Could slow starts to practice week cause Michigan's sluggish starts in games?
Michigan senior nose tackle Mike Martin (68) on Michigan's sluggish first quarters through three games: "I think it's just really a mental thing."
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
In a week in which players and coaches have struggled to come up with hard answers for the Michigan football team's listless starts, Junior Hemingway arrived at an interesting theory.
During a seniors meeting with coach Brady Hoke, the senior receiver drew an analogy between the Wolverines' slow starts in games to their slow starts during the practice week.
Nose tackle Mike Martin said the team's practices typically are flatter early in the week, then sharpen as Saturday approaches.
Michigan follows a similar path on game days, when it is being outscored 21-0 in the first quarter before winning the final three 100-23.
It's an intriguing thought.
"I think it's just really a mental thing," said Martin, who thinks there might be something to Hemingway's notion. "The game of football is played from the neck up, and we just got to make sure we come out in pregame warmups and make sure that we're on point for the first play of the game."
Michigan (3-0) is unbeaten and ranked No. 22 going into its game Saturday against San Diego State (noon, BTN) despite struggling to stop first drives.
Western Michigan opened the season by picking apart the Wolverines' defense on a 15-play, 74-yard drive that consumed 7 minutes, 11 seconds and ended with a touchdown.
The next week, Notre Dame's first possession traversed 57 yards on seven plays and ended with another touchdown.
Last week, Eastern Michigan moved the ball easily on its first drive before fumbling — but followed that six-play, 55-yard possession with a 10-play, 72-yard drive that ended at the goal line.
All told, Michigan's opponents have driven 55 plays for 365 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter. The Wolverines have run 34 plays that traveled 126 yards — without a score of any kind.
What's up?
Defensively, coordinator Greg Mattison said his unit is having a hard time making on-field adjustments when an opponent runs something for which it hasn't prepared.
"The guys that are the communicators have got to be ready to really take urgency in communicating," Mattison said. "It is never going to be exactly like you practice, so when there is an adjustmentt to be made, then the guys have to step up.
"They're learning to do it, and they did as the game went on, but that will bite us if we don't get that squared away."
Part of the challenge is Mattison expects his linebackers to be the communicators because the safeties are too far from the line of scrimmage for the defensive line to hear them. Meantime, Michigan is starting junior Brandin Hawthorne (one career start) and Jake Ryan (two career starts) at that position.
Their inexperience sometimes can make it difficult for them to recognize packages.
Offensively, the problem is similar: Opposing defensives are developing unique coverages to slow quarterback Denard Robinson, so they often are running packages for which the Wolverines have yet to prepare.
"A lot of these teams are so aimed at stopping Denard, some of the things they're doing on the tape, they're not doing when they play us," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "So, there's an adjustment period for us as coaches, and that translates down to the players — and, sometimes, it takes us a little longer than we'd like to."
Borges said there also were several blown assignments early against Eastern Michigan.
"Last game, for some reason — and I'm not sure why — we had too many missed assignments," he said. "We didn't have too many in the first two games, but we had a few (then)."
The slow starts have yet to punish Michigan with a loss, but coaches and players warn if the problem isn't solved, they eventually will.
The good news?
If there's something to Hemingway's theory about slow practice starts producing slow game starts, Michigan could be in for a first-quarter turnaround Saturday against San Diego State (3-0).
"We had a very good (practice Tuesday)," Hoke said. "For a Tuesday, it was very intense and, I thought, competitive.
"I thought we had a pretty inspired, spirited day."
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
discgolfgeek
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.
The betting line has Michigan favored by 10 -- I think it will be a lot closer but hope I am wrong. I expect SDSU to move the ball and get lots of yds. This is an upset special waiting to happen. If we can bend but not break and make them kick field goals, then we'll be fine.
MRunner73
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
The theory of slow starts and slow practices is interesting. It all boils down to execution. Hopefully, we'll see improvement on both sides of the ball early in the game. Perhaps Michigan can recieve the ball to start the game if we win the coin toss. GO BLUE!!!
