Spring preview: Michigan searching for third starter, more production from receivers
Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges has maintained he expects the passing game to make a leap forward next season, which will be the team's second in his system.
But who is going to catch those balls?
Michigan coach Brady Hoke, ever mindful of trench play, is going to turn the focus on replacing All-American center David Molk and three-fourths of his defensive line when camp revs up next week, but the receiver position is just as much a point of concern.
SPRING PREVIEW
Day 1: Receivers/tight ends
Day 2: Quarterbacks
Day 3: Offensive line
Day 4: Tailbacks/fullbacks
Day 5: Linebackers
Day 6: Defensive backs
Day 7: Defensive line
Day 8: Specialists
Michigan will miss Junior Hemingway, who earned the moniker "Big Play Hemingway" for his flair for the spectacular last year. But, more importantly, he consistently was able to beat defensive backs on poorly thrown balls downfield, which became a regular component of the Wolverines' passing attack. Michigan won't have that kind of rangy deep threat next year, unless 6-foot-2 Amara Darboh stands out as a freshman.
The team also loses Darryl Stonum, who was kicked off the team after he was arrested for driving on a suspended license a day after Michigan returned from the Sugar Bowl. He was expected to start next year.
Role players Martavious Odoms and Kelvin Grady also depart.
At tight end, Michigan loses its top two players in Kevin Koger and Steve Watson, and also lost one-time recruit Pharaoh Brown.
Roy Roundtree is Michigan's most experienced returning wide receiver, but he was limited to 19 receptions last season.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Not much, at least in terms of production last year. Roy Roundtree is no doubt the most important receiver to watch in spring camp. He had a spectacular sophomore season, but caught just 19 passes as a junior. He often faded from the passing game, and there were occasional mixups on routes between him and quarterback Denard Robinson.
Jeremy Gallon was the one player who exceeded expectations last year, and is looking to build on that 31-catch performance as a junior. He also brings toughness to the position as a punishing blocker, despite his 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame.
At tight end, there are players back, but none of them produced much. Brandon Moore played a few snaps last year, but mostly as a blocking end. He will be expected to be more involved in the passing game next year. Freshman A.J. Williams could also factor in as a second tight end.
Spring mission
Find a third starting receiver. Roundtree probably is a better fit for the slot, where he broke out as a sophomore, but will start again outside to make room for Gallon. But who plays alongside them? With no incoming freshmen in camp at receiver, this is the time for either junior Jeremy Jackson or sophomore Jerald Robinson to state his case. If neither does, then it might be up to a freshman, Darboh or Jehu Chesson.
Also, the Wolverines need to find a replacement for Koger, although it might not come in the form of one player. Moore is the leader to start, but has only two career catches. He may be used in tandem with Williams, but the latter is not in camp. Moore's development will be one of the top spring storylines.
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
Luis Esparza
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 11:43 p.m.
Expect a total different type of passing game this season. Don't expect the tosss it up and pray a WR comes down with ball like this past season. Look for a more quick strike passing attack with Denard having only two reads and if nothing is there off to the races. Something similar to what Texas used when Vince Young led the Longhorns to the national championship. Expect Roy Roundtree to put up numbers similar to his sophomore season and for Jeremy Gallon to increase his production as a slot WR with this new passing scheme. Jerald Robinson could have a breakout season, now with that Hemingway and Grady graduated, along with the departure of Stonum this could be Robinson time to shine. Jeremy Jackson will continue to contribute at WR, but just lacks the game breaking speed and is not a serious threat in the read zone. I solid back up WR and even decent starter if his snaps are split with Robinson. Keep on eye on Drew Dileo, he is far from a game breaker, but the coaches and players love him. Dileo is willing to do whatever it takes to see the field and when he gets his chances he usually produces.
Luis Esparza
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.
Expect a total different type of passing game this season. Don't expect the tosss it up and pray a WR comes down with ball like this past season. Look for a more quick strike passing attack with Denard having only two reads and if nothing is there off to the races. Something similar to what Texas used when Vince Young led the Longhorns to the national championship. Expect Roy Roundtree to put up numbers similar to his sophomore season and for Jeremy Gallon to increase his production as a slot WR with this new passing scheme. Jerald Robinson could have a breakout season, now with that Hemingway and Grady graduated, along with the departure of Stonum this could be Robinson time to shine. Jeremy Jackson will continue to contribute at WR, but just lacks the game breaking speed and is not a serious threat in the read zone. I solid back up WR and even decent starter if his snaps are split with Robinson. Keep on eye on Drew Dileo, he is far from a game breaker, but the coaches and players love him. Dileo is willing to do whatever it takes to see the field and when he gets his chances he usually produces.
Psudolus
Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
I thought after his Sugar Bowl passing success, we were going to move Dileo to second string QB?
Robert Granville
Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
Kyle please take a nap. You are tired. You just wrote an in-depth article about Michigan's receiving corps and left out Drew Dileo. That being said, I foresee Roundtree at X, Dileo/Gallon rotating at slot and Robinson shows up in camp with authority and claims the Z spot. Moving forward, I hope to never see a Michigan receiver sub-6'. Judging by the 2013 and 2014 offer list, I probably never will.
