I'm still a bit under the weather so this will be, as much as anything, an open thread for you to post your own thoughts on today's Spring Game. I watched with the interest of a hungry fan eager to see some live football, while understanding that this was an exhibition for hungry fans eager to see some live football. The signal to noise ratio in a scrimmage like this is pretty low.
That said, we saw live football, featuring the players who will play for the team this fall. And while I don't have the energy to write too thoughtfully about any big picture stuff right now, here are a few of my observations from today's action, in no particular order:
* I like that we seem interested in getting the football to our playmakers. That's an awfully simple concept, but one that's been fundamentally underserved. We have specific ideas for how to use DJ Monroe. We want to get Mike Davis and other playmaking wideouts the ball in space. It's all pretty raw right now, but seeing the coaches specifically targeting that objective is a nice change.
* Also nice: routes being run down the field! Nevermind that neither Gilbert nor McCoy could get the ball there. The routes were being run. Down the field. Consistently. This is progress.
* The easy conclusion to draw is that our offensive line is a "work in progress," a "question mark." Yes, it is, and it will be. But some of the individual play that I saw was encouraging. Mason Walters had a nice afternoon. I saw some nice agility from Trey Hopkins, and several encouraging plays from Tray Allen.
* How good is Quandre Diggs? Didn't look like an early enrollee freshman to me. Beautiful coverage on the fade in the end zone, coupled with some physical play and a fine display of football instincts. Diggs looks like one of the top two players in the class. Like when Earl Thomas showed he was ready, the question is not whether he's ready to play but how long it will take him to understand the game as well as he plays it.
* Sticking with the defense, we have the personnel to have a really strong front seven, and it's conceivable that the secondary will round into a strength sooner rather than later. Vaccaro is a difference maker who needs to be on the field constantly. We all know Gideon's limitations, but if he's asked to play a role better suited to his capabilities this year he can be fine, and he looked good on one play today coming in to blow up a lane, shedding a blocker to make the play. Phillips and Byndom are inexperienced and raw, but they possess physical attributes that play. I've already mentioned Diggs, but we also saw something from AJ White and Nolan Brewster today. There are a lot of kids who will be in the mix here and I feel better about our prospects in the secondary than I did heading in, which is nice.
* Rounding out the thoughts on the defense: I'm pretty encouraged by our roster and feel good about our chances to be a good unit. We didn't see Manny Diaz do much schematically today, but I saw plenty of talent out there. Reggie Wilson is going to explode onto the scene this year, and between him and Jeffcoat and Okafor we've got some playmakers at end. As for tackle, Calvin Howell made a couple nice plays, and I saw some things to like from Dorsey in a block-eating role alongside Randall. And the linebackers are a wealth of depth and talent. Cobbs is still really raw and learning how to play, but he definitely closes fast.
* All that said, if you told me after today that you see an eight-win team I wouldn't argue, and that's because the offense still lacks an identity. I really liked seeing how Harsin attacks the field through various points of emphasis, but we're a long way from executing it well enough to take advantage. The elephant in the room being, of course, quarterback. Gilbert did not look good, and if we're ever starting Case McCoy we're in trouble. I know that he's going to be appealing to some, but there's nothing there. I don't have an answer here, and only can say that we have a quarterback problem. I thought that Wood looked promising physically, and my gut says that he and Ash should probably be given more of a shot to win the job than they will.
And with that, I'm wrapping it up and opening the floor to y'all. There were plenty of players I didn't get to touch on that deserve mention, but I'll leave that to you.
Showing posts with label england. Show all posts
Showing posts with label england. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Bundesliga
Bundesliga - Hamburg fire coach Veh
Sun, 13 Mar 12:25:00 2011
Hamburg coach Armin Veh, who announced last Tuesday he would leave the club at the end of the season, has been fired following the 6-0 Bundesliga defeat at Bayern Munich.
RELATED LINKS
• Three for Robben in Hamburg rout
• Bayern deny Loew reports
"After he made it known he would leave at the end of the season and, with the impression left by the last two games, we decided to make the cut now and part company with Armin Veh," Hamburg director Bastian Reinhardt said.
Veh, 50, who won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 2007, had been in charge of the team for eight months, having taking over at the start of the season.
Last season, he was fired by Wolfsburg after only five months at the club.
The club said assistant coach Michael Oenning would take charge for the remainder of the season, becoming the club's sixth coach in the last four years.
Hamburg are eighth in the Bundesliga but their chances of a place in Europe have suffered in the last week, with a 4-2 home defeat by Mainz preceding Saturday's debacle.
It was a case of deja vu for the club who sacked Bruno Labbadia near the end of last season following a similar heavy defeat, 5-1 against Hoffenheim.
德甲- 汉堡火灾，请设在教练
太阳，2011年3月13日12时25分零零秒
请设在汉堡队主教练阿明，谁上周二宣布，他将留在本赛季结束后俱乐部，已被解雇后，在德甲拜仁慕尼黑6-0击败。
相关链接
在汉堡的罗本三击溃
拜仁否认勒夫报告
“当他知道他会离开它在本赛季结束后和进行的最后两场比赛留下的印象，我们决定把削减现在和阿明，请设在部分公司，“汉堡莱因哈特导演巴斯蒂安说。
请设，50，谁赢得了2007年斯图加特德甲，已经在该小组的负责八个月后，以在本赛季重新开始。
上个赛季，他被解雇后的沃尔夫斯堡在俱乐部只有五个月。
该俱乐部的助理教练迈克尔说，将采取Oenning本赛季剩余电荷，成为该俱乐部在过去四年第六教练。
汉堡在德甲第八，但在欧洲的地位的机会都遭受了上周由美因茨4-2家上周六的崩溃失败。
这是一个似曾相识的俱乐部解雇谁靠近上赛季结束后布鲁诺Labbadia似曾相识的情况类似的惨败，对霍芬海姆5-1。
Bundesliga - Hamburg Feuer Trainer Veh
So, 13 März 2011 12.25.00
Hamburg-Trainer Armin Veh, der am vergangenen Dienstag angekündigt, er werdeden Verein am Ende der Saison verlassen, ist nach der 6-0 Niederlage Bundesligabei Bayern München entlassen worden.
