Spring Game, BTN, Noon 4/14/2012 - Page 2

Detroit Dan · April 14th, 2012, 09:03 PM

I agree with others that Gardner was not impressive. By now he should be able to pass better than this. Bellomy was okay, but didn't throw many passes of more than 5 or 10 yards.

WingsFan · April 14th, 2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

These grey facemasks are something new, yes?

I like the blue ones better.

Bo thought the same that's when they went blue - all the way till last year. The players asked to keep them last year, looks like a carry over to this year.

Jeff Buchanan · April 15th, 2012, 09:19 AM

Watched DVR version of the live BTN broadcast.

With DR at QB, ones v. ones. Denard has gotten quite a bit bigger in the arms and upper torso. No QB in the nation brings what Denard brings to an offense. He is never going to have a deep ball that has to be respected .... which is why he'll hit some of those. But the threat of him taking off is so significant that any DC facing M's offense is going to have to commit Ss and LBs to that threat. M is going to feast on mediocre to even good defenses. I think Big Al understands this and will use what Denard does well in a quick short passing game; the kind we saw open the scrimmage. Gallon is good! He makes tough catches that will bail Denard out on third and short when he makes a read and decides to throw it for the first ..... and it looks like he's making the reads (given that he's seen Mattison's D schemes over and over).

As expected though, the ones on defense are ahead of the ones on offense. I thought the OL work was only average and, as mentioned above, LB play and esp. DB play looks very solid for this stage of practice. There is some defensive talent in the back 5, esp. as it would seem, Blake Countess. I wasn't watching the dropping LBs and Ss that closely so no comment.

Fitz looks sharp.

Agree with the comments on Devin Gardner. He's just not progressed .... and Hoke gave him a ton of chances to see how he performed under pressure. He went right out there and threw a pick into coverage and tucked it and ran way too much. I saw him do that in one shot where the camera was open wide enough to catch his receiver wide open in man coverage at the top of the shot. He just didn't see it ..... Borges was probably screaming in his head set. He is a nice run threat though but that isn't going to work against most defenses who will load the box, if he plays, and as he demonstrates early in a game he can't make the reads and throw the ball. I'm liking him more and more as a WR. Note to Borges.

Agree about Bellomy. Lots of forced throws though but the kid looked good.

No use to over analyze this stuff. It was mostly pablum for the masses and an opportunity to let some new guys get the feel for playing in the Big House.

*JD* · April 15th, 2012, 11:10 AM

I liked what Coach Hoke said to the sideline reporter when she asked (after asking about the performance, which Hoke has a lot of criticisms for) what did he LIKE about the day.

His reply: "Well, the weather held up."

lineygoblue · April 15th, 2012, 12:47 PM

I liked that too, JD. Hoke will never criticize his players to the press. He does it in person. The more I see the man work, the stupider (?) I feel in ever opposing his becoming HC.

Good analysis by Jeff. I might add that Countess looked very good yesterday. He had good coverage on his man, and had one pick. The DB's are going to be the most experienced part of this defense. All 4 return from last year, and all are good. And when they need to go to a nickel or dime package, they have the talent to cover that as well.

Brandin Hawthorne looked good. Filled holes well on several plays, and had had a couple TFL's.

Hannibal · April 15th, 2012, 02:01 PM

I thought the best play of the day was Floyd's pass breakup (bad PI call).

SeanB · April 15th, 2012, 07:32 PM

Th Ann Arbor Sunday paper said Desmond Morgan suffered a knee injury during the spring game. No details about severity. From reading the article it was impossible to tell whether it was a big deal or not. Didn't sound like it but who knows.

Also, said Jeremy Jackson suffered a mild ankle sprain. Nothing serious.

The Oracle · April 17th, 2012, 02:59 AM

Morgan's injury has been said to be nothing serious.

SeanB · April 17th, 2012, 09:06 AM

Good to hear.

Jeff Buchanan · April 19th, 2012, 12:52 PM

There is a new diary poster at mgoblog that claims he is a "coach." Even if he isn't the work he did breaking down the pass plays that DG executed (or didn't as the actual case was) is excellent.

A couple of things come to mind:

(1) You might as well simply turn off the sound for every CFB game aired on TV. The broadcasters, to a man, have no idea what they are talking about and routinely fill the air with worthless shit commentary.

(2) It is nearly impossible to correctly and usefully judge an offense or an offensive player at game speed/real time. Without the ability to break down film after the fact, you're wasting your time and everyone else's.

