- This time it's Erik Bedard, who is quietly becoming the most dominant pitcher in the bigs. 11 K's in 7 innings. And 1 year ago, the Rangers could have had him and Nick Markakis for Teixeira. Would have been a kick ass deal it seems.
Rangers' 6-2 loss is striking
03:09 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 22, 2007
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
egrant@dallasnews.com
BALTIMORE – The Rangers did not allow the setting of any records Tuesday.
That was all for the positives for a club that is increasingly making baseball a non-contact sport.
In losing to Baltimore, 6-2, the Rangers struck out 11 times, all of them against Orioles starter Erik Bedard. The last of those strikeouts, on a 93-mph fastball that overpowered Jarrod Saltalamacchia to end the seventh inning, allowed Bedard to tie the Orioles' season strikeout record of 218 established by Mike Mussina in 1997.
The strikeouts, combined with 19 against Minnesota on Sunday, gave the Rangers 30 in the last two days. That fell just shy of the club's consecutive-game record of 32 set July 12-13, 1997, at Seattle.
The Rangers, however, won both of those games. They went scoreless for the first 15 innings of their last two games.
"This is not fun," said Ian Kinsler, who was hitless in four at-bats but one of two Rangers not to strike out Tuesday (Marlon Byrd was the other).
"It's tough when you are not getting hits. I think we need to bear down a little bit. I feel like sometimes we are giving away at-bats. Mentally, I think we are better than we are showing. Physically, I know it's tough, but mentally, we are better."
The mental hurdle for the Rangers is twofold. They are once again trying to get through the final two months of a season with nothing to play for, and they are doing it with a lineup full of kids.
- National College Football News/Notes
- Good, strong story amidst all the bad ones that seem to be plaguing sports these days. A couple of athletes that actually want to graduate and have dreams beyond their sport. Not only graduate, but be lawyers.
UT's Okam, Lokey hit books and backs
01:06 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 22, 2007
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
chipbrown@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – If it's possible to be best friends and ultimate rivals, Texas senior defensive tackles Frank Okam of Lake Highlands and Derek Lokey of Denton Ryan have done it.
In high school, the two followed each other's career in the newspaper and during recruiting but didn't get to know each other until they got to Texas.
And then it was nothing but endless needling, practicing, weight lifting ... and studying.
Studying?
On top of being the two biggest road blocks on the nation's third-ranked run defense last year and anchoring one of the best defensive lines in the country this year, they want to be lawyers after what they hope are pro football careers. Both will take the law school entrance exam, the LSAT, in October.
"We could start the defensive tackle law firm. We won't call it that, but we might, you never know," Okam said. "If he gets started [practicing law] a little sooner than I do, or I get started on that sooner than he does, I think we'll be looking out for each other to see if we can stay connected."
Did you catch that?
"If he gets started a little sooner than I do, ..." suggesting that Okam's NFL career might be a little longer than his buddy's.
That's the kind of trash talk that makes this one of the best in-team rivalries in college football.
Lokey came out of Denton Ryan (6-2, 280) with a 4.0 GPA and not much recruiting attention. Okam (6-5, 320) had a 3.9 GPA and all kinds of attention.
Okam told everyone during recruiting that he wanted to be a doctor and thought about going to Stanford. Lokey pounced on him once Okam dropped pre-med after a few classes his freshman year in Austin.
"I love Frank and love playing with him," Lokey said. "But he's the media darling. Always has been. He was milking that doctor and Stanford stuff and saying he was going to wait until the last night before signing day to announce where he was going.
"He knew he wanted to come to Texas for a long time and just drug it out to stay in the spotlight. Then he gets here and drops pre-med almost before he gets started."
Okam would bother defending himself, but he recently learned Lokey violated one of the cardinal tenets of their ongoing battle to get the highest grades in their sports management majors.
The agreement has always been that they study together for the classes they share. No solo studying. That way, the terms of competition are equal. So class after class, they would go into a room with a dry-erase board in the football academic center and put their photographic memories to work.
But last year, Lokey pulled the okey-dokey on Okam.
"Sometimes I would study and not tell him I did," Lokey said. "That's about as nasty as it got. He'd say, 'How long did you study?' And I'd say, 'About an hour' when I really studied 10 hours. It got so heated that there was some sleight of hand in the study habits."
Said Okam, "He's got to live with himself."
Both players have grade point averages over 3.0. Okam acknowledges that Lokey has a slight lead in grade average within their major and a slight lead in the weight room. Lokey, the strongest player on the team, bench presses 515 pounds. Okam 485.
But all joking aside, the two have the utmost respect for each other. They helped pull each other through personal adversity in 2006.
In the fifth game, Okam suffered a knee injury that ultimately required off-season surgery. Lokey broke his leg three games later against Nebraska and walked off the field – an image of toughness his teammates haven't forgotten.
Coach Mack Brown has called Lokey's absence over the final four games of the season "the biggest loss" we had. Lokey is an important leader and also the team's short-yardage fullback.
"We were the best we'd been in short yardage before Derek got hurt and then really average after he got hurt," Brown said.
Lokey's injury also impacted Okam.
"I thought about having surgery during the season and then trying to get back for the bowl game," Okam said. "But after Derek got hurt, I felt like it was necessary for my team for me to stay in there and play as hard as possible."
