Observations on the Historic Michigan Football Scrimmage August 16, 2014

I arrived at the Big House and was seated by 7:30 p.m. with only punters and snappers on the field. The team entered about 7:45 p.m. and began assorted workouts, stretching and drills until about 8:15 p.m. when the actual live scrimmage began. I sat in the end zone at the South end of the stadium so I could better view the defensive line group in the drills.

Offense

Michigan is led on offense by 5th Year Senior Quarterback Devin Gardner. It was obvious that he did what he could with little protection by his offensive line. He is an accurate passer with a strong arm. He can also run when needed in scrambling situations or quarterback draws. Gardner will most likely be the offensive captain, and his leadership will be critical for the offense as it develops this season. Offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier, is also a critical element to a developing offense; one can see his influence on Gardner will result in less negative plays, and more throw aways rather than trying to force the ball into a crowded situation that has resulted in turnovers in the past. Shane Morris showed he is a capable backup to Gardner. Also, Nussmeier's positivity and energy will continue to be a stabilizing force in the offense. We do have a talented group of wide receivers for Gardner to target. Devin Funchess is ranked as a possible #1 pick in next May's NFL draft. Amarah Darboh, Jehu Chesson, Freddy Canteen and Mo Ways look like they'll all have excellent seasons. When Jake Butt returns, we'll have an excellent receiving tight end. We may also have contributions from others like Demario Jones, Dennis Norfleet and Drake Harris. Wyatt Shallman could also become a factor as a receiver coming out of the backfield. We have good running backs, but we don't have a good or even mediocre offensive line. Although we have runners, they are ineffective as pass blockers. Gardner claimed up until this scrimmage that his offensive line had only given up two sacks through previous Summer practices. Gardner and Morris had little time to throw the ball in this evening's scrimmage, and they'll even have less time against Ohio State and Michigan State defenses. When one reflects on the Michigan offensive line, it is no accident that a true freshman, Mason Cole, had enrolled in January and already claimed a starting position. Last season, we had to bring in true freshman, Kyle Bosch, to start at Left Guard after injuries and the lack of execution forced the situation. One of our best linemen, Garrett Glasgow, came to Michigan as a preferred walk-on. Joey Burzynski, another walk-on, also started last season. Redshirt freshman, Kyle Kalis, started last season, and has publicly admitted his own lack of consistency at the Right Guard position. This season, we are counting on Sophomore Ben Braden, Redshirt Freshman David Dawson, Freshman Mason Cole and others to execute in key running and pass blocking situations. We simply aren't that talented on the offensive line, and Coach Darrell Funk has done a poor job recruiting talent for the offensive line over his four seasons. Funk is the worst recruiter on the coaching staff. We should have better blocking from our tight ends (Williams and Heitzman) and H-backs (Kerridge and Houma) than last season, and that could really help as the season ensues. It will also help our offensive line to go up daily against our defensive line because one must go up against the best to beat the best. We do not have a leader on the offensive line, and until one is developed, we will mostly likely struggle against top teams. Since Carr left in 2007 with Andy Moeller as offensive line coach, we haven't had the same quality offensive lines we have come used to in the Bo-Mo-Carr eras, 1969-2007. Terry Malone was OL coach, 1997-2001, Les Miles, 1987-1994, Elliot Uzelac, 1982-1986, Paul Schudel, 1982-1984 (Brady Hoke's Coach at Ball State), and Jerry Hanlon coached, 1969-1991. Neither Greg Frey nor Darrell Funk have been able to continue the great tradition nor recruit the top talent.

Defense

Michigan should have a solid defense that will keep them in most games this season. The defensive line really looks improved with Mo Hurst and Willie Henry coming off the ball with Frank Clark in obvious passing situations. We have more depth on the defensive line than we've had in quite a long time. We will be tough to run on, we'll be tough in the red zone, and we should be able to create a lot more hurries and sacks than in previous seasons. We have 12 guys available to play four positions (3 in Nickel). Pipkins, Henry, Hurst and Glasgow will rotate at Nose; Henry, Hurst, Wormley and Godin at the 1 Technique, Clark, Ojemudia, and Lawrence Marshall at the 5 Technique with Beyer, Charlton and Poggi at the 7 Technique. I'm worried that Beyer won't be able to hold the edge as we saw last seasonl. The whole defense including Greg Mattison has bought into this new aggressive pressure defense, and they are executing it. Our linebacker group is also very solid with five guys who can rotate at MIKE and WILL: Ryan, Morgan, Bolden, Gedeon and McCray. James Ross and Ross Jenkins-Stone will rotate at SAM. The corners are Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis with Jarrod Wilson at Free Safety and Justin Clark at Strong Safety until Delano Hill returns. Blake Countess, Ramon Taylor, Channing Stribling and Delonte Hollowell will back up at corner and Nickel. Walk-on A.J. Pearson, Brandon Watson, and Dymonte Thomas will back up at both safety positions. This competition should also help our special teams play as well. The 31 players named in this season's squad look like a unit, and the their execution as a group was excellent; they absolutely manhandled the offense. The Michigan Daily reported the 1st unit offensively ran the ball 20 times for 33 yards.

Special Teams

It was really nice to see Will Hagerup punting the ball with such authority; hopefully, he'll be consistent, and boom some pressure kicks to help in the field position game. It was also nice to hear a confident Matt Wile state that he had kicked a 63 yarder in practice, and feels quite comfortable from 57 yards on in. While watching the punt return group, it was obvious to me that Jabrill Peppers should be our returner; he is polished and poised, and his quickness and speed will be a threat all season long. On kickoffs, Justice Hayes and Dennis Norfleet will be deep, and either one should be able to give us a consistent 25 yard return while occassionally breaking a big one. I hope that Special Teams Coach, Dan Ferrigno, does a better job with the kickoff and punt coverage teams so we can be a feared team again. We become a feared team with solid, tough special teams play along with a stout defense.

Overall

It would be nice to say that I envision this year's team will go 15-0 and win the Big Ten and BCS National Championship in the first year of the football playoff; unfortunately, this scrimmage did not help me formulate that opinion. We are currently ranked #31 nationally out of over 128 or so Division I football programs, and forecasted to be 3rd in our division. Most people have predicted a 9-3 season with an Outback Bowl as a possible destination. That is a pretty accurate picture based on our current talent and depth, but one can't predict the long season's improvement, injuries, turnovers, and other critical factors that will impact game results. Michigan's first big test is Notre Dame at South Bend, and if they are able to win that one, they could be undefeated going into their bye week with two weeks to prepare for Michigan State. Both the Spartans and the Buckeyes will be favored to defeat this year's Wolverine team. We could finish 11-1, 10-2, 9-3, 8-4 depending upon our fortunes or misfortunes as the long season rolls along. Even games we are predicted to win, Utah, Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, and Indiana will not be routs; they'll all be close battles.