2009 TSUN News (football only discussion)

[jwinslow]

Not that the spring game is a huge indicator of what is to come, but the screen pass was rarely seen.

I seem to remember the slot WR dropping back for a screen pass regularly, they just used it as a decoy more often in the spring game. I think it's a pretty safe bet that horizontal passes will remain a big part of the UM playbook.

 

[blueinfla]

I seem to remember the slot WR dropping back for a screen pass regularly, they just used it as a decoy more often in the spring game. I think it's a pretty safe bet that horizontal passes will remain a big part of the UM playbook.

Yeah, definitely. I still think RR will try to get the ball downfield more. In the spring game I saw more complete passes downfield than from any UM qb in the '08 season. Seriously though, UM has some talented receivers now and coming in that will be completely wasted if RR doesn't get the ball downfield more. I think Tate will be the answer every UM fan is looking for. I don't think anyone is expecting Henne in the Capital One Bowl vs. Fla, but more of a balanced attack.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I think the fairer comparison would be to compare Tate's stats with Pryor's freshman stats.

Not sure if even that would be the best comparison. Forcier is going through Michigan's spring camp as the default starter. Pryor didn't even get to go through spring camp last year and was the clear backup to Boeckman all through fall camp and the first three games of the season. Forcier should have siginificantly better stats compared to Pryor's frosh year simply because of the huge head start as starter. Still, I highly doubt that he'll lead the conference in passing efficiency as Pryor did...

 

[NFBuck]

Not sure if even that would be the best comparison. Forcier is going through Michigan's spring camp as the default starter. Pryor didn't even get to go through spring camp last year and was the clear backup to Boeckman all through fall camp and the first three games of the season. Forcier should have siginificantly better stats compared to Pryor's frosh year simply because of the huge head start as starter. Still, I highly doubt that he'll lead the conference in passing efficiency as Pryor did...

Was just about to post nearly the same thing. Tater is in spring camp with much of the offense being built around his abilities. Pryor was thrust into the starting role some six weeks after setting foot on campus. People just don't realize how impressive what he did last year was...

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Here's a highlight vid. That defense looks so stiff.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLMnzSvj2KI]YouTube - Michigan Movie[/ame]

 

[NFBuck]

Here's a highlight vid. That defense looks so stiff.

YouTube - Michigan Movie

Man, that defense is just deplorable. If Tater can stay healthy (big, big IF), they could very well be a solid offensive team by the time THE GAME rolls around. That defense though is gonna just be too much to overcome. They may be slightly better statistically by default with an offense that can keep them off the field for more than three snaps, but they are in bad, bad shape. They're lucky they have the schedule they do, because they will be a bad defensive team. If the offense is slow getting going, or they suffer significant injuries...look out below.

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

The stats do seem to indicate that rr used the run pass more last year, as far as trying to use P White as an indicator, that one is tough as he obviously progressed as a passer through college through better coaching and strength as he advanced in age and maturity.

Part of me wants to see scUM do better and begin to get back to respectability for no other reason than the B10 perception, but then there is the other 99.999999% that hopes to see the major struggle continue. Either way as rr gets his players on board, it will be interesting to see how his offense progresses, but the question remains the D.

 

[blueinfla]

Everyone on here I'm sure already knows this, but just chooses to forget it. That defense in the spring game is minus 4 starters. Van Bergen, Martin, Mouton, and Warren. Well, and Brandon Graham since he only played a series or two. And obviously, they're not going to show a bunch of different looks. That defense, as far as scheme and personnel go, will look completely different.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Everyone on here I'm sure already knows this, but just chooses to forget it. That defense in the spring game is minus 4 starters. Van Bergen, Martin, Mouton, and Warren. Well, and Brandon Graham since he only played a series or two. And obviously, they're not going to show a bunch of different looks. That defense, as far as scheme and personnel go, will look completely different.

That doesn't change much. That D looks stiff. Unless Forcier is the next Barry Sanders, there's no reason they should be getting juked out of their cleats.

 

[NFBuck]

Everyone on here I'm sure already knows this, but just chooses to forget it. That defense in the spring game is minus 4 starters. Van Bergen, Martin, Mouton, and Warren. Well, and Brandon Graham since he only played a series or two. And obviously, they're not going to show a bunch of different looks. That defense, as far as scheme and personnel go, will look completely different.

I didn't forget, or ignore it. To have those guys out and seeing their understudies made fools of tells me you guys have major depth issues. Injuries are a part of the game, what happens if those guys get dinged up during the season? What happens if the offense struggles (it will at times with a frosh QB) and the defense is on the field a lot causing those main guys to need a rest?

 

[jwinslow]

Everyone on here I'm sure already knows this, but just chooses to forget it. That defense in the spring game is minus 4 starters. Van Bergen, Martin, Mouton, and Warren. Well, and Brandon Graham since he only played a series or two.

They'll need DL subs to play, yet I didn't see much evidence that they're ready to do so.

Stevie Brown still looks like himself out there. That's a concern, as did Vlad looking like a frosh coming off of an injury (unlike the glowing practice reports). Vlad will be fine, but clearly there will be games like that one. I still think JT Turner belongs at safety.

Mouton may have been missing, but is that a major loss from the defense? He has been quite average at UM, and not in a good way, imo.

And obviously, they're not going to show a bunch of different looks. That defense, as far as scheme and personnel go, will look completely different.

UM folk keep bringing up schemes and "vanilla" as though it prevented them from tackling...

There's also the matter of going against those exact plays all spring. Most defenses are two steps ahead of the offense this time of year, in part for that reason.

 

[heisman]

Here's a highlight vid. That defense looks so stiff.

YouTube - Michigan Movie

I'm not buying it. I think RR told them (the D) to play half speed, like something you would tell a sparring partner of a championship boxer. It builds confidence to a unit that needs it badly. No way were they going all out in that video, and I'm dead serious btw.

 

[NFBuck]

I'm not buying it. I think RR told them (the D) to play half speed, like something you would tell a sparring partner of a championship boxer. It builds confidence to a unit that needs it badly. No way were they going all out in that video, and I'm dead serious btw.

I'd argue, after last year, their defense needs just as much of a confidence boost as the offense...

 

[blueinfla]

I didn't forget, or ignore it. To have those guys out and seeing their understudies made fools of tells me you guys have major depth issues. Injuries are a part of the game, what happens if those guys get dinged up during the season? What happens if the offense struggles (it will at times with a frosh QB) and the defense is on the field a lot causing those main guys to need a rest?

Oh, no doubt, the defensive depth is scary as hell. That's going to be a huge problem all year long. I'm just saying you guys are commenting on how bad the defense looks when half of those guys are second stringers, and the other half going against the 1st offense, are the third team defense, with a bunch of walk-ons thrown in there. The depth is scary as hell. I think the first team D will be alright in '09. I just hope to god, the injury bug doesn't bite UM like it did last year.

 

[blueinfla]

Mouton may have been missing, but is that a major loss from the defense? He has been quite average at UM, and not in a good way, imo.

Well, IMO, Mouton is a big loss. I think he'll end up being a major contributor in '09. He had a pretty decent season in '08, but he was adjusting to the move to LB, so that takes some time.