T1B

4-0 sound nice, but what have we learned thusfar?

The defense will be the strength of this team. It is set up much in the mold of the 97 team. Strong and quick up front led by Woodley and Branch they've been able to apply pressure without the aid of blitzing. The line backing core is fleet, sure-handed and best of all, deep. The db's range in levels of experience but there's a potential all-american in Hall back on one side. I love the attitude of this squad, English has been outstanding thusfar as DC, but the meat of the season lies ahead. We'll hold the "savior" tag until the end of the season when there's a total body of work to judge.

The offense is, shall I say, okay. Not eye-popping by any means, just okay. The new zone blocking scheme is still developing, but Hart seems to enjoy the freedom it gives him. I'm still concerned about getting the tough yards in obvious run situations. On the passing side of the ball, who hasn't been impressed with Mario Manningham? This kid is emerging as the probable next guy to don the #1 jersey. He runs great routes, and had pretty good hands. I hope they scrap Breaston on the deep routes and use him more like the Steelers used to use Randle-el. He needs to be in space to be at his best. Arrington is also coming on and will provide Henne with another very good option. Henne has been pretty good. I know he got picked 3 time vs. Wisconsin. but the first was a drop by MM, and the other two were on bombs, the last one was on third and long and was virtually a punt. He's been pretty accurate and has thrown many perfect deep balls to Manningham in particular. The play calling has left me scratching my head at times. We still have a knack for throwing 3 yard outs in the flat on 3 rd and 8. I will never understand this, but I guess playing the battle of field position with the defense this year may be the way to go in some situations.

Overall I'm pleased, how could I not be. The Notre Dame game was a thing of beauty, and they avoided a letdown in the Big 10 opener with a solid two td win. Next week it's another revenge game. We roll into Minnesota to reclaim the Little Brown Jug. I look for great intesity on defense. Minnesota's RB's from the last couple seasons are playing on Sundays, and I don't think Cupito can beat us passing. MSU is up after that, always a tough game. Their diverse offense poses a threat, but the home field, and State's lack of defense should yield a win for the Blue. This has the makings of a special season.

Stay tuned.....

I like this team.


A lot.



That's all.

Every game Mich lost last year could've been a win, so they weren't really that far away. With a coordinator change and a recommitment to S&C to keep them churning in the 4th quarter they are a contender. Tressel is money in big games so I gotta give tOSU the nod, but Mich should finish 11-1 and get an at-large BCS-bid.

Manningham has been kicking serious ass for me in fantasy-league. Too bad his bookend, James Hardy, has gone AWOL on me. They shoulda been a lights-out combo.

Breaston is nothing more than what Eddie Drummond is to the Lions. He's a very mediocre receiver and while battling through some injuries, he's not nearly as good of a return man his first two years. Manningham is a great deep threat but they need to find that possession receiver like what Avant had been for several years. Arrington is showing signs of maybe becoming that guy. Hart is a straight-up killer...he's by far the best back in the conference and probably the most valuable as well. Henne isn't as good as he could be but hard to knock him for his performance against Notre Dame though. The offensive attack seemed much more conservative against Wisconsin...but they were able to kill the Badgers with the long ball when they tried it. Defensively, Branch is a monster in the middle of the line while Woodley has been a great rusher and playmaker on the outside. The linebacking corps has been outstanding with Harris, Crable and Burgess all making big plays and forcing turnovers. Hall hasn't had to be a total shutdown corner this year but has played well throughout the first part of this season. Trent has been an unsung hero in the secondary as well. This has been a very complete team effort so far with several tough games coming up. The games at home against State and Iowa and the roadies at Penn State and Ohio State all present great challenges to the Wolverines.