Talkin' About Practice (Michigan football practice): Sept. 2

Posted on Thu, Sep 3, 2009 : 11 a.m.

Talkin' About Practice (Michigan football practice): Sept. 2

By Michael Rothstein

After almost 12 minutes chatting with the media about quarterbacks, running backs and morale, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez finished up media availability for the week and headed out to coach his team on a cloudless Ann Arbor day to prepare for Western Michigan. And sorry about the late posting of this, but hopefully still useful.

Those in the numberless green jerseys (meaning they are limited in practice): starting running back Brandon Minor (ankle) and starting cornerback Boubacar Cissoko (unknown). Offensive lineman Tim McAvoy showed up at practice with a brace on his leg, but Rodriguez already said he'd be out.

Interesting little dance by linebackers Stevie Brown and Brandon Smith. Before they stepped on the field, they did short shuttle jumps next to a thick blue line just off the practice field. Then, as they crossed it they yelled to get excited for practice.

Worth noting from above, one thing that is an absolute positive for Michigan right now is that there seemed to be some excitement at practice. Right now, that might be as important as anything for the Wolverines.

Freshman Tate Forcier took a bunch of the first team offense snaps. While we're talking about the first-team offense, here's what I saw watching them: OL: Mark Ortmann, Stephen Schilling, David Molk, David Moosman, Mark Huyge. WR: Greg Mathews, Junior Hemingway. SR: Martavious Odoms. RB: Carlos Brown. FB: Mark Moundros. QB: Tate Forcier.

Today's partial playlist (sadly, no Cotton-Eyed Joe, although my favorite to date): "Livin' On A Prayer," Bon Jovi; "Brick House," by the Commodores; "We're Not Gonna Take It," by Twisted Sister; "T.N.T." by AC/DC.

BON JOVI'S LIVIN' ON A PRAYER LIVE FROM WEMBLEY:

Also popped by the defense a little bit today. Here's the first team, as I saw it: DL: Brandon Graham, Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen. LB: Stevie Brown, Obi Ezeh, Jonas Mouton and Brandon Herron. CB: Donovan Warren and Boubacar Cissoko. S: Troy Woolfolk and Mike Williams.

Greg Robinson's bunch also showed a little bit of the goal-line package, with defensive tackle Greg Banks subbing in along with freshman William Campbell (guessing he's going to see some time Saturday). Also in on the goal-line package, from what we saw, was linebacker Kenny Demens. Didn't see Woolfolk, Cissoko or Herron in at that point.

A HOMEMADE T.N.T. VIDEO FEATURING SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS.:

Punt return duties today were still a four-person rotation with Martavious Odoms, Greg Mathews, Donovan Warren and a mysterious No. 81 who, based on previous practice viewings, was likely Terrence Robinson. No matter, whomever was in the No. 81 had a rough day, dropping one punt return through his arms and bobbled another.

THE MUPPETS ROCKING OUT TO BRICK HOUSE:

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan sports for Annarbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

Comments

tater

Thu, Sep 3, 2009 : 6:06 p.m.

I guess it won't matter who #81 was...