Thursday, March 5, 2015

Spring Practice Bits and Pieces

Drake Harris
In the throes of spring practice, bits and pieces are leaking out. Here are some things to note that you may or may not have heard already.

The quarterbacks are a mixed bag. Various reports have suggested various things. Some people will tell you that Shane Morris looks the best. However, there's more chatter about Wilton Speight and Alex Malzone. The buzz on Malzone is that he's picking things up very quickly, which is impressive for a freshman early enrollee.

Jabrill Peppers is good and loud. Peppers is playing safety, and he has been raved about with regard to his athleticism and leadership. There will probably be growing pains, but Michigan hasn't had a great athlete at safety in a while. Furthermore, senior linebacker Joe Bolden says that Peppers screams the defensive calls louder than necessary. The kid is high-energy and loves the game of football. Michigan has the potential for their best safety combination in a long time with senior Jarrod Wilson and Peppers back there.

Chase Winovich is working at fullback/tight end. The redshirt freshman, who is listed at 6'3" and 230 lbs., has reportedly been playing some fullback and tight end this spring after being recruited as a linebacker. You may remember that he was a very effective running quarterback in high school, in addition to his defensive exploits. With the Wolverines failing to reel in Chris Clark (UCLA) in the 2015 class, the tight end position is a little thin. And with senior fullback Sione Houma missing spring practice due to injury, the team is limited there, too. Add in the fact that both of Michigan's experienced fullbacks - Houma and Joe Kerridge - are seniors, and maybe Winovich's move to offense will become permanent. He has supposedly been wearing #44, which is a change from his defensive number of #58. The catch here is that it thins the linebacking corps, which has four players with senior eligibility in 2015 (Desmond Morgan, James Ross III, Joe Bolden, Royce Jenkins-Stone) and needs bodies in the coming years. If Winovich sticks on offense, that might take away a key option for the 2016 season.

Brady Pallante is also a fullback. This was addressed last week. He's a 6'0", 276 lb. fullback wearing #45.

Everybody is a fullback. Except Terry Richardson.

The guys are bigger. Pretty much across the board, players have added weight. In particular, defensive tackle Willie Henry is up to 311 lbs. and Bryan Mone is up to 325 lbs. Those are not typically the numbers you look for in a penetrating, 3-tech defensive tackle. I would look for those two guys to be playing some nose tackle. Furthermore, there are some other size improvements with offensive tackle Logan Tuley-Tillman up to 309 lbs. and guard Graham Glasgow reaching 303 lbs. Tuley-Tillman was over 330 lbs. in high school, trimmed down to 285 at one point, and is now back up over the 300 lb. threshold. Linebackers Mike McCray II (242 lbs.), Ben Gedeon (241 lbs.), and Royce Jenkins-Stone (240 lbs.) are all larger than the typical Michigan linebacker over the last few years.

Practice tempo has increased. The practice tactic that's en vogue these days is to maximize reps. Reports have said that Michigan has two lineups going in practice, and a play is being run every 25-35 seconds. Rather than making corrections on the field, corrections are made in film. This has been made easier in recent years with film able to be disseminated over the internet through Hudl and the like. It's especially big for spread teams who like to run hurry-up, anyway. It's not surprising that Harbaugh is adopting spread strategies even though he won't run a typical spread offense; he seems to be the type of coach who is always looking for an edge.

Running back is still a question mark. While I believe the running game will improve this season, a number of factors go into that - coaching, experience on the offensive line, experience at running back, and the addition of Ty Isaac. However, Isaac has reportedly been limited due to a cast on his hand, and none of the running backs are sticking out right now. Of course, early practices are always dominated by the defense, so this doesn't necessarily mean much. Personally, I believe Isaac will come out on top at some point.

