Live updates from Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez's Monday press conference
Two days after he conceded his Michigan football team's defense can't draw comparisons to the 1985 Chicago Bears, Rich Rodriguez sat down with the media to break down Saturday's 42-37 win over UMass and to look forward to Saturday's visit from Bowling Green.
Rodriguez said he will personally spend 15 to 20 minutes with Michigan's defense Monday in practice. Although he believes defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is able to address the issues that plagued the Wolverines Saturday, he will devote some personal time with the unit. Rodriguez said some problems aren't going to be fixed overnight, but that others have to be fixed immediately.
Craig Roh
Rodriguez said he thought his defense was well prepared, which made Saturday's struggles all that more surprising.
"They certainly did not play with the urgency defensively they did against Notre Dame," Rodriguez said. "What's important is to fix the problems we had Saturday and move forward or else we will be in trouble again."
Outside linebacker Craig Roh said he's still frustrated by Saturday's defensive issues.
"We just didnt tackle well, and they threw some stuff at us that kind of frazzled us," Roh said. "We're going to get it corrected."
Roh said the most frustrating part was that they would nab a UMass ball carrier in the backfield only to see him gain extra yards. He called the game a mini-wake-up call, saying that Saturday's efforts weren't good enough.
Roh said coming into the season, he heard questions that Michigan would struggle against the run. He said those notions, coupled with Saturday's struggles, made the defense eager to improve against Bowling Green (noon, ESPN2).
"We want to be the best defense we can be, and what we showed Saturday wasn't our best," Roh said.
As far as his pre-game rituals, Roh said he doesn't tend to listen to hard-pumping music to get him prepared to play.
"I just read my Bible a little bit," he said. "I really don't listen to too much music."
Rodriguez on special teams Rodriguez said he believes he has special teams players who can succeed. But after joking Saturday that he would hold another student body tryout for potential place-kickers, he said he ran into a student in the Crisler Arena parking lot Monday morning looking for a chance to make the team.
"He said, 'Coach Rod, I heard you may be looking for a kicker,' and so I gave him our guy's name, and we'll see if he shows up this afternoon."
Rodriguez said he hasn't experienced the kind of special teams struggles this deep into the season. He said he tried and put his kickers into competitive situations in practice and will continue to do so until the problem is solved. But he's not questioning the abilities of his special teams performers.
"We've seen them do it in practice and they'll do it in games eventually. I know it's not because they're not trying. One of them or both of them will make a kick and their confidence will take off, and we'll have that solved for this year." Rodriguez on Mark Dantonio A day after Michigan State officials confirmed Spartans coach Mark Dantonio suffered a minor heart attack after his team's win over Notre Dame, Rodriguez said there are many job-related stresses that go into his job.
"Probably most coaches have known this for years; that it's a different lifestyle and that you don't just work your job, you live your job. But you know that going into it."
Rodriguez said to stay healthy, he works out five days a week and has a personalized stairmaster at his disposal. Last spring, he started lifting weights with Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis.
He continues to be a restless sleeper, though.
"I've not slept three hours straight in years," he said. "You sleep a couple of hours, up an hour, sleep a couple more. If you get five, that's good."
Rodriguez on his quarterbacks Rodriguez said he won't consider redshirting sophomore Tate Forcier. Rodriguez said he has been pleased with Forcier's attitude the last two weeks and that he continues to improve along with freshman Devin Gardner.
Rodriguez said game situations just haven't allowed him to use Forcier and Gardner. Had Michigan gotten a stop against UMass with the Wolverines leading 35-17, he would have taken starter Denard Robinson out of the game.
"If Denard gets tired or needs a break, I wouldn't hesitate to put either Tate or Devin (Gardner) in there," Rodriguez said. "That's a good situation to be in."
Because of how competitive practice is, Rodriguez said he doesn't worry about getting Forcier or Gardner game experience before the Big Ten season. His bigger concern is seeing the two improve.
Rodriguez said he doesn't worry about keeping Robinson within himself - due mainly to his personality. Robinson isn't concerned with stats or how many times he scores, but instead about how the team does at a whole.
"After he took a knee (at the end of the UMass game) he jumped up like we won the Rose Bowl," Rodriguez said.
More on defense Rodriguez said although he didn't hand out a defensive player of the week honor, junior nose tackle Mike Martin and safety Jordan Kovacs have been the most consistent performers. Rodriguez said most of the struggles Michigan's defense experienced against UMass were fundamental issues.
Darryl Stonum talks play-making Wide receiver Darryl Stonum said the big plays he made Saturday were not only momentum changers but the kind of plays he dreamed of when he came to Michigan.
"I was always the big-play guy in high school, and I always wanted that to transition over to Michigan," he said. "But I'm not sure two touchdowns in 45 seconds was part of the dream."
Comments
truebluefan
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.