(3) I thought it was interesting to see how much a play's success depends on multiple factors (the O-Line, the receivers, the QB, RBs/designated skill player blockers, etc) .... that this diarist makes this clear was a bit eye opening to me.

(4) DG did not play very well and the diarist shows you precisely why. Yeah, we all had some idea that he didn't look that good but for that opinion to be valuable, you have to put some meat on it. The diarist did a really good job with that.

(5) One gets some real insight into what Borges is trying to do with the offense when someone breaks it down like this. I'm looking forward to reading this guy's diaries. Add one more useful poster to the handful of them at mgoblog. This sight, far and away, is the best M football site going.

http://mgoblog.com/diaries/ff410-201...ss-plays-day-1

WM Wolverine · April 19th, 2012, 02:51 PM

Sometimes (quite a bit) a play breaks down due to just one guy being out of place, missing a tackle, missing a block, running the wrong route, etc.

The Oracle · April 20th, 2012, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Buchanan

There is a new diary poster at mgoblog that claims he is a "coach." Even if he isn't the work he did breaking down the pass plays that DG executed (or didn't as the actual case was) is excellent.

A couple of things come to mind:

(1) You might as well simply turn off the sound for every CFB game aired on TV. The broadcasters, to a man, have no idea what they are talking about and routinely fill the air with worthless shit commentary.

(2) It is nearly impossible to correctly and usefully judge an offense or an offensive player at game speed/real time. Without the ability to break down film after the fact, you're wasting your time and everyone else's.

(3) I thought it was interesting to see how much a play's success depends on multiple factors (the O-Line, the receivers, the QB, RBs/designated skill player blockers, etc) .... that this diarist makes this clear was a bit eye opening to me.

(4) DG did not play very well and the diarist shows you precisely why. Yeah, we all had some idea that he didn't look that good but for that opinion to be valuable, you have to put some meat on it. The diarist did a really good job with that.

(5) One gets some real insight into what Borges is trying to do with the offense when someone breaks it down like this. I'm looking forward to reading this guy's diaries. Add one more useful poster to the handful of them at mgoblog. This sight, far and away, is the best M football site going.

http://mgoblog.com/diaries/ff410-201...ss-plays-day-1

Says the guy who would give their left nut to do that for a living. Many of those guys do a good job, given how tough of a job is it(right???) and are entertaining to listen to. Seems like angry "only high school coaches" who want to act like they can dissect the game like a surgeon are the main people who bitch about color guys. Let them do their job and enjoy the game for chrissakes.

UMStan White · April 20th, 2012, 12:20 AM

For a good percentage of the game those assholes aren't even commenting on the game--they're doing promos or talking to some idiot who has been brought up to the box. I've often said that if those idiots were sitting behind me at a game and spouting their drivle I'd turn around and tell them to shut the fuck up.

The Oracle · April 20th, 2012, 12:30 AM

My point exactly.

Hannibal · April 20th, 2012, 07:46 AM

I bitch about color guys quite a bit. Not all of them, but at least some of them. The guy who does the "A" game on the Big Ten Network (Chris Martin?) is hilariously bad.

April 15th, 2012, 11:10 AM	#24
JD Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: My bags seem to always be packed, USA Posts: 8,074	I liked what Coach Hoke said to the sideline reporter when she asked (after asking about the performance, which Hoke has a lot of criticisms for) what did he LIKE about the day. His reply: "Well, the weather held up." __________________ The poster formerly known as tin mad dog.

April 15th, 2012, 12:47 PM	#25
lineygoblue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Owosso, MI Posts: 5,331	I liked that too, JD. Hoke will never criticize his players to the press. He does it in person. The more I see the man work, the stupider (?) I feel in ever opposing his becoming HC. Good analysis by Jeff. I might add that Countess looked very good yesterday. He had good coverage on his man, and had one pick. The DB's are going to be the most experienced part of this defense. All 4 return from last year, and all are good. And when they need to go to a nickel or dime package, they have the talent to cover that as well. Brandin Hawthorne looked good. Filled holes well on several plays, and had had a couple TFL's. __________________ "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

April 19th, 2012, 02:51 PM	#31
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,259	Sometimes (quite a bit) a play breaks down due to just one guy being out of place, missing a tackle, missing a block, running the wrong route, etc. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 14th, 2012, 09:03 PM	#21
Detroit Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 2,175	I agree with others that Gardner was not impressive. By now he should be able to pass better than this. Bellomy was okay, but didn't throw many passes of more than 5 or 10 yards.