Wide receivers have promise. Most of the buzz has been about redshirt freshman Maurice Ways, Jr., whose body is ready for playing at this level. One question mark about Ways has always been his hands, so that will be something to watch. Regardless, he might have the best combination of receiving qualities at this point - size, leaping ability, speed, etc. As I've mentioned before, he has some of those same traits that we saw in some of the greats of yesteryear (Marquis Walker, David Terrell, Braylon Edwards). That's not to say Ways will add his name to that list, but he at least has a chance, in my opinion. Fellow redshirt freshman Drake Harris has also been impressive at times. Harris has missed most of the past two seasons due to injuries, and he's listed at just 174 lbs. People express concern about his size, but I am not worried about that facet of his game. If he's as good as his high school hype when it comes to speed and leaping ability, playing under weight won't hamper him from having an effect on the team. Wide receiver size is overrated. It might be the one spot on the field where you find successful guys ranging from 5'8" to 6'5", and you have skinny guys (Roy Roundtree, Tavon Austin, DeSean Jackson) doing well just like big guys (Calvin Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Devin Funchess). If Harris is 6'4", 174 lbs., and can ball, the most important part of that is the third part.

26 comments:

  1. Is there a downside to not correcting things immediately on the field?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are some people who need to be shown what they're doing wrong. Film works for some people, but not all. I think especially when you're talking about muscle memory, it's important to fix things immediately.

      If you're talking about schemes ("You have to take this angle so you can cut this guy off here"), then I think film is the best way to go.

      Delete
    2. This spring practice values the increased reps as just as important as on spot correction. With a new coaching staff this spring practice is about figuring out who can play, where, and installing of the team's philosophy/psychology.

      Delete
  2. I'm a little nervous about some of these position moves (Pallante, Winovich, etc.) because they seem to be gimmicks at positions (TE/FB) that were over-used in the past scheme to poor effect and essentially rob Peter to pay Paul. At TE we have Butt, Williams, Hill, and Bunting in addition to the H-backs and Wheatley. At FB we have 2-3 players who already are natural at that position and now add more?

    With that being said, I'm giving Harbaugh the benefit of the doubt because he seems to be trying to find the right fit for the players, rather than making the player fit some stereotype for a position. Something that I never understood about Hoke was his insistence on playing guys because they looked like the stereotype at that position without having proven it on the field. You saw this repeatedly at RB (use of big backs while Johnson, Hayes, and Norfleet rotted on the bench), TE (repeated playing time for an unproven Williams), and WR (a bunch of tall and big guys who weren't necessarily fast or able to get open while guys like Dileo or Norfleet were under utilized).

    I think you have seen with Harbaugh even at the QB position that he recruits a bunch of guys and ends up moving several to other positions where they have decent careers. He wants play-makers - and will shuffle pieces around to find them.......I hope.

    AC1997

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know if you have heard but in Harbaugh's interviews he addresses position switches. He said that they are all spurred by the players, they don't ask anyone to move. Also he said none of them are permanent and most of those guys still practice at their original position as well. Just to give some perspective.

      Delete
    2. I wouldn't worry. Harbaugh's moved guys back and forth between FB/H-back/TE and defense before and he'll do it again. Let's let things shake out before we worry too much.

      That said, LB is a big concern area after this season. Will be a recruiting priority.

      Also, Pallante is too minor of a player to be worried about where he plays. If he has any role on the team (even if it's just a goalline blocker) that's a plus.

      Delete
    3. I'm not too worried about the "position changes" for now. One thing is that the positions will sort themselves out. If Winovich isn't an answer on offense, then he can always go back to defense.

      Also, Harbaugh supposedly wants to play an actual spring game, and you need bodies for both teams.

      Delete
    4. Agree with this, but if a guy is moving away from a position it typically means he isn't excelling there, right? As LB this is increasingly a concern with all the seniors we have, Ferns departure, and no new recruits in 2015.

      Delete
  3. I agree with the assessment on Drake Harris. He is a deep threat for us. He will be on the field and will produce for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We need someone to stretch the D and if he is the fastest guy, yes he will see the field.

      Delete
    2. In reality, it rarely works like this. Being fast is a small part of what makes a WR, even for this kind of WR.

