Big House Blurbs

Cam Gordon shining this spring

Cam Gordon was the big winner last spring at Michigan's spring practices, switching sides of the ball and securing the starting safety position. Nothing has changed this year, as Gordon, according to defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, has been the most improved player on the defense after six spring practices. Gordon is working at strong side linebacker, his fourth position since arriving to Ann Arbor in the fall of 2009.

Mattison spoke with the media Wednesday afternoon and praised just about every player he could during the 20-minute press conference. But he saved his highest praise for Gordon, a redshirt sophomore who played OK during the 2010 season.

Mattison also praised ... well, Mattison praised just about everyone. You would've thought he was talking about Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens defense rather than a Michigan unit that was downright awful a year ago. Is this honest optimism on Mattison's part? We'll see, but I do think the defense will be better this year. Perhaps dramatically better. But there's a lot of work yet to be done.

In terms of position battles, Will Campbell and Quinton Washington are "neck and neck" at one of the tackle positions, and Jibreel Black is pushing Craig Roh hard at one of the end positions. My guess is you'll see some heavy rotation along the line this year.

Wish I could post more, but Toledo's WNIT semifinal is about to start.

 

 

Cox working with first team

I have no idea if this has been a usual arrangement this spring, but Michael Cox took snaps with the first-team offense at running back at today's practice. This was the first opportunity for the media to take a look at Brady Hoke's Wolverines. We were shown the door after 20 minutes.

A couple of things to consider about Cox:

* At 5-6, 180 pounds, Vincent Smith is simply too small to be an every down back in a pro-style offense. Smith worked with the second-team offense today. I do not forsee him getting many carries on first or second down.

* Michael Shaw, who split starts with Smith last season, has a broken hand and is being limited in what he's doing this spring.

Still, it was surprising to see Denard Robinson take a snap from under center, turn, and hand off to Cox. A redshirt junior, Cox has just 19 career carries and appeared in just two games last season. But he weighs 211 pounds, and there's certainly value in having size in Al Borges' new power rushing attack.

Other notes from practice:

*Urban Meyer, now working for ESPN, stopped by to film a segment. Tan and fit, Urb looked healthy and happy.

*The first-team defensive line looked like this: Roh and Van Bergen were the ends, and Martin and Campbell were inside. No surprises there. At linebacker, I saw Cam Gordon, Mike Jones and Isaiah Bell running with the 1s. Is this a usual arrangement? Again, I don't know. This is the first we've seen practice this spring, and honestly, I cannot confirm Kenny Demens was even there. I'd be surprised if Demens isn't the starting middle linebacker when the season begins. He played decently after taking over for Obi Ezeh midway through last season. Finally, Jordan Kovacs and Carvin Johnson manned the safety positions, and Tony Anderson and Courtney Avery played the corners. Veteran corners Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd practiced with either the second or third team defense as they try to bounce back from injuries. If I had to guess, Woolfolk will start at one corner, and Avery and Floyd will figure out the other starting position. I have doubts that Anderson is part of the plans.

*Will Hagerup is one of the top three or four players on this team, regardless of position. The sophomore punter was BOOMING kicks inside the team practice facility. Coach Hoke, who has vowed to be hands on with the special teams, stood nearby offering advice.

Vinopal leaves the team

Coach Hoke's Wednesday press conference was uneventful until midway through when he confirmed sophomore safety Ray Vinopal has left the program.

Hoke said Vinopal left the team because of a family issue and that the departure is permanent.

In losing Vinopal, Michigan is without a six-game starter in 2010. What does this mean? I'm not sure any of us know the answer to that question. Vinopal was not ready to start for a Big Ten defense last year and probably should've redshirted. But he had some promise moving forward. He's a guy you'd like to try and develop. 

But as is, Vinopal adds his name to this list of defensive backs from the 2007-10 recruiting classes who left early: Demar Dorsey, Vladimir Emilien, Justin Turner, Adrian Witty, Boubacar Cissoko, Donovan Warren, Mike Williams. I'm not counting Donovan Warren on this list because even had he not made the ill-fated mistake of declaring for the NFL Draft after his junior season, his eligibility would have been exhausted after the Mississippi State game.

