2012 NFL Draft Recap: Michigan Wolverines

The 2012 NFL Draft saw three former Wolverines get drafted over this last weekend. Mike Martin, David Molk and Junior Hemingway were drafted by the Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. While these were the only three to be drafted, a few others are expected to sign free agent deals with a few other teams. Here is the breakdown for these Wolverines for this years draft:


Mike Martin, DT = Tennessee Titans - Round 3, #19, #82 Overall
David Molk, C = San Diego Chargers - Round 7, #19, #226 Overall
Junior Hemingway, WR = Kansas City Chiefs, Round 7, #31, #238 Overall


Ryan Van Bergen, DE = Carolina Panthers, Undrafted Free Agent
Troy Woolfolk, DB = Dallas Cowboys, Undrafted Free Agent
Michael Shaw, RB = Washington Redskins, Undrafted Free Agent


That is what has transpired so far. Hopefully, Kevin Koger is able to find himself on an NFL roster as well. His achilles surgery is probably what made him drop off of teams' radars, but maybe he will be able to heal from it just fine and wander onto a team. Congrats to these players and good luck in the League. Go Blue!

2012 NFL Draft Recap: Round 6 - 7

Here are the final two rounds from the 2012 NFL Draft:


#1 / #171 - St. Louis Rams - Greg Zuerlein, K, Missouri Western
#2 / #172 - Seattle Seahawks - Jeremy Lane, CB, Northwestern State (LA)
#3 / #173 - Washington Redskins - Alfred Morris, RB, Florida Atlantic
#4 / #174 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Keith Tandy, CB, West Virginia
#5 / #175 - Minnesota Vikings - Blair Walsh, K, Georgia
#6 / #176 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
#7 / #177 - Arizona Cardinals - Justin Bethel, CB, Presbyterian
#8 / #178 - Buffalo Bills - Mark Asper, OG, Oregon
#9 / #179 - New Orleans Saints - Andrew Tiller, OG, Syracuse
#10 / #180 - San Francisco 49ers - Trent Robison, FS, Michigan State
#11 / #181 - Seattle Seahawks - Winston Guy, DB, Kentucky
#12 / #182 - Kansas City Chiefs - Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M
#13 / #183 - Miami Dolphins - B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State
#14 / #184 - Chicago Bears - Isaiah Frey, CB, Nevada
#15 / #185 - Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State
#16 / #186 - Dallas Cowboys - James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma
#17 / #187 - New York Jets - Josh Bush, S, Wake Forest
#18 / #188 - Denver Broncos - Danny Trevathan, OLB, Kentucky
#19 / #189 - Oakland Raiders - Christo Bilukidi, DE, Georgia State
#20 / #190 - Tennessee Titans - Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma State
#21 / #191 - Cincinnati Bengals - Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State
#22 / #192 - Atlanta Falcons - Charles Mitchell, SS, Mississippi State
#23 / #193 - Washington Redskins - Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota
#24 / #194 - Philadelphia Eagles - Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
#25 / #195 - Houston Texans - Nick Mondek, OT, Purdue
#26 / #196 - Detroit Lions - Jonte Green, DB, New Mexico State
#27 / #197 - New England Patriots - Nate Ebner, DB, Ohio State
#28 / #198 - Baltimore Ravens - Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami
#29 / #199 - San Francisco 49ers - Jason Slowey, C, Western Oregon
#30 / #200 - Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Washington, OG, Miami
#31 / #201 - New York Giants - Matt McCants, OT, UAB
#32 / #202 - New York Jets - Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor
#33 / #203 - New York Jets - Robert T. Griffin, OG, Baylor
#34 / #204 - Cleveland Browns - Emmanuel Acho, OLB, Texas
#35 / #205 - Cleveland Browns - Billy Winn, DT, Boise State
#36 / #206 - Indianapolis Colts - LaVon Brazill, WR, Ohio
#37 / #207 - Carolina Panthers - Brad Nortman, P, Wisconsin


