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MICHIGAN
WOLVERINES |
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OFFENSE
- 8
|
------RETURNING
STARTERS------
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DEFENSE
- 7
|
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KEY
LOSSES
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OFFENSE:
Kevin Dudley-FB, David Underwood-TB, Braylon Edwards-WR,
David Baas-C |
DEFENSE:
Roy
Manning-OLB, Marlin Jackson-CB, Markus Curry-CB,
Adam Finley-P, Ernest Shazor-SS (NFL), Lawrence
Reid-ILB (medical) |
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Defensive
Line, Running Back
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Top
Five teams have an abundance of strong
qualities and Michigan is no exception.
The young Michael Hart stepped up
to become one of the nation's best
RBs. The DL returns everyone led by
2004 All-Big Ten selection Gabe Watson.
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Defensive
Back
|
Ann
Arbor can hold its breath here until
Ernest Shazor's decision on whether
to return becomes clear.
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|
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TB
Michael Hart
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DB
Ernest Shazor
|
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* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players that
received the most playing experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing
personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers,
injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with our full 2005 Preseason
Preview due out this coming spring. |
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MICHIGAN
2004 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Chad
Henne-So |
Clayton
Richard-So / Matt Gutierrez-Jr |
FB |
.. |
.. |
TB |
Michael
Hart-So |
Jerome
Jackson-Jr / Max Martin-So |
WR |
Steve
Breaston-Jr |
.. |
WR |
Jason
Avant-Sr |
.. |
TE |
Tim
Massaquoi-Sr |
Tyler
Ecker-Jr |
OT |
Adam
Stenavich-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Rueben
Riley-Jr |
.. |
C |
Mark
Bihl-Jr |
.. |
OG |
Matt
Lentz-Sr |
.. |
OT |
Jake
Long-So |
Mike
Kolodziej-Jr |
K |
Garrett
Rivas-Jr |
.. |
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Larry
Harrison-Jr |
Jeremy
Van Alstyne-Jr |
DT |
Gabe
Watson-Sr |
Alex
Ofili-Sr |
DE |
Pat
Massey-Sr |
.. |
OLB |
LaMarr
Woodley-Jr |
Pierre
Woods-Sr |
ILB |
.. |
.. |
ILB |
Scott
McClintock-Sr |
.. |
OLB |
.. |
.. |
CB |
.. |
.. |
CB |
Leon
Hall-Jr |
.. |
SS |
.. |
.. |
FS |
Ryan
Mundy-Jr |
.. |
P |
.. |
.. |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS
|
This
pick is likely to raise a few eyebrows outside
of Ann Arbor, especially considering the fallout
from their recent dismantling in Columbus. But
when you are dealing with first time freshmen
at the two most key offensive positions (QB and
RB), the outcomes are sometimes unpredictable.
On that note, Chad Henne will resume the QB role,
a year older and wiser. If his progression in
2004 was any indicator, Henne should be that much
better when next August gets under way. The early
part of 2004 revealed major question marks at
RB when Chris Perry left town. One of the biggest
surprises has been the emergence of young Michael
Hart, who led the Big Ten in rushing and became
the top true freshman rusher in Michigan history.
For as much as WR Braylon Edwards amazed viewers
with his acrobatic catches, the production of
heralded stars by his side, such as Jason Avant
and Steve Breaston, failed to live up to their
early 2004 billing. Much of this had to do with
the QB situation. So, expect the level of play
at WR to remain constant. One consistency over
the years has been the Wolverine OL, which has
been a big part of their Rose Bowl success(es).
Next fall should be no different as everyone but
David Baas returns. The run defense should improve
from their "middle of the road" performance
in '04, as six of seven starters bolster UM's
new 3-4 alignment. DT Gabe Watson, a current first
team All-Big Ten selection, is back. The big key
is in the secondary, and whether SS Ernest Shazor
will return for his senior year. The bottom line
is this - Michigan returns an abundance of experience
and talent from a team that has represented the
conference in the Rose Bowl (BCS) for the second
consecutive year. Henne & Hart, in more ways
than one, will no longer be looked upon as freshman.
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