I'll leave the opening discussion to one of the Wolverines. But, I thought we should start this topic.

Scary news.

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Apparently Antonio Bass tore up his knee in a conditioning drill and will most likely miss all of the 2006 season. Some even say it could be bad enough to be career threatening. This has not been confirmed yet, but it's not looking good. This happened about 3 weeks ago. If a knee inury happened 3 weeks ago, and you're still waiting for diagnosis, that can't be good. I guess U-M can't shake the injury bug, even during spring conditioning. [smilie=angry.gif]

Well with Bass down that leave there basically ZERO chance for any sort of fun bs plays lol...

Leon Hall...should play like an all american...

Also, I am interested in seeing Carlos Brown play both sides of the ball

Apparently Antonio Bass tore up his knee in a conditioning drill and will most likely miss all of the 2006 season. Some even say it could be bad enough to be career threatening. This has not been confirmed yet, but it's not looking good. This happened about 3 weeks ago. If a knee inury happened 3 weeks ago, and you're still waiting for diagnosis, that can't be good. I guess U-M can't shake the injury bug, even during spring conditioning.

That sucks. When it comes to the rivalry, I don't think anyone gets too upset about an opposing player not being able to play. But, ya gotta feel for somebody that has a bright future and gets seriously injured. I'd never wish that on even a Wolverine. Hopefully it's just a one year thing.

I've got two questions for the Wolverines out there.

1) What does the O-line look like for this year?

2) Who is expected to start in the secondary and linebacker positions? Of course Hall, but who else?

I've got two questions for the Wolverines out there.

1) What does the O-line look like for this year?

2) Who is expected to start in the secondary and linebacker positions? Of course Hall, but who else?

1. O-should be old school Michigan if everyone is healthy. Jake Long has been moved to LT to protect Henne's blind side, which I like. Kolodiziej should hold down the RT spot. Rueben Riley should factor in at one of the guard spots. Look for Adam Kraus and Mark Bihl to battle for the other guard/center spots. I've also heard that Michigan is playing around with the idea of not redshirting true frosh Justin Boren and he could be in the picture as well. He's enrolled already and is taking part of spring practice.

2. As for the DBs, look for Hall to be an All-American. At the other corner, I expect Morgan Trent to hold down that spot with his reeeediculous speed and I guess his tackling has improved. The up and comer is redshirt freshman Johnny Sears, who Michigan loves. He's 6'1, 175 and is ultra-talented. It looks like redshirt soph. Charles Stewart, redshirt freshman Chris Richards, and 5th year senior Darnell Hood will battle for the #4 slot. True freshman Carlos Brown (RB) is getting a look as a DB as well. At safety, look for Brandent Englemon (who was a pleasant surprise) and Brandon Harrison to start. Jamar Adams could be a player. True freshmen Jonas Mouton and Steve Brown will be given a chance to get some major time, but of the two, Mouton has a better chance to play early.

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Johnny Sears

Sounds like a talented, but very young secondary outside of Hall.

There is some experience back there. In addition to Hall there are several other guys with experience back there. Englemon and Barringer were starters at the safety spots until they got hurt (as was Mundy if he's able to return). Harrison started there after the injuries, and may move back to CB now. Morgan Trent also has experience at CB. So they can field starters this year that were all starters for a number of games last year, but they do possess some stellar young talent that will fight for time. The Hermann systen often subbedin fresh DB's on every other play or against certain looks. Michigan fans go used to seeing two sets of DB's on the field with the call at the last minute as to which set would stay in for the down. Not sure if English will do much of that or not. There is a lot of speculation that English will use 5 or 6 DB's more often than not. I guess Mouton is supposed be the perfect fit as a guy that will play beween the secondary an the LB's. We'll see.

The line is much the same. A fair mix between experience and youth.

The key for both is whether or not injuries will force the youth onto the field more often than the coaches would like.

It'll be important for those talented young guys to play well with the new wave of spread offenses in the Big Ten (MSU, OSU, PSU). I wish State have young talent in the secondary. I'm clinging to the hopes of our one Juco 4 Star.

It'll be important for those talented young guys to play well with the new wave of spread offenses in the Big Ten (MSU, OSU, PSU). I wish State have young talent in the secondary. I'm clinging to the hopes of our one Juco 4 Star.

Prep school, 5 to play 4, and 19-20 years old to start, great system.

Cannot believe that nothing has came out about manningham's knee injury yet...Last week he hurt it...could be serious...I will know more next week

At safety, look for Brandent Englemon (who was a pleasant surprise) and Brandon Harrison to start. Jamar Adams could be a player. True freshmen Jonas Mouton and Steve Brown will be given a chance to get some major time, but of the two, Mouton has a better chance to play early.

