Stephen Hopkins an early standout as Michigan football team prepares for Saturday's spring game
Wonder what the Michigan football team’s offense might look like both during Saturday’s spring game and throughout the 2011 season? Here’s a possible snapshot:
Sophomore Stephen Hopkins takes a handoff in either the tailback or fullback positions in the I-formation.
He receives the handoff from quarterback Denard Robinson, who is lined up under center.
He receives the play call, which originates from offensive coordinator Al Borges who sits in a booth high above the field.
Using a combination of heft and speed, Hopkins plows behind a bigger, stronger offensive line that includes newcomer Ricky Barnum at left guard.
Slowly and surely, that’s the offensive picture that has emerged this spring. On Wednesday, Michigan coach Brady Hoke provided more tidbits while recapping the Wolverines’ spring.
Hopkins has had the “most consistent” spring of any running back vying for time in a crowded backfield, according to Hoke.
Robinson continues to adjust his footwork in the new pro-style offense, but has otherwise impressed his new coach.
“In the pocket, he’s got a good arm and makes good decisions,” Hoke said. “It’s scary when he pulls the ball down, which is a good thing unless you are a defensive coach.”
Borges will coach both Saturday and during the season from a booth in the press box, while defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will work from the sideline.
Barnum, a 6-foot-3, 286-pound junior from Lakeland, Fla. seems on pace to nab the one offensive starting job vacated by a departed senior. “He’s a tough kid who plays with good technique,” Hoke said. Two practices remain for Hopkins, Barnum and others hoping for expanded roles to impress their coaches, the last of which is Saturday’s annual event. Gates at Michigan Stadium open at 9 a.m., an alumni flag-football game including at least 85 former players starts at 10 a.m., followed by the official game at noon.
The game itself, a controlled scrimmage, will feature Michigan’s first-team offense versus the first-team defense. Members of the winning team receive steak for dinner; losers get hot dogs and beans.
Regardless of its outcome, Hoke feels like he’s got a pretty good handle on the Wolverines through the spring.
He’s pleased with the volume of tasks completed this spring, although he wishes the team spent more time working in two-minute-drill simulations.
He likes the power displayed by the offense. Defensively, “there is better communication throughout the defense,” he said. Special teams remain a “work in progress.”
In the days that follow, Hoke said he’ll meet with every player one on one, as well as in groups with position coaches and coordinators.
“We’ll set expectations, talk about what they need to do, where their weight needs to be when they report, what their roles will be in the fall,” he said. “Some will be happy. Some won’t.”
Injury report
Cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd, along with linebacker Kenny Demens and left tackle Taylor Lewan will not play Saturday. Center David Molk (hamstring/strep throat) and running back Michael Shaw (arm) should participate.
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
Well boys and girls, we're again at that stage in the year where we're debating the same things over and over the season can't start soon enough for some. For lack of a something better to do some of you are intent on attacking your fellow fans if for no other reason than the morbid fun of it. Those of you that do this are not real Mich. fans but using this site as a platform for your own inability to get along with others. The fact that some folks don't agree with Mich. choice of head coach seems to give some a pleasure to attack when the reality is everyone has a right to their own opinion right or wrong. I hope this message will help some of you cope with your angers and help alleviate your fraustration at the sport in general. I won't mention names there is no need to you will do that yourself. Whether we like Hoke as head coach I think we all share one thing in common and that is a successful program at Michigan.
DonAZ
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
What in the world are you talking about, "The fact that some folks don't agree with Mich. choice of head coach seems to give some a pleasure to attack when the reality is everyone has a right to their own opinion right or wrong." Every single comment was positive regarding Hoke. I'm at a loss to understand the basis for your comment.
DonAZ
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
All very good signs and developments. Michigan will be a better team in 2011 than in 2010. Good, not great ... but getting better with each game. We'll win games we might otherwise have lost in 2008 - 2010.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
"Of course Mich. will be better if for any reason, more maturity,..." You're right. We finally got a mature coaching staff. Gotta love that!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
Of course Mich. will be better if for any reason, more maturity, as for t he new coaching staff, t hat remains to be seen.
ChelseaBob
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
I like the idea of playing for dinner. Usually no one cares who wins, but steak versus hot dogs and beans? This coach is good.
clarklaker
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 9:58 p.m.
Will tackle for food.Or should i say Will Cambell for food.
