Martavious Odoms sports a cast as Michigan football team works out
Michigan wide receiver Martavious Odoms, shown greeting Michigan coach Brady Hoke, wore a cast on his left arm Tuesday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Michigan senior wide receiver Martavious Odoms, a projected starter at wideout who also returns kicks, was seen at practice Tuesday with a cast on his left forearm.
There has been no word on the nature or extent of Odoms’ injury, although he still was running sets with what looked like the first offense.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Monday his team was “pretty doggone healthy” entering camp. When asked if there were any significant injuries, he said no.
Odoms’ role in the offense increased in importance this week when it was announced senior Darryl Stonum would redshirt this season. Stonum was arrested this summer on his second DUI charge, and is serving two years probation.
Odoms caught 16 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown last season, and also returned eight kicks for an average of 22.6 yards apiece. He had a career-high 49 catches for 443 yards as a freshman in 2008.
Junior Denard Robinson quarterbacked the first team during the session that was open to the media, with wideouts Junior Hemingway, Roy Roundtree and Odoms receiving passes. Tight end Kevin Koger also was with the group, and Michael Shaw and Vincent Smith alternated taking handoffs from Robinson.
Also of note was freshman kicker Matt Wile taking long snaps with what appeared to be the first punting unit.
Wile, a top-five kicker out of San Diego, also punted in high school and could be called upon to fill in for Will Hagerup, Michigan’s sophomore punter who was suspended four games Sunday for a violation of team rules.
Hoke said Monday he wouldn’t discuss the candidates for punting duties, but did say he could envision Wile kicking and punting if he shows he's physically and mentally ready for the task.
Michigan returns kickers Seth Broekheuizen and Brendan Gibbons, but both struggled last year. The Wolverines made 4-of-14 field-goal attempts, last in the country.
Broekhuizen punted one game last season while Hagerup served a suspension against Ohio State, but faired poorly. Wile, who averaged 42 yards per punt as a high school senior, will be given an opportunity to earn the job with Hagerup out.
Broekhuizen and Hagerup took long snaps from what appeared to be the second punting unit.
Comments
Mick52
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
"There has been no word on the nature or extent of Odoms' injury, although he still was running sets with what looked like the first offense." What did they say when you asked? Or did you not ask? On Monday Coach Hoke said "pretty dog gone healthy," and no significant injuries, but what is the significance of Monday's news when Odoms shows up with a cast on Tuesday? Big headline and a photo about Odom's injury with no info on what his injury is.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.
M52 I''m not sure how your calendar works but Monday comes before Tuesday in my week. Let's review, shall we? "There has been no word on the nature or extent of Odoms' injury,..." Key words 'no word'. "On Monday Coach Hoke said 'pretty dog gone healthy'". We should all agree 'pretty' is not an absolute word, like 'never', 'always', 'none' . Finally "...Odoms shows up with a cast on Tuesday." Well unless Coach is Jean Dixon or Nostradames he can't see into the future, Monday being before Tuesday, (If he can, I really like our chances on Saturdays this fall). You seem to not be enjoying the change in management at Bo Hall, Mick52. Care to share why that is or is there another team that holds the spot nearer to your heart?
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 11:23 a.m.
The punter, Hagerup, must be thinking he's still in high school. His decision-making is leading him to being on the outside looking in. If someone steps up and averages anywhere near 40 yds per punt Hagerup's spot on the team will turn into another opening for next February. If this kids doesn't see that, well, maybe we can guess what the problem it.
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
Shaw and Smith taking hand offs with the first team? I know it's early but that IS NOT a good sign. I like both those guys, but they are not built to handle a heavy load in a pro set. Hopefully one of the bigger backs finally get's his head removed from his hind quarters and starts running like playing for Michigan actually means something.
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 6:39 p.m.
Understand BnT. I want the team to succeed so bad I can taste it, and while I like both Shaw and Smith, I just don't see them as the answer at RB. What frustrates the heck out of me is the possibility of seeing another year w/o a legitimate threat out of the backfield besides our QB. On a similar note, I'd like it if we'd start hearing a little more about the offense here. The defense has been putrid these last 3 seasons and covering them a lot make sense, but I'm actually more worried about Denard making the transition to the new offense. With our defense, it had no where to go but up, so any improvement will be a help. With the offense, I'm a little worried we'll have a repeat of 2008, with QB's that don't fit the offense. Probably not THAT bad, but it could still be painful.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
GNEPA I think we are on the same page. My first comment is strictly about size not always the important statistic. The rest of the paragraph is about opening the door for someone else to step through if those already here don't, won't. I agree about Hopkins, thought he should have gotten more touches last year. Toussant was injured for what seemed like most of last season and Cox needs to show he can do the job consistently to be the man. Remember last years offense had a different mode of operation and RBs were considered an afterthought, if at all. So give those guys who have been here first try while the new guys acclimate to the speed of college practices and then let the chips fall where they may. I have no doubt that Coach Borges and Hoke will put the best guys, regardless of class status, on the field. (GNEPA nothing but respect for you. Maybe we're just looking at this from different points of view but we both want the same thing; a football team we can all be proud of.) TiM Go Blue!
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
Are you seriously comparing Mike Hart to Shaw and Smith? Really? We've had 3 years to watch Shaw and 2 to watch Smith. While they may be similiar in height to Hart, their body types and running styles are not any where near what Hart's was. We've seen that adequately demonstrated on the field. There are a number of guys that on the squad right now that SHOULD be stepping up and laying claim to that spot. Guys like Hopkins, Cox, and Toussant. If they don't and we go into the season with Shaw and Smith as our starters, we're in trouble. Period.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
GNEPA You mean like Mike Hart? Coach Hoke is looking for players with heart, guys who will put the TEAM before everything else. Also, he needs to give those who were here this spring first shot even if it's to prove a negative. When you coach you sometime have to let a player or players show that they're not the best fit. That way the team accepts when you make an adjustment. It makes everybody work just a little be harder. Good team building technique. TiM Go Blue!
Blu-dogg97
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 4:41 a.m.
Agree.. like to see Rawls get some touches..
1st Down
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
I dont get Hagerup. Here is a highly recruited punter, who has a brother who is the punter for IU.... and he comes here, has a decent freshman year, but already has 2 suspensions under his belt.... get it together kid...or find another school to punt for. Punting for Michigan is not your right.
Kyle Meinke
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
Much to your chagrin, I'm sure, that was just a typo. Michael Shaw was getting reps with the first offense, not Mike Martin. I've made the change to reflect that. Although, now I kinda want to see Mike Martin take some handoffs ....
burton163
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
You beat me to it gator...I had to re-read that sentence twice to see if I saw what I thought I did. If it's not a typo....then I can't wait to see him line up behind Denard for the first time and see him tote the rock!
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
You had a feeling Wile was going to be practicing punting soon as he was very good in HS. Although rare, two Big Ten players recently have punted/kicked.....be on alert Mr. Hagerup. Cool that Martin was taking hand offs, but doesn't mean a lot - however, there have been some pretty good power backs in the B10 of recent years. My best to Odum, a super person and player - get better soon. MgoBlueForTiM............Odum is better than other B10 players even with a cast on. Walmart sparty is a fake and he be going down very soon....
BlueGator
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
Whoa!! Mike Martin was taking handoffs with the first unit offense? I know Hoke wanted more power running, but... Please tell me this was a typo.