What's the saying, sometimes you have to take one step back to take 2 steps forward. The University of Michigan football team is doing exactly this. Rich Rodriquez is part of a major overhaul at Michigan. He is changing some traditions in the hopes of bringing Michigan up to level that some of their rivals have already reached.
On offense Michigan lost a lot of players to graduation and the draft. Gone are Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington, Jake Long, and Adam Krauss. This is a total rebuilding project on this side of the ball. Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan have battled all spring and summer for the starting quarterback position. Rodriquez has not committed to either one, meaning that both guys will get their turn under center. The running back position is one of the few strengths on offense. Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are returning this year. Both players showed last season that they could provide a decent running attack. Throw in freshmen Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw and this position will be solid all year long. Greg Matthews is the only returning receiver to make an impact last season. With more 3 receiver sets, Michigan will need some of their young freshmen to step up. Finally the offensive line will have many new faces on it. Steve Schilling returns to lead a group of inexperienced, but quicker, offensive linemen than they have had in the past.
Rodriquez wants his defense to step up this year. He needs his players to play with more intensity and make quicker decisions. His defensive line will be the strength of the defense. Terrance Taylor and Will Johnson will clog up the middle, with Brandon Graham and Tim Jamison rushing from the end position. Even freshman Mike Martin will get significant playing time this year. The linebacker core is young with Obi Ezeh being the only player who made major contributions last year. He will be asked to lead this inexperienced group. In the secondary the Wolverines have some play makers. Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren have played in big games, and Brandon Harrison is growing as a player. This defense will need to help out a young offense with keeping their opponents off the scoreboard.
Rodriquez will be scrutinized all year as his many changes go in affect. However if Michigan wants to start playing for National Championships again this is the guy with the plan. 8 wins this season would be a great first year for Rodriquez. With a really good recruiting class coming in next year, fighting Ohio State, not to mention some of the up and coming teams like Michigan State, Illinois, and Wisonsin in the conference for the Big Ten title, Michigan will again become a powerhouse in college football.
No comments:
Post a Comment