You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.

Notes from Michigan's Monday in-progress press conference

By Pete Bigelow

Cornerback Adrian Witty will not join the Wolverines this season, according to Rodriguez.

_____________

Injury report: Rich Rodriguez said that Brandon Minor's status is probable for Saturday's game. Junior Hemingway (ankle) said he is fine.

Cornerback Boubacar Cissoko re-aggravated a shoulder injury. He'll be held out of practice at least sometimes this week, and is questionable. Fullback Mark Moundros was "dinged," according to Rodriguez, but should be ready for Saturday's game.

_____________

Receiver Junior Hemingway says his ankle is "fine" and he expects to start against the Irish on Saturday.

Also just revealed that is real first name is Kenneth.

_____________

Cornerback Donovan Warren on the upcoming Notre Dame game: "I look at this as an excellent opportunity to show that game one was not a fluke, and to set the tone for the whole season. Notre Dame is a ranked team, pretty good. If we get this win under our belt, we can get some momentum rolling that will carry over for the whole season." _______________

Michigan continues to emphasize ball security. It was the determining factor in choosing kick and punt returners, according to Rodriguez.

"Ball security was first and foremost in our mind," he said. "Greg is the best at catching the ball. ... That has been such an emphasis for us, taking care of the ball. Tay Odoms will get some chances too. He may be our best back there at maybe making something happen."

_______________

Tailback Carlos Brown, on what a win over Notre Dame would mean this week:

"It would be a real big win," he said. "Notre Dame is supposed to be one of the real good teams in the country right now, and we’re on the way back up. It would be real big."

_______________

Michigan's three-pronged quarterback rotation will continue for the foreseeable future with Tate Forcier taking the opening offensive snaps.

"It's more of a week-by-week feel thing, just like it was Saturday," Rich Rodriguez said. "I was pleased we could get them all in at meaningful times. ... I'm not going to have a set rotation, per se." _______________

Guard Steve Schilling on teammate Denard Robinson's touchdown run: "I don't know how many times in camp we've seen Denard go 70, 80 yards untouched," he said. "It's ridiculous." _______________

Expect to see more of freshman running back Vincent Smith in coming weeks.

"We probably should have gotten him in there earlier," Rodriguez said of his fourth-quarter debut Saturday. "And I think he was ready for that. He's not just an end-of-the-game guy. He's right in the mix."

_______________

Junior Hemingway was Michigan's offensive player of the game Saturday. Two defenders -- Brandon Graham and Stevie Brown -- took defensive player of the game honors from Rodriguez.

No suprise: Zoltan Mesko took special teams honors.

_______________

Rich Rodriguez opened his Monday morning press conference by noting that 28 Michigan players saw their first action in Saturday's season opener. The one that stood out to the coach, beyond his freshmen quarterbacks: defensive end Craig Roh. _______________

Tailback Brandon Minor is probable for Saturday's game against Notre Dame. Rodriguez said he looked better than he had all week in pre-game warm-ups for the opener, but the coaching staff still elected to hold him out.

_______________

Tate Forcier will start again this week, although Rodriguez hopes to continue the three-man rotation he used against Western Michigan.

_______________

This story will be frequently updated. Please check back soon for more from Rodriguez's Monday morning press conference.

Comments

stevieboy

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 3:47 a.m.

Last year against N.D I think we just beat ourseleves. We gave that game away to much to look competative. I don't think N.D is that great. Yes, they looked good in the bowl game last year, but they only look good against team with less talent than them. Michigan matches up talent wise with these guy, if not better, and actually can beat them if they do not beat themseleves. They took advantage of a talentless QB group and suspect defensive coordinator and ran away with it. Charlie Weiss new deep down that they didn't win that game competatively, it was just given to them. But it will be different this year and I think this is his last year as a coach, and will go back to doing what he is good at.....Coordinate!

a2grateful

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 6:04 p.m.

It's a l o n g season. We'll likely see all four of last Saturday's MI QBs on the field again.

tomhagan

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.

Jimb...Campbell did play in the second half and had a Tackle for loss...he is just behind on the depth chart because of his inexperience.

jimb

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 4:51 p.m.

Why did Will Campbell not play? Is he OK? jimb

OneWolverine

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 2:13 p.m.

I agree Tate is the QB that is clear. I hope Rich uses Denard in there he should be used as a WR or RB to much talent to let go to waste!

azwolverine

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 12:36 p.m.

Michboy, I agree, the Cissoko injury scares me. We are already thin in the secondary, and this guy is probably our best player back there. To have him out with an outstanding passing attack like ND's coming to town is scary. Hopefully he heals quickly or one of the other guys steps up big time.

ohiowolverine

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 12:25 p.m.

You have to admit, Sheridan last year couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. At least Sat. he managed to throw it right to a defender. He looks best on the sideline holding a clipboard. GO BLUE BEAT N.D.

Rodie

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 11:58 a.m.

I'm sure Sheridan is a great guy personally, but I hope Rich keeps him off the field this season. He's just not a great game situation type player.

michboy40

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 11:43 a.m.

If Sheridan sees any meaningfull action I will be in shock. The QB seems simple to me, Tate should go full time, with some D Rod sprinkled in there. DRob has mad running skills, but he was clearly not as complete a player as Tate. Also, Cissoko really scares me and I think there is more to his injury than they are letting one. Last I heard, guys don't LIMP off the field when their shoulder gets hurt.

jeremy

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 11:22 a.m.

no way would i let sheridan see the field unless forcier, drob, carlos brown, brandon minor, or anyone else that could play qb see the field. in big games i wouldnt give him the chance to throw a pick 6.

a2grateful

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 11:06 a.m.

Finally, back to the task at hand... you're as good as your last game...