ten Media Guide 2014

10 of 14 Big Ten Teams have earned Bowl Bids, but not Michigan

Wisconsin and Ohio State were predicted to be in the Big Ten Championship game, and it looks like that prediction will hold true. Minnesota has surprised many with a great overall season despite an upset to Illinois. Michigan obviously tanked more than any other Big Ten football squad with losses to Rutgers, Maryland, and Minnesota. Maryland has done surprisingly well defeating Iowa. Rutgers has a great first season in the Big Ten. Northwestern has quality wins over Wisconsin and Notre Dame, but Illinois beat them and Minnesota earning a bowl bid. Indiana had a huge upset win over Missouri; however, when their quarterback was injured, it ruined their Big Ten season, but they did defeat their arch-rival, Purdue.

Best College Football Players 2014 (Another List with Devin Funchess on it) NFL Draft Prospects for 2015 has Funchess, Ryan and Clark in Top 115

Tom Beaver reports on Michigan Football on Scout.com; he holds an Aeronautical Engineering degree from Michigan

York Dismissed from Team

Observations on the Michigan Football Scrimmage held at 8:00 p.m. August 16 Open Scrimmage Video

Perspectives on Open Scrimmage: Brandon Brown Nick Baumgardner Jake Lourim

Open Practice at Michigan Stadium on August 16 8:00 p.m.

Harris and Countess sit out with injuries

Uniforms for Penn State Under the Lights

First Practice in full pads

Doug Nussmeier and Greg Mattison on August 10

Brady Hoke Press Conference August 6 August 8 August 10 Big Ten Network on August 11 (more BTN Interviews) August 12 August 14 August 20 August 22 August 25 August 27 September 8

Countdown to Kickoff Day 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Players Reported on Sunday, August 3, First Practice was August 4--Youth Day was August 10 2-3:30 p.m. Photo Gallery Five Day Acclimation Period

ESPN Car Wash is July 31 (ESPN Interview)

Big Ten Media Day (Day 2)

Doug Nussmeier with Bruce Feldman

Ty Isaac to Transfer from USC, may be eligible to compete in August

Coach Hoke Acknowledges Pressure on himself, says team is close to Championship level

Observations on the 2014 Spring Scrimmage

Less than a year later, Nolan Jones is dismissed as Director of Michigan Football Operations, May 3, 2013-March 3, 2014 (Dickens replaces Jones on March 25)

Defensive Coaching Changes: Hoke is Out, Smith to Defensive Line, Mattison to Linebackers, Manning to Cornerbacks, Mallory to Safeties only

Countess completes second surgery in two years

Jake Ryan to MIKE Inside Linebacker, Chris Bryant to Medical

Jake Butt tears ACL on February 13, out indefinitely

7 Freshman Enroll Early for 2014