LINKS
Drei für Robben in Hamburg Flucht
Bayern bestreiten Löw Berichte
"Nachdem er es bekannt, er würde am Ende der Saison verlassen und mit demEindruck von den letzten beiden Spielen hat gemacht, wir, um den Schnitt jetzt undtrennt sich von Armin Veh machen entschieden", Hamburg Regisseur Bastian Reinhardt sagte.
Veh, 50, der die Bundesliga mit Stuttgart gewann im Jahr 2007 hatteVerantwortlichen des Teams für acht Monate, nachdem die Übernahme zu Beginnder Saison.
Letzte Saison wurde er von Wolfsburg nach nur fünf Monaten im Klub gefeuert.
Der Verein sagte Assistenztrainer Michael Oenning würde Gebühr für den Rest derSaison zu nehmen, zu dem Club der sechste Trainer in den letzten vier Jahren.
Hamburg sind Achter in der Bundesliga, sondern ihre Chancen auf einen Platz inEuropa haben in der letzten Woche gelitten, mit einem 4:2-Heimniederlage gegenMainz vorausgehenden Samstag Debakel.
Es war ein Fall von Déjà-vu für den Verein, die Bruno Labbadia am Ende der letztenSaison entlassen nach einem ähnlichen schwere Niederlage, 5-1 gegen Hoffenheim.
Bundesliga - Hamburg Veh ignis coach
Sun Mar XIII MMXI 12:25:00
Armin Veh coach Hamburg, nunciantes last Tuesday excedens club fine temporis estaccensa secundum Bundesliga 6-0 Bayern Munich vinci.
Related Links
Robben in triduo fuga Hamburg
Loew negare tradit Bayern
Post et significavit exiens in fine temporum et impressione sinistra duobus ultimisludis, placuit ut nunc et concidens parte Armin Veh fornicariis, director BastianReinhardt Hamburg dictum.
Veh, L, Qui meruit in Stuttgart cum Bundesliga MMVII, prefuisset consors octo mensibus cum capiendi initio temporum.
Last tempore incensus est post quinque tantum Wolfsburg mensibus in fuste.
Clava Michael dixit Oenning Assistant Coach esto se reliquum temporis uenit club'scoach in sexto quadriennium.
Hamburg VIII sunt in casum Bundesliga sed loci in Europa passa in ultima hebdomada cum domi vinci 4-2 Mainz debacle's sabbato præcedenti.
Erat causa vu deja de Bruno club Labbadia qui diripuit circa finem ultimum tempussequens similis gravis clades in 5-1 Hoffenheim.
Bundesliga - Hamburg vuur afrigter VEH
Sondag, 13 Mar 2011 12:25:00
Hamburg afrigter Armin VEH, wat verlede Dinsdag aangekondig dat hy die klub verlaat aan die einde van die seisoen, is afgedank as gevolg van die 6-0 Bundesliganederlaag teen Bayern München.
VERWANTE WEBWERF
Drie vir Robben in Hamburg rout
Bayern ontken Loew verslae
"Nadat hy dit weet hy sou verlaat aan die einde van die seisoen en, met die indrukgelaat word deur die laaste twee wedstryde, het ons besluit om die snit nou en deelmaatskappy met Armin VEH te maak, " Hamburg direkteur Bastian Reinhardt gesê.
VEH, 50, wat die Bundesliga gewen met Stuttgart in 2007, was in beheer van diespan vir agt maande, nadat die oorname aan die begin van die seisoen.
Afgelope seisoen, is hy afgedank deur Wolfsburg na slegs vyf maande by die klub.
Die klub het gesê assistent-afrigter Michael Oenning aanklag sou neem vir die resvan die seisoen, word die klub se sesde afrigter in die laaste vier jaar.
Hamburg is agtste plek in die Bundesliga, maar hul kanse van 'n plek in Europa gely het in die laaste week, met'n 4-2 nederlaag teen Mainz huis voorafgaande Saterdagse debakel.
Dit was 'n geval van deja vu vir die klub wat Bruno Labbadia afgedank naby die eindevan die vorige seisoen'n soortgelyke swaar nederlaag, 5-1 teen Hoffenheim.
Bundesliga - Hamburg trajner zjarr Veh
Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:25:00
Hamburg trajner Armin Veh, i cili njoftoi të martën e kaluar se ai do të largohet ngaklubi në fund të sezonit, ka qenë i shkarkuar pas humbjes 6-0 në Bundesliga Bayern Munich.
Related Links
Tre për Roben në Hamburg shpartallim
Bayern mohuar raportet Loew
"Pasi ai e bëri të njohur se do të largohej në fund të sezonit dhe, me përshtypje tëlëna nga dy ndeshje të fundit, ne kemi vendosur të të prerë tani dhe kompani pjesëme Armin Veh," tha drejtori Bastian Reinhardt Hamburg.
Veh, 50, i cili fitoi Bundesliga me Stuttgart në vitin 2007, kishte qenë në krye të ekipitpër tetë muaj, që ka marrë përsipër në fillim të sezonit.
Sezonin e kaluar, ai u shkarkua nga Wolfsburg pas vetëm pesë muaj në klub.
Klubi i tha ndihmës trajneri Michael Oenning do të marrë përgjegjësinë për pjesën e mbetur të sezonit, duke u bërë trajneri i gjashtë e klubit në katër vitet e fundit.
Hamburg janë tetë në Bundesliga, por shanset e tyre për një vend në Evropë kanëvuajtur në javën e fundit, me një humbje 4-2 në shtëpi me Mainz mësipërm përmbysje e së shtunës.
Kjo ishte një rast i deja vu për të klubit që shkarkoi Bruno Labbadia pranë në fund të sezonit të kaluar pas një humbje të ngjashme të rëndë, 5-1 kundër Hoffenheim.
Sun, 13 Mar 12:25:00 2011
Hamburg coach Armin Veh, who announced last Tuesday he would leave the club at the end of the season, has been fired following the 6-0 Bundesliga defeat at Bayern Munich.
