By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

     Carr has said only that there will be significant changes in the offense when the "Terry Malone offense" is unveiled in Michigan Stadium on Aug. 31 against Washington. What those changes might be, no one is saying, but they are surely designed to improve upon last year's performance. Michigan averaged 359.2 yards of offense, ninth in the Big Ten.
     The quarterbacks -- John Navarre and Spencer Brinton -- did talk a little about the "Malone offense" following Saturday's final spring scrimmage. The playbook is no bigger, Navarre said, but there are "a lot of different looks -- some new things." What new things? "We're going to take advantage of things the defense gives us," said Navarre, last year's starter. "At times last year, we didn't do that." Just who will be running the new show is a big question entering the fall. The safest bet is Navarre, who has dropped 12 pounds from his 6-foot-6 frame to 224. His confidence after last season, in which he threw 11 interceptions the final six games, was never in need of repair. Brinton has provided competition, though. The left-hander, a transfer from San Diego State after a two-year Mormon mission, throws hard but is relatively untested in game situations. Jermaine Gonzales returned to quarterback at the end of spring practice after a brief experiment at receiver.
     Michigan never really did establish a solid running game last season, and averaged 143 yards, eighth in the Big Ten. Depth at tailback has improved for the fall, and Carr anticipates a stronger rush offense. B.J. Askew, the leading rusher a year ago, has been moved back to fullback because of his versatility as a rusher, receiver and blocker. Chris Perry will be the starter at tailback, but sophomore David Underwood is capable of giving the Wolverines much-needed variety. Star studded recruit Kelly Baraka has been dismissed from the team, leaving a huge concern. Tim Bracken, who was expected to be the starter a year ago, is still recovering from a broken leg. He was held out of spring practice. "If we can stay healthy, our backfield situation is much better," Carr said. "We've got enough depth there. We should get through a season."
     With receiver Marquise Walker and his 1,143 receiving yards gone, it is uncertain who will emerge this fall. Much is expected of veterans Ronald Bellamy, Calvin Bell and Tyrece Butler. But sophomore Braylon Edwards and redshirt freshman Tim Massaquoi had strong springs and will push for playing time this fall.
     On the line, Courtney Morgan, who made one start at right tackle last season, worked at center during the spring before switching to left tackle the final two practices. Morgan, a junior, and redshirt freshman Adam Stenavich will compete for the job. Tony Pape, the starter at left tackle last season, will start at right tackle.
David Baas, a redshirt sophomore, is expected to start at left guard, and Matt Lentz, a redshirt freshman, could be the starter at right guard. Dave Pearson, who moved from the defensive line during bowl practices, will compete with Andy Christopfel for the starting job at center. "In the next two years, we're going to have a great offensive line," Carr said. "It could be 24 months from now, or it could be in 12 months. I really like the makeup of this young group of linemen."
     With Hayden Epstein, who handled all the kicking, gone, the Wolverines are still relatively unsettled in the kicking game. Philip Brabbs probably will handle the place-kicking; Luke Perl and Troy Nienberg are also candidates. Nienberg might be used on field goals 20 yards and in. On kickoff returns, Carr plans to try several players, including Jackson, Bell, and Brandon Williams. Julius Curry is expected to resume punt-return duties in the fall, along with his brother, Markus. Carr said the brothers have a "knack" for returning the ball.

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

     There is no secret that the Wolverines' defense will benefit from depth and experience in the front four and secondary. With losses of starting inside linebackers Larry Foote and Eric Brackins, the linebacking corps might have some catching up to do. But Carr likes what he sees from a defense that led the Big Ten last season, yielding an average 316.4 yards. Where was that defense against Tennessee, which gained 503 yards? The Wolverines hope that was just a lapse. "Defensively, we're ahead of our offense (after spring practice)," Carr said. "We're going to have a good defense."
     The front four returns Dan Rumishek and Shantee Orr at the ends, and Norman Heuer and Shawn Lazarus at the tackles. The four accounted for 20 sacks.
"In that front, you've got a lot of guys who are tough, who can move and who can hurt you," Carr said.
     Victor Hobson is the only returner at linebacker, but Carr likes redshirt freshmen Scott McClintock and Lawrence Reid, Zach Kaufman and Carl Diggs, so there is depth.
     For a change, the Wolverines have depth in the secondary. Marlin Jackson, who missed spring practice because of ligament damage in his wrist, and Markus Curry should be the starting cornerbacks. Julius Curry, a starter at strong safety who missed much of last season with nerve damage in his shoulder and then missed spring practice because of shoulder surgery, will be a starter if healthy. But Charles Drake had a superb spring and probably will start. Cato June has been the starter at free safety. The player to watch will be redshirt freshman Ernest Shazor, who at 6-4, 215 pounds is one of the biggest safeties U-M has had in recent years. Carr called Shazor a fabulous talent and said he will see time at receiver in the two-minute offense.
     Adam Finley seemed the likely punter this fall, but former backup quarterback Andy Mignery has been working on his punting since last fall and will compete for the job.