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Coach Carr talks U-M football
By Nick Brandon, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: August 31, 2006
There's one thing for sure about Lloyd Carr and his 2006 University of Michigan football team: They've heard the numbers 7 and 5 enough in the past few months to last a lifetime.
And Michigan fans, if you don't approve of that record, which the team garnered a year ago, imagine how the players and coaches feel. But '06 is a new year with a few new faces — and, rest assured, the familiar names are hungry as ever to compete for a championship once again.
Some of those known players — quarterback Chad Henne, running back Mike Hart, defensive end LaMarr Woodley and offensive tackle Jake Long — are back in the winged helmet to avenge last year's struggles. Combined with the experience are two major coaching changes: the promotions of Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord and Defensive Coordinator Ron English, who, combined with some key newcomers on the field, will give this edition an energetic, fresh vibe.
Michigan opens its 2006 campaign against Vanderbilt this Saturday, and Nick Brandon spoke with Carr to preview, perhaps, the maize and blue's most imperative season in years.
NB: You've spent enough time around these guys to get an idea of your team, but haven't seen them in game action. Considering that, tell me what the identity of this team is shaping up to be at this point.
LC: We have a strong core of veteran guys. It's one of the larger fifth-year senior groups that we've had, so, I think at this stage, what I've seen is excellent leadership. We've had a very intense camp thus far. We've had wonderful work ethic, excellent intensity, and it's been a very physical camp. There's a grind that goes with training camp — you're meeting, practicing, meeting, practicing, with meals in between. What you always find out about a team at this stage is their ability to come back day in and day out and handle that grind.
The best teams respond to it; I've been very pleased with the progress we've made. In every phase of the game, I expect us to be better then we were a year ago.
NB: I think you've heard the numbers 7 and 5 in the last nine months more than you wished. But there is one number I want to touch on: 9, where you guys finished in the conference in rushing. How do you hope to reverse that this year?
LC: When you look back on a season, there's always lessons to be learned regardless of your success or lack of success. My own evaluation of that season is when you finish ninth in the Big Ten in rushing, that speaks clearly to our record. When you can't run the football effectively, it leads to all kinds of negative things. It makes passing the football easier, because you're in better down and distance situations, and it's easier to protect the passer. Just as importantly, it keeps the other team, offensively, off the field, and we played a number of very talented offensive teams. And because we couldn't run the football — particularly at the end of those games — we left our defense out there and we weren't good enough on defense, either.
It all starts with an offensive line, and we've made significant changes in what we're doing. So I'm confident that we're going to be a much more effective team running the football this season — which will have a great impact on our ability to win and compete for the (Big Ten) championship.
NB: There's no doubt, though, injuries played a part last year. Going into this year, is there a player you'll have back full time that you're most looking forward to seeing grow this season?
LC: There's no question that we were a team that was hit hard by injuries, particularly in the offensive line and running back. Jake Long is, potentially, one of the finest offensive linemen we've had; I think he'll make a major difference. Mike Hart is healthy, and bigger and stronger. (Wide receiver) Mario Manningham, who had a very good year for a true freshman, is bigger, stronger and faster. And I think the return of (wide receiver) Adrian Arrington, who is a very good football player.
NB: Earlier, you mentioned this team's identity is intensity. With Mike DeBord back, and certainly with Ron English, I can believe those things are very true. What do each of them bring to the table for this team?
LC: Mike DeBord brings an outstanding knowledge, and outstanding ability to teach and great passion to the game. I think our team has really responded positively to his leadership, and I think he's going to make a big difference. Ron English is a bright young coach who's got tremendous leadership skills; he's passionate about the game. I think our players have really related to his energy and enthusiasm. But an offensive and defensive coordinator, it's still a team game in terms of coaching. I think we have an outstanding staff; our coordinators have wonderful people around them. I'm very excited about this coaching staff.
NB: One other thing I wouldn't be surprised if you're excited about is the defensive line this year: Woodley and Alan Branch and a couple other guys that have a lot of promise.
LC: I think, potentially, this is the best front we've had at Michigan in a long, long time. The ability to rush four and create pressure almost always leads to outstanding defense. Tim Jamison and Rondell Biggs are fighting for one defensive end position. Jamison is an extremely talented young player who came on very strong late in the season. We've got a guy named Will Johnson who is an inside player. Terrence Taylor is a very, very talented sophomore who's had a good camp, and we've got a kid named Brandon Graham who's had an excellent fall. I think he'll be a factor in there, and Marques Walton has made drastic improvements. So we have a nucleus there, inside and outside, that (is) going to give us the kind of mobility that gives us a chance to have a good defense.
NB: You mentioned guys that came on strong last year. When people talk about Chad Henne having a sophomore jinx, or whatever, I don't know what Chad Henne they were watching. But junior years are interesting, especially for a four-year starter. How is he going to go to that next level this year, and help the team achieve its goals?
LC: He'll go into the season with great confidence, because he's been in every situation. He's been in big games on the road, the Rose Bowl, Notre Dame Stadium as well as Columbus. Physically, he has really matured. He showed, late in the season, an ability to take the ball and make something happen with his feet. From a passing standpoint, there's certain throws he's worked extremely hard on during the off-season. He's ready to do the things great quarterbacks do. A year ago, I think he took an inordinate amount of criticism, which is exactly what happens when a team isn't successful. He learned a lot a year ago, but, with his experience and with his wonderful ability, I think he's ready to take the next step.
NB: It's an interesting group he's going to throw to. It seems like a very deep group. How is a guy like Carl Tabb going to play into it? He's been underrated to this point. He's helped the team a lot. How do you view this group?
LC: It's a very talented group. When you take Steve Breaston, who was never completely healthy a year ago, he's had a great spring and fall. Of course, Adrian Arrington is going to be a big factor in our offense. He's a big guy that is tough, and can make some plays. Carl Tabb has been an underrated player, because he's very consistent. He's not a flashy guy, but he's a guy that you can always depend on. Because of his intelligence and experience, he'll play a very important role on our team. We've moved Alijah Bradley from tailback to wide receiver. Alijah is going to make a very good contribution, because he's always been a guy that can do some things with the football. He's made some real strides this fall. We have another red shirt freshman named LaTerryal Savoy, who will compete in there, and a freshman named Greg Mathews who's had an outstanding pre-season camp. He's going to play, and he's one of those guys that has special talent.
NB: Earlier when we were talking about Chad, you talked about those two road trips you have to take to Notre Dame and Ohio State. Coach, I've been to both — I'm intimidated when I walk in there, just as a fan. There's a lot to do between now and then, but they're tough places to take a team. How do you feel about having to tackle both of those venues in one year?
LC: There's a limited number of things you can do before the first time they play in there. There's always guys on a football team who are going into those types of places for the first time, and they just have to learn from their teammates. As coaches, you do some things with crowd noise. You show some film of television copies where they get a sense of the energy that's always present. But I think the thing you love as a coach, when you go in with veteran guys who have been there before, there's nothing like experience to prepare you for the next time. Henne did some great things down there as a true freshman, and so did Mike Hart.
So the thing that's most important is that you have the kind of people who love those kind of pressure situations. Certainly, we have a lot of guys on this football team who embrace the pressure of playing on the road in front of hostile crowds. It's a great challenge, but it's also one of the really fun parts of competing.
