Only one week into practices---not a ton of surprises. So, just some opinions.
1) To me there are 3 main differences between this fall camp and the camp a yr ago.
Pep Hamilton. The offense is going to be different. Last yr with Fisch and Drevno making the calls--the offense was predicated on establishing a power running game and then using a play-action type of passing game focused on opposition LB play. Early in the year it was successful but as UM played increasingly physical defenses later in the yr---offense struggled. Mainly because the OL just was not able to establish the running game to the point where opposition LB/s would "cheat enough" to open up passing game. So, defenses loaded the box, manned up on our outside WR, took away our TE passing game---as a result---struggles.
Pep is much more of a "quick passing game"----get the ball to your playmakers and let them make plays. Pep is also a much better communicator in his teaching style with the QB's----. Its not that this offense does not take shots downfield----it is just that this offense at times will use the passing game more as an extension of the running game. Pep is definitely a HC candidate for someone---lets hope it not for a couple more yrs.
2nd noticeable difference is the lack of what I would call "sure starters" on the roster and the amount of competition within position groups. For example, the LB crew looks like Bush and McCray will probably start---but players like UCHE, Furbush, and all the frosh are impressive. A player like Furbush for example to me is a illustration of how close in talent all the players are----in the past Furbush would be a starter----upperclassman who has paid his dues--but on this team--he will probably end up being a specialized type LB_--playing mainly against physical teams. Almost every position group there is continued competition---probably only on the DL are there players who has separated from the 2nd group.
OL coaching---much more spirited in practices---more reliance on athleticism vs power---players playing multiple positions---etc. Running game looks to be in more rhythm---not the long developing type of running plays we saw a year ago. Quickness at RB is being emphasized much more as in using the RB in passing game. In addition, I think this team will be a much better "screen" team than a yr ago---both using the RB's and WR's.
Note: Will try and have more on individual players later. The way they run practice it would be unfair to state at this point who is trending up and who is not. But I will say overall this team is obviously young---but is much more athletic than the team a yr ago----across the board---and especially at the skilled positions.
1) To me there are 3 main differences between this fall camp and the camp a yr ago.
Pep Hamilton. The offense is going to be different. Last yr with Fisch and Drevno making the calls--the offense was predicated on establishing a power running game and then using a play-action type of passing game focused on opposition LB play. Early in the year it was successful but as UM played increasingly physical defenses later in the yr---offense struggled. Mainly because the OL just was not able to establish the running game to the point where opposition LB/s would "cheat enough" to open up passing game. So, defenses loaded the box, manned up on our outside WR, took away our TE passing game---as a result---struggles.
Pep is much more of a "quick passing game"----get the ball to your playmakers and let them make plays. Pep is also a much better communicator in his teaching style with the QB's----. Its not that this offense does not take shots downfield----it is just that this offense at times will use the passing game more as an extension of the running game. Pep is definitely a HC candidate for someone---lets hope it not for a couple more yrs.
2nd noticeable difference is the lack of what I would call "sure starters" on the roster and the amount of competition within position groups. For example, the LB crew looks like Bush and McCray will probably start---but players like UCHE, Furbush, and all the frosh are impressive. A player like Furbush for example to me is a illustration of how close in talent all the players are----in the past Furbush would be a starter----upperclassman who has paid his dues--but on this team--he will probably end up being a specialized type LB_--playing mainly against physical teams. Almost every position group there is continued competition---probably only on the DL are there players who has separated from the 2nd group.
OL coaching---much more spirited in practices---more reliance on athleticism vs power---players playing multiple positions---etc. Running game looks to be in more rhythm---not the long developing type of running plays we saw a year ago. Quickness at RB is being emphasized much more as in using the RB in passing game. In addition, I think this team will be a much better "screen" team than a yr ago---both using the RB's and WR's.
Note: Will try and have more on individual players later. The way they run practice it would be unfair to state at this point who is trending up and who is not. But I will say overall this team is obviously young---but is much more athletic than the team a yr ago----across the board---and especially at the skilled positions.