Gordon
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
The queston: "Does slow starts in practice lead to slow starts in the game" implys that they are not ready. What's not ready? Maybe the coaches are calling it as they see it. Chanages enacted by one coach versus another doesn't change the fundementals of the game. Old school; but basics count. Secondly, the above questons implies the team lacks intial confidence. These are the players Hoke inherited not recruited by Hoke. There is an element of wariness on the players part because their replacements are being recruited by Hoke. So, they start slow. They are not the first team to do that and still be successful. U of M has been a young team for a number of years because of a lack of consistency. Tough job bringing them together.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
On Inside Michigan Football, I heard Coach Hoke refer to this team as "132" - which means of course, this is the 132nd "version" of the Michigan Wolverines. Fine: Go Blue! Go 132! But this tends to support the idea that "132" is a transition team, one which needs both learning experience and more size and/or talent in some positions. I honestly don't think that "19" (Coach Hoke is the 19th Head Coach at Michigan) could be or do any better, nor IMO, could Mattison and Borges be or do better. Yeah, that just means I'm agreeing with those who say that, while they are off to a good start, it will take a few years before some future version of the Wolverines returns solidly to the top.
David Paris
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
"Defensively, coordinator Greg Mattison said his unit is having a hard time making on-field adjustments when an opponent runs something for which it hasn't prepared. "The guys that are the communicators have got to be ready to really take urgency in communicating," Mattison said. "It is never going to be exactly like you practice, so when there is an adjustmentt to be made, then the guys have to step up." With the above comment in mind, maybe the Defense should spend some time in practice Just Making Adjustments. Practice your weakness... practice making adjustments. I know, there probably isn't enough time in the NCAA rule book to practice everything, but start with your weaknesses is my suggestion. Best of Luck, and Go Blue!
Rufus
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:56 a.m.
SDSU is a good team and motivated. I think the slow start is mostly Borges trying to transition to the West Coast offense at the start of every game. Michigan falls flat and he starts calling more shotgun style spread offense plays. Denard becomes Denard and lights up the board. I totally support the move to the west coast offense but Denard is a young version of Michael Vick. The under center, drop back and throw just isn't in his muscle memory yet and may not be during his career at Michigan to a high degree. Run more plays with the RB's but let Denard be Denard.
missionbrazil
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
Good point about the 0 fumbles MichFanTex ... a definite improvement there. Throw in the fact that our D should cause more turnovers than in the last 3 years, and thus we will see great improvement in turnover margin.
MichFanTex
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:59 a.m.
Perhaps it is more accurate to say, thank heaven Hoke didn't have his OC blow up the offense and instill a new and totally foreign offensive scheme. Moreover, thank heaven Hoke and his assistants are level headed enough not to have public shouting matches between themselves and players during the middle of games. Lastly, let's thank heaven that Hoke has harped on the basic fundemental of holding onto the rock. Through first three games in 2008, RRs team lost 6 fumbles. Through the first three games of 2011 Hoke's team has lost 0 fumbles.
tim
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
Thank Heaven we have the Denard factor as we change the offense. Poor Rich Rod had nobody when he tried to change things.
Mick
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:03 a.m.
I think it's just some of the growing pains of the coaching change and recovering from being coached (and I mean that loosely) by the WCIMFH. As Hoke and Staff continue to coach and teach the players more and more, the team will improve greatly IMO. If Hoke was still coach at SDSU, we would lose this game I think. Let's be thankful he's on our sideline now. This team and program are on the rise and time will heal some of these growing pains, we just need to be patient. As for The osu posters query, I would venture to guess in the 2007 season, we were ranked in the top 5 and then the horror happened. It doesn't matter though, all your high rankings were achieved through a high level of cheating. So I ask you, are you really proud of that? Knowing your fan base, I bet the answer is yes, you guys just don't get it. In the future you will be ranked behind us most of the time and we won't cheat to achieve that.
