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The follow is an excerpt from a message board post from a different website. The excerpt was sent to us for distribution here:
Here's one take (and response to rumors) following a scrimmage weekend in Ann Arbor -
First, it's clear Brady Hoke is his own man. Those squawking about him being a "Lloyd guy" (as though it were a pejorative) have even acknowledged he's different in many respects.
But he's also the same in others, sharing much of Carr's best. A Saturday practice, for example, is very similar to those under Carr - a few periods of individual work with position groups, special teams (punt, punt return, field goal, etc.), followed by a scripted scrimmage at 90 percent live. That means staying up on tackles, nothing below the knees, no hitting the quarterback, etc.
Much of the time, scrimmages are designed to see how guys do with opportunity, etc. Last year, for example, it was reported that Terrence Talbott was working with the ones at corner, but that didn't automatically mean he had moved ahead in the race as a starter.
Scrimmages have generally been 40 percent first team vs. first team, 40 percent second vs. second, 20 percent third vs. third, staring deep in the offense's end and moving down the field following scripted plays.
There have been reports that fifth-year senior Jeremy Gallon didn't play, which have been confirmed by Brady Hoke. That's taking quarterback Devin Gardner's best weapon (as we've mentioned, it's ridiculous how well those two have worked together and the timing, etc.) away. But that also gives more opportunity to the young guys to see what they can do.
Jake Ryan still isn't participating in these - he'll probably be on the sidelines jumping rope or something, but he's still progressing rapidly from his knee injury. Hoke also mentioned left guard Chris Bryant as one who didn't play, and as we've mentioned, he'll get a long look at that position. He's a powerful guy.
There have been reports that Ben Braden has been moved to tackle, but he'll see plenty of action at left guard (some have said he spent the whole scrimmage working with the twos there. Again, though, it's dangerous to read into that. Could have just the coaches wanted to see how Graham Glasgow did next to Jack Miller at center). Glasgow is one who is going to see plenty of reps there, too.
Ryan Glasgow on the defensive line - again, this kid has a future. He's going to play at some point. We've heard it from too many people, including defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, to not believe it.
Scrimmages are going to be tailored toward things they really want to work on. Expect them to continue to work on the running game a ton the next few weeks. Freshman running back Derrick Green has been slowed by injury, as everyone now knows. Fellow frosh De'Veon Smith has not, and again, he's a beast.
Opinon: he'll be the best between the tackles runner on this team, especially with Green slowed. And fifth-year senior Fitz Toussaint will get the first (and majority of) the carries in the opener.
Another opinion: teams are going to have problems running on this Michigan defense. Quinton Washington, Willie Henry, Ondre Pipkins, Taco Charlton and Frank Clark are all going to look consistently great at times. The pass rush will be significantly improved over last year and they'll also be monsters against the run game.
We've said Mattison's touch in working on the pass rush shouldn't be discounted. We'll say it again. Also, keep in mind when you're hearing that the defense is way ahead of the offense, it's not uncommon for that to happen in camp while the offense works on getting timing down. Consider, too, that the second string d-line could well be a first string line. They are that deep. They'll be facing guys who likely won't be playing as much on the offensive line.
The defensive line has a chance to be dominant. It might be hard to tell how good linebackers and DBs are in run support when the ball doesn't reach their level. And there will be times (two-minute drill, for example) when Devin Gardner can pick a secondary apart even if they have great coverage.
Gardner is going to be good at making things happen when protection breaks down. The offensive line needs to jell to ensure that doesn't happen too often. But again, they are getting a test from a defense that stands to be outstanding, especially up front.
The size and strength on this team is going to startle some. They are going to be extremely physical.
Opinion: tight end Devin Funchess is going to be a highlight reel receiver, but to be a complete tight end, he's going to need to become a much better blocker. He will have work to do there even with the added 10 to 15 pounds. The other tight ends are probably more reliable in that area.
And one last note - Taco Charlton will be one of the most athletically gifted ends Michigan has had in some time, and that's saying something with a 'freak' like Frank Clark out there, too. He might even be capable of running Gardner down from behind.
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