'Slim' chance Martavious Odoms returns this season, status of Will Campbell and more Michigan football notes
Martavious Odoms is expected to undergo surgery either today or tomorrow on his broken foot, and chances are “slim” that he’ll return to the Michigan football team during the current season, Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday.
“There’s a possibility that he can get back later in the year, but we’re really not sure,” Rodriguez said, whose team hosts Iowa on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC).
In Odoms’ place at the 'Z' receiver position, the Wolverines will start Junior Hemingway, who has battled injuries and illness throughout his career, but stayed healthy enough this season to become a big-play receiver.
He only has eight catches this year, but his 232 receiving yards are second-highest on the team. His 29.0 yards-per-catch average is more than twice as high as any other teammate.
“He’s in good shape and he’s got great ball skills,” Rodriguez said of Hemingway. “We’ve really been pleased with the way he’s played, and he’s a big, big part of our offense.”
Looking at linebackers
Throughout the season, the Wolverines have succeeded at rotating a lot of players into games in the secondary and along the defensive line. Not so at linebacker.
Rodriguez said that will likely change this week. Coaches expect to work Kenny Demens, J.B. Fitzgerald and Mark Moundros into the rotation against the Hawkeyes, especially if they have a good week of practice.
“Kenny Demens in particular has shown some pretty good things when he’s had an opportunity out there,” Rodriguez said. “They’ve warranted an opportunity to show what they can do during the game.”
Will Campbell has work ahead
A lot of fans have wondered why sophomore defensive tackle William Campbell, a prized recruit out of Detroit, hasn’t been a regular member of the Wolverines defense.
Rodriguez said Wednesday that Campbell’s making progress in practice, but that “he still has some work do on some things to be an every-down player for us and be able to help us in our base situations, and he knows that.”
Defensive line coach Bruce Tall has been pleased not only with Campbell’s progress on the field, but also his attitude.
“Pleased with his progress to some level,” Rodriguez said. “But there’s another level he can get to, and we’re hoping he can get there quickly.”
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
KenCooper
Wed, Oct 13, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.
Ezeh is one of the great mysteries of this team. He was solid early in his career, but now looks like he routinely misreads and ends up a step or more behind everything. The center-snap fumble UM didn't recover against Sparty was huge, and it appeared that Ezeh was again far too slow to react. Difficult to predict how Demens will do, but it's clearly worth a try. He's looked very active on goal line stuff.
ethanblue
Wed, Oct 13, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.
I am glad Ezeh is going to get less time. I was impressed with Demens and Fitgerald on special teams and the few times they got in against Farty. Now, if Kovacs could be taken out for a real safety, I'd be happy. Is Marvin Robinson not getting a chance to play this year? I'd like to see him show what he has, because Kovacs is sprinkling fairy dust over the coaching staff's eyes. Perhaps he has sprinkled some on the fan base, too. I'm sick about Odoms. He went from making so many mistakes as a freshman to being a quiet leader who didn't screw up the last two years. I hope he's back healthy next year, as he's an impressive young man. I wish more of the players had his commitment to improve, and not quit and transfer. Taylor Lewan's another guy who didn't start the year off as a starter, but kept working until he cracked the LT spot. I do wish Campbell got more playing time, alongside Martin in a four-man down line. With Roh at OLB instead of DE, I think that package could do some damage up front. Campbell just needs to be a big body who takes some pressure off of Martin and his motor.
81wolverine
Wed, Oct 13, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.
I don't think Campbell HAS to be an every-down type of d-lineman like Rodriguez says. Just having him in there on some plays to add a fresh player to the mix and give someone else a rest would HAVE to help I'd think. Yes, by all means, give the other linebackers a chance. Ezeh is killing us.