The reasons for the defensive collapse against UMass have nothing to do with scheme. The linebackers made several key mistakes losing contain. This resulted in a bunch of yards and probably 14 points, at least. These are the same LB's that were doing just about everything right in the first two games. I chalk this up to mental lapses and not being fired up to play UMass. It was a clunker. Coaching certainly is partially to blame but the players bear the ultimate responsibility to be psyched up for games.
Skipit3
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 5:01 a.m.
Well, it's way too early to declare this season a failure! All of you Naysayers, remember how teams like OSU and others have struggled in the past at the beginning of their seasons only to improve as the season progresses. At this stage of the season, all teams are fine tuning their games. It will get better for some teams and worse for others. What we see now is not necessarily an indication of how the remainder of the season will unfold. Yet, we have all these folks that already have their own prejudice against the coach, coming out of hiding pressing the panic button and declaring the season a failure already. When the team won their first two games against overrated UConn & Notre Dame, you did not say much, did you? There were very few posts about RR being a bad coach or a dishonest person. You people are just waiting for any opportunity to slam RR and the team. That performance against UMass has just given you the ammo that you have been longing for. Now you are all coming out spitting out your negative comments like venom, of course with the familiar names leading the charge. Get a hold of yourselves people! As one poster wrote, last year is last year; this is 2010. The past is not always an indication of the present nor the future. All game predictions are futile and a waste of precious time. Anything can happen on any given Saturday, just my opinion!
Skipit3
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 2:42 a.m.
BornInA2's quotes: "...if they kids are that good in practice and then fall apart in games it is SOLELY on the coaches. They either recruited head-cases or they've failed to adequately prep them or both..." "...we, with the exception of Denard, look atrocious..." Is it me or does anyone else see the contradictions here? FYI, the coaching staff recruited both the punter and Denard. Denard got good coaching, worked hard, and he's kicking butt. The punter also got good coaching, but is a freshman. He got nervous or whatever his problem might have been and he bombed his punts/kicks. It sounds to me that it is on the player, not the coaching staff.
Skipit3
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 2:04 a.m.
Well folks, it's way too early to declare this season a failure! All of you Naysayers, remember how teams like OSU and others have struggled in the past at the beginning of their seasons only to improve as the season progresses. At this stage of the season, all teams are fine tuning their games. It will get better for some teams and worse for others. What we see now is not necessarily an indication of how the remainder of the season will unfold. Yet, we have all these folks that already have their own prejudice against the coach crawling out of their holes pressing the panic button and declaring the season a failure already. When the team won their first two games against overrated UConn & Notre Dame, you stayed in your holes, didn't you? There were very few posts about RR being a bad coach and a "scum bag". You people are just waiting for any opportunity to slam RR and the team. That performance against UMass has just given you the ammo that you have been longing for. Now you are all coming out spitting out your negative venom, of course with the likes of 3 And Out, BornInA2, and NoBowl leading the charge. Get a hold of yourselves people! As one poster wrote, last year is last year; this is 2010. The past is not always an indication of the present nor the future. All game predictions are futile and a waste of precious time. Anything can happen on any given Saturday, just my opinion!
paperstreetsoap
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 9:55 p.m.
@engineer here is a hint. think coaches. I thought you might get the answer on your own. Well, guess not.
Engineer
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 8:42 p.m.
paperstreet what exactly did msu figure out in 4 years? how to go 6 and 7?
paperstreetsoap
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 6:52 p.m.
osu needed 10 years to figure it out. nd needed six years. msu only needed 4 years. Michigan is supposed to be smarter than these others schools, aren't they?!?!?!?!
win
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 6:19 p.m.
Some people just like being miserable. It doesn't matter what they see right in front of them, they will still find the negative and believe what they want to believe. You call yourselves Michigan fans, but deep down you get off on the team struggling because in some way it makes your life just a little easier to deal with. I bet you were the same people who complained about Lloyd Carr not winning enough 122-40 wasn't good enough for you. I bet you are all perfect at your job. I bet you are perfect dads and husbands too. WHEN Michigan finishes 8-4 or 9-3 this year. I hope you all choose not to attend the bowl game. Stay home. No real Michigan fan wants any "Walmart Wolverines" tagging along.
Yelmonian
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 4:44 p.m.
Theo212, Was reading an Illini thread today. The posters were thinking the Michigan game will be their only Big Ten victory this season.
Kubrick66
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.
BorninA2... "Three years is not "instant". Last I checked RR is just starting his 3rd season and sits at 3-0. Still time to prove everyone right... or wrong.