RELATED LINKS
• Three for Robben in Hamburg rout
• Bayern deny Loew reports
"After he made it known he would leave at the end of the season and, with the impression left by the last two games, we decided to make the cut now and part company with Armin Veh," Hamburg director Bastian Reinhardt said.
Veh, 50, who won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 2007, had been in charge of the team for eight months, having taking over at the start of the season.
Last season, he was fired by Wolfsburg after only five months at the club.
The club said assistant coach Michael Oenning would take charge for the remainder of the season, becoming the club's sixth coach in the last four years.
Hamburg are eighth in the Bundesliga but their chances of a place in Europe have suffered in the last week, with a 4-2 home defeat by Mainz preceding Saturday's debacle.
It was a case of deja vu for the club who sacked Bruno Labbadia near the end of last season following a similar heavy defeat, 5-1 against Hoffenheim.
德甲- 汉堡火灾，请设在教练
太阳，2011年3月13日12时25分零零秒
请设在汉堡队主教练阿明，谁上周二宣布，他将留在本赛季结束后俱乐部，已被解雇后，在德甲拜仁慕尼黑6-0击败。
相关链接
在汉堡的罗本三击溃
拜仁否认勒夫报告
“当他知道他会离开它在本赛季结束后和进行的最后两场比赛留下的印象，我们决定把削减现在和阿明，请设在部分公司，“汉堡莱因哈特导演巴斯蒂安说。
请设，50，谁赢得了2007年斯图加特德甲，已经在该小组的负责八个月后，以在本赛季重新开始。
上个赛季，他被解雇后的沃尔夫斯堡在俱乐部只有五个月。
该俱乐部的助理教练迈克尔说，将采取Oenning本赛季剩余电荷，成为该俱乐部在过去四年第六教练。
汉堡在德甲第八，但在欧洲的地位的机会都遭受了上周由美因茨4-2家上周六的崩溃失败。
这是一个似曾相识的俱乐部解雇谁靠近上赛季结束后布鲁诺Labbadia似曾相识的情况类似的惨败，对霍芬海姆5-1。
Bundesliga - Hamburg Feuer Trainer Veh
So, 13 März 2011 12.25.00
Hamburg-Trainer Armin Veh, der am vergangenen Dienstag angekündigt, er werdeden Verein am Ende der Saison verlassen, ist nach der 6-0 Niederlage Bundesligabei Bayern München entlassen worden.
LINKS
Drei für Robben in Hamburg Flucht
Bayern bestreiten Löw Berichte
"Nachdem er es bekannt, er würde am Ende der Saison verlassen und mit demEindruck von den letzten beiden Spielen hat gemacht, wir, um den Schnitt jetzt undtrennt sich von Armin Veh machen entschieden", Hamburg Regisseur Bastian Reinhardt sagte.
Veh, 50, der die Bundesliga mit Stuttgart gewann im Jahr 2007 hatteVerantwortlichen des Teams für acht Monate, nachdem die Übernahme zu Beginnder Saison.
Letzte Saison wurde er von Wolfsburg nach nur fünf Monaten im Klub gefeuert.
Der Verein sagte Assistenztrainer Michael Oenning würde Gebühr für den Rest derSaison zu nehmen, zu dem Club der sechste Trainer in den letzten vier Jahren.
Hamburg sind Achter in der Bundesliga, sondern ihre Chancen auf einen Platz inEuropa haben in der letzten Woche gelitten, mit einem 4:2-Heimniederlage gegenMainz vorausgehenden Samstag Debakel.
Es war ein Fall von Déjà-vu für den Verein, die Bruno Labbadia am Ende der letztenSaison entlassen nach einem ähnlichen schwere Niederlage, 5-1 gegen Hoffenheim.
Bundesliga - Hamburg Veh ignis coach
Sun Mar XIII MMXI 12:25:00
Armin Veh coach Hamburg, nunciantes last Tuesday excedens club fine temporis estaccensa secundum Bundesliga 6-0 Bayern Munich vinci.
Related Links
Robben in triduo fuga Hamburg
Loew negare tradit Bayern
Post et significavit exiens in fine temporum et impressione sinistra duobus ultimisludis, placuit ut nunc et concidens parte Armin Veh fornicariis, director BastianReinhardt Hamburg dictum.
Veh, L, Qui meruit in Stuttgart cum Bundesliga MMVII, prefuisset consors octo mensibus cum capiendi initio temporum.
Last tempore incensus est post quinque tantum Wolfsburg mensibus in fuste.
Clava Michael dixit Oenning Assistant Coach esto se reliquum temporis uenit club'scoach in sexto quadriennium.
Hamburg VIII sunt in casum Bundesliga sed loci in Europa passa in ultima hebdomada cum domi vinci 4-2 Mainz debacle's sabbato præcedenti.
Erat causa vu deja de Bruno club Labbadia qui diripuit circa finem ultimum tempussequens similis gravis clades in 5-1 Hoffenheim.
Bundesliga - Hamburg vuur afrigter VEH
Sondag, 13 Mar 2011 12:25:00
Hamburg afrigter Armin VEH, wat verlede Dinsdag aangekondig dat hy die klub verlaat aan die einde van die seisoen, is afgedank as gevolg van die 6-0 Bundesliganederlaag teen Bayern München.
VERWANTE WEBWERF
Drie vir Robben in Hamburg rout
Bayern ontken Loew verslae
"Nadat hy dit weet hy sou verlaat aan die einde van die seisoen en, met die indrukgelaat word deur die laaste twee wedstryde, het ons besluit om die snit nou en deelmaatskappy met Armin VEH te maak, " Hamburg direkteur Bastian Reinhardt gesê.
VEH, 50, wat die Bundesliga gewen met Stuttgart in 2007, was in beheer van diespan vir agt maande, nadat die oorname aan die begin van die seisoen.
Afgelope seisoen, is hy afgedank deur Wolfsburg na slegs vyf maande by die klub.
Die klub het gesê assistent-afrigter Michael Oenning aanklag sou neem vir die resvan die seisoen, word die klub se sesde afrigter in die laaste vier jaar.