Both are back to 100 percent. Okam says he'll play with better leverage, now that he's healthy. If there's been a knock on him, it's that he plays too upright at 6-5 and 320 pounds and isn't disruptive enough driving linemen backward.
Lokey, too, is looking for a big year, especially since he got married to his girlfriend since high school, Charlie, over the summer.
"It's so much easier to be a college player when you have such a great woman taking care of you and supporting you," said Lokey, who honeymooned on a Caribbean cruise. "When you don't have to worry about if there's going to be a good meal on the table and laundry done, she takes care of me, she really does. I'm fortunate to have her."
Okam seconds that.
"Derek married way over his head," he joked.
Brown said he can't think of better role models than Lokey and Okam.
"They're best friends who compete in the classroom and on the field," Brown said. "They are starting to permeate leadership throughout the team. When you have two guys who are that bright, who do everything right and have played great for us and have great smiles – they are the kind of guys you build your program around."
Okam said he will forgive Lokey for studying without him.
"Coming out of high school, he always said I was the big shot and he was the guy no one heard of. But that's definitely changed," Okam said. "When you have a guy like that who plays your position and takes the same mental approach you do on life, it's an honor to spend four years with someone like that. All it does is push you to be a better player and motivate you to be a better person."
DEREK LOKEY
School: Texas
Pos.: Defensive tackle
Ht.-Wt.: 6-2, 280
Class: Senior
High school: Denton Ryan
Notable: Has played in 29 games. Started eight in 2006 before breaking his right leg. ... Credits his father, Eric, with helping turn him into a weight room warrior who can bench press 515 pounds. ... Team's short-yardage fullback. ... Posted 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, a half sack and a fumble recovery in 2006.
FRANK OKAM
School: Texas
Pos.: Defensive tackle
Ht.-Wt.: 6-5, 320
Class: Senior
High school: Lake Highlands
Notable: Elected to bypass NFL draft and return for his senior season after playing with an injured knee for final eight games of 2006. ... Posted 38 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, 10 pressures and recovered a fumble. ... Recorded 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for losses, four pressures and a fumble recovery over the final four games.
Arkansas State at No. 4 Texas, 6 p.m. Sept. 1
- The most overrated team/offensive talent in the nation explains why this is the year they're going to end their ritual of sucking and being overrated.
Michigan seniors ready to erase some dubious zeros
CHICAGO -- If left tackle Jake Long had left Michigan after the 2006 season, he probably would have collected an NFL signing bonus that ended in quite a few zeros.
But Long, the Wolverines' soft-spoken All-American, was more concerned about two other zeros.
Zero wins against Ohio State. Zero bowl victories.
The Wolverines have finished each of the last three seasons with consecutive losses, and ending that dubious streak is why Long returned to Michigan for the 2007 season, rather than entering the NFL draft.
"That's one of the reasons I came back," Long said. "We haven't finished a season strong as a group. We haven't beaten Ohio State. We haven't won a bowl game. We want to come out on top as seniors."
Thanks to Long's surprising decision, the Wolverines enter this season as favorites to win the Big Ten championship, something that has elluded them since Long's redshirt freshman season in 2004.
When Long, a 6-foot-7, 313-pound native of Lapeer, Mich., decided to return to school for his senior season, tailback Mike Hart and quarterback Chad Henne soon followed. That trio, along with receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington, gives Michigan what could potentially be one of the most explosive offenses in college football.
And it was Long who started Michigan's domino effect.
"When you give up $12 or $15 million, you have to be a Michigan man," Hart said. "You have to love the school."
Or you must really want to beat Ohio State, which knocked the Wolverines out of the BCS National Championship Game with a 42-39 win in what was one of the most anticipated games in recent history.
After Michigan closed the 2006 season with a disappointing 32-18 loss to Southern California in the Rose Bowl, Long, Hart and Henne went their separate ways. Hart wasn't sure whether Long would return to school, but the running back said he wasn't coming back if his lead blocker didn't return. Henne had already told coach Lloyd Carr that he would come back, but the quarterback said his decision might have changed if Hart and Long had left.
"They never had to persuade me," Long said. "We kind of just stayed away from each other and let each other make their own decision. The biggest thing Mike said was he was coming back if I came back."
Certainly, Long faced the most difficult decision and had the most to gain financially. He started all 13 games at left tackle last season and was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He has exceptionally quick feet, long arms and is considered a prototypical NFL tackle.
If Long had left Michigan and entered the NFL draft, he might have been the second offensive lineman selected, behind Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas, the third choice in the draft by the Cleveland Browns. Instead, Penn State tackle Levi Brown was picked fifth by the Arizona Cardinals.
"There would have been no Levi Brown at No. 5," Hart said. "Levi Brown owes Jake some of that signing bonus. Jake's better than Joe Thomas, too, but Thomas got all the hype."
Long, 22, said he watched the NFL draft alone in his apartment in Ann Arbor, Mich. After Thomas and Brown, his two former Big Ten rivals, were selected so high, Long said he didn't think about what he might have passed up.
"Levi Brown was a great player and deserves everything he got," Long said. "I was happy for him. I'm working so next year that's me."
While Long enters his senior season as a potential top 10 selection in the 2008 NFL draft, Hart and Henne still have questions to answer about their abilities. Hart finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy voting last year, after running for 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hart enters this season needing 794 yards to surpass Anthony Thomas' school record of 4,472 career rushing yards.
