2006 Statistics

Quarterback Chad Henne's decision to come back for his senior year is a major reason UM ranks so highly. So, why does a guy who led the 64th-ranked passing attack last year rate as an All-American to so many. C'mon, he only threw for over 200 yards six times and over 300 once, right? Henne is just another one of those quiet, consistent Wolverine QBs (ala Griese, Brady, Henson, Grbac, Harbaugh, etc.) who runs this conventional offense with competency and leadership as needed to maximize wins. It doesn't hurt that the pro-style hurler is likely to break the school's marks for career attempts, completions, yardage and TDs. This year's No.2 drop-back passing recruit, Ryan Mallett, got to camp early and worked as the second-team guy due to injury to listed backup Jason Forcier. But what was a full coffer of established receivers has dwindled - only one of those names is solidified on the two-deep. Mario Manningham, in their huge wins against Notre Dame and Wisconsin, proved that he is now ready for both the 'go to' and 'deep threat' mantles. But behind him, the tentative status of slash-type Antonio Bass (injury) and Adrian Arrington (discipline) - as well as the dismissal of top TE Carson Butler - mean new faces will, like last year, have to emerge for Henne to have a full array of targets. Sophs Greg Matthews and LaTerryal Savoy give the most promise, and the new class, with No.12 prospect Toney Clemons and 6'5 Pontiac-native Martell Webb, is loaded enough so time and development can ultimately solve this problem. Junior TE Mike Massey has huge shoes to fill. He is ready to continue the TE legacy here, but with Massey out this spring, along with little behind him, UM using three-TE sets for distraction (where they can throw to any of their mismatched bigmen) may end, changing the playbook and how open the deep middle is (will Andre Criswell become a TE or FB…hmmm). Fortunately, running backs aren't scarce in Ann Arbor. Michael Hart is good enough to be a first round draft pick with his explosive power and speed, but he has to share the workload with the other immensely capable runners for the backfield's future to be developed. How much listed TBs Brandon Minor and/or Kevin Grady fill the roll of fullback (Minor’s prep position) remains unclear, though having either line up there thins defenses out as they spread themselves to cover the possibilities. And that spearheads the reason we say coach Carr has to throw to these other backfield options more (each had only one catch in '06). LB Quintin Patilla is the newly listed fullback (played there in prep) to fill the depth chart. Reserves along the line worked with the first team most of the spring to rest Long and Kraus, but expect the blood and guts of their bigmen to return in full force come fall. Athletic Steve Schilling, last year's No.2 guard prospect, has progressed well enough to start there, though he saw reps at tackle in spring ball. The right tackle spot looks solid in the hands of ex-TE Mark Ortmann, but the nation's top center recruit in '06, Justin Boren, will initially be a work-in-progress compared to the establishment up front. UM will continue to run it over 60% of the time, until foes upset their time-proven formula of running right at them so receivers can find open spaces and YAC it up. But if the receivers/TEs don't emerge, a stacked box will mean defensive struggles in the Ann Arbor.

A developed secondary plus senior leadership amongst the rebuilding front seven will accelerate the transitions at end and linebacker so this D can return to top form. It definitely all starts up front for last year's top rushing defense that losses both outside components. Tim Jamison is definitely a stud rushing from his end, but his ability to contain in run support has yet to be fully realized. The country’s top LB prospect (2006), Detroit’s Brandon Graham, is that rare combo of genuine speed and power that has many believing there will be little drop off on the outside once depth develops, too. Inside, ex-wrestling champ (in-state) Terrance Taylor is a solid building block with super strength to go with his agility. Will Johnson and James McKinney give promise that this can be a superior front that throttles opposing offenses so the back seven can again concentrate their efforts, accordingly. The linebacking corps has All-Big Tenner Shawn Crable leftover from 2006’s stellar unit, but he is more of a hybrid end-SLB, so his mobility and toughness lean more towards run support. Super sub Chris Graham has been groomed extensively to take over the weakside, and his speed (4.4 sec. in the 40 is faster than Harris was) allows him to drop back into coverage effectively. Listed currently as the new MLB, John Thompson has the speed and power to succeed here; holding off strong JUCO-transfer Austin Panter will push each to the needed levels for either/both to be true UM middle linebacker(s). The shuffle at corner sees Carlos Brown, a reserve RB, getting a serious look there. Johnny Sears looks like the new starter opposite Freshman All-American Morgan Trent (state indoor record holder for 60 meters at 6.83 sec. and 200 at 21.78, though his best is 21.61), and former track champ Charles Stewart has bumped back to vie for one of the starts at safety. Seniors Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon seem solid as the starters, so Stewart will bring his big-play ability to nickel and dime packages. This is a tight-knit secondary, already proving through their national rankings (89th in pass defense, but 25th for efficiency) that even if Michigan’s run stoppers up front force foes to pass, they can hold the fort (with Troy Smith finally gone, phew). Anomalistic results in their last two games (both losses) will make the DBs focus that much more. Tested throughout the spring by their capable offense to find holes, this side of the ball just has to come together to be another formidable, opportunistic Wolverine defense.