Hoke doesn't poke at Vest

Coach Hoke and his staff met with members of the press this afternoon and the topic of Jim Tressel and the Ohio State football program came up quickly.

Hoke, who has said before that the Ohio State rivalry is "personal" to him, said he didn't know enough about the situation that Tressel suddenly finds himself in to make a comment. The Vest is suspended for the first two games of the upcoming season because he was not forthcoming with information related to the selling of memorabilia by Terrelle Pryor and others.

“I’ve known Jim Tressel a long time,” Hoke said. “He’s a quality guy. He’s a daggone good football coach. I don’t know that situation.”

Still, Hoke has to like this. Just a little. Or maybe a lot. The best chance for Ohio State to start slipping is for Vest to retire. A suspended Vest doesn't hurt either.

Will Campbell will be back at defensive line when spring ball begins March 19. I'm not counting him out just yet. Yes, Campbell has been a disappointment, but he also hasn't played much. Presumably, he'll get more chances in Greg Mattison's 4-3 than he did in Greg Robinson's 3-4. Campbell should benefit from excellent coaching. Hoke is Michigan's former line coach, Mattison did the same, and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, is, well, the defensive line coach. Don't count out Campbell. I think there's something there.

-The coaches made two things evident today. One, that they haven't watched much Michigan game film from last year, and secondly, that this team is not very tough. Their exact words weren't as harsh, but Mattison said we need "a team of bullies" similar to Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs in Baltimore. Hoke said this of his team: Athletically they're some pretty good athletes. Now, do they like the physical contact of football? I don't know yet." Sounds encouraging. Michigan football might not yet be back. But the attitude is. 

Oh, and why haven't they studied much film? Because, and I'm guessing here, the schemes are completely different to the ones they plan to run, the defense is unwatchable, and the coaches don't want to have preconceived judgements of a player entering the spring. Everybody starts clean.

-In other news, Quinton Washington will stay at defensive line, Troy Woolfolk will stay at corner but might not participate in spring ball due to the leg injury that kept him out last season, Cam Gordon is working at linebacker, and Carvin-Marvin Security is at safety. If these two ever become standout free and strong safeties, you can take credit for Carvin-Marvin Security. The things I do for readers of The Blade.

 

 

Schilling ready for NFL audition

The Blade's Matt Markey is in Indianapolis for the NFL combine and caught up with Michigan guard Stephen Schilling for a story. Schilling, a four-year starter, is almost assured of being the first Wolverine taken off the board. Mature, intelligent, and a team captain, Schilling has much to offer in addition to his strong interior play. Some think Schilling will be picked in the fourth round, and that seems about right. I think he has a solid weekend and moves up some draft charts. He will work out Saturday.

Linebacker Jonas Mouton is the only other Wolverine at the combine, and if I'm reading the schedule of events correctly, he'll work out Monday. Mouton was an up-and-down college player, and from the information I'm gathering, he is not a lock to be selected. This weekend is obviously big for Mouton.

Yikes, only two Wolverines at the Combine. This comes one year after only three players were picked in the NFL Draft. This is bad, and quite frankly, I don't see the trend changing for a few years. Rich Rodriguez simply did not recruit many obvious NFL-caliber players.

 

 

Michigan showing it is serious with Mattison deal

A few thoughts on Greg Mattison's sweet contract ...

-Michigan fans should be happy over today's news that the team's new defensive coordinator agreed to a contract with the university viewed as impressive even by SEC standards. If Mattison's units look much like the ones directed by Greg Robinson, he'll still pull in $750,000. That's some serious coin, and it's absolutely money well spent. Today Michigan picked up a few points in the "hey, look what we're doing" column. Perception is key.

-Michigan fans will really, really be happy if Mattison is able to reach his maximize incentives of $150,000. Should that happen, it would mean the Wolverines won the Big Ten championship. Mattison's total income for that year would be $900,000, and he would have earned every nickel. 