#1 / #208 - Indianapolis Colts - Justin Anderson, OT, Georgia
#2 / #209 - St. Louis Rams - Aaron Brown, LB, Hawaii
#3 / #210 - Minnesota Vikings - Audie Cole, ILB, North Carolina State
#4 / #211 - Tennessee Titans - Scott Solomon, DE, Rice
#5 / #212 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Michael Smith, RB, Utah State
#6 / #213 - Washington Redskins - Richard Crawford, DB, SMU
#7 / #214 - Indianapolis Colts - Tim Fugger, DE, Vanderbilt
#8 / #215 - Miami Dolphins - Kheeston Randall, DT, Texas
#9 / #216 - Carolina Panthers - D.J. Campbell, FS, California
#10 / #217 - Washington Redskins - Jordan Bernstine, CB, Iowa
#11 / #218 - Kansas City Chiefs - Jerome Long, DT, San Diego State
#12 / #219 - Minnesota Vikings - Trevor Guyton, DE, California
#13 / #220 - Chicago Bears - Grey McCoy, CB, TCU
#14 / #221 - Arizona Cardinals - Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
#15 / #222 - Dallas Cowboys - Caleb McSurdy, ILB, Montana
#16 / #223 - Detroit Lions - Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
#17 / #224 - New England Patriots - Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
#18 / #225 - Seattle Seahawks - J R Sweezy, DE, North Carolina State
#19 / #226 - San Diego Chargers - David Molk, C, Michigan
#20 / #227 - Miami Dolphins - Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada
#21 / #228 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Jeris Pendleton, DT, Ashland
#22 / #229 - Philadelphia Eagles - Bryce Brown, RB, Kansas State
#23 / #230 - Oakland Raiders - Nathan Stupar, OLB, Penn State
#24 / #231 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado
#25 / #232 - Seattle Seahawks - Greg Scruggs, DE, Louisville
#26 / #233 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Drake Dunsmore, TE, Northwestern
#27 / #234 - New Orleans Saints - Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska
#28 / #235 - New England Patriots - Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
#29 / #236 - Baltimore Ravens - Deangelo Tyson, DE, Georgia
#30 / #237 - San Francisco 49ers - Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia
#31 / #238 - Kansas City Chiefs - Junior Hemingway, WR, Michigan
#32 / #239 - New York Giants - Markus Kuhn, DT, North Carolina State
#33 / #240 - Pittsburgh Steelers - David Paulson, TE, Oregon
#34 / #241 - Greenbay Packers - Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
#35 / #242 - New York Jets - Antonio Allen, SS, South Carolina
#36 / #243 - Greenbay Packers - B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
#37 / #244 - New York Jets - Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan
#38 / #245 - Cleveland Browns - Trevin Wade, CB, Arizona
#39 / #246 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Terrence Frederick, CB, Texas A&M
#40 / #247 - Cleveland Browns - Brad Smelley, TE, Alabama
#41 / #248 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Kelvin Beachum, OT, SMU
#42 / #249 - Atlanta Falcons - Travian Robertson, DT, South Carolina
#43 / #250 - San Diego Chargers - Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
#44 / #251 - Buffalo Bills - John Potter, K, Western Michigan
#45 / #252 - St. Louis Rams - Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian
#46 / #253 - Indianapolis Colts - Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

2012 NFL Draft Recap: Round 4 - 5

In continuation of my 2012 NFL Draft Recap, here are rounds 4 and 5:


#1 / #96 - St. Louis Rams - Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
#2 / #97 - Miami Dolphins - Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
#3 / #98 - Baltimore Ravens - Gino Gradkowski, OG, Delaware
#4 / #99 - Houston Texans - Ben Jones, C, Georgia
#5 / #100 - Cleveland Browns - Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami
#6 / #101 - Denver Broncos - Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
#7 / #102 - Washington Redskins - Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
#8 / #103 - Carolina Panthers - Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma
#9 / #104 - Carolina Panthers - Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
#10 / #105 - Buffalo Bills - Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State
#11 / #106 - Seattle Seahawks - Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State
#12 / #107 - Kansas City Chiefs - Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State
#13 / #108 - Denver Broncos - Philip Blake, C, Baylor
#14 / #109 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington
#15 / #110 - San Diego Chargers - Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette
#16 / #111 - Chicago Bears - Evan Rodriguez, TE, Temple
#17 / #112 - Arizona Cardinals - Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi
#18 / #113 - Dallas Cowboys - Kyle Wilber, OLB, Wake Forest
#19 / #114 - Seattle Seahawks - Jaye Howard, DT, Florida
#20 / #115 - Tennessee Titans - Coty Sensabaugh, CB, Clemson
#21 / #116 - Cincinnati Bengals - Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
#22 / #117 - San Francisco 49ers - Joe Looney, OG, Wake Forest
#23 / #118 - Minnesota Vikings - Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
#24 / #119 - Washington Redskins - Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas
#25 / #120 - Cleveland Browns - James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada
#26 / #121 - Houston Texans - Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State
#27 / #122 - New Orleans Saints - Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
#28 / #123 - Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
#29 / #124 - Buffalo Bills - Ron Brooks, CB, LSU
#30 / #125 - Detroit Lions - Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
#31 / #126 - Houston Texans - Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
#32 / #127 - New York Giants - Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati
#33 / #128 - Minnesota Vikings - Rhett Ellison, FB, USC
#34 / #129 - Oakland Raiders - Miles Burris, OLB, San Diego State
#35 / #130 - Baltimore Ravens - Christian Thompson, FS, South Carolina State
#36 / #131 - New York Giants - Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn
#37 / #132 - Greenbay Packers - Mike Daniels, DT, Iowa
#38 / #133 - Greenbay Packers - Jerron McMillian, SS, Maine
#39 / #134 - Minnesota Vikings - Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
#40 / #135 - Dallas Cowboys - Matt Johnson, SS, Eastern Washington


#1 / #136 - Indianapolis Colts - Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama
#2 / #137 - Denver Broncos - Malik Jackson, DT, Tennessee
#3 / #138 - Detroit Lions - Tahir Whitehead, OLB, Temple
#4 / #139 - Minnesota Vikings - Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame
#5 / #140 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Najee Goode, ILB, West Virginia
#6 / #141 - Washington Redskins - Adam Gettis, OG, Iowa
#7 / #142 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Brandon Marshall, OLB, Nevada
#8 / #143 - Carolina Panthers - Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
#9 / #144 - Buffalo Bills - Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
#10 / #145 - Tennessee Titans - Taylor Thompson, TE, SMU
#11 / #146 - Kansas City Chiefs - DeQuan Menzie, CB, Alabama
#12 / #147 - Buffalo Bills - Tank Carder, ILB, TCU
#13 / #148 - Detroit Lions - Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion
#14 / #149 - San Diego Chargers - Johnnie Troutman, OG, Penn State
#15 / #150 - St. Louis Rams - Rokevious Watkins, OT, South Carolina
#16 / #151 - Arizona Cardinals - Senio Kelemete, OT, Washington
#17 / #152 - Dallas Cowboys - Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech
#18 / #153 - Philadelphia Eagles - Dennis Kelly, OT, Purdue
#19 / #154 - Seattle Seahawks - Korey Toomer, ILB, Idaho
#20 / #155 - Miami Dolphins - Josh Kaddu, LB, Oregon
#21 / #156 - Cincinnati Bengals - Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
#22 / #157 - Atlanta Falcons - Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin
#23 / #158 - Oakland Raiders - Jack Crawford, DE, Penn State
#24 / #159 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Chris Rainey, RB, Florida
#25 / #160 - Cleveland Browns - Ryan Miller, OG, Colorado
#26 / #161 - Houston Texans - Randy Bullock, K, Texas A&M
#27 / #162 - New Orleans Saints - Corey White, SS, Samford
#28 / #163 - Greenbay Packers - Terrell Manning, OLB, North Carolina State
#29 / #164 - Atlanta Falcons - Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy
#30 / #165 - San Francisco 49ers - Darius Fleming, OLB, Notre Dame
#31 / #166 - Cincinnati Bengals - Marvin Jones, WR, California
#32 / #167 - Cincinnati Bengals - George Iloka, FS, Boise State
#33 / #168 - Oakland Raiders - Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
#34 / #169 - Baltimore Ravens - Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly
#35 / #170 - Indianapolis Colts - Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State

