Spring Ball Lineups

The Michigan students (and football players) are currently on spring break for the next week. But once they return the players will be able to hit the pads for their annual 15 spring practices. This spring is going to be HUGE if Rich Rodriguez and his staff want to survive to coach another year. The offense will be fine, there is no doubt in my mind. But defensively, the staff need to get more players to step up, especially in the secondary. The only problem is.. well, there aren't a whole lot of players (with experience) there just yet. But that's what the spring is for.

Anyways, here's an early spring-ball defensive lineup, (I'll get to offense later).

DE: Ryan Van Bergen, Adam Patterson, Will Heininger
DT: Mike Martin [Injured for spring], Greg Banks
NT: William Campbell, Renaldo Sagesse

Quick: Craig Roh, Brandon Herron, Steve Watson
Mike: Obi Ezeh, J.B. Fitzgerald, Isiah Bell
Will: Jonas Mouton, Kevin Leach, Kenny Demens
Sam: Mike Jones / Brandon Hawthorne,

CB: J.T. Floyd,
SS: Vlad Emilien (hurt), Cameron Gordon
FS: Jordan Kovacs, Mike Williams, Thomas Gordon
CB: Troy Woofolk

As you can see... there aren't a whole lot of cornerbacks (scholarship corners at least) on the roster right now. That will change when Demar Dorsey, Cullen Christian, Terrance Talbott, and Courtney Avery arrive in the fall. I really, really wish Michigan could've gotten at least 1 or 2 defensive players in early for the spring, but it happens. The coaches will have much more to work with this year than last year.

I think Troy Woofolk will move back to the strong safety position (remember the safeties in this defense are reversed) because that's where he's most needed. Once Woofolk moved to corner and Kovacs/Williams played the deep safety, Michigan got bombed for the rest of the year in the secondary. If another corner or two can step up and JT Turner proves to the "the man", I think Michigan can field a much better, much more athletic secondary this year. But we're all going to have to wait to see who gets in during fall camp and impressed (or like Turner.. comes in out of shape).

The biggest position that needs to step up is obviously the linebackers. In 2008 it seemed like they improved a little bit, at least by the end of the season. But in 2009 Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton just seemed totally lost on the field at times. Hopefully that will change with Greg Robinson now coaching them. Greg coached the "hybrids" (Quick/SAM) last season and both Craig Roh and Stevie Brown played solid throughout the year. I'm hoping that Robinson can work his magic with Ezeh and Mouton, two fifth-year seniors with all the talent, they just need some good quality coaching.

Another thing to watch is who will replace Brandon Graham? Some players have said Ryan Van Bergen will slide over from Defensive Tackle and take his spot. This makes the most sense to me, as Van Bergen was kind of playing out of place as the defensive tackle in this defense and will be suited better as a defensive end. Also, with Mike Martin out for the spring, it will be a battle between Will Campbell and Renaldo Sagesse for the Nose Tackle position. Martin is better suited for the Defensive Tackle spot anyways, so hopefully Campbell and/or Sagesse will step up. If one of them does, that will allow the defensive line to add some much needed size, and Martin and Van Bergen can actually play their natural positions.

Offense will be up tomorrow.