-Only three college assistants made more money last season than Mattison will make next season. They are: Texas' Will Muschamp ($907K), Alabama's Kirby Smart ($762,350) and Georgia's Todd Grantham ($760,600). So, the only schools paying more money for an assistant than Michigan either did so because that assistant was the head coach in waiting (Muschamp) or because they play in the SEC, where spending boatloads of money on coaches, facilities, and recruits (allegedly) is what's expected.

-The Big Ten's highest paid assistant last season was first-year Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, who pulled in $475,250. Illinois, like Michigan with Mattison, had to dig deep into its wallet to get the coordinator it wanted. Petrino had a good job at Arkansas, where he was offensive coordinator under his brother, head coach Bobby, and Mattison had perhaps the 31st best job in the NFL as the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator. Paul Petrino's deal was the 15th richest among assistant coaches last season, which should tell you that Big Ten programs aren't terribly concerned with paying their assistants market value.

-Speaking of that, Ohio State's coordinators made $311K and $309K in 2010. Based on OSU's consistent success, the longevity of those two coaches (Bollman and Heacock), and the changing market, these guys are underpaid, perhaps by a lot. Meanwhile, Tressel's deal was the sixth highest of all coaches. His staff members are under the radar, underpaid, but yet they seem content and leave only for head coaching positions. It's interesting, to me anyway.

-Head coach Brady Hoke's deal will probably be done soon. Just a hunch, but I'd say he'll make somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.5 per year.

-Admittedly, my blog has been weak, as I have not updated in many months. I'll do better from here on out. Promise. I bought a MacBook Pro today and this thing just makes me want to write.

 

 

 

Notes from Sept. 20 press conference

-Obviously, coach Rodriguez and his players were pretty disgusted with the way things went Saturday. I've now covered 15 games on this beat, and that's gotta be a bottom five performance. Rodriguez said he planned to spend 15-20 minutes with the defense last night. I doubt he was speaking about schemes much but rather was probably trying to motivate, and perhaps scold.  

-Rodriguez again said he felt good with his team's preparation and focus last week. At least there's one positive. 

-In light of Mark Dantonio's heart attack, Rodriguez said coaches need to make sure they take good care of themselves. From the looks of things, Dantonio is in great shape. Miserable, but in great shape. Rodriguez said he works out five days a week at the practice facility and began lifting weights in the spring. I noticed a few weeks ago he was looking more toned.

-Rodriguez said Tate Forcier is not a redshirt candidate. Without better defensive performances, though, it's going to be difficult to find spots to put Forcier into the game.

-UM with face one of its former kickers this week in Bowling Green's Bryan Wright. Wright is kicking and punting for the Falcons. Wright, who was at UM from 2006 through last year, became eligible immediately at UM under an NCAA rule that allows graduated seniors to transfer and be eligible as long as they're enrolled in a graduate program at their new school that their old school doesn't offer.

-The left tackle position is open, Rodriguez said, after Taylor Lewan played well after replacing Mark Huyge. 

Notes from Sept. 15 teleconference

Not a ton of interesting tidbits, just a lot of re-hashing of Monday's press conference. 

• First things first. Did anyone take my Big Ten gambling advice from last week? You should've. This blogger went a perfect 6-0 against the spread. 
• On the injury front, Junior Hemingway is doubtful, Fitz Toussaint will be able to play Saturday but probably won't be used too much, and Carvin Johnson is out but is progressing well and could be back for the Bowling Green game.
• On Hemingway, he has quite frankly been a disappointment since last year's season opener against Western Michigan. In that game he caught five passes for 103 yards and two scores. Since then? Eleven catches for 165 yards and zero TDs. Injuries have been a factor, as he has missed three games over the past two years and been limited in a few others.
• The kicking situation is still open, Rodriguez said. My thoughts? If Gibbons was the best guy in camp, then let him keep kicking. You shouldn't need him in order to win either of your next two games, so let him get some more in-game experience. If after four games he is still struggling, then maybe it's time to insert Broekhuizen.
• If UMass is somehow able to pull off a win Saturday, it won't be because UM didn't prepare well during the week. Rich Rod said he loved his team's focus on Tuesday while admitting those same players weren't very focused last Tuesday in preparation for Notre Dame. 
• Rich on Roy Roundtree: He seems to play big in the big moments. Earlier this week Rich said Roundtree "plays well when the lights are on." Translation: Roundtree isn't all that impressive in practice, and that's probably why we didn't see him until late in last season. He and Martavious Odoms, are to this point the best pass catches on the team.
• Some of you may be wondering why Anthony LaLota and Vlad Emilien waited until the season began to transfer. There is a good reason for it. Because their transfers were effective before a set date (it was sometime this week) they will be eligible to play for another D-I program to begin next season. Had they waited until the end of the season to transfer, they would not have been eligible to play for a D-I team to begin next season. Only I-AA and lower.