81wolverine
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
@newe82: It will be pretty hard for BG to put up 40 on us when their starting QB is out for the game. This one's going to be one-sided in favor of Michigan. I don't buy the statement that Michigan's Defense was well-prepared for the U-Mass game. They were in the wrong positon all game long and looked like they were expecting another type of offense. I think we're going to be at the point soon where we need to take some chances with this unit - like going to more of a pressure defense to put heat on the QB. They aren't doing well at all sitting back and trying to cover people. So, might as well go the other way and see what happens. And get some more guys in the rotation - like Will Campbell, J.B. Fitzgerald, and Marvin Robinson. Keeping fresh guys in there has GOT to help I'd think. Just my opinion.
heartbreakM
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 3:11 p.m.
@michboy40: I have been publicly critical (and complimentary when I think appropriate). Why do you think that those who are critical are not fans anyway? We all have different opinions of how we want the football team to be successful, be it style of play, who the coach is, type of coach, etc. These boards are intended for discussion to give our opinions. Yet, if we are publicly critical, we are told we are not fans? Does that mean that all the Rod lovers out there were never critical of Lloyd, Mo, or Bo? Does that mean that we should not see one peep of criticism about the players since they are actually amateurs playing (unlike all of us who are professional observers?) How do you want it? (I get your point that some criticism is over the top, and I probably have been guilty of that, but that's what free speech on these boards is about). OF
michboy40
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:57 p.m.
I don't think our defensive issues can be fixed until we have the same scheme and coach in there for 3-4 years. This is Greg Robinsons second year, but he is running the 3-3-5 for the first time. THis is five years in a row where we are either starting with a new coach or new scheme. Keep the 3-3-5, keep the coach, and let the thing develop...it's that simple. As for the doomsdayers, you have the right to your opinion, but it's more fun to put a positive spin on our issues because when they go away, you can say I told ya' so, instead being forced out of the forum for being idiots. Of course, when we start winning you will go away anyway because you are not M fans, just people who like to stir the pot.
Yogi
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.
The defense has struggled but that is mostly due to lack of depth on that side of the ball. I heard today that the defense only has 23-26? scholarship players on it out of 85. Until UM can balance that out the defense will continue to struggle. I hope that Craig Roh is correct that Saturday's game was a wake up call and they get better as the season continues (they better!).
KenCooper
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.
You can't believe how thankful I am to live in Colorado, where few care about UM football and NOBODY cares about MSU. If I had to face the spoiled brats who do nothing but hate Rodriguez in my day-to-day life, it would be more than I could stomach. Go Blue!!!
ethanblue
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.
Yeah, everyone but Denard has looked atrocious! Did you see the way he switched jerseys after throwing short passes (because he's THAT fast) and ran for that 63-yarder as #22? Then, did you see the way D-Rob also gained twice his weight and put on #68 and destroyed the middle of the UMass O-line? Then, on the same plays, he put became light-skinned, and wore #88. Wow, Michigan sure is only a one-man team this year. Come one, haters. Give other plays credit where deserved. D-Rob's hype is overblown by both those in love with him, and those hating on him. He's a bit selfish right now with the ball, but he's going to learn more and more to trust Shaw, Stonum, and Martavious Odoms (who I hated as a freshman for all his dropsies, but who has grown into a quiet leader on this team). Rodriguez needs to spend some time with the secondary reminding them that they need to play pass first defense. Kovacs can make all of the tackles he wants, but until he learns to cover he's going to be responsible for as many TDs as he gets TOs. His bite on the play action scares me, and that's got to be coached out of him -- or he needs to be benched. The rest of the defense needs to learn how to tackle, but we also have to get more holding calls going our way. Martin and Roh were beasts that UMass could only contain because flags got jammed in the refs' tight pants.
ethanblue
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
Yeah, everyone but Denard has looked atrocious! Did you see the way he switched jerseys after throwing short passes (because he's THAT fast) and ran for that 63-yarder as #22? Then, did you see the way D-Rob also gained twice his weight and put on #68 and destroyed the middle of the UMass O-line? Then, on the same plays, he put became light-skinned, and wore #88. Wow, Michigan sure is only a one-man team this year. Come one, haters. Give other plays credit where deserved. D-Rob's hype is overblown by both those in love with him, and those hating on him. He's a bit selfish right now with the ball, but he's going to learn more and more to trust Shaw, Stonum, and Martavious Odoms (who I hated as a freshman for all his dropsies, but who has grown into a quiet leader on this team). Rodriguez needs to spend some time with the secondary reminding them that they need to play pass first defense. Kovacs can make all of the tackles he wants, but until he learns to cover he's going to be responsible for as many TDs as he gets TOs. His bite on the play action scares me, and that's got to be coached out of him -- or he needs to be benched. The rest of the defense needs to learn how to tackle, but we also have to get more holding calls going our way. Martin and Roh were beasts that UMass could only contain because flags got jammed in the refs' tight pants.
heartbreakM
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 2:15 p.m.
