Observations on the Spring Scrimmage 2014
On April 5, Michigan held its final practice of the Spring. It was not help in any type of "game format." I will try to summarize my observations as well as a consensus of what others observed in the final practice scrimmage.
On offense, much speculation was made by the "press" about Devin Gardner's "poor" performance to create some type of perception that there is now a "quarterback competition." That is ludicrous! Devin Gardner is the starter, and the only senior on offense; he'll be the offensive captain and starter the entire season barring some type of unforseen injury. Shane Morris is a capable backup, and it really helps his progress to have a left-handed quarterback coach like Doug Nussmeier tutoring him. Wilton Speight did impress after his mid-year enrollment, and has probably unseated Russell Bellomy as the 3rd string option behind Morris. We will be solid at quarterback this season! At Running Back, Fred Jackson really like Justice Hayes, and he could be the starter. Hayes is running with more explosiveness and confidence, and is not afraid to block the big linemen. Derrick Green and DeVeon Smith are very mobile "Big" backs who will find "daylight" if the offensive line creates it. At H-Back or Fullback, Joe Kerridge and Sione Houma return, and both have to improve since we didn't get very sound blocking from that position in 2013. Fred Jackson made a comment in reference to Wyatt Shallman stating "he needs to find his coach," perhaps reflecting on his lack of coachability. The return of Drake Johnson from his torn ACL is a critical piece to the offense in the Fall; Johnson is by far the best blocker in passing situations, and we desperately need a good blocker to protect Gardner in the pocket. Gardner is much less effective and efficient once flushed out of the pocket, and this is a strategy that our opponents quite effectively executed in 2013. Ross Douglas will most likely stick on offense as a 5th option; he is small, but quick and durable if needed.
At wide receiver, we really have a solid group of receivers. Devin Funchess is our best option as he is tall, rangy and fast; he is extremely difficult to cover, and has big hands. Hopefully, he'll improve his ability to hold on to the football. Most everyone knows he has been inconsistent and undependable despite his great talent. Both Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson will be solid, dangerous threats, but the addition of Freddy Canteen for outside and inside duties at slot will give us many more options offensively. Other receivers who could see action are Drake Harris (hamstring), Csonte York, and Demario Jones. Dennis Norfleet is also competing at Slot, but Jones may be the second option behind Canteen. Possibly newcomer Maurice Ways could also be in the top group if he performs as expected this Summer. The key to our passing game is our offensive line, they must provide protection along with our running backs so Gardner can patiently find them in his progressions. Until Jake Butt returns, we will not have much of a passing threat at Tight End. A.J. Williams is a blocker as is Keith Heitzman, and Jordan Paskorz quit the team since he was no longer listed on the roster. This leaves us with Freshman Ian Bunting, Redshirt Freshman Khalid Hill, and Walk-on Michael Jocz. Bunting could be as pleasant of a surprise in 2014 as Butt was in 2013.
Our opponents exploited our weakness in 2013, and that was Coach Funk's offensive line. Our best five guys will play according to Hoke, and right now none of the coaches can tell you who our best five are. Two key items that came into play this Spring is the transfer possibility of a former Nussmeier pupil, Chad Lindsay, from Alabama at center, and the off-field issue with starting center, Garrett Glasgow. Jack Miller got most of the reps with the "1s" in the scrimmage, and Patrick Kugler is thought to be another possibility at center; however, if Lindsay is allowed to transfer and unseats them both, this will put Glasgow in the competition at Right Tackle. It is thought that Erik Magnuson will start at Left Tackle, and Freshman Mason Cole surprised to earn the backup. Kyle Bosch and David Dawson are battling for the starting job at Left Guard. Kyle Kalis has earned the Right Guard job with Redshirt Freshman Chris Fox as his backup. At Right Tackle, Ben Braden will battle Glasgow, Dawson, and Logan Tulley-Tillman for starter. While we do have talent on the offensive line, one has to wonder how a true freshman like Cole can be in the mix to start so quickly while most freshman offensive lineman on major Division I teams are destined to redshirt. Freshman Bosch had to start last year when others couldn't get the job done. There has been no mention of Blake Bars or Dan Samuelson as being factors in the offensive line competition. We won't be able to compete for a Big Ten Championship without a championship offensive line, and both Funk's and Hoke's jobs depend on a championship performance by this group in 2014.
