You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 2:28 p.m.

Talkin' About Practice (Michigan football practice): Aug. 26

By Michael Rothstein

For the first time this season - also meaning the first time ever - Michigan tried to practice inside its new practice facility, the Glick, on Wednesday. It's the last time reporters will see the Wolverines before game week against Western Michigan.

However, after stretching, Michigan moved outside because the rain stopped. Soon after reporters left, the rain restarted, so who knows if the Wolverines went back in or stayed out.

  • During walk-through, here was what I saw as the first-team offense: QB - Tate Forcier (although both Nick Sheridan and Denard Robinson took snaps there); RB - Carlos Brown (Brandon Minor was also here); FB/TE - Kevin Koger; Slot Receiver - Martavious Odoms; WR - Junior Hemingway and Greg Mathews; OL (from L to R): Mark Ortmann, Stephen Schilling, David Molk, David Moosman, Mark Huyge.
  • Speaking of Forcier, I'm really started to warm to the way he throws the ball. It looks much better than any of the other quarterbacks. Also, David Cone has an odd throwing motion.
  • Sophomore cornerback Tony Anderson was in a limited-contact green jersey.
  • On punt returns, Donovan Warren, Terrence Robinson, Martavious Odoms and Greg Mathews all worked on returns. In semi-live punt returning, Robinson made a couple of tough reads and catches. Granted, it's a small, small subset of what really goes on, but he seems to be separating himself a little bit.
  • Not much of a playlist today. Wondering if the lack of music comes from the shift from indoors to outdoors. Also didn't realize the playlist/DJ's rock out on a golf cart equipped with massive speakers. Personally, I want to take it out on Main Street for a spin, blasting some Bruce Springsteen, The Fray and Edna's Goldfish. But that's just me.
  • EDNA'S GOLDFISH "VERONICA SAWYER." IF YOU'VE NEVER HEARD IT, WORTH A LISTEN:

  • Here was the one song that got played that I knew (of two). Yep, that's AC/DC's "Hells Bells."
  • HELLS BELLS, LIVE AT DONINGTON IN 1991:

  • Kicking: Don't think Michigan will have any issues with length. Both Jason Olesnavage and Brendan Gibbons made long field goals. Gibbons made from 40 yards, 37 yards, 40 yards despite a bad operation and 49 yards. He was wide left from 44. Olesnavage connected from 44 and 50 yards. Kris Pauloski made from extra point and 30-yard range.
  • A pretty funny drill done by the offense. Almost everyone on the offense except the quarterbacks line up in front of a tackling dummy. Then, simultaneously, they all dive through the dummies, simulating blocking. Honestly, it looks like a bunch of fun.
  • Defensive backs, meanwhile, were doing a drill where they'd hit a big, red medicine ball thrown at their legs and then run at a teammate wearing a blue pad on his right arm and run into him while tackling him to a big mat.
  • Defensive back pairings for a coverage drill: Boubacar Cissoko/Vladimir Emilien; J.T. Floyd/Troy Woolfolk; J.T. Turner/Jared Van Slyke; Teric Jones/Jordan Kovacs; Al Backey/Donovan Warren. Jumped over here a group or so late, so likely missed Warren's first go and potentially Mike Williams.

    Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for annarbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

    Comments

    tater

    Wed, Aug 26, 2009 : 7:54 p.m.

    As terrible as kicking looked in the spring game, I'm a little surprised that it looks good now. Musta been a great summer.