Posted on Sat, Apr 16, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
How do you grade the performance of the Michigan football team in the spring game?
By AnnArbor.com Staff
The Michigan football team's spring game had plenty of highlights.
Devin Gardner threw a touchdown pass to Je'Ron Stokes. Denard Robinson had a 55-yard run and showed he can line up under the center. Michael Cox had a 68-yard touchdown run and linebacker Jake Ryan had an interception he returned for a touchdown.
What did you think when it was over?
Comments
mdoggy
Mon, Apr 18, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
I wonder.... What have we done to (denard) the most talented player in the big ten?....perhaps college football.... Denard was all about running to set up the pass... Not the other way around... He passed very well out of RR's offense last year...i cant say the same for what we saw on saturday....If he didnt run we wouldnt have won 7 games last year... Coaches for opposing teams dreaded to put together a plan to stop him.... I hope we have a great season an i still have faith... Go blue!!
rensational
Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.
The defense...like someone else said, it's hard to tell because Denard couldn't pass, we're having some issues with the o-line (players injured, lack of depth). I do think they will be better, and I see a playing style that looks more like what a Michigan D is supposed to look like. Um...seems like we'll need them to if we want to win in the Big Ten.
rensational
Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
Before anyone replies with this, I completely understand this was just a spring scrimmage and we don't even have everyone on campus yet. I believe Wile will be our kicker, for example. You can't really tell a lot from spring scrimmage, but you CAN tell SOME things. For example, last spring, I felt the defense looked like something to worry about, and in the fall it was. Here's how I feel after the spring view: Um. You know how people who clearly didn't watch all of Michigan's games in 2010 kept saying and continue to say our offense was high-powered, "working" or something along those lines, despite the fact that we couldn't score against real teams until the game was basically out of reach (and sometimes not even then, i.e. Ohio State and Mississippi State)? Okay. Our offense looks even worse than THAT one. And THAT offense got us to 7 wins. So... I do wonder... Are we about to miss yet another bowl game? Almost worse yet, are we about to sit through a 4th straight loss to Michigan State (forget about Ohio State)? Are we going to lose to ALL of our real rivals (Minnesota kinda doesn't count)? I'm not saying anything other than I'm done with the "Michigan maybe could win 8 games this fall" talk. I will be happy with 6 wins in the regular season after seeing what I saw yesterday. That Michigan offense made me think of the 2008 one, though...you know, the one Kirk Herbstreit said couldn't move the ball against air. Don't know what Denard looked like the rest of the spring, but I was left wondering just why is it that he still can't seem to pass the ball, or...perhaps more accurately and fairly, why is his biggest strength still far and away running the ball...which, according to Borges and Hoke, is something he will not do anywhere near as much as he had been doing.
truebluefan
Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 5:46 a.m.
The "40%" of the offensive playbook shown today was inefficient, slow, awkward and plodding. If the guys can't execute even 40% of the playbook now, how are they possibly going to be any good come September? On the other hand, the defense did well against a bad offense. But, I believe in Mattison and I think we will be great again under his direction. Offensively, oh how I long for the days of Rich Rod and Magee. Sigh.
Dusty
Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 5:16 a.m.
I can't really tell if the defense actually looks better or if the offense was just terrible.
mdoggy
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 : 9:37 p.m.
Denard looked faster.... Thats about all i can say.... Other than a lucky running play wheres the offense?... Defense was much improved in there assignments! Should have kept RR on as offensive cord....lol
MikeB
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
The defense showed me the most today.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
It's a beautiful day in Southern Calif. and I spent most of the time grilling outside for family. Looked like Mich. hopeful had on rain gear. So what do you boys and girls think, does Mich. have anything this year?