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
CB Food, it's what football players love. Good call on both the menu and the coach. TiM Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
Hopkins looks like a Michigan running back. In his limited use last year he run with authority and north and south. I see big things for him under this coaching staff. With a better defense, games should be more competitive vs better teams. And that is where his style of hitting the hole will get those tough yards to keep drives alive. Do that on a consistent basis and the "D" begins to crab in to stop him and DRob fakes it, takes it around the pile, picks up a WR block and it's one-on-one, DRob and DB. Anybody not like that matchup? The crowd rises to it's feet. Michigan fans yelling "Yes!" and the other side moaning, "Not again, can't we stop that guy." But wait. One fan isn't standing at all. As the cheers fade and the Michigan kicking team comes out for the extra point, he is overheard grumbling, "This doesn't mean anything, I need to see this next year after DRob has graduated. It's only been two years of team building and great recruiting. So what it's late in the season and Michigan is once again in the Big Ten title hunt." The kick is up. It's good. Michigan 35, Nebraska 14. "Victors" echos across the field. TiM Go Blue!
Dusty
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 9:55 p.m.
The remark about the LB being like Ray Lewis? I said "let's not go crazy." That's an insult?
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
I didn't write that someone's opinion was "insane". I think it was about a remark saying the LB from OH plays in the style of Ray Lewis. They didn't say he was Ray Lewis, but you did write something about them and used the word "insane". You recently asked me, some would say begged me, to leave you and your comments along. I agreed but two days later there's this post from you to me. Look, I appreciate the interest, by that's not my style either. Good luck with that, too.
Dusty
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.
It's as if you have no idea what you read, yet you try to insult me anyway.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
Dusty, does ANYBODY keep track of how many yards someone runs between the side lines? NO? That's because "north and south" is the only direction(s) that matters. Maybe I need to amend the above post to read, "Two fans aren't standing..."
Dusty
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 9:45 a.m.
Lol, "north and south". Everyone runs north and south. It's the entire point of the game. But you just love those cliches, don't you?
Meangoblue
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.
Worth repeating for my good friend Mr. pete Bigelow!! You are the best Peteyyy!!! AKA ED!!! You go Mr. Hopkins!! In other news......as requested by Ed.......below are the notes from the last MCC Ann Arbor chapter 52-14 meeting. THEO: here ye here ye!! I know call to order the secret meeting of the MCC Ann Arbor chapter 52-14!!! Roll call...Portage? Tater? Terry star? Group in unison: Where here, where here, King THEO!! THEO: Are the doors locked? Blinds drawn? Terry star: Yes, my king. Meangoblue will never know we are meeting! THEO: Excellent! Let us start by the introduction of our new MCC anthem titled: "Do you know the Man Crush crowd" Do you know the Man Crush crowd, the Man Crush crowd, the Man Crush crowd OOHH, Do you know the Man Crush crowd, So Dreamy is coach whathisname! Portage: Golly jeepers Theo!! Seems like I heard that song before. Tater: I know it was ahh ahh Do you know the pastry man?? Theo: Calm down now,,,,,BANG!!! All of a sudden the celilnig comes crashing down as MEANgoblue parachutes in to disrupt the debotchery (of course arm and arm with a beautiful damsel) Meango: Theo, tater, portage and Terry star You will be banished to a land afar a place where you can no longer bash coach Carr! Pack up the man crush, Hoke has raised the bar MEEEANchigan football is now freed from RR While MEANgoblue jams Edgar Winter's guitar!! The sounds of Frankenstien blair in the room, as the MCC has met their doom!! TiM!! Go Blue!!
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.
I wrote "I think" is was about the LB from OH. I was wrong. You used "insane" when questioning the Ghost about his comment concerning the "cupboard" being bare or empty. By the way, one player or one position having too many players does not a cupboard fill. You're writing to a "Ghost" and you are asking him, "Are you insane?" That could be a problem. So how about Hopkins as the featured RB for Michigan next fall? Any thoughts?
Meangoblue
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
Portage....the land afar just rhymes with Edgar winters guitar. Use your imagination and why you are at it listen to the following tunes: Mississippi Queen- Mountain LaGrange- ZZ Top Move it on Over- George Thorogood Keep yourself Alive -Queen These tunes will help you understand my posts better!!!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.
I guess as long as Theo, tater and Terry star are along it could be fun hey, I'll supply the 50 inch tv and barbecue at this, "land afar". Go Blue!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 7:05 p.m.
Mean, I already live far out in the desert , where exactly is this, "land afar"?
Dusty
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
As much as you talk about me, I'd say it's you who have a man crush on me.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 11:54 p.m.
Dusty who?
Meangoblue
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 11:06 p.m.
Not sure ed, love ya anywho Good Night and Good luck!!!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
ROFL!! Wasn't Dusty there? Good Night and Good Luck
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
On the positive side, I think we all have reason to appreciate the volume of work that's been done by Coach Hoke and his assistants. This team, lets face it, was a mess when Hoke took over. In view of that, I think it would be foolish to want or expect more than the improvements made in so short a time. So special teams are still a work in progress. Too bad it's not all good news but at least there's hope that special teams will have improved even "marginally" by fall. The biggie as we all know is defense. Michigan fans should all join the prayer circle for a significantly improved defense. I notice that a lot of defensive starters won't be playing Saturday - lets just hope that's not a omen for the coming season.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 7 p.m.
