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by
Joel Welser
#2 Michigan
Wolverines
Big Ten
2006 Record: (11-2, 7-1)
Coach: Lloyd Carr (113-36 at Michigan, 113-36
overall)
Starters Returning: 11 (6 offense, 4 defense,
1 specialist)
Offensive Starters Lost: FB Obi Oluigbo, WR
Steve Breaston, TE Tyler Ecker, OL Mark Bihl, OL Rueben Riley
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Chad Henne,
RB Mike Hart, WR Mario Manningham, OL Adam Kraus, OL Jake Long, OL Alex Mitchell
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Alan Branch, DE
Rondell Biggs, DE LaMarr Woodley, LB Prescott Burgess, LB David Harris, CB Leon
Hall, S Willis Barringer
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Terrance
Taylor, LB Shawn Crable, CB Morgan Trent, S Jamar Adams
Starting Specialists Lost: K Garrett Rivas
Starting Specialists Returning: P Zoltan
Mesko
The Wolverines better be one of the best offenses in
the nation. With Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Mario Manningham and Jake Long
returning, anything less than a dominating offensive game will be a shock and
leave somebody without a job. The defense is another story. Seven starters are
lost on the defensive side of the ball, including all the big names.
Offense:
After starting as the Michigan quarterback for the
last ten years, or so it seems, Henne is ready for a big senior season. Despite
the 2,508 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 61.9 completion percentage in 2006,
Henne is still underappreciated by Wolverine fans and opponents alike. A seat at
the Heisman Trophy presentation should put an end to the lack of appreciation.
Throwing to Manningham makes Henne look even better. Manningham missed four
games last season, but still managed a team-high 703 receiving yards and nine
touchdowns.
If the passing game is not clicking, the Wolverines
need not worry. Hart rushed for 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior and
his senior campaign may find him beside Henne at the Downtown Athletic Club come
Heisman time. The surprising return of tackle Jake Long makes the offensive line
one of the best in the Big Ten and his unheralded job is what will turn the
skill position players from good to great.
Defense:
Defensive Coordinator Ron English has quite a few
holes to fill. The line lost Alan Branch, Rondell Biggs and LaMarr Woodley. Led
by Terrance Taylor and Tim Jamison, the line will be decent, but replacing the
size, talent and experience of Branch and Woodley will not happen overnight.
After taking a backseat to linebackers Prescott Burgess and David Harris, Shawn
Crable will be the leader of the group. Junior college transfer Austin Panter
will man the middle and must quickly adjust to the speed of the game at this
level. If he fails to do so, the linebackers will be the weak link at U of M.
Morgan Trent and Jamar Adams do not quite have the
name appeal of departing defensive backs Leon Hall and Willis Barringer, but
they are the next in line. Johnny Sears, Doug Dutch and freshman Donovan Warren
lack experience, but each will be given the opportunity to earn a starting job
on the corner. Charles Stewart and sophomore Stevie Brown have potential to be
quality safeties, but will find it difficult to replace Barringer.
The Bottom Line:
The offense is talented enough to win the Big Ten.
The defense has enough potential to take the Wolverines to the National
Championship. And, looking at the schedule, the defense has until November 10th
and a trip to Wisconsin before they have to be better than good to win. By the
time the first snow falls in Ann Arbor, the defense will have become a veteran
unit and help the team more than they hurt it. |
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