2002 Statistics

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

Quarterback John Navarre has gradually developed into a consistent, dependable leader for Michigan - much to the disbelief of many Old Blues who have pined for Drew Henson the last three seasons. Coach Lloyd Carr's multiple-set concentrates on ball possession and clock control, so Navarre didn't have flashy yards-per-play averages or a terrific pass efficiency rating (122.2, 56th in D-I). But what Carr asks a QB to do - keep the chains moving and not cough up the ball -- Navarre does very well. With the exception of the Iowa game, in which UM suffered an across-the-board meltdown, Navarre looks poised and confident even in pressure situations.

Much of Navarre's passing success was due to junior wideout Braylon Edwards, who led the team in receiving (10 TDs). He'll be the feature receiver in 2003, with a probable push from redshirt freshman Steve Breaston, a standout Pennsylvania product with reported 4.4 speed who dazzled scouts as an option QB during his prep career. Breaston's athletic ability will have coaches spending hours figuring out a way to work him into the lineup. Our guess is that Carr will do exactly that and find a way.

The Wolverines will have a deep and experienced line built around three 5th-year seniors. This should keep Navarre unscathed and also open more room for the Wolverine running game.

All-Big Ten tackle Tony Pape will lead the offensive line for U-M. Pape has started on both sides of the OL and shown good strength and athleticism at either position. Left guard David Baas, a junior, is another returning All-Big Ten selection, while left tackle Courtney Morgan and center Dave Pearson join Pape as 5th-year seniors, giving Michigan excellent experience and depth up front.

Michigan's offensive line performed reasonably well last year in protecting Navarre (22 sacks allowed), but the Wolverines had a curiously anemic average of 3.8 yards per rushing attempt - far below their normal standard and an embarrassing ninth among the Big Ten's 11 teams. Some of that is scheme - Michigan often runs out of single-back formations or motion sets which takes an extra blocker out of the backfield - but there's no question that the Wolverines' run-blocking should be improved. Michigan concentrates on zone blocking principles and gap protection, somewhat of a change from their traditional emphasis on power blocking.

The vacant right guard slot should go to sophomore Matt Lentz, while junior Andy Cristopfel and sophomore Andy Stenavich also return in backup roles. With four veterans back, along with quality performers in the skill positions, the heat is definitely on the Michigan blocking corps to come out with a dominating performance.

After Edwards, the U-M receiving group also has some questions to answer. Seniors Tyrece Butler and Calvin Bell, and junior Jermaine Gonzales, have all seen game action, but none have shown more than brief flashes of ability. But Michigan is rarely lacking for raw athletic skill, so expect to see one or more of these players break out into a prominent role.

Junior FB Kevin Dudley and sophomore FB Sean Sanderson will battle for the starting role. Dudley (6-1, 235) is more of a conventional fullback type, while Sanderson (6-3, 285) is more like a transplanted O-lineman. His ample size will help those linemen to pull and stunt more in their blocking schemes. SPRING UPDATE: RB David Underwood has really impressed coaches and will most likely be the undisputed #2 guy behind Perry. A name to look out for in the fall is freshman, Elijah Bradley, from famed DeLaSalle High School in California. Carr says he has exceptional speed and a lot of potential. He did not participate too much in the spring due to injury. Frosh FB Brian Thompson has a great shot at being the starting fullback. Junior FB Kevin Dudley looks to hold down the back up spot. Early-projected starter Sean Sanderson did not participate in the spring due to grades and Lloyd Carr says he has "no idea" if he is coming back in the fall. It is safe to assume that Sanderson is in the doghouse. There are also concerns about his conditioning.

TB Chris Perry

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

Michigan DC Jim Herrmann uses a basic 4-3 set with a variety of coverage and rush packages. While the Wolverine defense was improved from a lackluster 2001, Michigan still finished in the middle of the Big Ten pack in most statistical categories, ergo their middle-of-the-pack finish.

U-M had one truly outstanding category on defense in 2002: sacks, where its total of 42 paced the Big Ten. But the Wolverines didn't have any single dominant pass-rusher; instead they scattered their sack action throughout the lineup and attacked opposing passers from a number of different positions. This bodes well from a game-plan standpoint -- opposing OCs can easily account for just one or two pass-rushing specialist(s), but with 10 players recording multiple 2002 sacks, game plans will be hard to find that keep this entire defense checked. The leading sack artists returning are seniors DE Larry Stevens and DT Grant Bowman, each with four. They should combine to give the Wolverines one tough pass-rushing combo… up front to say the least. However, standout DE Shantee Orr elected for early NFL draft entry, letting some of the air out of the vaunted attack.

Junior cornerback Marlin Jackson will head the secondary after recording a school-record 18 pass breakups. Coming off All-Big Ten selection, he will (bar injury) be a top contender for Thorpe Award honors. Senior Jeremy LeSeur will be back at the other corner. In the starting lineup for the second half of the season, he showed improved coverage abilities against some of the better Big Ten passing attacks. Senior Jon Shaw, junior Markus Curry and sophomore Ernest Shazor will also be in line for playing time in the secondary. This secondary will use well-earned experience to improve from their 69th ranked pass defense.

Injuries wracked the Michigan linebacking corps in 2002, to the point that for the team's Outback Bowl match up with Florida, Carr had to shuffle players to keep his defensive lineup viable and in one piece. Senior Carl Diggs (leg broken in OSU game) will be the leader of the linebacking unit at the SAM slot. Senior Zach Kaufman, lost too, but at midseason with a knee injury, returns at the WILL position. Junior Roy Manning, another early-season casualty, will also contend for playing time (if he's back at full speed). The linebacking crew could become a real strength if all these players come back at full throttle, but the sheer number of injuries has to keep this area as a "wait-and-see" proposition. SPRING UPDATE: Though the lineup could change before the Wolverines open the 2003 season in late August, especially with linebackers Carl Diggs and Zach Kaufman expected to return from injuries, the team's No. 1 defense featured a number of new faces during spring scrimmages. Redshirt freshman David Harris and sophomore Lawrence Reid held down the inside linebacker spots. Sophomore Pierre Woods, a converted defensive end, is at outside linebacker. One word of caution -- the linebackers, as they presently line up -- have a ways to go. Yet several months remain before the start of the season, and more changes are likely in store.

There are some gaps in the front line. Sophomore Patrick Massey and senior Norman Heuer will get first shot to fill the vacant tackle position left by Shawn Lazarus. Both are capable as Heuer was a regular until injury forced him out. Out on the flank, the departed Dan Rumishek should be replaced by sophomore Pierre Woods, with hungry senior Alain Kashama also contending to start. This line has much work to match 2002's respectable 3.4 yards-per-rush average.

CB Marlin Jackson