Great piece - well written and especially insightful look at the various coaches. I like the scenario of English churning out 2-3 years of great defenses and then taking over as a very young, aggressive, and charismatic Carr successor. But that may be getting too far ahead, let's first see a great defense this year...
Well-written piece - I really liked the insight into the different coaches personalities. But dangit, every article I read makes me more excited about the football season! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!
Only 24 days till kickoff!
So is Chait's mention of a new offensive scheme that will allow us to run more effectively more fuel (along with all the articles on the newly slender Oline) for the "moving to zone blocking" rumor?
I do like the idea of lots of Mike Hart stretch plays followed by play action.
Great article with interesting insights on the coaches, got me especially excited about English's defense, although the "different plans while ahead and behind" didn't exactly make me look forward to watching the 4th quarter of games we're leading 21-17.
There are only two plausible explanations for the universal weight drop across the line:
1) Zone blocking.
2) Minnesota/Broncos-esque pull, chop, destroy.
Since option 2 is greatly aided by an active, pulling center and we have Mark Bihl, who isn't evidently mobile, starting there I think #1 is more likely. I'm excited about the potential change. If the OL can make the switch, I love the idea of giving Hart's vision and cutting a showcase on every play.
Re: fourth quarters. Seconded.
Great insights - I didn't realize that UM had a fantasy camp. How many years has it been running? What a better way to spend the money I usually end up losing in Vegas!
Also,
RE the zone blocking switch, it's a long time coming and should help, but it will be an adjustment for the O-line. Back when I played, we actually would change schemes depending on the play (man blocking for lead draws and Iso, zone blocking for sweep/stretch) and the defense. It was hard for some o-lineman to figure out when to go to the next level and when to stay with the double team. It was much better for our quick backs who could pick holes/cutback lanes and use their instincts, thus I think that the scheme should help Hart's yards. I'm going to make the unilateral prediction that he goes for 1700.
This was the first fantasy football camp. Benefited prostate cancer research.
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/
new...ensfootball.htm
Thanks for the report from Chait.
I was reading Football Outsiders OL rankings and the comments today. If, as many commenters noted, that switching to at least some zone blocking (which, I believe, we ran to a very limited degree last year), there will be growing pains. Denver drafts their linemen 3 in advance and the minimum is 1 year. Since this is college, the complexity will likely not be as great, but I would bet it would require at least a year. Hopefully, I remembered correctly about the little zone they did use.
Another issue with this move are the bootlegs that accompany zone blocking offenses. There are a great many things that Chad has shown he can do, at least from time to time. Is throwing on the run one of them? I only ever remember Avant having to contort his body even more than usual when running throws were attempted.
Last thing is that Jon's impressions mesh with mine regarding Ron English. When I saw him at the spring game, he was energetic, loud and his players obviously loved him. It's exciting. With the schedule the way it is, I doubt this will be our year, but the year following and then the debut of Mr. Mallett have me looking positively on the future of Michigan football, something that didn't seem possible after the Sun Belt conference had their way with us mere months ago.
I'm sure Joey could kill my joy in a matter of seconds, but for now I'm riding high.
Breaston catching a deep post and taking it to the house!!!
Nothing more exciting..
My two bosses attended the camp. Both had an absolute blast. One of them told me that if there was 18 hours of instruction, that Lloyd was there for 16 of it.
Lloyd also said that that would have been the last weekend the coaches have off until Thanksgiving and applauded them all for giving that weekend up to attend the camp.
Sounds like a good time was had by all, and it looks like they raised a buttload of money for a great cause.
wow, that description of szabo had me thinking of jack nicholson and "code reds"...
Knowing Chait quite well from our undergrad days, I would say I am far more excited about the season after this report. Jon really, really knows his stuff, and the positive takeaways he shared about the staff are incredibly encouraging.
From most of my friendships or conversations with D1 football players, I have learned to accept the belief that the players win & lose the games, not the coaches. But the coaches sure can Eff them up. I think the combination of RonE, Szabo and Strip (and the subtraction of Terry Malone) really reduces the probability of that occurring on such a regular basis.
Brian, would you care to elaborate more on your second hand info regarding Szabos dislike for Charlie Weis? If not it's not a problem...was wondering your opinion on how much we'll improve on defending Weis' offense w/ the hire of Szabo and English? Thanks in advance.
"The reason I’m optimistic is that we’re changing our offensive schemes. I can’t say how because the coaches want to keep this secret. But it’s an important change that I believe will make us better at running, and better at integrating the pass and run game."
Secret new schemes that are just bound to work, huh? Homer-alert.
go michigan
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