April 15th, 2012, 09:19 AM	#23
Jeff Buchanan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,526	Watched DVR version of the live BTN broadcast. With DR at QB, ones v. ones. Denard has gotten quite a bit bigger in the arms and upper torso. No QB in the nation brings what Denard brings to an offense. He is never going to have a deep ball that has to be respected .... which is why he'll hit some of those. But the threat of him taking off is so significant that any DC facing M's offense is going to have to commit Ss and LBs to that threat. M is going to feast on mediocre to even good defenses. I think Big Al understands this and will use what Denard does well in a quick short passing game; the kind we saw open the scrimmage. Gallon is good! He makes tough catches that will bail Denard out on third and short when he makes a read and decides to throw it for the first ..... and it looks like he's making the reads (given that he's seen Mattison's D schemes over and over). As expected though, the ones on defense are ahead of the ones on offense. I thought the OL work was only average and, as mentioned above, LB play and esp. DB play looks very solid for this stage of practice. There is some defensive talent in the back 5, esp. as it would seem, Blake Countess. I wasn't watching the dropping LBs and Ss that closely so no comment. Fitz looks sharp. Agree with the comments on Devin Gardner. He's just not progressed .... and Hoke gave him a ton of chances to see how he performed under pressure. He went right out there and threw a pick into coverage and tucked it and ran way too much. I saw him do that in one shot where the camera was open wide enough to catch his receiver wide open in man coverage at the top of the shot. He just didn't see it ..... Borges was probably screaming in his head set. He is a nice run threat though but that isn't going to work against most defenses who will load the box, if he plays, and as he demonstrates early in a game he can't make the reads and throw the ball. I'm liking him more and more as a WR. Note to Borges. Agree about Bellomy. Lots of forced throws though but the kid looked good. No use to over analyze this stuff. It was mostly pablum for the masses and an opportunity to let some new guys get the feel for playing in the Big House.

April 15th, 2012, 02:01 PM	#26
Hannibal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 3,644	I thought the best play of the day was Floyd's pass breakup (bad PI call).

April 15th, 2012, 07:32 PM	#27
SeanB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Saline, MI Posts: 784	Th Ann Arbor Sunday paper said Desmond Morgan suffered a knee injury during the spring game. No details about severity. From reading the article it was impossible to tell whether it was a big deal or not. Didn't sound like it but who knows. Also, said Jeremy Jackson suffered a mild ankle sprain. Nothing serious.

April 17th, 2012, 02:59 AM	#28
The Oracle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 1,796	Morgan's injury has been said to be nothing serious.

April 17th, 2012, 09:06 AM	#29
SeanB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Saline, MI Posts: 784	Good to hear.

April 19th, 2012, 12:52 PM	#30
Jeff Buchanan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,526	There is a new diary poster at mgoblog that claims he is a "coach." Even if he isn't the work he did breaking down the pass plays that DG executed (or didn't as the actual case was) is excellent. A couple of things come to mind: (1) You might as well simply turn off the sound for every CFB game aired on TV. The broadcasters, to a man, have no idea what they are talking about and routinely fill the air with worthless shit commentary. (2) It is nearly impossible to correctly and usefully judge an offense or an offensive player at game speed/real time. Without the ability to break down film after the fact, you're wasting your time and everyone else's. (3) I thought it was interesting to see how much a play's success depends on multiple factors (the O-Line, the receivers, the QB, RBs/designated skill player blockers, etc) .... that this diarist makes this clear was a bit eye opening to me. (4) DG did not play very well and the diarist shows you precisely why. Yeah, we all had some idea that he didn't look that good but for that opinion to be valuable, you have to put some meat on it. The diarist did a really good job with that. (5) One gets some real insight into what Borges is trying to do with the offense when someone breaks it down like this. I'm looking forward to reading this guy's diaries. Add one more useful poster to the handful of them at mgoblog. This sight, far and away, is the best M football site going. http://mgoblog.com/diaries/ff410-201...ss-plays-day-1

April 20th, 2012, 12:20 AM	#33
UMStan White Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 891	For a good percentage of the game those assholes aren't even commenting on the game--they're doing promos or talking to some idiot who has been brought up to the box. I've often said that if those idiots were sitting behind me at a game and spouting their drivle I'd turn around and tell them to shut the fuck up.

April 20th, 2012, 12:30 AM	#34
The Oracle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 1,796	My point exactly.

April 20th, 2012, 07:46 AM	#35
Hannibal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 3,644	I bitch about color guys quite a bit. Not all of them, but at least some of them. The guy who does the "A" game on the Big Ten Network (Chris Martin?) is hilariously bad.