Maybe, maybe not . we have yet to see with out own eyes versus our ears.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.
Tru you are a practical Michigan fan. Excitement contained by a realistic view of how-it-is. My guess is when someone asks you if the glass is half full or half empty you take out a graduated cyclinder and measure. I appreciate it because it gives you credibility and you mean what you say. Omen? Every one of these injured defensive players were pre-Coach Hoke. Illnesses don't count. Everyone gets sick. Coach Hoke is not a bovine waste dispenser. Like you, he says it, he means it, take it or leave it. Players wont have to guess where they stand with him or what he want from them. The change at Bo Hall is 180 degrees. It wont happen all at once but it's a change Michigan fans can live with. TiM Go Blue!
81wolverine
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
Hopkins doing well is good news. His combination of power and running ability are necessary in the Big Ten. Plus, it's easier for him to block a linebacker than it will be for Vincent Smith (for example). I like Smith's toughness and elusive running style. But, he was at a disadvantage when we needed a tough 1 or 2 yards for a first down or he was trying to block a much bigger player. But finding several consistent running backs who can take some of the load off Robinson will be an absolute key this season.
1st Down
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
Another great example of Coach Hoke's leadership....praise the kids publicly and not tear-them-down or throw them under the buss with stupid comments that are designed to try to be witty but come off as excuse-making and arrogant. Nope....Coach Hoke and their staff are teachers, coaches in the highest sense of the word...and we will see this on the field this fall, with a sense of it coming this Saturday in the scrimmage. TiM. Go Blue.
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Sorry, I thought membership to the MCC was a honor. Never once have I seen anyone disavow belonging to it. Maybe if you wrote that the WCiMFH was the WCiMFH and that the "D" and special teams under his reign were less than is customary for Michigan football, and that after the bowl game he deserved to be fired, it might change peoples perceptions. Hey, like to stay and chat but Michigan football is making an appearance after a 3 year hiatus. Also, something about a new football coaching staff. TiM Go Blue!
Dusty
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
"Isn't there an MCC meeting somewhere? By the way, I've never insulted you." Amazing. You insult me and deny ever insulting me in consecutive sentences. Don't play coy. You know very well that the term "MCC" is used in a derogatory manner, to dismiss myself and a few others around here who just so happen to not agree with you about some things.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Who's we? 1st wrote about leadership, PLB restated for the about 400th time he wants to wait until some time after the start of the season but before 2015 before he can make up his mind. I answered, my opinion, that there is evidence of leadership all round the Michigan football since the WCiMFH was relieved of head coaching one third of the football team. Coach Hoke has turned around two programs prior to coming to Michigan, and if you are questioning Coach Mattison's record, well, good luck with that. Isn't there a MCC meeting somewhere? By the way, I've never insulted you. Not my style. I just disagree with you, strongly at times. TiM Go Blue!
Dusty
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.
If prior coaching success guaranteed success at Michigan, we wouldn't be talking about Hoke or Mattison in the first place.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : noon
The coaching staff presently at Michigan HAVE proven themselves on the football field. Each as been successful prior to coming to Michigan. As leaders they have changed, improved, and molded a group of young men into winning teams. This team oozes a new "can-do" attitude and it started with the leadership from the top down. The reality is special teams and the defense played like "F Troop" the last few seasons. As of today, three months after a change in leadership Michigan, without a doubt, will field a better defense next fall. Unless you are going to argue that Coach Mattison hasn't been tested enough on the field, that's my proof. TiM Go Blue!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
Leadership on the football field or in combat has to be proven not talked about as some of you are sorely wrong about. Accusing others of your lack of abilities will not get the job done only battle tested can merit that claim and you sir are wrong. Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
Leadership is a quality that isn't dependant solely on the win/loss record. Results are surely important but sometimes there are other factors. Leadership is transferring your goals to others, and directing them to succeed. Anyone who has ever served in the military knows this, and those who played on winning teams and programs also experienced it. This coaching staff has the background and knowledge needed to turn Michigan into a winning program again. If you can't see that, maybe your leaderless. TiM Go Blue!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 11:45 a.m.
Really, I haven't personally seen them coach a game at Mich yet, did I miss something? I'll guarantee you 1st that either Tp or me could say all of the same things that Hoke is saying to the media and alum and with just as much flair and with the available assist coaches get the boys in line but until that first snap in that first game it's a moot point hell, I wouldn't even hurt their feelings by calling them, "boys and girls".
bluemax79
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
from the article you make it sound like the old 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense. Borges had 2 x 1,000 receivers last year at SDSU and Michigan has several weapons at WR.