Just as impressively, Hart has proved to be one of the most reliable runners in college football history. He has fumbled only three times in 750 carries during his career and hasn't lost the football in a game since 2004.
But because of Hart's small stature (the Syracuse, N.Y., native is only 5-foot-9 and 196 pounds), he still faces concerns about whether he's big enough to be an every-down runner in the NFL.
Henne has no doubt his tailback can excel in the pros.
"You compare him to Barry Sanders," Henne said. "He can move laterally and see the holes and make the cuts. He's such a competitor that nobody really gets in his way."
Hart's escapability and toughness are what separate him from running backs like Arkansas' Darren McFadden and West Virginia's Steve Slaton, Henne said.
"Those guys have the true speed," Henne said. "Mike is more hit the hole, find the hole and make people miss. Once they get him in the NFL combine and see how strong he is, there's no doubt they'll draft him high."
Going into last season, inconsistency was the only thing preventing Henne from becoming an elite quarterback. He became Michigan's quarterback the day he stepped on campus in 2004 and has started all 37 games the last three seasons combined. Barring an injury this season, Henne will break Michigan records for career attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdown passes.
But until Henne played well in last season's victories over Notre Dame, Penn State and Iowa, and even in the loss to Ohio State, he had been dogged by his performances in the Wolverines' biggest games.
"He's so confident now and knows what the defense is going to do," Long said. "He doesn't let anything get in his head or anything get in his way."
And if Michigan can survive the first 2½ months of the season, which include home games against Oregon, Notre Dame and Penn State, the Buckeyes again will be the only thing standing in the Wolverines' way.
"I'm excited," Long said. "This team looks hungry. This team looks excited. I feel like something would be missing [if we left without beating Ohio State and winning a bowl game]. We've done a lot of great things in our careers, but we haven't beaten Ohio State and haven't won a bowl game."
- And of course, more apologizing from that scheister/A-hole Big 10 commish about why his conference sucks.
Big Ten facing multiple hurdles in 2007
CHICAGO -- When a reporter began to recite the list of players Ohio State's football team will have to replace this season -- stars such as Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez -- Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel cut him off.
"You mention all those names and they're gone," Tressel said. "It makes me feel bad."
The defending Big Ten champion won't be the only team from the conference searching for an identity this season. Michigan, the 2006 Big Ten runner-up, must replace seven starters on defense, including All-American tackle Alan Branch and cornerback Leon Hall. Wisconsin must replace quarterback John Stocco, and Penn State must find replacements for leading rusher Tony Hunt and linebacker Paul Posluszny.
Three other Big Ten teams figure to endure even more difficult transitions. Indiana, Michigan State and Minnesota have new coaches. The Hoosiers promoted assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Bill Lynch to succeed Terry Hoeppner, who died June 19 after an 18-month battle with a brain tumor. The Spartans hired Cincinnati's Mark Dantonio to replace John L. Smith, who was fired, and the Gophers hired former NFL assistant Tim Brewster to succeed Glen Mason, who was ousted after 10 seasons.
Uncertainty also extended to the Big Ten's most high-profile teams at the end of the 2006 season. Ohio State and Michigan flopped in bowl games, raising questions about the league's overall strength.
Those factors, combined with the questions about expansion and scheduling, seem to place the Big Ten at a crossroads in 2007.
But Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said his league is stronger than ever.
"The Big Ten intercollegiate athletics are in a very healthy state, in particular, the sport of football," Delany said. "We've had teams not only compete on the national basis, as we've had two teams win a national championship in the past 10 years and competing for several more, but also within the conference. We've had eight different champions or co-champions in the past decade."
However, the 2006 postseason was one to forget for the Big Ten. Ohio State was pummeled by 27 points by Florida in the BCS Championship Game. Michigan, which was ranked No. 2 in the country for much of last season, lost to USC by two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl.
While Wisconsin finished 12-1 in coach Bret Bielema's first year, beating Arkansas 17-14 in the Capital One Bowl to end the season, the rest of the Big Ten was largely mediocre or worse in 2006.
Penn State finished 9-4 after replacing many starters from a team that lost only one game in 2005. Iowa finished with a losing record for the first time in six seasons, and Purdue lost at least five games for the third season in a row.
All told, six of the league's 11 teams finished the 2006 season with losing records. And its bad teams have been really, really bad. Illinois has lost 30 of its past 32 conference games and hasn't won more than one Big Ten game in a season since 2002. Indiana has lost 26 of its past 32 Big Ten games.
So when the Buckeyes and Wolverines were beaten so soundly in bowl games, the overall strength of the Big Ten was immediately scrutinized. Were Michigan and Ohio State really that good? Or did those teams simply pad their records against soft conference schedules?
"You feel a little bit like you let down the rest of the conference," Tressel said.
So much so that during the offseason, the Big Ten examined the way it finishes the regular season. Did the long layoffs contribute to another poor postseason showing? The conference has produced one winning bowl season since 1999, going 20-27 in postseason games the past seven seasons combined.
Ohio State was beaten 41-14 by the Gators after a 51-day layoff. Michigan lost to USC 32-18 after waiting 44 days to play. The Big Ten regular season ended Nov. 18 last season, two weeks earlier than most other leagues.