UofMbeBetter
Sat, Sep 24, 2011 : 8:42 a.m.
You said "and we won't cheat to achieve that." Im just sayen, We did cheat, and wether you justify that by saying "which many schools do and didn't get caught, btw" is pretty lame, because first you say we are Michigan, and we are better than those other schools who cheat, and then when we get caught cheating you say well everybody does it and were no different. So what is it, arw We better than the rest, or do we go around doing the same things that Everybody else does. BTW i would assume that every team (Including ours) has players who wouldnt mind getting an ocasional free hamburger or cheap tshirt........... Just sayen its
Mick
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
So you are comparing practicing a few minutes extra a day (which many schools do and didn't get caught, btw) to what that school in ohio and other programs are doing? Give me a break and get a grip on the situation. Also, we have completed our obligation for the penalties we incurred.
UofMbeBetter
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 8:45 a.m.
Michigan is on probation right now,,,,,,, arent we? for extra practice time right?
Megan Greene
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.
Sam Webb or someone on sports radio today was saying how difficult it has been for offensive lineman to adjust to the new blocking schemes. That Michigan does not have a dominant line for the new pro style offense, and is a few years away from getting one. I'm starting to think that a successful transition will not occur this year and that when we hit the Big 10 road there will be a lot of upsets, not in our direction. Maybe there is a stiff price to pay for such an abrupt transition. Go (as far as you can reasonably go) Blue.
BlueGator
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
A lot depends on one's definition of "successful transition." I think UM will have a hard time winning more than three B1G games this year: they just don't have the mass in the trenches. You no doubt heard the old football axiom, "You can't coach speed." The same is true for weight. Good technique and coaching will help, but...
jns131
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
Its a Monday, mama mia, give em a break. After all they played hard on Saturday.
ogel1209
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:49 p.m.
To the osu: Does it really matter? We're ranked higher than you now. Get over it!!
The OSU
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
OK, OK... Fair is fair. We played... well let's just call it "poorly" and leave it at that. For the first time IN A VERY LONG TIME, Mich is above tOSU in the polls. My question, "When was the last time UM was ranked higher than the Buckeyes?"
RWBill
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
3rd week of the season who cares?
UofMbeBetter
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 8:44 a.m.
Arent we (Michigan) on probation for sneaking in extra practice time? And then Lying about it to the NCAA? Michigan is on probation right now arent we?
Prometheus
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.
To missionbrazil. I think you mean, "before that team in Ohio started cheating!"
missionbrazil
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:11 p.m.
that's easy ... before tOSU started cheating ! Go Blue !
goldenblue
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
I really think Michigan has a bigger problem than slow starts.That would be the lack of playing time for Devin Gardner and Thomas Rawls.At some point Denard is going to get hit and hurt.With little snaps under center we will be at a big disadvantage.I hope coach Hoke and company get these players some PT before the big ten starts.
mark mumford
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Relax, it's only San Diego State. Remember, you're Michigan...
Ross
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.
Who is this Mumford guy anyway? Still recommending a bottle of tequila apiece?
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
San Diego State is closer to an Appalachian State than a Toledo. This is a team that would prove it should be ranked with a strong performance.
Bogie
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
Yaaa. It's not like Toledo, or Appalachian State's coming to town.
ArthGuinness
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.
"The game of football is played from the neck up" Agreeing with Hemingway here, somebody's been teaching him well.
UofMbeBetter
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 8:42 a.m.
I know my HS coach used to say that, and i think my Middle schol coach would say similar things ....... Just sayen, its pretty basic stuff
Ross
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.
That was Martin. But yeah.
Veracity
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
I have another suggestion: U-M should start the game thinking that it is the fourth quarter with two minutes left to play and the game in the balance!
Go Blue
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
Good team. Good coach. No worries - they'll do it! Go Blue!