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That sounds like some Chicken Little fan's worrying. One of the few places these spring practice reviews seem to be somewhat consistent is that our DBs impressed.
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It appears that the new DC has had a positive affect on the D. Defensive intensity has certainly been lacking the past few years.
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Sunday, April 16, 2006
Michigan: Notebook
Defense's intensity level rises under English
Wolverines say his style, while similar to Herrmann's, is more aggressive and physical.
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
ANN ARBOR -- Michigan's defensive players said they already have noticed an increase in their level of intensity.
That change, they said, is courtesy of new defensive coordinator Ron English. English, 38, is in his first season in charge of the U-M defense, replacing Jim Herrmann, who is now coaching linebackers for the New York Jets.
Michigan, coming off a disappointing 7-5 season, had its final practice of the spring Saturday at Michigan Stadium before an estimated crowd of 15,000.
"There's no difference in the way we play, but there's a difference intensity-wise," junior defensive tackle Alan Branch said. "Coach (English) is a very intense coach. He's going to light a spark under you. We've had really intense and physical practices that I had never experienced here while I've been here so far."
What exactly does that mean?
"The way we go after the ball, the speed that we attack the ball and the mind-set of getting to the ball, how we want to violently want to hit it, attack it and try to get the ball on the ground," Branch said. "It's really just the mental stimulation that we've been experiencing toward going after the ball. Coach is a great motivator."
Senior defensive end LaMarr Woodley said the players have responded to English's demanding practices and expectations.
"Ron English brings a little different coaching style than Coach Herrmann," Woodley said. "Not saying that Coach Herrmann wasn't as fired up as Coach English, but Coach English is very into that. He's just a guy who's fired up every day. When you see him off the field, even at training table, he's fired up. There's not one time you don't see Coach English fired up, ready to go."
Hart's health
Junior tailback Mike Hart , who missed the better part of six games last season because of hamstring and ankle injuries, said he finally began to feel completely healthy in late January.
Hart said he intends to go the preventive-medicine route this fall, icing and rehabilitating even when he isn't injured.
"(I'm going to) treat my body better," Hart said Saturday.
Hart, a 5-foot-9, 195-pounder, said he has worked on building his upper-body strength without adding weight.
"I got a lot stronger," he said. "(I'm) the same weight, it just looks better it looks better for the beach."
Lean and mean
Offensive lineman Jake Long , a 6-7 junior, has switched positions and dropped 20 pounds to a svelte 315. Several players have lost a considerable amount of weight since the bowl game in an effort to gain quickness on top of strength.
"When we came back from the (Alamo) bowl game, we didn't reach our potential like we should have last year, and weight could have been a part of it," Long said. "The coaches wanted us to drop weight, get stronger, get quicker, and we definitely had the intent to do that this year during the winter. Everybody on the team lost the weight they needed to do. That's definitely going to help out."
Long, who has made 14 career starts at right tackle -- he missed the first seven games last season because of a foot injury -- is now the Wolverines' starting left tackle.
"I like it," Long said. "I'm left-handed, and I feel really comfortable with it."
Extra points
Several former Michigan players were on the sideline for Saturday's final practice.
They included Desmond Howard , Bubba Paris , Marlin Jackson , Ernest Shazor , Kevin Dudley , Dave Pearson , Anthony Carter , Braylon Edwards , Larry Foote and Thomas Guynes .
Michigan's fall camp begins Aug. 6.
Carlos Brown , an early enrolled freshman at tailback, saw time at the quarterback position.
Outside linebacker Chris McLaurin recently underwent shoulder surgery, Carr said. McLaurin is expected to be ready for preseason camp.
Safety Ryan Mundy , who missed all but one game last season because of a nerve injury, performed well the final week of practice, coach Lloyd Carr said. He said Mundy is back to full strength.
Quarterback Matt Gutierrez , who transferred to Idaho State from U-M after the Alamo Bowl, was 21-for-29 and 201 yards and four touchdowns in the Bengals' spring game Saturday.
You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at Angelique.Chengelis@detnews.com
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04-17-2006, 01:53 PM
(3rd worst in the nation)
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