This spring, Big Ten coaches discussed adding a bye week to the schedule to extend the regular season, thus eliminating the long layoff between the regular-season finale and bowl games. But coaches voted against it because they didn't want their teams playing beyond Thanksgiving Day.
Delany also squashed any thoughts about expanding the Big Ten to 12 teams, which would enable the league to stage a conference championship game, like the ACC, Big 12, SEC and other conferences do.
"This shouldn't surprise anybody," Delany said. "We're not looking for a championship game. If we were looking for a championship game, we would have had one 15 years ago. We're looking for a stronger conference, a conference that works better for all 11 members. Our goal from our 11 institutions is how can we get better."
Don't tell Delany the league should start by recruiting better athletes. When a Chicago Sun-Times reporter suggested Big Ten teams couldn't compete with SEC teams because they weren't recruiting the best athletes, Delany defended his league's schools -- and seemed to criticize some SEC schools' academic standards.
"I love speed and the SEC has great speed, especially on the defensive line, but there are appropriate balances when mixing academics and athletics," Delany wrote in an open letter to Big Ten fans, which was published on the league's Web site Feb. 9.
"Each school, as well as each conference, simply must do what fits their mission regardless of what a recruiting service recommends. I wish we had six teams among the top 10 recruiting classes every year, but winning our way requires some discipline and restraint with the recruitment process. Not every athlete fits athletically, academically or socially at every university. Fortunately, we have been able to balance our athletic and academic mission so that we can compete successfully and keep faith with our academic standards."
Before criticizing the SEC, Delany pointed out the Big Ten's recent success against the league: a 2-1 record against SEC teams in bowl games last season; an 8-6 record against SEC teams in bowl games the last five years; and 15 BCS berths to the SEC's 13. Delany also noted that Big Ten teams have produced five Heisman Trophy winners in the past 15 years, compared to the SEC's one.
Tressel said Ohio State's bad loss to the Gators wasn't a result of the Buckeyes' being slower.
"I think they were both pretty fast," Tressel said. "There's no question Florida was a fast team, and Ohio State was a fast team. The first play of the game [Ginn's 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown], it looked like we had the fastest guy in the world."
Illinois coach Ron Zook, who coached at Florida for three seasons, said Big Ten teams are well-equipped to beat their SEC counterparts.
"In my mind, there isn't any difference," Zook said. "We have every bit the speed that they do. In my mind, there is no question that this league can compete against anyone in the country."
It's time for Big Ten teams to start doing it.
- The NoTex Rant Top 25
#25 - Missouri
#24 - Hawaii
#23 - Oklahoma St.
#22 - Texas Tech
#21 - South Carolina
#20 - Boston College
#19 - Boise State
#18 - Rutgers
#17 - Cal
#16 - Ohio State
#15 - Tennessee
- #14 - Michigan
QUARTERBACKS
Michigan should feel as good about its starting quarterback as any program in the nation. Senior Chad Henne (6-2, 224) has been the starter since his 2004 arrival, and a breakthrough junior campaign sets the stage for what should be a tremendous 2007.
Henne was under almost as much scrutiny as his coach a year ago after a sophomore season that saw him throw 23 touchdowns against just eight picks, yet was deemed disappointing. Henne did struggle badly in losses to Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Minnesota in 2005.
Progress was evident from the start of Henne's junior season, when he picked apart the Fighting Irish in a 47-21 road romp. His consistency improved as a junior, even if his touchdown-to-interception ratio (22-to-8) did not. The proof was in watching Henne perform, and in the fact his completion percentage rose from 58.4 to 61.9.
Henne is a classic pocket passer with an NFL arm. Sometimes he's a bit on the mechanical/immobile side, but his footwork is improving. If Henne can do a better job of eluding rushers and keeping plays alive, he and the Michigan offense can take another step this season. "He's really moving better in the pocket right now than he ever has," Michigan offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. "That's a feel thing. He really basically learned to step up in the pocket."
After Henne, it gets very young. Backup Jason Forcier transferred to Stanford in the offseason -- following the lead of former backup Matt Gutierrez, who transferred to Idaho State a year ago. That leaves redshirt freshman David Cone (6-6, 201) with the clipboard.
But don't forget about Ryan Mallett (6-6, 247). The celebrated incoming freshman from Texarkana, Texas, has one of the biggest arms around. He graduated early and took part in Michigan's spring drills, impressing coaches in the process. "Ryan Mallett picked things up very well, and he got a lot of repetitions throughout the spring," Carr said. "I think his development is continuing. He's a talented guy, a very bright guy. He's done some things that are going to enable him this fall to come into training camp with confidence, knowledge, ability and his understanding of what we're trying to get done."
But Carr hopes Mallett won't have to help get it done in 2007. As long as Henne is healthy, the Wolverines will be able to preserve Mallett's redshirt and begin his era in 2008.
RUNNING BACKS
You can count on one hand the NCAA quarterbacks better than Henne, and you won't need as many fingers to count the running backs better than senior Mike Hart (5-9, 196). He's fast, shifty and relentlessly physical. He's also the emotional leader of this team.