Hamburg is agtste plek in die Bundesliga, maar hul kanse van 'n plek in Europa gely het in die laaste week, met'n 4-2 nederlaag teen Mainz huis voorafgaande Saterdagse debakel.
Dit was 'n geval van deja vu vir die klub wat Bruno Labbadia afgedank naby die eindevan die vorige seisoen'n soortgelyke swaar nederlaag, 5-1 teen Hoffenheim.
Bundesliga - Hamburg trajner zjarr Veh
Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:25:00
Hamburg trajner Armin Veh, i cili njoftoi të martën e kaluar se ai do të largohet ngaklubi në fund të sezonit, ka qenë i shkarkuar pas humbjes 6-0 në Bundesliga Bayern Munich.
Related Links
Tre për Roben në Hamburg shpartallim
Bayern mohuar raportet Loew
"Pasi ai e bëri të njohur se do të largohej në fund të sezonit dhe, me përshtypje tëlëna nga dy ndeshje të fundit, ne kemi vendosur të të prerë tani dhe kompani pjesëme Armin Veh," tha drejtori Bastian Reinhardt Hamburg.
Veh, 50, i cili fitoi Bundesliga me Stuttgart në vitin 2007, kishte qenë në krye të ekipitpër tetë muaj, që ka marrë përsipër në fillim të sezonit.
Sezonin e kaluar, ai u shkarkua nga Wolfsburg pas vetëm pesë muaj në klub.
Klubi i tha ndihmës trajneri Michael Oenning do të marrë përgjegjësinë për pjesën e mbetur të sezonit, duke u bërë trajneri i gjashtë e klubit në katër vitet e fundit.
Hamburg janë tetë në Bundesliga, por shanset e tyre për një vend në Evropë kanëvuajtur në javën e fundit, me një humbje 4-2 në shtëpi me Mainz mësipërm përmbysje e së shtunës.
Kjo ishte një rast i deja vu për të klubit që shkarkoi Bruno Labbadia pranë në fund të sezonit të kaluar pas një humbje të ngjashme të rëndë, 5-1 kundër Hoffenheim.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Football Luncheon Notes
LucKy
Michigan's new football coaching staff met with the media today prior to the start of spring ball. Here are some excerpts of what they said. Video coming tomorrow.
Head Coach Brady Hoke
I spent much less time with Hoke because we've had chances to hear from him before. The assistants have much more new stuff to say.
"We've talked a lot about 'this is a fresh start' and going back to square one."
The facility upgrades are a lot different than last time Hoke was here. "You look aesthetically at how everything looks, and it's beautiful. It's a sign of the times in college football."
Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison
"We have to take who we have, and make them as good as they can be." Can the team make dramatic improvements on D? "It has to. Michigan forever - and you guys know it longer than I do - Michigan has taken great pride in defense, and will take great pride in defense again." It starts with technique, fundamentals, and stopping the run. Not allowing big plays and great red zone defense are huge.
It was tough to come to Michigan, because the Ravens are a great team, and "probably one of the best franchises in the NFL right now." In the end, he couldn't turn down working with Brady again and coming to Michigan again. He likes working with young guys and teaching the game.
On Hoke: "He's number one a great leader, he's a great person, as far as knowing what has to happen. He loves Michigan. He's always loved Michigan. He has a passion to get Michigan back to where it always was." Mattison and Hoke stayed close even though they weren't on the same staff for several years.
Cameron Gordon will play outside linebacker, because they want to get the guys into the best position they can to make plays. "And then what's the most upside." He has great ability to grow, and has that upside at OLB. "As compared to being a safety, I think he can do that too, but we have other guys that can do that."
"How dangerous? I don't know that, because we haven't hit anybody." Don't know how tough the team is until they have contact practices.
Nobody on the staff is selfish or looking out for their owns goals. "Everybody has Michigan first. It's not about any individual on that team."
Mattison hasn't watched any film on the defense from 2010. The only useful thing would be for individual ability, but he'll learn that through conditioning. "The players we have here are who we have here." Improving the defensive rankings doesn't matter. "I want this defense to be the best they can possibly be... It doesn't matter what the numbers were before. If the numbers were 50 a game and it goes down to 40, that isn't good enough." The bar at Michigan is higher than most places.
The coaches have to invest their own effort for the players to buy in. "Through their effort, they can become 'Michigan football players' again. And they're not far off."
"Very very physical, aggressive defense. A defense that, when somebody comes out on that field, they know their in a war." The other point of pride is having excellent technique.
Young kids are excited to play for a coach who's had Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, and Ed Reed play for him. "The good news is, you don't coach these guys any different than you coach them. It's just teaching."
Defensive Line: Jerry Montgomery
"They're going to be a reflection of me. I'm passionate about what I do, they'll feel that passion, and eventually it will rub off." The defensive linemen will play with intensity and "we're going to be the best-coached group on the field." Building a relationship with the players is one of the most important parts of coaching.
There are a lot of different defensive schemes out there, "but at the end of the day, you get to a lot of the same things." Michigan's 4-3 this season won't be worried about confusing the offense or disguising what they're going to get on a given play, unlike some of the other schemes out there. It'll be a lot of "here we are, come at us." Think along the lines of what Iowa does.
"Our goal is to stop the run first. That's priority number one."
The players who are best capable of playing "within the defense" will be the ones who play. If they're All-Americans in another scheme, but can't accept the coaching, they aren't going to play.
Coach Mattison is able to compare linemen to Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, and other great NFL linemen, so they know the bar is set high, and what they're aiming to achieve. "What they're asking is 'how can I be more like him?' Well, I'm going to them them." They'll watch the Ravens film because "we're going to be running that defense. So we've got the luxury of using that film."
"I'd like to rotate a bunch. But we've gotta have the players for us to do that. I won't know until we get deep into spring ball what type of depth we have." They want to keep the linemen fresh as much as possible.
It's exciting to work under Coaches Hoke and Mattison, because they're former D-Line coaches, and it's great to learn under them.