      Delete
    3. Being fast is a big part of it. I'm not saying that the fastest guy should be the #1 guy, but I think it's rare that a team's fastest wide receiver would not be on the field in some capacity (starting, rotating in, playing in four-wide packages, etc.). Maybe Harris isn't the fastest guy, either, but he's got to be close.

      Delete
    4. It's pretty common actually. Check out the NFL combine results from a few years ago (I picked 2012 randomly). Most of the fastest WR aren't standouts.

      http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2008-2009-2010-2011-2012&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH&position=WR

      Straight-ahead speed matters but so do hands, route running, quickness,body control, reach, height, positioning, strength, instincts, etc.

      People try to turn track kids into WRs all the time -- it rarely works out that well.

      Delete
  4. The Winovich thing causes me to wonder about the thought process and not necessarily with regards to needs and depth charts, but rather why this kid and not some other.

    There is no game film on him other than high school. Does this new coaching staff go through last years practice film? That strikes me as incredibly time consuming even for a guy who doesn't observe major holidays. Do they do cutups on last years practices by player. That would be amazing to me. Do they just ask, "Hey, who wants some offense?"

    For sure they have to be looking at the kid's vitals and probably take note of who's winning races at conditioning. But why Winovich and not Wangler, for example, who's more compact at about the same weight, maybe not as fast.

    Is Winovich a kid that's smart enough to go back and forth? Harbaugh has done some of that with kids. Sparty moved the little Bullough to TB and then back to linebacker a couple years ago, so clearly one doesn't have to be a rocket surgeon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It could be a simple as Winovich wanting to catch his coaches eye by doing something out the ordinary and making an extra effort.

      Nothing is etched in stone yet.

      Delete
  5. Like our 97 NC team this D will need to stand up and be heard early and often to help out the O which could take time to learn once again a new system. I expect we will be run heavy on O with a lot of low scoring games.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm pumped for Gedeon this year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't like the Winovich move. Seems to me there are enough people at TE and I was excited to see Winovich at LB.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i guess the coaches (or winovich himself) currently do not see him clocking major minutes this year at LB. if hes buried on depth chart, why not rep on offense and see if he can help the team? highly doubt its a permanent thing. he can very easily split reps this year and jump back to D full time next year (or 3 months from now or 3 yrs from now) and still very likely start at LB next yr. its a win-win for the team and the player.

      plus harbaugh has proven hell play kids both ways if it makes sense for the team and if they can handle it. maybe cover some kicks, maybe little reserve LB time this year and a role in multiple packages on O. win-win, no downside, especially if hes not first 3-5 LBs on depth chart - he can still play LB this year or next year, hes just cutting his practice reps a bit (guarantee hes still required to do mental reps whenever possible)

      Delete
    2. I have the some of the same concerns but will let things play out. Maybe Winovich felt blocked by McCray and Gedeon. There's not that much depth at FB or LB after the seniors graduate. Next year is a long way away.

      Delete
  8. Worst part of michigan football - fans second guessing the coaches constantly...

    I remember fans bitching that we didn't win another MNC after 97 back with Brady and Henson...

    And now, already second guessing the first ever proven college AND pro winner to take over, in the equivalent of one minute into his tour.

    I am sure you all know much more than he does, and know exactly what his intentions are.

    At least Thunder, who has always had a level headed voice, can be curious without accusing the staff of "gimmicks" and questioning "thought processes".

    Give it a break, you guys suck the fun out of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're just level-headed Anonymous. Still, I'm old enough to remember when fans complained about RichRod, Tony Gibson, Hoke, Borges, etc. Those fans thought they knew better than those coaches.

      I think second-guessing coaches is part of what being a fan is. Did Pete Carroll make the correct call? It's within the fans' providence to discuss this.

      Delete
    2. Since I'm the guy wondering about the "thought process", let me make myself more clear for you, I really don't care who goes where, except that I wish someone else would think that a kid that likes to hit as much as Chesson seemingly does, would want to see if he can break out of a backpedal.

      I'm simply interested in how they decide who goes where, even if they're just making it up as they go.

      You should have been around for the whining the year Bo went 6 and 6.