2012 NFL Draft Recap: Round 2 - 3

Here is just a quick recap of the 2012 NFL Draft for rounds 2 and 3:

#1 / #33 - St. Louis Rams - Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

#2 / #34 - Indianapolis Colts - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

#3 / #35 - Baltimore Ravens - Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

#4 / #36 - Denver Broncos - Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati

#5 / #37 - Cleveland Browns - Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California

#6 / #38 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

#7 / #39 - St. Louis Rams - Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

#8 / #40 - Carolina Panthers - Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwest State

#9 / #41 - Buffalo Bills - Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

#10 / #42 - Miami Dolphins - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

#11 / #43 - New York Jets - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

#12 / #44 - Kansas City Chiefs - Jeff Allen, OG, Illinois

#13 / #45 - Chicago Bears - Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

#14 / #46 - Philadelphia Eagles - Mychal Kendricks, ILB, California

#15 / #47 - Seattle Seahawks - Bobby Wagner, ILB, Utah State

#16 / #48 - New England Patriots - Tavon Wilson, FS, Illinois

#17 / #49 - San Diego Chargers - Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

#18 / #50 - St. Louis Rams - Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

#19 / #51 - Greenbay Packers - Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

#20 / #52 - Tennessee Titans - Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

#21 / #53 - Cincinnati Bengals - Devon Still, DT, Penn State

#22 / #54 - Detroit Lions - Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

#23 / #55 - Atlanta Falcons - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

#24 / #56 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

#25 / #57 - Denver Broncos - Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

#26 / #58 - Tamba Bay Buccaneers - Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

#27 / #59 - Philadelphia Eagles - Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

#28 / #60 - Baltimore Ravens - Kelechi Osemele, OT, Iowa State

#29 / #61 - San Francisco 49ers - LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

#30 / #62 - Greenbay Packers - Casey Hayward, DB, Vanderbilt

#31 / #63 - New York Giants - Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

#1 / #64 - Indianapolis Colts - Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

#2 / #65 - St. Louis Rams - Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana

#3 / #66 - Minnesota Vikings - Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

#4 / #67 - Denver Broncos - Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State

#5 / #68 - Houston Texans - DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

#6 / #69 - Buffalo Bills - T.J. Graham, WR, North Carolina State

#7 / #70 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Bryan Anger, P, California

#8 / #71 - Washington Redskins - Josh LeRibeus, G, SMU

#9 / #72 - Miami Dolphins - Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami

#10 / #73 - San Diego Chargers - Brandon Taylor, SS, LSU

#11 / #74 - Kansas City Chiefs - Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma

#12 / #75 - Seattle Seahawks - Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin

#13 / #76 - Houston Texans - Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio)

#14 / #77 - New York Jets - Demario Davis, OLB, Arkansas State

#15 / #78 - Miami Dolphins - Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

#16 / #79 - Chicago Bears - Brandon Hardin, FS, Oregon State

#17 / #80 - Arizona Cardinals - Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

#18 / #81 - Dallas Cowboys - Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State

#19 / #82 - Tennessee Titans - Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

#20 / #83 - Cincinnati Bengals - Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

#21 / #84 - Baltimore Ravens - Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple

#22 / #85 - Detroit Lions - Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette

#23 / #86 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Sean Spence, LB, Miami

#24 / #87 - Cleveland Browns - John Hughes, DT, Cincinnati

#25 / #88 - Philadelphia Eagles - Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