On Mattison: "Regardless of how old he is, he's great with the players, he relates to the players, and he's a great recruiter." He's as energetic as Montgomery, despite the age difference. He has the enthusiasm of a young guy, and cam back to college because he loved recruiting so much.
Offensive Coordinator Al Borges
The installation timeline for the offense isn't set in stone. They'll work on certain things as long as they need for the players to get it.
The important qualities for a quarterback are 1) proper management, and getting the offense into the proper plays, 2) throw accurately, and 3) "when there's breakdowns, particularly in the passing game, can you create?" The third quality separates system QBs from great ones.
There will still be some designed run plays. "He's not gonna rush for 1700 yards, I've already told him that." If he runs for 700 less and makes up for it in passing yards, that's a win. "Denard wants to be a next-level player." He's aware that this coaching staff gives him an opportunity to develop enough to play quarterback at the next level.
Borges has coached guys who can run in the past, but nobody with Denard's running skills. "He definitely has next level skills." As a quarterback? "Possibly." He's about as big as Michael Vick, and a little faster. He just needs to get the passing skills where they need to be.
Devin Gardner has a chance to play. "We have complete respect for what's been accomplished by Denard and anyone else in the lineup. But by the same token, everyone's going to have to prove to us they can play their position." They'll start with the guys that finished last year, but there's no entitlement.
The offense has a zone package, but they're not primarily a zone running team. "We're a combination of zone, gap, and insert schemes." They'll explore more options with what works well in practice. They've gone toward more gap in the past (SDSU) and also more zone (Auburn). All of it is available. The read-option isn't dead, but it's not a priority of this team.
Aaron Wellman, the team's strength coach, is as good as anybody at determining every individual player's maximum efficient weight. If guys can be most efficient a little lighter, so be it.
Michigan's new football coaching staff met with the media today prior to the start of spring ball. Here are some excerpts of what they said. Video coming tomorrow.
Head Coach Brady Hoke
I spent much less time with Hoke because we've had chances to hear from him before. The assistants have much more new stuff to say.
"We've talked a lot about 'this is a fresh start' and going back to square one."
The facility upgrades are a lot different than last time Hoke was here. "You look aesthetically at how everything looks, and it's beautiful. It's a sign of the times in college football."
Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison
"We have to take who we have, and make them as good as they can be." Can the team make dramatic improvements on D? "It has to. Michigan forever - and you guys know it longer than I do - Michigan has taken great pride in defense, and will take great pride in defense again." It starts with technique, fundamentals, and stopping the run. Not allowing big plays and great red zone defense are huge.
It was tough to come to Michigan, because the Ravens are a great team, and "probably one of the best franchises in the NFL right now." In the end, he couldn't turn down working with Brady again and coming to Michigan again. He likes working with young guys and teaching the game.
On Hoke: "He's number one a great leader, he's a great person, as far as knowing what has to happen. He loves Michigan. He's always loved Michigan. He has a passion to get Michigan back to where it always was." Mattison and Hoke stayed close even though they weren't on the same staff for several years.
Cameron Gordon will play outside linebacker, because they want to get the guys into the best position they can to make plays. "And then what's the most upside." He has great ability to grow, and has that upside at OLB. "As compared to being a safety, I think he can do that too, but we have other guys that can do that."
"How dangerous? I don't know that, because we haven't hit anybody." Don't know how tough the team is until they have contact practices.
Nobody on the staff is selfish or looking out for their owns goals. "Everybody has Michigan first. It's not about any individual on that team."
Mattison hasn't watched any film on the defense from 2010. The only useful thing would be for individual ability, but he'll learn that through conditioning. "The players we have here are who we have here." Improving the defensive rankings doesn't matter. "I want this defense to be the best they can possibly be... It doesn't matter what the numbers were before. If the numbers were 50 a game and it goes down to 40, that isn't good enough." The bar at Michigan is higher than most places.
The coaches have to invest their own effort for the players to buy in. "Through their effort, they can become 'Michigan football players' again. And they're not far off."
"Very very physical, aggressive defense. A defense that, when somebody comes out on that field, they know their in a war." The other point of pride is having excellent technique.
Young kids are excited to play for a coach who's had Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, and Ed Reed play for him. "The good news is, you don't coach these guys any different than you coach them. It's just teaching."
Defensive Line: Jerry Montgomery
"They're going to be a reflection of me. I'm passionate about what I do, they'll feel that passion, and eventually it will rub off." The defensive linemen will play with intensity and "we're going to be the best-coached group on the field." Building a relationship with the players is one of the most important parts of coaching.
There are a lot of different defensive schemes out there, "but at the end of the day, you get to a lot of the same things." Michigan's 4-3 this season won't be worried about confusing the offense or disguising what they're going to get on a given play, unlike some of the other schemes out there. It'll be a lot of "here we are, come at us." Think along the lines of what Iowa does.
"Our goal is to stop the run first. That's priority number one."
The players who are best capable of playing "within the defense" will be the ones who play. If they're All-Americans in another scheme, but can't accept the coaching, they aren't going to play.
Coach Mattison is able to compare linemen to Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, and other great NFL linemen, so they know the bar is set high, and what they're aiming to achieve. "What they're asking is 'how can I be more like him?' Well, I'm going to them them." They'll watch the Ravens film because "we're going to be running that defense. So we've got the luxury of using that film."
"I'd like to rotate a bunch. But we've gotta have the players for us to do that. I won't know until we get deep into spring ball what type of depth we have." They want to keep the linemen fresh as much as possible.
It's exciting to work under Coaches Hoke and Mattison, because they're former D-Line coaches, and it's great to learn under them.
On Mattison: "Regardless of how old he is, he's great with the players, he relates to the players, and he's a great recruiter." He's as energetic as Montgomery, despite the age difference. He has the enthusiasm of a young guy, and cam back to college because he loved recruiting so much.
Offensive Coordinator Al Borges
The installation timeline for the offense isn't set in stone. They'll work on certain things as long as they need for the players to get it.
The important qualities for a quarterback are 1) proper management, and getting the offense into the proper plays, 2) throw accurately, and 3) "when there's breakdowns, particularly in the passing game, can you create?" The third quality separates system QBs from great ones.