Hart ran it 318 times for 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, after an injury-plagued 2005 that saw him miss four games and rush for 662 yards. He underwent minor shoulder surgery during spring ball but will be 100 percent for a senior season that should finish with him atop Michigan's all-time rushing list. He needs just 794 yards to surpass Anthony Thomas' record of 4,472 career yards.
Unfortunately for Michigan, Hart's powerful backup, junior Kevin Grady (5-9, 216), may miss the season after tearing an ACL during spring drills. Although Grady has not produced as expected in two seasons -- mostly because Hart's too good to take off the field -- he was having a strong spring and will be missed.
That leaves the backup role to sophomore Brandon Minor (6-0, 210), a gifted athlete who ran for 238 yards (5.7 a carry) last season as a freshman. The Wolverines won't have any reservations about changing the pace with Minor this season, especially after his progress in spring ball. "He was great -- he got a lot better, improved his pass protection," DeBord said of Minor. "He had a great spring running the ball, but the biggest thing was, he really improved his pass protection."
Sophomore Carlos Brown (6-0, 200) is right behind Minor. He gave cornerback a try during spring ball but switched back before it ended.
The loss of senior Obi Oluigbo made fullback a question mark entering spring practice, but the emergence of sophomore Mark Moundros (6-1, 212) eased all worries. "He's very athletic and tough," DeBord said of Moundros. "That was a concern going into spring football, what our fullback position would be like. He's really been able to step up his play. I think our fullback position is going to be very strong, whereas looking beforehand, we kind of wondered where it would be."
Moundros isn't the only reason. Incoming freshman Vince Helmuth (6-1, 245) graduated early and took part in spring drills, and he impressed enough to move right behind Moundros on the depth chart. Sophomore Quintin Patilla (6-1, 216) switched from linebacker and adds depth at the fullback spot.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Another position group, another player among the very best in the nation. Junior receiver Mario Manningham (6-0, 182), when healthy, is an explosive deep threat with great hands and sharp route-running ability. A knee injury cost him three games and limited his effectiveness in others last season, but he still finished with 38 catches for 703 yards and nine scores.
The big question entering 2007 is who will line up opposite Manningham. Senior Adrian Arrington (6-3, 187) is the guy -- if he's still on the team. Legal and disciplinary issues have made that uncertain. Carr's usually mum on such issues, so fans may have to wait until the opener to find out if Arrington's playing this season or not. Michigan could use Arrington's production (40 catches, 544 yards, eight touchdowns last season). If he's not around, don't cry for the Wolverines. As usual, several speedy youngsters are waiting their turn, led by big sophomore Greg Mathews (6-3, 207).
"He has been outstanding," Carr said of Mathews. "I think he's capable of being one of those guys that has a great career here. He has great hands, he runs good routes, he's very physical and very tough, so we're very excited about his development."
Backing up Manningham is sophomore LaTerryal Savoy (6-2, 205), a gifted player who has been confined to special teams so far. Incoming freshmen Martell Webb (6-5, 225) and Toney Clemons (6-2, 205) are highly touted and may be able to compete for early playing time.
If there's an area of concern on this Michigan offense, it would have to be tight end. Eligibility has expired for Tyler Ecker and Brian Thompson, and promising sophomore Carson Butler is no longer with the program.
Senior Mike Massey (6-4, 229) heads the list of replacements. Massey, who was hurt during spring ball, caught eight balls for 72 yards last season. Blocking is his strength, but the Wolverines would like to see him become more of a downfield threat. The Michigan offense has long relied on play-action passes to its tight ends.
Juniors Chris McLaurin (6-3, 236) and Andre Criswell (6-1, 257) come in behind Massey. The bruising Criswell made the switch from fullback during the spring.
"The guys we've got there, they're going to have to work [on] catching the ball," DeBord said. "That's probably the biggest thing they have to improve on. Blocking-wise, the guys we have there did a really good job in the spring."
Incoming freshman Steve Watson (6-4, 235) will have a chance to compete for playing time immediately, and Webb has the size to play tight end as well. He may find himself there in the fall.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Are we noticing a trend yet? The Wolverines' best lineman happens to be one of the best in college football. Fifth-year senior left tackle Jake Long (6-7, 313) also might be one of the best linemen to come through Michigan -- and that's quite a statement considering the trench talent over the years in Ann Arbor.
"You look at guys we've had here in the past. Jake is as good as those guys, and who knows if he's not better?" DeBord said. "It's hard to compare, with guys who have been so good here. But Jake is one of the elite offensive linemen we've ever had here, for a number of reasons. His athletic ability, his toughness, how smart he is -- he's just a great player."
Long anchors a line that lost two talented starters in center Mark Bihl and right tackle Reuben Riley, but returns loads of capable talent to compensate. Both guards are back -- senior left guard Adam Kraus (6-6, 296) and senior right guard Alex Mitchell (6-5, 313). Mitchell started one game at right tackle last season and could be a candidate to take some snaps there, but that isn't Michigan's preference. "He's in a lot better condition," Carr said of Mitchell. "He went through the process of trying to find his ideal weight, and as a young player you come in with the mentality of bigger is better. He learned a lot a year ago. There were a lot of lessons to be learned. So I think he's made very good progress."
At right tackle, several players are vying for the starting job in a battle that could go well into the season. Junior Mark Ortmann (6-6, 297) has the slightest of edges over redshirt freshman Steve Schilling (6-5, 297) and junior Cory Zirbel (6-5, 296). Massive redshirt freshman Perry Dorrestein (6-7, 317) also is pushing for time.