On defense, Freshman Bryan Mone impressed with Pipkins not able to compete with his ACL repair. One may expect to see Mone, Pipkins, Henry and Hurst at the "Nose" or "1 technique" position throughout the campaign. Coach Smith has moved from linebackers to defensive line, and created more speed, movement, and versatility to attack offenses in multiple ways. At the defensive tackle or "3 technique," Willie Henry is battling Ryan Glasgow, Chris Wormley, Maurice Hurst, Matt Godin, Henry Poggi, and Tom Strobel. At the strong side defensive end or "5 technique" positions, Brennan Beyer and Taco Charlton are battling for starter with Godin, Wormley, Poggi, and Strobel also in the mix. At the "rush" defensive end, Frank Clark will start, and he is backed up by Mario Ojemudia and incoming freshman Lawrence Marshall. We have talent, and depth, but we must have better penetration to get back up in the 40-50 sack range as we were at in 1997, 2001, and 2006.
At linebacker, the move of Jake Ryan to MIKE was a good one. He couldn't always hold the edge, and we need faster people on the outside. Royce Jenkins-Stone has finally emerged as a factor at the SAM linebacker. Desmond Morgan will man the WILL position with Joe Bolden, Ben Gedeon, and Michael McCray backing up both WILL and MIKE. It is possible that Michael Ferns could also be a factor, but he was injured most of the Spring. James Ross and Allen Gant will back up Jenkins-Stone at SAM. When Chase Winovich, Noah Furbush, and Jared Wangler come in this Summer, one could help with depth. Again, we have talent and depth at linebacker, but Mattison has to be more effective with "blitz" calls so we create more hurries and pressures on our opponents. Our linebackers have to do a better job holding the edges as well.
In the backfield, most observers were impressed with Jourdan Lewis. He defended Devin Funchess very well, and looked like a seasoned veteran even though he is just finishing his freshman season. Just as the offensive line, the best "5" will play. Both Blake Countess and Ramon Taylor are returning starters at cornerback, and Jarrod Wilson will start at one of the safety positions. This leaves one safety position and NICKEL open. Most people believe that Jabrill Peppers will be playing once he arrives, and he did attend the Spring scrimmage; he was pictured with Charles Woodson on the sidelines. The coaches have stated that Jeremy Clark, Delano Hill, and Dymonte Thomas have been competing for the other safety position; however, mid-year freshman enrollee Brandon Watson has also impressed there. Delonte Hollowell has been solid backing up Taylor at the "boundry" corner. Channing Stribling will see action at "wide-side" cornerback, but he still is very thin; he'll need to gain weight if he is to be a factor there. There has been no mention of Reon Dawson or Terrence Richardson in the depth chart races.
The special teams will see the return of kickoff specialist Matt Wile, and punter Will Hagerup; however, Wile has not shown consistency with field goals. We will have a new holder in 2014, and backup punter Kenny Allen may be the leader to replace Drew Dileo. Mini-mite, Dennis Norfleet, will continue to return kickoffs, but he'll have to fight off the challenge of Freshman Freddy Canteen, Drake Harris and Jabrill Peppers to return punts. We certainly have to do a better job on kickoff and punt coverage so our opponents don't get good field position; the jury is out on the effectiveness of Coach Ferrigno as evidenced by his first three seasons coaching special teams.
2014 Spring Scrimmage and Highlights
Michigan Offense "Choppy" in Scrimmage FREEP Observations
Spring Practice Report on April 4
Brady Hoke Press Conference on April 3
Jeff Hecklinski: Amaizing Sounds
Play of the Day: Ramon Taylor Devin Funchess
Big Ten Impressions of Michigan Spring Football: Gerry DiNardo
Spring Outlook: Offensive Line
Garrett Glasgow suspended and will miss 1st Game vs. Appalachian State
Offensive Line Beginning to Take Shape
Michigan Football Spring Practice #5
Brady Hoke Press Conference on March 13
Interviews on March 11: Derrick Green, Deveon Smith, Joe Kerridge and James Ross
Amaizing Sounds of Greg Mattison
Brady Hoke on February 25 after first Spring practice