There will still be some designed run plays. "He's not gonna rush for 1700 yards, I've already told him that." If he runs for 700 less and makes up for it in passing yards, that's a win. "Denard wants to be a next-level player." He's aware that this coaching staff gives him an opportunity to develop enough to play quarterback at the next level.
Borges has coached guys who can run in the past, but nobody with Denard's running skills. "He definitely has next level skills." As a quarterback? "Possibly." He's about as big as Michael Vick, and a little faster. He just needs to get the passing skills where they need to be.
Devin Gardner has a chance to play. "We have complete respect for what's been accomplished by Denard and anyone else in the lineup. But by the same token, everyone's going to have to prove to us they can play their position." They'll start with the guys that finished last year, but there's no entitlement.
The offense has a zone package, but they're not primarily a zone running team. "We're a combination of zone, gap, and insert schemes." They'll explore more options with what works well in practice. They've gone toward more gap in the past (SDSU) and also more zone (Auburn). All of it is available. The read-option isn't dead, but it's not a priority of this team.
Aaron Wellman, the team's strength coach, is as good as anybody at determining every individual player's maximum efficient weight. If guys can be most efficient a little lighter, so be it.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
fabregas confident of facing barcelona
The Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas missed the Carling Cup Final after pulling up with a hamstring problem against Stoke last week, but he is certain that he will be fit to play against Barcelona at the Nou Camp next Tuesday, in fact he thinks he will be ready to face Sunderland this weekend.
He said yesterday: “I am running, getting better and don’t sense any pain. We’ll see how the next few days go. Perhaps I’ll have a chance for Saturday.
“We’ll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off (against Stoke). I know when I can play. We have many games coming up so I couldn’t afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days.”
It is already certain that Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott will miss the return leg, but it will be a great boost to the Gunners if Fabregas can lead his team out next Tuesday.
He said yesterday: “I am running, getting better and don’t sense any pain. We’ll see how the next few days go. Perhaps I’ll have a chance for Saturday.
“We’ll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off (against Stoke). I know when I can play. We have many games coming up so I couldn’t afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days.”
It is already certain that Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott will miss the return leg, but it will be a great boost to the Gunners if Fabregas can lead his team out next Tuesday.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Great Football League Teams 17: West Bromwich Albion, 2001-02
BROKER.......
Booker Prize winner: True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
John Peel Festive 50 Number 1: Melys: Chinese Whispers
Poet Laureate: Andrew Motion
President of Libya: Muammar al-Gaddafi
They may not have been a team for the purists.
But the West Bromwich Albion of 2001/02 knew how to do drama.
With only eight games of the season left, they stood 11 points behind bitter local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, who occupied the second automatic promotion spot – but turned things around in a barnstorming finish to the campaign.
It was a wet dream for Albion fans, a nightmare for the old gold.
And it was all the sweeter for being so unexpected.
Context
Albion at the start of the new millennium were emerging from the most traumatic decade in their history, with humiliation on the pitch, and stagnation off it.
Wolves, in contrast, had enjoyed tens of millions of investment from chairman and 'golden tit' Sir Jack Hayward, who rebuilt both ground and team – though fell short of elevating them to the Premier League.
The seed of Albion's recovery was planted on Christmas Eve 1999, when Sheffield businessman Paul Thompson took over as chairman.
One of his earliest decisions was to sack Brian Little as manager, with the team sliding towards relegation in March 2000, and appoint Gary Megson.
The carrot-topped Yorkshireman was known for his pragmatic style of football, which contrasted with the cavalier approach Albion fans preferred.
But these were desperate times – so prized ideals went out the window.
Megson brought in four signings on deadline day – and Albion survived by beating champions Charlton in the final match of the campaign.
In 2000/01, things improved considerably, with a switch to 3-5-2 resulting in a surprise play-off place.
But few Albion fans expected the team to push for the automatic spots during the following campaign.
Megson's men
Megson had built a team largely in his own image – short on flair maybe, but never on commitment. Most had tasted better days with other clubs, before being released – and you could sense a point being proved in every tackle.
Captain and midfielder Derek McInnes, once of Rangers and then Toulouse, exemplified the Megson spirit best and proved a born leader – as he is showing currently as St Johnstone manager. Andy Johnson's top flight experience with Nottingham Forest and youth team product Adam Chambers helped the engine room tick over.
At the back, ex-Derby and Pompey stopper Russell Hoult was beginning to hit the form that saw him on the fringe of the England squad a year later. He was protected by craggy centre halves Larus Sigurdsson, Phil Gilchrist, and Darren Moore – a lynchpin of Bradford's happy promotion season three years earlier.
The wing backs were Neil Clement, blessed with a left peg so sweet his free kicks appeared guided by a third force that season, and on the right, Slovakian Igor Balis, whose moment in the sun would arrive late on in the campaign.
The attack looked blunt, after local hero Lee Hughes defected to Coventry for £5,000,001 during the summer (the £1 relating to a contract clause), and Jason Roberts injured his metatarsal, restricting his appearances that season to just 12.
So the line was led by the more workmanlike Scott Dobie, signed from Carlisle for £150,000, and Danny Dichio, £1.25m from Sunderland – supported by club legend Bob Taylor, now 34 years old.
It was not a team full of goals, but concerned more with keeping them out – often a 5-3-2 rather than the 3-5-2 on the teamsheet. Some 19 games would be won 1-0 during 2001/02.
Booker Prize winner: True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
John Peel Festive 50 Number 1: Melys: Chinese Whispers
Poet Laureate: Andrew Motion
President of Libya: Muammar al-Gaddafi
They may not have been a team for the purists.
But the West Bromwich Albion of 2001/02 knew how to do drama.
With only eight games of the season left, they stood 11 points behind bitter local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, who occupied the second automatic promotion spot – but turned things around in a barnstorming finish to the campaign.
It was a wet dream for Albion fans, a nightmare for the old gold.
And it was all the sweeter for being so unexpected.
Context
Albion at the start of the new millennium were emerging from the most traumatic decade in their history, with humiliation on the pitch, and stagnation off it.