Ultimately, Schilling figures to emerge. He was one of Michigan's top 2006 recruits but has been slowed by injuries. "I like Schilling a lot," Carr said. "He's a great athlete. I mean, a great athlete, who missed [last] season because of injury. … He had an extremely difficult freshman year. He got mononucleosis, missed four or five weeks, then his shoulder … but he's healthy, except he's still got some work in the rehab area. He's 300 pounds, and a guy that moves like a 200-pounder."
The nice thing is, Michigan has plenty of capable tackles, allowing for some rotation and perhaps a breather here and there for Long. Another nice thing -- the Wolverines appear to have their center in sophomore Justin Boren (6-3, 310). It won't be easy to replace Bihl, who made all the calls at the line. But Boren showed plenty of aptitude during spring drills, cementing himself as the starter over junior David Moosman (6-4, 298) in the process. "He's strong," DeBord said of Boren. "I've been impressed with his ability to learn. He's done a great job of learning the offense. Our center starts things out for our offense, with the calls the assignments and that stuff. He's picked it up very well."
A deep pool of seasoned backups includes junior Justin Schifano (6-4, 298), junior Tim McAvoy (6-5, 298) and senior Jeremy Ciulla (6-4, 292).
KICKERS
Don't underestimate the loss of Garrett Rivas. Four tremendous seasons as Michigan's place-kicker left Rivas as the school's all-time leader in field goals (64) and attempts (82). That's an accuracy rate of 78 percent, including several clutch makes to win games.
Redshirt freshman Bryan Wright (6-1, 215) was recruited in 2006 to fill this spot, but he's in a battle against junior Jason Gingell (5-9, 191), junior K.C. Lopata (6-2, 217) and sophomore Jason Olesnavage (6-4, 207). It's good to have that kind of competition, but it won't be good if someone doesn't emerge as the clear leader early in fall camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive coordinator Ron English earned a lot of praise for the way he revamped Michigan's defense last season. Now he has to rebuild it. That starts up front -- tackle Alan Branch and end LaMarr Woodley will be playing on Sundays this season. End Rondell Biggs is gone, too, leaving junior tackle Terrance Taylor (6-0, 310) as the lone returning starter.
The hole-clogging Taylor is a nice anchor, and the players around him on the starting unit are promising. Junior end Tim Jamison (6-3, 266) is a pass-rushing specialist who was third on the team with five sacks a year ago. He moves into the starting lineup and should be in line for double-digit sack totals. "If he can ever stay healthy he'll be an outstanding player," Carr said of Jamison, who battled nagging injuries last season. "He's a guy that's really developed physically. He's a powerful guy that can run. He's extremely impressive. Jamison is one of those guys we're expecting great things from."
At the other end, sophomore Brandon Graham (6-2, 276) "just keeps getting better and better," Carr said. Michigan also expects big things from Graham, a Detroit native who was the state's top prospect in 2006. Joining Taylor inside will be junior Will Johnson (6-5, 291). He was part of the playing rotation the last two seasons and is ready to make a name for himself. "He's going to be an outstanding player this year," English said of Johnson. "If you watched him last year, he was a really good player, he just didn't get the notoriety some other guys got."
Michigan feels good about its starters. Branch and Woodley will be missed, but there's talent here. The question is how much help the second unit can provide. "We have to develop some depth, but I like our first unit," English said. "Our first line is going to be a really good defensive line, and then we just have to get the other guys better."
Backup ends Greg Banks (6-4, 264) and Adam Patterson (6-2, 262), and tackles Jason Kates (6-3, 318) and John Ferrara (6-4, 270) must come on if Michigan wants to avoid a serious dropoff from last season. A player who might have provided depth, end Eugene Germany, is no longer with the program.
LINEBACKERS
Proven performers are few, but intriguing prospects are many at that position. Two of Michigan's three starters from last season -- David Harris and Prescott Burgess -- are gone. Fifth-year senior Shawn Crable (6-5, 245) returns to start at Sam, or strong-side linebacker. He's surrounded by competition.
Who will replace Harris at middle linebacker? Junior John Thompson (6-1, 230) topped the depth chart after spring ball, but he has company. Junior Austin Panter (6-3, 231), a rare junior college transfer at Michigan, is flashing potential. And redshirt freshman Obi Ezeh (6-2, 243), who has been working as Crable's backup, also has a shot at the inside spot.
Ezeh already has worked at tailback, fullback and tight end, but linebacker is his home. Carr likens him to Harris, who gradually found his way to the field, then starred for two seasons at the center of the Michigan defense. "He's a wonderful athlete, and a guy that has wonderful instincts," Carr said. "I think he's going to be an excellent football player here."
Competition also exists at Will, or weak-side, linebacker. Senior Chris Graham, who started four games and had 25 tackles last season, is the starter for now. But exciting young talent sometimes catches up with steady veterans, and that may be the case with redshirt freshman Jonas Mouton (6-2, 230).