You forgot about Mundy, who apparently is healthy and playing well in Spring practices.

Cannot believe that nothing has came out about manningham's knee injury yet...Last week he hurt it...could be serious...I will know more next week

Wow, didn't hear anything about this. Michigan reeeeeally needs Manningham as their #1 option this year. If they lost potentially their best wide out in addition to Bass, their receiving corp. would be shaky at best. Keep us updated Muhme with the insider info

Cannot believe that nothing has came out about manningham's knee injury yet...Last week he hurt it...could be serious...I will know more next week

Lloyd said "Mario Manningham sprained a knee. It's nothing serious, but he has missed some time. "

No big deal.

Cannot believe that nothing has came out about manningham's knee injury yet...Last week he hurt it...could be serious...I will know more next week

Lloyd said "Mario Manningham sprained a knee. It's nothing serious, but he has missed some time. "

No big deal.

lol...Lloyd said huh? lmao....

Actually that is exactly what Lloyd said in an interview on Rivals.com

Actually that is exactly what Lloyd said in an interview on Rivals.com

Yeah...I know...


Rumors are that Carlos Brown is going to get some run at QB...Karsch says he has seen a few practices and he actually doesnt look too bad in a spread formation...Forcier or however you spell it has been a complete disaster so far.

Rumors are that Carlos Brown is going to get some run at QB

QB? Do you mean where he just runs the ball out of the spread or do you actually mean playing the position?

I only know what I saw on rivals video, but he looked like a proto-type running back. Didn't think he had a qb body. Really weird, but interesting Muhme

Rumors are that Carlos Brown is going to get some run at QB

QB? Do you mean where he just runs the ball out of the spread or do you actually mean playing the position?

I only know what I saw on rivals video, but he looked like a proto-type running back. Didn't think he had a qb body. Really weird, but interesting Muhme

They have him running some QB...I guess Forcier has looked that bad that Brown is getting more and more snaps at practice...when I talked to Doug Karsch about it he said that he looked really good too. They are running him out of a spread...so who knows if he will ever throw but with an offensive line like UM does and the receivers they will be able to line up (even with Bass out) I am sure there is a lot they will be able to do...

UM working on a spread offense. [smilie=arrgh.jpg] That face represents shock AND worry AND skepticism that we'll ever see it in our lifetime.

Here's a summary of U-M's spring game today from someone who was there and posted it in The Fort.

1.) Henne: Release does not look any different. Still throws from the earhole and has the awkward wind-up. I would predict we will see many balls batted down this year. Looks like he is quicker footed and did scramble successfully on a few occassions. Was not as sharp as he may have been in other practices.
2.) Carlos Brown: Wow. First carry- gone. Another missed tackle by the safety. Did not see who it was, but will catch it in the video. Looks to replace Bass as a QB in situations to run the option. I like his vision, cut back ability, and his explosiveness. He will make some happy Wolverine fans. [smilie=2thumbsup.g:
3.) Mesko: This kid can absolutely boom the ball. He kicked a ball from the sideline that went all the way across the field and into the stands on the other side of the stadium. Definately a weapon as long as he does not outkick the coverage.
4.) Will Johnson was not dressed- don't know why. McKinney hurt what seemed to be his rt. knee. Did not look good.
5.) Savoy: made some nice grabs on poorly thrown balls.
6.) C. Stewart and J Sears played tight coverage. Stewart made a few nice plays- one in which he was all over Breaston on a deep slant and broke up a well thrown Henne pass. Sears just looks athletic and plays agressive.
7.) C. Richards: Was impressed with his quick feet. What you have heard about his hips is true. He still looks like he could use some more upper body work.
8.) Grady: Tough to tell. Does indeed look lighter. Will need to watch the tape.
9.) Burgess: Made some very nice stops- one in which he whacked Brown on an off tackle play. Seems to have gained a few good lbs.
10.) Germany: In limited time made some impressive plays. Batted down a ball and put some pressure on Forcier.
11.) Forcier: Quick footed. Made some good decisions, but lacked accuracy on the slant passes. Also, lobbed a sideline pass that was nearly picked.

All in all, the practice was very efficient and well run. The D coaches (especially English) are quite vocal and you can sense their passion for the game. I am impressed with Stripling and the drills he runs on D. You get a sense that he is very good at what he does. The D Line spends a lot of time working on getting off blocks, handwork, and footwork.

I was there and got to talk to some of the players after the practice...

Hart is really excited about Carlos Brown. Basically he was saying that he is going to be that change of pace back that they have needed, bascially since Fargas left.

Jake long lost 25 pounds since last season

Breaston still looks like shit when running deep routs. He just cannot catch the damn ball...same bullshit.

Manningham really didnt practice too much but he did spend a lot of time talking with Braylon on the sidelines.