Wolves, in contrast, had enjoyed tens of millions of investment from chairman and 'golden tit' Sir Jack Hayward, who rebuilt both ground and team – though fell short of elevating them to the Premier League.
The seed of Albion's recovery was planted on Christmas Eve 1999, when Sheffield businessman Paul Thompson took over as chairman.
One of his earliest decisions was to sack Brian Little as manager, with the team sliding towards relegation in March 2000, and appoint Gary Megson.
The carrot-topped Yorkshireman was known for his pragmatic style of football, which contrasted with the cavalier approach Albion fans preferred.
But these were desperate times – so prized ideals went out the window.
Megson brought in four signings on deadline day – and Albion survived by beating champions Charlton in the final match of the campaign.
In 2000/01, things improved considerably, with a switch to 3-5-2 resulting in a surprise play-off place.
But few Albion fans expected the team to push for the automatic spots during the following campaign.
Megson's men
Megson had built a team largely in his own image – short on flair maybe, but never on commitment. Most had tasted better days with other clubs, before being released – and you could sense a point being proved in every tackle.
Captain and midfielder Derek McInnes, once of Rangers and then Toulouse, exemplified the Megson spirit best and proved a born leader – as he is showing currently as St Johnstone manager. Andy Johnson's top flight experience with Nottingham Forest and youth team product Adam Chambers helped the engine room tick over.
At the back, ex-Derby and Pompey stopper Russell Hoult was beginning to hit the form that saw him on the fringe of the England squad a year later. He was protected by craggy centre halves Larus Sigurdsson, Phil Gilchrist, and Darren Moore – a lynchpin of Bradford's happy promotion season three years earlier.
The wing backs were Neil Clement, blessed with a left peg so sweet his free kicks appeared guided by a third force that season, and on the right, Slovakian Igor Balis, whose moment in the sun would arrive late on in the campaign.
The attack looked blunt, after local hero Lee Hughes defected to Coventry for £5,000,001 during the summer (the £1 relating to a contract clause), and Jason Roberts injured his metatarsal, restricting his appearances that season to just 12.
So the line was led by the more workmanlike Scott Dobie, signed from Carlisle for £150,000, and Danny Dichio, £1.25m from Sunderland – supported by club legend Bob Taylor, now 34 years old.
It was not a team full of goals, but concerned more with keeping them out – often a 5-3-2 rather than the 3-5-2 on the teamsheet. Some 19 games would be won 1-0 during 2001/02.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Cincy Jungle: Football Movie Tournament Week Two Recap
nice football tournament
As you know, we've started a football movie tournament in hopes that we can come up with the greatest football movie ever filmed. In week one, The Blind Side took down Air Bud: Golden Receiver, Brian's Song beat Necessary Roughness, Remember The Titans destroyed Little Giants and Rudy beat out Semi-Tough. All of those movies will move on to the second round.
This week we had another great set of first-round match ups, including a couple upsets. The Waterboy took down the favored Jerry Maguire, Friday Night Lights beat Leatherheads, my personal favorite, The Program narrowly beat out We Are Marshall (by 2 votes), Varsity Blues beat The Longest Yard (the1974 version... another upset) and The Replacements took down The Express.
Next week we'll finish our first round of the tournament before moving into the next round. Monday's match up will be between No. 10 Invincible VS No. 15 The Longest Yard (2005 version). Tuesday's match up is between No. 11 Radio and No. 14 Any Given Sunday. And finally, Wednesday's match up will put No. 12 North Dallas Forty and No. 13 Gridiron Gang in the ring together. Then on Thursday we'll start the second round of the tournament.
Make sure you vote every night so your movie has a chance at being the greatest football movie ever (unless your favorite football movie was Air Bud: Golden Receiver... that one's been eliminated already).
As you know, we've started a football movie tournament in hopes that we can come up with the greatest football movie ever filmed. In week one, The Blind Side took down Air Bud: Golden Receiver, Brian's Song beat Necessary Roughness, Remember The Titans destroyed Little Giants and Rudy beat out Semi-Tough. All of those movies will move on to the second round.
This week we had another great set of first-round match ups, including a couple upsets. The Waterboy took down the favored Jerry Maguire, Friday Night Lights beat Leatherheads, my personal favorite, The Program narrowly beat out We Are Marshall (by 2 votes), Varsity Blues beat The Longest Yard (the1974 version... another upset) and The Replacements took down The Express.
Next week we'll finish our first round of the tournament before moving into the next round. Monday's match up will be between No. 10 Invincible VS No. 15 The Longest Yard (2005 version). Tuesday's match up is between No. 11 Radio and No. 14 Any Given Sunday. And finally, Wednesday's match up will put No. 12 North Dallas Forty and No. 13 Gridiron Gang in the ring together. Then on Thursday we'll start the second round of the tournament.
Make sure you vote every night so your movie has a chance at being the greatest football movie ever (unless your favorite football movie was Air Bud: Golden Receiver... that one's been eliminated already).
Jungmann throws second straight shutout
BRaVo..
Whether at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin or 3,750 miles away in Hawaii, Texas right-hander Taylor Jungmann remains at home on a pitching mound.
Jungmann pitched his second straight complete-game shutout to open the college baseball season, as the Longhorns balnked host Hawaii 2-0 early this morning. He allowed just four hits while striking out nine. After retiring the first eight batters he faced, Jungmann later set down 10 batters in a row from the fifth inning to the eighth inning.
On Feb. 18 in a season-opening victory over visiting Maryland, Jungmann allowed five hits and struck out nine to lead Texas to an 8-0 shutout.
Against Hawaii, Texas (4-2) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Paul Montalbano reached on an infield single and moved to second on an error. He eventually scored on Mark Payton’s single to right field.
The Longhorns added another run in the sixth inning. Brandon Loy bounced a ground-rule double over the left-field wall before scoring on Erich Weiss’ RBI single.
Texas and Hawaii will resume their three-game series at 7 p.m. today.
Whether at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin or 3,750 miles away in Hawaii, Texas right-hander Taylor Jungmann remains at home on a pitching mound.