Matt Patercsak
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
<a href="http://wolverineforce.blogspot.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://wolverineforce.blogspot.com/</a> we have some visitors this weekend, this blog will keep everyone in the loop. its also a solid blog for all things Michigan football
edjasbord
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 6:32 a.m.
I'm really just not sure how you can leave Dileo out of this "preview." Do I even return for the upcoming "previews"?
Albee Macaw
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 2:56 a.m.
From the below statement I would say the Jokester either overdosed on fried food or the Urbanator is in his head. I would guess allot of both, \ However, Hoke is embracing the big-name coach on the Buckeyes sidelines as the next chapter of this storied rivalry unfolds. He even went as far as calling the school down south by its proper name. "It's never about a coach in this rivalry, it is about two great universities," Hoke said. "We have a lot of respect for that school, for Ohio State, and I like to think they feel the same way about us."
umgoblue47
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 4:03 a.m.
must be you are still past due on your twitter account? i will get you up to speed. . . oscar meyer has been trying to tweet you for some time now. . . seems he is out of his head worried about how coach HOKE is killing him on recruiting. i guess he needs a shoulder to cry on? i can't get into his head but i guess you know the drill. speaking of food don't you find a buffet is the best way to go? all you can eat for a lot less then what people think. . . don't forget to take care of that twitter problem. GO BLUE!!!!!!
ted
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.
Bad news on the recruiting front....this weekend Michigan is hosting DBs and WRs with only 3 stars. Let's hope they decide not to commit. We don't want any 3 star guys ruining a great class.
turbonerd
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 3:15 a.m.
They will offer to take the best players for the team. Those ability to differentiate a 3 vs. 4 star high recruit that is still growing and maturing is very poor. Braylon Edwards was a 3 star WR. Only 5 stars are likely to be sure things and see the field but not always. 5-star Will Campbell is still working on his consistency. I would trust this Michigan's scouting over Rivals or Scout. Welcome recruits this weekend. Prove me right.
ted
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
Skill positions need to match the other talent. Can Hoke do it ?
Scott
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
At 6'2 and 6'3 Jeremy Jackson and Jerald Robinson are both the big WR's which Michigan wants, but slower than Darboh and Chesson who are burners by no means. Are Jeremy and Jerald they fast enough to get separation? I wouldn't be surprised if Dileo and Northcutt see the field more because they both have lots of speed. Harder to see but at least they can get open. Ironic but Hoke may be bailed out by a couple guys who fit the RR mold. Nothing beats speed and size but those guys are few and far between.
ted
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
If Bellamy is a competent back-up, Gardner should be asked to convert to WR. If he wants a shot at the pros there is a good chance he can have a career playing WR.
Scott
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.
Gardner is the QB in 2013 and he'll be excellent. he has all the tools to be a pro style and even NFL QB. That said, it's not a bad idea to have Gardner run a few routs as he is tall and faster than Jackson and Robinson- and he is very strong.
Chad Williams
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
Consistency is all they need, hopefully the "power run" style will make the defense sell out on the run. They need to set up the pass with the run. Play action will be key this year for the passing game. Forget who catches the ball the real question is can a defense respect Dennards arm. If not then expect more of the same from the passing game. Once he is respected as a passer then worry about the targets and im sure they will hold their end of the deal. As I said earlier running the ball makes it easier overall.
michboy40
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
Our incoming freshman are going to get plenty of playing time...unless the coaches son makes huge progress! I don't see it, and Darboh will emerge as the #3 by the time big ten play starts.
Tally10
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
Michigan is actually decent with receivers, they just do not have a major deep threat receiver, so they need to build an offense around what they have, and not what they want to have. Last year, Stanford did not have a deep threat WR, so they patterned their offense around a shorter game, using the TE's more. Lucks' passing yards were down from the year before, but just as successful. UM could be very dangerous in the short game, let's not forget about Smith coming out of the backfield also. However, it all comes down to what AB want to run, force what's not there or play the talent he has, doesn't matter, he still have DR ( the best dual threat QB in NCAA history ) to blame. Jump ball = Trips to 1 side running down field all within 5-10 yards of each other, bringing 3 DBs into the same space without any separation, without a receiver underneath and an obvious pass. ( Please AB, tweak it or get rid of it. DR throw it away )
Scott
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
Good point- Smith made that screen pass and turned it into a touchdown in the sugar bowl. without that we lose. Gotta run that once or twice a game.
MRunner73
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.
Roy Roundtree is likely to be a "most improved" candidate at that position. He'll have to earn his stripes this spring. I like the Drew Dileo and Jeremy Gallon combo and the contribution they made last season. Overall, the recieving corps should be better than last year. It sounds like Al Borges wants a balanced attack on offense, a three headed monster: tailbacks, recievers and Denard. A good plan it is.
Scott
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
4 headed if we get a tight end who can play like koger.
Matt Patercsak
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
Darboh+Chesson > Hemmingway+Odoms+Grady
Mick
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 8:20 a.m.
Agreed, well put Matt
heartbreakM
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
Let's not forget about our LA quickster, Drew Dileo. He made some big plays last year and will only get better.
Scott
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
Dileo's gonna make some plays in 2012.
heartbreakM
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
That LA as in Louisiana, not Los Angeles!!