Mouton, a celebrated 2006 signee from Los Angeles, came to Ann Arbor as a safety. He has moved up a level and bulked up, and he figures to push for snaps. "Mouton's move has been excellent," English said. "He's 230 pounds, he's physical. He just has to learn what to do. He's certainly athletic. A lot of former players say he reminds them of Larry Foote, and I know that's a tall order. But once he really learns what to do, he'll be a good football player for us."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
This unit let Michigan down in the final two games of last season, losses to Ohio State and USC in which the Wolverines yielded 74 points and 707 passing yards. And that was with cornerback Leon Hall, who went in the first round of the NFL draft to Cincinnati in April.
Starting free safety Willis Barringer is gone as well, so English has some retooling to do. And Michigan's returning players have some improving to do.
That starts with senior strong safety Jamar Adams (6-2, 212). He's a playmaker who was third on the team with 47 tackles last season, earning a spot on the coaches' All-Big Ten second team. He has started 21 games in his career. But he still makes costly mistakes at times. "I would like to see Jamar Adams develop the kind of consistency that it takes to be a great player," Carr said. "Jamar has the ability, and I'd like to see that."
Junior Charles Stewart (6-1, 205) has moved from corner to safety, where he'll back up Adams but find his way onto the field regularly.
Michigan is excited about the other safety spot, because sophomore Stevie Brown (6-0, 208) is taking it over. He's ahead of fifth-year senior Brandent Englemon (5-11, 206). Brown has the kind of speed Michigan needs at free safety to contend with high-powered passing attacks. "Stevie Brown is impressive back there," English said. "He's going to make some plays that guys haven't made around here. … He will be the fastest safety we've had in my five years, and he'll hit you. We expect him to be a very good player for us."
Michigan still expects that from junior cornerback Morgan Trent (6-1, 189) as well. He's the other returning starter and another player who needs to make strides. Michigan's coaches believe they saw some during spring ball. "I think he's starting to feel confident in his covering ability," English said. "With all the tools he has, he should be a really good player."
Junior Brandon Harrison (5-8, 195) will back up Trent. On the other side, the battle between sophomore Johnny Sears (6-0, 190) and junior Doug Dutch (5-11, 200) could trickle into September. Dutch switched from receiver during the spring.
"We might do it week by week, and whoever plays the best will play," English said. And incoming freshman Donovan Warren (6-0, 175) of Los Angeles will only make the competition tougher. Michigan coaches expect the five-star recruit to find his way onto the field immediately.
PUNTERS
Sophomore Zoltan Mesko (6-4, 242) returns as the starting punter after averaging 41.6 yards on 50 punts last season. Michigan expects more this season from Mesko, who "has everything it takes to be a great punter," Carr said. Mesko pinned opponents inside their own 20 on 17 occasions last season. He's backed up by fifth-year senior Ankit Kachhal (6-1, 181).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Like Rivas, Steve Breaston is a loss that should not be overlooked. This is a guy who racked up 3,592 yards on punt and kickoff returns combined, with five touchdowns. He was the best return man in Michigan history and one of the best in Big Ten history.
There are several candidates to replace Breaston, led by cornerback Johnny Sears. Running back Carlos Brown, receiver Greg Mathews and safety Stevie Brown also have a chance. Senior Sean Griffin (6-2, 233) will take over for Turner Booth at long snapper.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
There's national championship talk floating around Ann Arbor, based on the tremendous production returning on offense. Michigan typically does better when the expectations are a bit lower (see: 2006 season) and not as well when they're sky high (see: 2005 season), but there's evidence to believe 2007 could be special.
The schedule is a big reason. Iowa and Indiana are off the Big Ten docket, replaced by Purdue and Illinois. Overall, that's a plus. And it's easy to imagine Michigan starting 10-0 in 2007.
All four of the Wolverines' non-league contests are at home, including visits from Oregon and Notre Dame. The Big Ten starts at home against Penn State, and the only two road games before November are at Northwestern and Illinois.
After a visit to rebuilding rival Michigan State, Michigan finishes with a trip to Wisconsin and the annual showdown with Ohio State. The Buckeyes, who return just nine starters on both sides of the ball, will visit Ann Arbor in a great opportunity for Carr to get back at Tressel.
By then, the Wolverines should have their defense set and their special teams figured out. And they might be playing for a spot in the BCS title game.
Grading the Michigan Wolverines
Unit Grade
Offense A+
Special teams C
Defense B-
Intangibles B
- #13 - TCU
Everyone likes the Boise State story. Good program, funny field, wild play-calling, lots of wins. The Broncos have set the standard for the non-BCS programs and what they can do. Now it's TCU's turn in the spotlight.
Had the current BCS entry rules been in place from the start, TCU would've been in a big-money game in 2000 and 2005, and might have been more highly regarded by now. Like Boise State, the Horned Frogs made a splash by beating Oklahoma, but they didn't get nearly the credit they deserved for the win in Norman two years ago, probably because they flopped the following week against SMU. This year, with an early date at Texas, there's a chance to prove, once and for all, that they deserve more attention. More importantly, there's a chance for Gary Patterson's team to finally get into the national spotlight with a BCS appearance. This team is that good.
With nine starters returning from the nation's number two defense, and 21 of the 24 players on the defensive two-deep, to go along with a loaded backfield of offensive talent, TCU has the potential to be everyone's mid-major darling from day one.
