http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/SPORTS06/808070443

The kicker competition remains open but took a turn, as Bryan Wright is also working as the backup punter. ...

According the the Scout site, they're saying that Wright will be a kickoff guy this year, and maybe he'll handle kickoffs, punts and field goals/XPs next year.

See you in another life, brother.

At safety, Rodriguez likes the group of Steve Brown, Brandon Harrison and Charles Stewart.

This line scares the bejesus out of me....

Harrison doesn't concern me too much at the position, and I think Stevie Brown improved quite a bit over the course of the year after a abysmal start...

Charles Stewart on the other hand, I haven't seen a whole out of him that causes me to brim with confidence.

Back to the kickers... considering just how important special teams play is in this game we call football, you aren't hearing a whole lot of mention about how solid we are there heading into this season.  I like Wright for kickoffs (he has a big leg, just hasn't been too accurate thus far) whereas what can you say about Zoltan and KC Lopata???  I'd be surprised to not see Wright at least get the opportunity to compete for the kicking job next season though.

http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

I like the secondary, and I like the D-line. But I can't remember who our linebackers are other than Ezeh.
As for the special teams, I think we'll be decent.

Made by Maize Veins

GO BLUE

Linebackers, aside from Ezeh, look to be a bit of a group behind as far as competing for the starting spot, last I had seen it was Panter and Evans who were occupying the other two starting positions, but I would imagine John Thompson and Mouton will see a lot of the field as well.

http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

Yeah I forgot about them. Thanks scm.

Made by Maize Veins

GO BLUE

scmgoblue


Linebackers, aside from Ezeh, look to be a bit of a group behind as far as competing for the starting spot, last I had seen it was Panter and Evans who were occupying the other two starting positions, but I would imagine John Thompson and Mouton will see a lot of the field as well.

Agreed.  The strength of our DL should help our LBs run free and make a ton of tackles.  One thing that bothers me is how has Jonas Mouton not been able to secure a spot on the field??  He was a HIGHLY touted LB coming out of HS and frankly, hasn't done anythig to "wow" anyone.

BlueSteel

According the the Scout site, they're saying that Wright will be a kickoff guy this year, and maybe he'll handle kickoffs, punts and field goals/XPs next year.

I would be very surprised if Wright was punting next year...since we'll still have Zoltan.

scmgoblue

Linebackers, aside from Ezeh, look to bea bit of a group behind as far as competing for the starting spot, lastI had seen it was Panter and Evans who were occupying the other twostarting positions, but I would imagine John Thompson and Mouton willsee a lot of the field as well.

Obi Ezeh has one spot locked up (not surprising), Mouton and Evans will be fighting for the SAM spot, and Thompson and Panter will be fighting for the WILL spot. This was last I heard, anyways. Things could still change. Our linebackers don't scare me at all. Obi Ezeh is a great LB, and John "Machete" Thompson was killing it last year until he got injured.

Michigan will be using the "spread" punt formation where the punter rolls out, & in spring ball Bryan excelled in it and impressed RR.  He was actually recruited by some schools for punter.

As far as FG's, I was told he is pushing Lopata hard and competing for the job

 

I don't know if I will be able to stand that punt formation...

I may have to gouge my eyes out actually, and that's after I finish convulsing and screaming "OREGON... IOWA....  WHYYYYYYYYY?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" repeatedly from my seat in the stands...

blech...

http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

Well at least it will be practiced this time instead of an afterthought in the middle of the season.

But yes those games and formation resulted in near bodily injury to innocent bystanders

scmgoblue


I don't know if I will be able to stand that punt formation...

I may have to gouge my eyes out actually, and that's after I finish convulsing and screaming "OREGON... IOWA....  WHYYYYYYYYY?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" repeatedly from my seat in the stands...

blech...

It think Donovan Warren was a really good CB last year. (For a freshman) In  a couple years he could wind up like Woodson!

Its great to a be a Michigan Wolverine!

I'm expecting Austin Panter to have a break out season.  He apparently struggled with the S&C program his first year (last year) at Michigan.  With a year under his belt and an offseason with Barwis, his S&C should be equal to his peers and he can now display what made him the Juco defensive player of the year, with the help of the beasts on our D-line keeping blockers off him.

The return of the spread punt formation?? Does any team really have success with that? This just seems like a bad idea.

Go Blue!

Michigan Alumnus since 4/28/07

Didn't Lopata come on strong at the end of last season? I think he was pretty good, after Gingell had some less than satisfactory performances early on. And come on, we can't replace Zoltan!!

But if Rich thinks it's the best move, then I won't question him until it doesn't work.

buckeyehater22


Didn't Lopata come on strong at the end of last season? I think he was pretty good, after Gingell had some less than satisfactory performances early on. And come on, we can't replace Zoltan!!

But if Rich thinks it's the best move, then I won't question him until it doesn't work.

Actually, its gonna be like last year's depth chart. Lopata is the PK, Wright handles KO, and mesko stays P

Its great to a be a Michigan Wolverine!

Later in the report, Johnson noted that kicker K.C. Lopata made a 56-yard field goal during a scrimmage.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080809/SPORTS06/80809011/1054/SPORTS06

This is good to hear.

See you in another life, brother.

BlueSteel


Later in the report, Johnson noted that kicker K.C. Lopata made a 56-yard field goal during a scrimmage.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080809/SPORTS06/80809011/1054/SPORTS06

This is good to hear.

I have to imagine that was in a weird situation, such as off of a tee. I remember KC Lopata's only field goal miss last year was against Ohio State and it was from 48 and it was just too long for him.

madtadder

I have to imagine that was in a weird situation, such as off of a tee. I remember KC Lopata's only field goal miss last year was against Ohio State and it was from 48 and it was just too long for him.

You're basing this on one kick from one game?  Don't you think that comparing a 56 yard kick in practice... in August... in perfect weather to him missing a 48 yarder against OSU... in MISERABLE weather... and then claiming the practice kick was a fluke is just a bit of a stretch?  Kickers can't benefit from conditioning?

http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

scmgoblue

madtadder

I have to imagine that was in a weird situation, such as off of a tee. I remember KC Lopata's only field goal miss last year was against Ohio State and it was from 48 and it was just too long for him.

You're basing this on one kick from one game?  Don't you think that comparing a 56 yard kick in practice... in August... in perfect weather to him missing a 48 yarder against OSU... in MISERABLE weather... and then claiming the practice kick was a fluke is just a bit of a stretch?  Kickers can't benefit from conditioning?

That was my point when I said it was in a weird situation, with the right conditions, because there is no way he will hit one close to that long in a game situation. The reason he wasn't the starter to begin last season was because of his lack of distance, not his lack of accuracy. And while no doubt he benefitted from Barwis, I doubt he would benefit that much.