 

 

Notes from weekly Michigan press conference - Sept. 13

• Reserve linebacker Mike Jones suffered a broken leg Saturday and will probably undergo surgery. He's done for the year.
• Linebacker Brandon Herron, who got decent playing time Saturday, is day-to-day with a sprained ankle.
• Redshirt freshman defensive end Anthony LaLota has left the program and intends to transfer. LaLota never found his way at Michigan but was a big-time prospect in 2009. He had offers from Notre Dame, Florida and Penn State. That 2009 class seems is starting to thin, but that can be expected from any class. Gone from that class are Vlad Emilien, Justin Turner, Adrian Witty (who couldn't qualify academically) and now LaLota. 
• For the second week in a row, Rodriguez wasn't overjoyed with the play of his offensive line. I'm not either, and frankly, I'm surprised. I figured that unit would be pretty steady. Plenty of time left though.
• Denard Robinson was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row. No surprise there. Read Tuesday's Blade for more on Robinson.

Notes from weekly Michigan press conference - Sept. 6

• BREAKING NEWS: Denard Robinson will start at quarterback Saturday at Notre Dame. Stunner, I know. Coach Rodriguez said Denard is a humble guy and won't let the national attention he's receiving change who he is. Still, it's gotta be fairly overwhelming. 
• I'll repeat what I wrote on here following Saturday's game. I wasn't expecting Denard to put up the numbers he did, but I figured he was capable of it. I also figure he's capable of struggling against a defensive game plan designed to make him uncomfortable and limit his running options. Michigan's offensive coaches should be anticipating what Notre Dame plans to do and develop a counter punch.
• Rodriguez wasn't too interested in talking about Tate Forcier's sideline body language in Saturday's game, or his proclamation that "I'm out" following the game. Just a guess: Rodriguez is numb to this type of behavior. He has seen it and heard it all before from Forcier, and until Forcier cleans out his locker, Rodriguez won't spend much time thinking about it.
• It is not true that the Forcier family mantra is, "When the going gets tough, transfer." But should Tate leave, he'd be the third Forcier brother (of three) to transfer from the program he signed with.
• Don't expect Carvin Johnson (sprained knee) or Roy Roundtree (internal bleeding) to play Saturday at Notre Dame. Rodriguez said Johnson is "very, very doubtful" while Roundtree is merely "doubtful." 
• Rodriguez hopes Junior Hemingway and Fitz Toussaint will be able to practice this week and ultimately play Saturday. Toussaint is a physical runner, something UM lacks a bit with the Shaw-Smith combo.
• Rodriguez wishes he had played more guys on offense Saturday. I didn't think to ask, and probably would have been scolded had I, but does he wish he had played Forcier? Doubt it. 
• Neither team recorded a sack Saturday. Not sure this is a huge deal for Michigan, although you'd like to see one or two. With three down linemen, none of which are a dominant pass rusher, you're not going to see a ton of sacks. What's important is they apply some pressure, with the assistance of rover Craig Roh, particularly on third down. QBs had all day to throw on third down against UM last year. 
• Similarly, UM's offensive line didn't have tremendous success Saturday. Shaw and Smith were both under four yards per carry. Robinson is so fast and so shifty, that he doesn't use his blocks a great deal, so I'm not sure his line deserves a great deal of credit for his day. Rodriguez said a couple of linemen underperformed significantly.
• Some reporter who I have never seen before opened the press conference by congratulating Rich on the win over Connecticut. Cute. 
• Obi Ezeh said he has a lot to prove after a sub par 2009 season. I'd say all linebackers have something to prove.