I must say that I like Rod's comments today. He is trying to stare down the problem (defense) and tackle it. I hope he can do it. It does not seem like the defense is incurable--they have experienced guys mixed with newcomers. Hopefully, they can just emphasize the keys and lanes, and play contain much better. Mouton looked like he ran the wrong way on Mass' last TD pass to the TE, and that is correctible, but as a fourth year, you'd hope he would not make that mistake. And yes, a close win is much better than a loss like vs. App state a few years ago. Let's hope for better performances.
Dwinschampionships
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
BorninA2: There is not reasoning with RR haters.
jameslucas
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
Here come the Haters, they have been set up here to make their hate comments. They will say Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Backs, and Special Teams Coordinator, Tony Gibson, should loose his job, are just wrong. I say he just has a lot of underclassmen this year. I say he will figure it out soon, remember it is only the start of his third year at Michigan and his first year as Special Teams Coordinator, and so just give him some time to figure it out. He has worked for Coach Rich for many years and they are comfortable with each others work, he is not going anywhere, and it would just set the program back to make a coaching change. Also, all the coaches have a hand in the special teams coaching its not as if Tony Gibson is running the whole show himself. Further, he recruited and developed some pretty good defensive backs at West Virginia that have been drafted into the NFL. The special teams need some work that is true, but a lot of teams in the Big Ten are having problems with the special teams right now. The Michigan defense is 69th in the country right now in points against, that is not good enough, but I think it will continue to improve. So lets give these coaches a chance to work it out, look at the progress of the offence, at the start of year three they are set to become the best in the Big Ten this year.
BornInA2
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
@Dwins: Whose job is it to mentally prepare the kids for real games in front of 110,000 fans with a real opposing team screaming in on them? In my opinion, if they kids are that good in practice and then fall apart in games it is SOLELY on the coaches. They either recruited head-cases or they've failed to adequately prep them or both. RR's job is to deliver results, on and off the field. All I've seen him deliver is blame and excuses. I'm beyond tired of hearing "wait a few more games..years..." This is year three and we, with the exception of Denard, look atrocious. It's not the nuanced parts of the game, it's basic stuff. Our defensive coordinator was quoted earlier this year as saying he didn't know how he could simplify the schemes any more that he has. Why, in year three of the Great RR Era, do we still need to simplify? Shouldn't we, by now, be working on that last 10% of the playbook on both sides of the ball?
Dwinschampionships
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
The kids kick great in practice and warm ups. I watched the punter kick after halftime last week. He was kicking it 60 yards with great hang time. He had no problem catching the snaps. Then he gets out there in the game and drops a perfect snap...How is that coaching? The kids are young and will only get better. I think everyone one forgot that Michigan won the game. I will be scared to read some of your posts, when Michigan finally loses this year.
A2D2
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
I really Want To Believe. I really do, I really do, I really do!. But it seems to me that not only are they not getting any better year over year, they're not getting any better game over game within this year (10, then, 28, then 37).... I'm just sayin....
BornInA2
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
@A2D2: 15-20 minutes is his max. After that he loses his voice from screaming at them and that's the end of his coaching bag of tricks. @Dwins: If we actually showed any sign of defensive improvement over the last three years I'd be more hopeful. But it really looks like we've gotten worse each year, and I don't see how a couple more years will result in us learning how to tackle and pass rush and cover receivers, if three isn't enough. As for the kicking game, we can see where the departure of Carr's "empty cupboard" recuits has landed us. Perhaps RR didn't think we'd ever need to punt or kick a field goal this year?
A2D2
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
.....and by the way, the U of m soccer team is full of guys that could put the ball into the end zone on kickoffs........I'm just sayin......
A2D2
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
"Rodriguez said he will spend 15-20 minutes with Michigan's defense Monday in practice.". May want to move that up to a full 30 minues, coach......I'm just sayin.........
Dwinschampionships
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
It is just a matter of time, before the defense and kicking games improve. BG will not score 40. Michigan's offense will dominate and defense and ST will be improved. The true test for this team will start the first weekend in Oct.
newe82
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.
I hate to say it, but watch out for bowling green. They are going to put up 40 on the UM defense. If they lose Saturday I don't see this team winning another game the rest of the year. There are no gimmies on the big ten schedule this year. In fact for many of the Big Ten teams Michigan is their gimmie game based on Saturday's performance.
BornInA2
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.
@Sparty: Three years is not "instant". Especially given the lack of significant progress. Last year would could kick but not tackle or cover. This year we can't tackle, cover, or kick.
spartyisyourlilsister
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.
Wow, I thought the brilliance of Brian Kelly would be able to overcome the shortfalls at ND. I guess he just does not have the players to fit his system there, even though ND has had countless top-notch recruiting classes. Maybe Michigan should follow the template that ND and MSU have done and change coaches every 2-3 years, searching for that coach that provides instant success! Seems to be working out very well for both of those teams!
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
I sense this season will be Deja Vu, a repeat of last.