Hail to the Victors? 7-5 is not considered anything victorious in Ann Arbor, especially for the football program. So what can be done to clear up last season’s mediocrity? Lloyd thinks that blasting Jim Hermann and Terry Malone out of a job might just do the trick. So how did the team look Saturday for their annual “free to the public” spring practice errr…I mean game? Here is a list of a few things that I noticed:

-The quarterback situation is a mess….if Chad Henne ever gets hurt. Jason Forcier looks like he would rather be Reggie Bush than anything that looks like a viable backup quarterback. Forcier missed open receivers numerous times opting to run with this head down than move the chains with a pass, I guess he assumes that quarterbacks are not supposed to throw. Behind Forcier is Jeff Kastl, the pride of Chippewa Valley. Basically, a good GPA is all that Kastl brings to the team. It is apparent to anyone that Football at UM is clearly way over his head. With a mechanical motion and happy feet he would be much better suited to be a backup at Saginaw Valley or Northwood rather than Michigan. So what is the plan if Henne goes down? Well the best option might be a freshman running back with a 4.4 40 and a 290 bench. Yes, Carlos Brown played some QB on Saturday. When I asked Mike Hart about Brown running QB he laughed and said it was “exciting to see him back there” then I laughed thinking if Henne goes down, Michigan football goes down.

Besides the fact that there is nobody that should be playing D1 football behind Henne, I will say that Henne looked quite different from the last time we seen him on the field. Yes, he still had that “Navarre-like” release and yes he still threw the 10 yard bullets but we saw him actually attempt to run when there was nothing open. He did not throw one ball away, yet he ran numerous times out of the pocket. Henne has solid top end speed for a QB, but it was his agility last year that people thought was lacking. Basically he did not have any “wiggle”. Well he looks like he has found a little wiggle because he looked pretty good running out of the pocket. Chad had said that he feels more mobile and agile than he ever has. Running is something that he wants to do this year. My problem is the fact that he did not run last year when there was a solid backup incase he got injured behind him.

-Carlos Brown is going to help this team right away. One of his first couple carries he took to the house on a 50-60 yard run. Brown is going to being the change of pace speed back that Michigan had been lacking since Fargas left. His cuts were sharp and his vision was outstanding for a freshman. He has proven to be very athletic playing running back, quarterback and filling in at the nickel spot this spring. With Hart and Grady ahead of him on the depth chart it will be tough to find a spot for him. I already mentioned that Brown played some QB so there is no telling where they are going to find spots to get this guy on the field.

-Steve Breaston, “one of the most electrifying players in college football” Henne stated after the game. Well, he cannot be “electrifying” if he cannot catch the ball. The first time that Henne went deep to Breaston, he dropped it. Yes, you Michigan fans have seen this numerous times and here is how it played out: Henne steps back in the pocket, Breaston has his man beat on a post…the pass is on the money…Breaston jumps to make the grab….OH BUT HE COULDN’T HOLD ON. Well that does not look like it will change. Steve just has a hard time catching the home run ball; do not expect that to change but the time the season starts.

-Kevin Grady is a lot leaner than last year. The problem is he looks a lot slower than last year. I remember one play from Saturday that Grady hit the corner and was sprinting down the sideline, had did not know who it was at first and I thought to myself “that must be Oluigbo (Fullback) because he was running hard and slow. However, sure enough it was Grady. I was in awe at how slow he looked but how hard he was running. I continued to keep my eye on Grady the rest of the afternoon thinking that play was just me not seeing correctly. Well, after watching passing drills where Grady had a hard time separating from linebackers, I knew Kevin was just slower than I had expected. Let’s just hope that he can hold onto the ball this year.

-Few quick hitters: Zoltan Mesko is going to be a stud…a stud punter that is. Kid was BOOMING the ball, and looks like he is going to be really good and help a ton. However I think he might out kick the coverage sometimes, which is how strong his leg is. LaTerryal Savoy, the WR that was supposed to have had the amazing spring, well I saw him drop a slant from Henne that should have been caught and he caught a nice pass at the end of the scrimmage. Other than that I didn’t see too much from him. He is a lot smaller than I had initially thought. Adrian Arrington was MIA all practice. He was there and in pads but I did not see him do anything worth repeating. Charles Stewart looked really solid and looks like he will be able to step in and make some noise. I wouldn’t be surprised if he started opposite Leon Hall when the season starts. Mario Manningham did not practice too much. He caught everything that was thrown at him and made a few nice moves after the catch. Expect him to be the go-to guy this season. He spent a lot of time talking to Braylon on the sidelines when he was not practicing. It appeared they were talking about routes and pass patterns. Lastly, Garrett Rivas missed his on FG kick during the scrimmage.