Jungmann pitched his second straight complete-game shutout to open the college baseball season, as the Longhorns balnked host Hawaii 2-0 early this morning. He allowed just four hits while striking out nine. After retiring the first eight batters he faced, Jungmann later set down 10 batters in a row from the fifth inning to the eighth inning.
On Feb. 18 in a season-opening victory over visiting Maryland, Jungmann allowed five hits and struck out nine to lead Texas to an 8-0 shutout.
Against Hawaii, Texas (4-2) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Paul Montalbano reached on an infield single and moved to second on an error. He eventually scored on Mark Payton’s single to right field.
The Longhorns added another run in the sixth inning. Brandon Loy bounced a ground-rule double over the left-field wall before scoring on Erich Weiss’ RBI single.
Texas and Hawaii will resume their three-game series at 7 p.m. today.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
uefa
chelsea excellent's
Anelka rewarded Chelsea's dominance with the opening goal
By Mandeep Sanghera
Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti as they cruised to a win over Copenhagen in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.
Nicolas Anelka seized on a misplaced pass from ex-Blues winger Jesper Gronkjaer to fire the visitors ahead.
The Premier League club added to their lead when Frank Lampard's reverse pass found Anelka and he drove in a second.
Ancelotti's men were dominant but £50m striker Fernando Torres could not register his first goal for the club.
It was all too easy for Chelsea as the lacklustre Danish champions looked every bit like a team that had not played a competitive game since 7 December because of their league's winter break.
With the visitors desperate to keep alive their Champions League hopes after being knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday and their chances of defending their Premier League crown seemingly over, Copenhagen had a chance to add to Chelsea's misery.
Torres had his chances but a first Chelsea goal eluded him
Instead, a timid home side stood off their opponents and the Blues were too good not to take advantage and earn a commanding lead for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on 16 March.
Ancelotti paired Anelka with Torres in attack as Didier Drogba dropped to the bench and the duo, helped by some poor defending, responded with a performance of hunger and desire, which was also epitomised by their team-mates.
Anelka grabbed the glory with the goals but, if the finishing prowess of Torres had been as clinical as his partner's, the Spaniard would have scored his first goal for Chelsea since his January move from Liverpool.
However, while Anelka ruthlessly punished Gronkjaer by powering in a shot from just inside the edge of the area to put the Blues in front after 17 minutes, Torres failed to round off some of his pace and movement with a goal.
The Spanish forward's first real chance came when an off-target Ramires shot left him with a sight of goal but his first touch let him down and allowed Copenhagen keeper Johan Wiland to fend away the danger.
Torres jinked his way into a promising opening as he produced the type of play which unnerves defenders, but his poked shot was again saved by Wiland.
A lunging Mathias Jorgensen tackle was next to foil Torres as Chelsea dominated proceedings but failed to add to their lead.
Copenhagen appeared to be fearful of the Blues and this was apparent when Anelka was allowed the time and space to turn and shoot at goal with his effort going high.
Visiting keeper Petr Cech was belatedly called into action when he had a Martin Vingaard long-range shot to save after the break.
The Danes had drawn against Barcelona at the Parken Stadium in the group stages earlier this season but could not rediscover the same sort of form as they looked a yard off the pace.
And Chelsea wrapped things up when Anelka again showed Torres how to finish with a first-time shot from Lampard's exquisite pass.
After a faltering season, it was a welcome win for Ancelotti's side and a surprisingly comfortable one given the fact Copenhagen had never before suffered defeat at home in the Champions League.
Anelka rewarded Chelsea's dominance with the opening goal
By Mandeep Sanghera
Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti as they cruised to a win over Copenhagen in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.
Nicolas Anelka seized on a misplaced pass from ex-Blues winger Jesper Gronkjaer to fire the visitors ahead.
The Premier League club added to their lead when Frank Lampard's reverse pass found Anelka and he drove in a second.
Ancelotti's men were dominant but £50m striker Fernando Torres could not register his first goal for the club.
It was all too easy for Chelsea as the lacklustre Danish champions looked every bit like a team that had not played a competitive game since 7 December because of their league's winter break.
With the visitors desperate to keep alive their Champions League hopes after being knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday and their chances of defending their Premier League crown seemingly over, Copenhagen had a chance to add to Chelsea's misery.
Torres had his chances but a first Chelsea goal eluded him
Instead, a timid home side stood off their opponents and the Blues were too good not to take advantage and earn a commanding lead for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on 16 March.
Ancelotti paired Anelka with Torres in attack as Didier Drogba dropped to the bench and the duo, helped by some poor defending, responded with a performance of hunger and desire, which was also epitomised by their team-mates.
Anelka grabbed the glory with the goals but, if the finishing prowess of Torres had been as clinical as his partner's, the Spaniard would have scored his first goal for Chelsea since his January move from Liverpool.
However, while Anelka ruthlessly punished Gronkjaer by powering in a shot from just inside the edge of the area to put the Blues in front after 17 minutes, Torres failed to round off some of his pace and movement with a goal.
The Spanish forward's first real chance came when an off-target Ramires shot left him with a sight of goal but his first touch let him down and allowed Copenhagen keeper Johan Wiland to fend away the danger.
Torres jinked his way into a promising opening as he produced the type of play which unnerves defenders, but his poked shot was again saved by Wiland.
A lunging Mathias Jorgensen tackle was next to foil Torres as Chelsea dominated proceedings but failed to add to their lead.
Copenhagen appeared to be fearful of the Blues and this was apparent when Anelka was allowed the time and space to turn and shoot at goal with his effort going high.
Visiting keeper Petr Cech was belatedly called into action when he had a Martin Vingaard long-range shot to save after the break.
The Danes had drawn against Barcelona at the Parken Stadium in the group stages earlier this season but could not rediscover the same sort of form as they looked a yard off the pace.
And Chelsea wrapped things up when Anelka again showed Torres how to finish with a first-time shot from Lampard's exquisite pass.
After a faltering season, it was a welcome win for Ancelotti's side and a surprisingly comfortable one given the fact Copenhagen had never before suffered defeat at home in the Champions League.
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