#26 / #89 - New Orleans Saints - Akiem Hicks, DE, Regina

#27 / #90 - New England Patriots - Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas

#28 / #91 - Atlanta Falcons - Lamar Holmes, OT, Southern Mississippi

#29 / #92 - Indianapolis Colts - T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International

#30 / #93 - Cincinnati Bengals - Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

#31 / #94 - New York Giants - Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

#32 / #95 - Oakland Raiders - Tony Bergstrom, OT, Utah

2012 NFL Draft Recap: Round 1

While no Michigan players were chosen during Day 1 of the draft, expect at least one to be selected during Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3). Quite a few trades were made last night for teams to move up. Most surprisingly were my New England Patriots moving up for both of their picks in Round 1. There were a few reaches in my opinion, but yesterday went pretty much as planned by the scouts and draft gurus. Here is just a basic recap of the 2012 NFL Draft Round 1:


#1 - Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
#2 - Washington Redskins - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
#3 - Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
#4 - Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC
#5 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
#6 - Dallas Cowboys - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
#7 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mark Barron, S, Alabama
#8 - Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
#9 - Carolina Panthers - Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
#10 - Buffalo Bills - Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
#11 - Kansas City Chiefs - Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
#12 - Philadelphia Eagles - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
#13 - Arizona Cardinals - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
#14 - St. Louis Rams - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
#15 - Seattle Seahawks - Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia
#16 - New York Jets - Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
#17 - Cincinnati Bengals - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
#18 - San Diego Chargers - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
#19 - Chicago Bears - Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
#20 - Tennessee Titans - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
#21 - New England Patriots - Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
#22 - Cleveland Browns - Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
#23 - Detroit Lions - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
#24 - Pittsburgh Steelers - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
#25 - New England Patriots - Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
#26 - Houston Texans - Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
#27 - Cincinnati Bengals - Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
#28 - Green Bay Packers - Nick Perry, DE, USC
#29 - Minnesota Vikings - Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
#30 - San Francisco 49ers - A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois
#31 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
#32 - New York Giants - David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Beer: Bell's Brewery - Oberon Ale

Brewery: Bell's Brewery, Inc. (Kalamazoo, MI)

Beer: Oberon Ale

ABV: 5.8%

Score: 6

Date: 04.14.12

Last Saturday I tried Oberon Ale from Bell's Brewery for the first time. It is an unfiltered ale that has a citrusy taste. While drinking Oberon I have to say that I was not all that impressed. It's not that it tastes bad or anything but it just tasted like several other summer time brews I have had in the past. Maybe if I were outside during the summer it would have tasted better than sitting inside during a cool spring day, but I'm not sure. This may be a beer that I try again later this year to see if my thoughts change, but if not I will not be heartbroken. Oberon is my least favorite beer from Bell's, with Hopslam being number one and with Two Hearted Ale and Cherry Stout being up there as well. 

2012 Spring Game Aftermath Thoughts and E-pinions: Defense

The following is the conclusion on my thoughts and e-pinions on the football team following spring practice. This time I will be focusing on the defense. While the offense was mostly a bore in my e-pinion, the defense looked pretty good. We learned more about the defense than the offense from the spring game this last Saturday. 
Here are some bullets:

• Craig Roh and Jibreel Black fit pretty well in their new positions. Both of them look bigger and maybe even more comfortable at strong-side defensive end and three-tech defensive tackle, respectively. Roh seemed to be around the ball quite a bit and Black was busting through the line on many plays. I tend to take observations like this with a grain of salt, but it is encouraging none the less. As long as Roh is able to contain the edge and Black is able to make good stands on run defense, we should be in decent shape.
• William Campbell in my e-pinion looks better, but is still a bit inconsistent. Some plays he is taking on double teams (his main job) and plugging holes and others he is getting pushed aside. Campbell is going to be a big part of the defensive line this season and we knew that, but he is going to need to be able to consistently take on double teams and dominate the line of scrimmage. The signs are there, but hopefully this summer he can continue to work on his technique. He also looks quite a bit more in shape than in the past.
• Brennen Beyer is the starting weak-side defensive end currently and I think between him and Frank Clark we can't really go wrong. Both are extremely athletic and will be terrors off the edge. Beyer looks bigger as well compared to last season. Clark has the speed to chase down ball carriers from behind, as we seen him run down one this past weekend. Both guys will provide a nice rotation of pass rushers this season.
• Backups on the defensive line include: Keith Heitzman, Richard Ash, Quinton Washington, Ken Wilkins and Chris Rock. At least those are the ones that stuck out to me the most. Heitzman will be a nice backup to Craig Roh at SDE. He was an underrated guy coming out of high school but he appears to have added the necessary weight and was solid during the spring game. Ash was decent in backing up Campbell at nose guard and could get some playing time depending on how incoming freshman Ondre Pipkins shows up in the fall. Washington and Wilkins were underwhelming during the spring in my e-pinion but they could add some decent depth at the defensive tackle positions. Rock on the other hand was bursting into the backfield quite a bit on Saturday. He also looks much bigger and within the next couple years could find some time at the three-tech spot or maybe at strong-side defensive end.
• The linebacker spot looked pretty normal from last year with Desmond Morgan, Kenny Demens and Jake Ryan getting the starts. 
• Morgan is the starting WLB with Antonio Poole and Brandin Hawthorne getting time behind him. Morgan looked good all spring long until he got chopped and hurt during the game. Poole didn't do much to stand out, whether that's good or bad depends on what you think. Hawthorne, on the other hand, tore it up during the game with a couple big tackles for loss and a one handed interception. Hawthorne is the number two WLB in my mind with Poole and freshman Kaleb Ringer there behind him.
• MLB is being patrolled by Kenny Demens. There was talk that freshman Joe Bolden could be pushing Demens for the starting job, but I don't see it. Demens has a few years experience as the starting MLB and is pretty good on the field as well. His coverage abilities are above par and he is a solid tackler. Bolden is going to be a monster in the future and should get some playing time this season, but I think that him and Morgan could be Demens's (spelling?) backup this year. Morgan may slide inside sometime and that will either push Bolden to WLB, where he is a little quicker than Morgan, or he may be a third guy. Time will tell at who plays second team MLB. 
• Finally, SLB is manned by Jake Ryan with Cameron Gordon backing him up. Ryan has the starting experience but Gordon may be a bit more athletic. Both players are great ones and either one that starts in the fall will have a more than capable backup behind him. This is the one linebacking position that has almost no ifs, ans, or buts. 
• Now off to the secondary. Cornerback is pretty much down to Blake Countess and J.T. Floyd as the starters and Courtney Avery and Terrence Talbott as the backups. You could probably throw in Raymon Taylor as well, but I think he is still a year or so away from contributing as a starter. This is arguably the deepest position on the team. Countess is a future star and Floyd is a solid corner with a ton of game experience. Countess made a nice interception in the game, so hopefully that is a sign of things to come for him this season. Avery is a decent corner that will get a lot of time at nickelback and Talbott has looked much better this off season than any other time in his career. 
• At strong safety it is the ever reliant Jordan Kovacs and then Marvin Robinson as his backup. Kovacs is going to be sorely missed after this season. He just simply makes plays, no matter the situation. Robinson has come in and looked solid as his backup and can come up with some big hits as seen during the spring practices.
• Free safety is controlled by Thomas Gordon and, in my mind, is being backed up by freshman Jarrod Wilson. Gordon is a good free safety that has some speed and covers fairly well. He is also solid in run support. Wilson is still learning but may have the biggest upside of any safety we have had on the team in a while.

As you can see from the lengthy writeup we are pretty deep on defense for the most part. Defensive line is the biggest question mark and we knew it since the end of last season. If the guys on the line can pick up the slack that Ryan Van Bergen, Mike Martin and Will Heininger left behind, we will be in good shape. 