      Delete
  9. I just DO NOT get the high hopes that are getting thrown Isaac's way.

    There is a very positive outlook here: former 5-star back, Hoke's top target, good production in mop-up duty at USC, transferred for off-field reasons, etc.

    But there is also a negative outlook: injured, overweight, buried on the USC depth chart, transferred because he couldn't hack it.

    Nobody knows which one is wrong or right but they are equally plausible. Meanwhile we have 2 or 3 guys who have shown themselves to be solid backs. The one thing Isaac has (recruiting hype) Green has too.

    I would be very surprised if Isaac is the starter or leading rusher here.

    None of the guys we have are great, but we have a lot of solid options. It's all about Drevno and the OL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're jumping to some conclusions here. First of all, Isaac has a hand injury, which is probably not going to have a long-lasting effect on his game.

      Second, he mentioned somewhere (Twitter?) that he has not been 225 lbs. - which was his listed weight - since he was in high school. At 6'3" it's understandable that he would be heavier than someone like Derrick Green, De'Veon Smith, etc., guys who are 5'11" or so. Toby Gerhart was listed on Stanford's 2009 roster as being 6'1", 235 lbs. Maybe Isaac could afford to lose a few pounds (how are we to know right now?), but how light should a running back be at that height? There aren't many 6'3" running backs for comparison. Eddie George was 6'3", 235 lbs. Brandon Jacobs played in the NFL at something like 6'4", 260 lbs. I think it's a little unfair to expect him to be a great deal lighter than 235-ish if you consider that you probably expect most 6'0" running backs to be 210-220 lbs. or thereabouts.

      Third, I don't think you know why Isaac transferred. While it's true that he was not one of the top couple backs at USC, those were also guys who looked really good and/or had recruiting hype themselves. When Isaac got a chance to play, he did well. Aside from the playing time thing, Isaac was a guy in high school who virtually everyone thought would stay in the midwest because he would be uncomfortable moving far away. That's not to mention the medical issue with his mother, which was his reason for trying to get a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately. Now whether that was just an excuse to try to play quicker or whether it was an actual reason for transferring closer to Chicago, it should at least give you pause before jumping to the conclusion that "He couldn't hack it at USC so he transferred."

      I do think Isaac will be the best back on the roster, but we'll just have to see.

      Delete
    2. I think you missed my point that there are two sides of the coin. I was contrasting two different outlooks, not drawing conclusions. One is 'jumping to conclusions' just as much as the other.

      I've criticized Hoke's RB recruiting strategy in the past for going for backs that are too tall. Now that's being used as an excuse for being too heavy. Well, it's not 1988 anymore, and the fact that we have to go to Toby Gerhardt (an NFL bust who has slimmed down since college in an effort to get better) and Brandon Jacobs (retired) to compare to Isaac is a red flag. Yeah there's Levon Bell now, but these guys are increasingly exceptions to the norm.

      http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1669734-height-weight-and-speed-designing-the-perfect-nfl-running-back

      https://www.bsports.com/statsinsights/nfl/why-have-nfl-running-backs-gotten-shorter-a-statistical-investigation#.VP3XwS5O2PU

      If we're going to say Norfleet and Gallon are too small for RB or outside WR (which many have) then we also need to look at a guy who has DL size as too big for RB. I know Harbaugh likes retro powerball but there's no disputing that the game has evolved. Everyone thought Shallman was too big for RB and now Isaac is the same size.

      It is worth mentioning that the first RB Harbaugh recruited was 5'10/190. A full 50 pounds less than Isaac weighs now. I'd say Higdon is more likely to lead Michigan in rushing yards this year than Isaac.

      That's obviously just a guess.I'm fine with being wrong and will be ecstatic if Isaac lives up to the 5-star pedigree. But I'm not expecting him to come in and set the world on fire anymore than I'm expecting classmate Shane Morris to be the next Andrew Luck or Kam Chatman be the next Lamar Odom. We have more information now. For Isaac, none of it is good necessarily. Some of it may be irrelevant but none of it (other than the garbage time production at USC) is good.

      Delete