Of course, while everyone around the program will be focusing on the Texas game, there's still a matter of the Mountain West race. After ripping through the league for the 2005 title, the Horned Frogs blew their chance to repeat with back-to-back losses against BYU and Utah for an 0-2 conference start. The rest of the season was a breeze, as TCU won eight straight, capped off by a dominant performance over Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl to set the tone for 2007.
Set the expectations high. Demand a Mountain West title and a game against the big boys on national TV. Hope for a stunning upset in Austin. After so many years of production, its TCU's turn.
What to watch for on offense: A dominant running game. The TCU coaches love a nice balance, but the talent and experience, at least early on, is at running back. Aaron Brown is due for a huge season, and top recruits Jamarion Cavness and Joseph Banyard are good enough to see the field right away. Throw in quarterback Marcus Jackson's running ability, and TCU will be tempted to run, run and run some more.
What to watch for on defense: Total, utter dominance. Patterson's teams have almost always had strong defenses, but this one should be special. It's asking a lot to improve on a defense that allowed just 12.3 points and 235 yards per game, but this group could be good enough to do it.
Getting into the backfield on a regular basis won't be a problem with the return of end Chase Ortiz and should-be-in-the-NFL star Tommy Blake. There's speed, athleticism, depth and loads and loads of experience.
The team will be far better if... there's more boom on the punts. The lousy TCU punting average is by design, sort of, trying to pin teams deep and going for placement more than anything else, but it would be nice if there were a few bombs here and there. Bryan Courtney was good at putting it inside the 20, and now Derek Wash has to do the same while cranking up the net yardage total by a few clicks.
The Schedule: If the Horned Frogs really are as good as expected, the schedule works out well enough for a tremendous record and a shot at the BCS. The early part of the season will be all about the trip to Texas, with a chance to make a huge national splash. Home dates with Baylor and SMU and a trip to Stanford make up a not-that-bad rest of the non-conference slate. In league play, Utah has to come to Fort Worth, but a trip to BYU will likely make-or-break TCU's title hopes. Any team that thinks it's good enough to win the Mountain West title should be able to get by road games at Air Force, Wyoming and San Diego State without breaking a sweat.
Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Aaron Brown. TCU has mostly been a running back-by-committee team, but Brown might be too good to not get the ball in his hands 20+ times a game. Despite sharing the workload, and only getting more than 15 carries once last season, he was still named second-team All-Mountain West after rushing for 801 yards and nine touchdowns. This year, 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns might be a lock.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Tommy Blake. Ortiz and Blake potentially could form the nation's most productive pass-rushing duo. Blake flirted with the idea of turning pro, but the 6-3, 250-pound all-star is back and should be in the running for All-America and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors if he plays like he did over his first few seasons.
Key player to a successful season: Sophomore QB Marcus Jackson. Last season, all senior QB Jeff Ballard did was step in for the heralded Tye Gunn, win more than 90% of his starts with a good combination of skills, and demonstrate a knack for coming up with the big play against the weaker teams, ending those games before they even started. Jackson is similar in size, a better runner, and a decent passer, with an 11-of-13, 148-yard, two touchdown day in the season-opening win over Baylor. With several new receivers to work with, Jackson will have to be efficient right off the bat.
The season will be a success if... TCU goes 11-1. The BCS is sort of out of the team's control if there's a loss, but that doesn't mean things can't get extremely interesting. It's asking a bit too much to win at Texas, even though the Horned Frogs have more than enough experience to pull off the upset. Even if there's not a big-money game at the end of the year, a second Mountain West title in three seasons is more than just a decent achievement.
Key game: Nov. 8 at BYU. While the early date with Texas will get all the attention, everything this fantastic team might be able to accomplish will likely go down the drain if it can't win in Provo. While this might not be the BYU team of last season, the showdown is late enough in the year for all the new starters to have jelled. It's not a stretch to say this game will be for the Mountain West title.
2006 Fun Stats:
Scoring after three quarters: TCU 334; Opponents 98
Sacks: TCU 36 for 267 yards; Opponents 15 for 82 yards
Penalties: TCU 93 for 788 yards; Opponents 56 for 491 yards
TCU Horned Frogs
Team Information
Head coach: Gary Patterson
7th year: 54-20
Returning Lettermen: 51
Lettermen Lost: 22
Ten Best Players
1. DE Tommy Blake, Sr.
2. DE Chase Ortiz, Sr.
3. LB Jason Phillips, Jr.
4. RB Aaron Brown, Jr.
5. OG Matt Lindner, Sr.
6. S/KR Brian Bonner, Sr.
7. PK Chris Manfredini, Sr.
8. LB David Hawthorne, Sr.
9. CB Nick Sanders, Soph.
10. C Blake Schlueter, Jr.
2007 Schedule
Sept. 1 Baylor
Sept. 8 at Texas
Sept. 13 at Air Force
Sept. 22 SMU
Sept. 29 Colorado State
Oct. 6 at Wyoming
Oct. 13 at Stanford
Oct. 18 Utah
Nov. 3 New Mexico
Nov. 8 at BYU
Nov. 17 UNLV
Nov. 24 at San Diego St
- Picks O'the day
Yesterday - 1-1
YTD - 122-101
1) Seattle +110 - hot team, riding them
2) KC +100 - Don't ask me why
3) Phila -110 - Pitcher is 3-0 in last 3 starts with 3.15 ERA
4) SD -145 - Give it to me Peavy
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