2012 Spring Game Aftermath Thoughts and E-pinions: Offense

The 2012 Spring Game was this last Saturday at the Big House. Along with others, I thought this spring game was blah. Nothing good, or bad for that matter, happened last Saturday. In my e-pinion, it was boring to watch on BTN (Big Ten Network) and slow. Maybe it was different at the Big House in person, but I doubt it. 
Below are my thoughts and e-pinions on what we saw this past weekend (and during spring practice in general). I also added a new tab with the unofficial 2-Deep for the Wolverines Football team. The 2-Deep is mostly based on what we witnessed during spring practice, as well as, what I believe the 2-Deep will be going into fall practice. 

• Denard Robinson only played a handful of plays, but he did look a little crisper in his throwing motion. Throughout the spring practice videos that MGoBlue.com posted I noticed Denard stepping into his throws a little more. Time will tell if he has corrected this on a consistent basis and if not, then his interception rate could be high again this year. He did appear to be a little quicker when running the ball. Not necessarily faster, but quicker to pull down and shoot through the defense if his throwing options we not there. The biggest thing for Denard is his decision making. If he can progress through his reads and make the right decision on who to throw to, he will be much more successful this year. Being in year two of the Borges offense, we should see some decision making improvements. 
• Devin Gardner split the remaining time at quarterback with Russell Bellomy during the Spring Game. Gardner looked excellent running the ball, but his throwing is still something of a concern. We didn't see hardly any long passes from the quarterbacks on Saturday, but the one that sticks in my mind is the one Gardner threw to Blake Countess (yes an interception). He was late on the throw and therefore Countess was able to step in front of the receiver (can't remember who) and pick it off. In my e-pinion Gardner should see some significant time at receiver this fall. He is too athletic to leave off of the field. This leads me to the next point...
• Russell Bellomy looked pretty good on Saturday. He doesn't have the big arm that can throw a ball down the field, but he makes his reads pretty well and has enough athleticism to run away from a defender. Sometimes his throws seem to be slow getting to his receivers, but I think that may be correctable. Bellomy is a decent backup, but I still think that Gardner is the number two quarterback by a mile. If Gardner plays some receiver and Denard gets hurt, Gardner can still step in at quarterback and play. But Bellomy could be a good replacement at times also. 
• Fitz Toussaint is the number one running back and there is no argument. He looks a little more quicker this year as well and his vision is increasing everyday. He also looks a little stronger in breaking tackles. Thomas Rawls is clearly the number two every down running back behind Toussaint. Rawls showed some power and vision bursting into open holes on Saturday. He will be a nice backup for Toussaint, giving him a few breathers here and there.
• Vincent Smith is undoubtedly the third down back again this fall. He has great hands receiving the ball out of the backfield and can block just about anybody. He doesn't have the power to run through guys, but he is shifty and quick enough to evade them. Justice Hayes will probably get a few carries here and there as well since he appears to be Smith's backup.
• Stephen Hopkins is the starting fullback going into the season and he is a pretty good. He blocks pretty well and carries the ball with authority. However, he is fumble prone, so hopefully we rely more on him for blocking than running the ball.
• Wide receiver was not on display much on Saturday. Whether that be because the receivers couldn't get open or because the coverage was tremendous, it remains a major concern. Roundtree had only the one catch that I can remember from Denard right at the beginning. Jeremy Gallon caught a few balls showing that he can be a go to guy, but he is a bit on the short side to be a down field threat. Jeremy Jackson is big but not very fast and Jerald Robinson didn't get much thrown his way (neither did anyone else) to show us anything. Hopefully with Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson coming in in the fall we get some spark to the receiving corp.
• Offensive line was solid for the most part with walk-on Joey Burzynski being the surprise starter at left guard. This may not mean much since Elliott Mealer and Chris Bryant had been talked about all spring as the front runners. But Mealer did get some time on the second team offensive line at right tackle; maybe just providing some depth at that position. It will be interesting to see where incoming freshman Kyle Kalis plays this fall. 
• Ricky Barnum looked pretty good at center as well. There were a few dropped snaps, but I am not worried since Barnum just switched positions in the offseason. Jack Miller is clearly the backup there and looked decent but needs to add more weight before he will be a big contributor.
• Brandon Moore and Ricardo Miller were the two tight ends that stuck out on Saturday. But that is because they were the only two I really noticed playing. Miller seems to be out of position and Moore isn't a great enough blocker in my e-pinion. Hopefully A.J. Williams and Devin Funchess bring some much needed talent and ability this fall.

The offense looked okay on Saturday. Wide receiver is the most concerning position along with tight end. If the guys at those positions can make an impact this season, the offense will be fun to watch. If not, then it could be scary having to rely heavily on the running game.

ESPN 150 Released

The ESPN 150 List was released today. Here is how Michigan's recruits got ranked:


Shane Morris - 4*, 82 - Scout Grade, #4 Pocket QB, #1 MI, #37 Overall
Wyatt Shallman - 3*, 79 - Scout Grade, #1 Fullback, #8 MI
Dymonte Thomas - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #11 Athlete, #5 OH, #98 Overall
DeVeon Smith - 4*, 79 - Scout Grade, #28 RB, #18 OH
Jourdan Lewis - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #11 CB, #3 MI, #107 Overall
Jaron Dukes - 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #29 WR, #10 OH
Khalid Hill - 3*, 79 - Scout Grade, #6 TE-H, #7 MI
Logan Tuley-Tillman - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #9 OT, #5 IL, #97 Overall
Chris Fox - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #10 OT, #1 CO, #105 Overall
Kyle Bosch - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #4 OG, #6 IL, #112 Overall
Patrick Kugler - 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #5 OG, #6 PA, #121 Overall
David Dawson - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #1 OG, #2 MI, #92 Overall
Taco Charlton - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #9 DE, #6 OH, #115 Overall
Jake Butt - 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #4 TE-Y, #13 OH
Mike McCray - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #7 OLB, #4 OH, #75 Overall
Ben Gedeon - 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #32 Athlete, #17 OH
Gareon Conley - 4*, 81 - Scout Grade, #6 CB, #3 OH, #63 Overall


Therefore, the top players in the class according to ESPN looks like this:


Shane Morris - #37 
Gareon Conley - #63
Mike McCray - #75
David Dawson - #92
Logan Tuley-Tillman - #97
Dymonte Thomas - #98
Chris Fox - #105
Jourdan Lewis - #107
Kyle Bosch - #112
Taco Charlton - #115
Patrick Kugler - #121


Michigan has 11 commitments in the top 150 to ESPN. That is pretty incredible realizing that signing day is still about 10 or so months away. I will update each players recruiting rankings on their New Wolverine pages (if they have one). 

New Wolverine: Ben Gedeon

Ben Gedeon, a linebacker from Hudson (OH) Hudson High School, became the 17th commitment to the 2013 class. He is a consensus 4* linebacker / athlete across the board. Gedeon is listed at about 6'3" 215 lbs. or so currently. At that size, he will probably play the WILL linebacker spot when he arrives on campus. However, given the depth at linebacker that the coaches have built over the last few classes, Gedeon should be able to redshirt his freshman season to build up muscle and size. 


Gedeon is a good athlete with pretty good speed. He plays running back and linebacker in high school so you know he is able to cover receivers and tight ends. He also sheds tackles pretty well and tackles the ball carrier well. But I think Gedeon will definitely need that redshirt year to add some mass to become a more effective run stopper. If he adds enough, he could move over to the MIKE linebacker spot.


The following are the current recruiting rankings for Ben Gedeon:
Scout: 4*, #13 OLB, #159 Overall
Rivals: 4*, #8 ILB, #224 Overall
ESPN: 4*, 80 - Scout Grade, #32 Athlete, #17 OH
247: 4*, 90 - 247 Rating, #23 Athlete, #14 OH