The Michigan Wolverines held their annual Football Media Day on Sunday. Head Coach Brady Hoke kicked off the festivities when he addressed the assembled media. Hoke touched on a number of topics, below I’ve highlighted a few of those topics
Fitz Toussaint and Frank Clark will begin practicing with the team this week. Hoke wouldn’t delve any further into their status for the Alabama game. He said he would make that determination in the coming weeks.
Roy Roundtree had minor knee surgery to clean up some loose cartilage. He is expected to miss 2 weeks and should be full steam ahead for the Alabama game.
Tamani Carter has left the Michigan Football team.
Meanwhile the assistant coaches shed some light on a few players who might be flying under the radar of the casual fans, but have certainly made a favorable impression with the staff.
Offensive line coach Darrell Funk on Joey Burzynski, who is battling for the starting left guard position. ”Joey is a great kid and a hard worker, and he listens to everything that he is told to do. He does it to the letter, and I noticed that last year,” Funk explained. “But this spring, when I was grading guys every day, we just started saying, ‘Geez, Burzynski, every day, is grading out higher than any guard.’ He may not be 6-6, 320 pounds, but he gets the job done. It’s about production.”
Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery on Nathan Brink. “Our philosophy is toughness, effort and being a technician,” Montgomery said. “He [Brink] represents all three of those things. He plays the game, he plays hard. I just love what he brings to the table mentally.”
Wide receivers coach Jeff Hecklinski on Drew Dileo. “I love everything about Drew Dileo,” Hecklinski stated. “I love his toughness, I love the fact that he’s a little pitbull out there. He’ll hit a 250 pounder just like he’ll hit a 190 pounder, no difference, no fear. He gives you everything he has, those are the guys that win you football games. You have your guys who obviously are very talented, but it’s the guys behind the scenes, guys that make the plays, that maybe the fans don’t see during the game, that win you football games. Drew is right at the top of that list.”
I also polled the players on a number of topics and learned that William Campbell might show up to meetings in his pajamas, but that’s ok because, as Campbell explained, they’re polo pajamas. While Jeremy Gallon was the top vote getter for funniest player on the team, Elliott Mealer drew rave reviews for his impersonation abilities. Devin Gardner received multiple votes as funniest player and best dressed. Be sure to check back on Tuesday for the video.
To a man, the Wolverines are excited about the upcoming season. Confidence seems to be high, but nothing is being taken for granted. They know they have a great opportunity on September 1st against Alabama. They also know there is much work to be done between now and kick off.
About Rob White
Please explain to me what “suspended” is?
Fitz Toussaint and Frank Clark are suspended, but allowed to practice with the team, go to team meetings, eat with the team, view film with the team…where is the suspended part exactly.
If Hoke has punished them fine, say so, and it’s over. I would not question what he felt was right in a punishment.
But suspended means suspended, i.e.
1. To bar for a period from a privilege, office, or position, usually as a punishment: suspend a student from school.
2. To cause to stop for a period; interrupt: suspended the trial.
You don’t suspend a student from school but allow him to go to classes and take tests!
Does Hoke have a different dictionary than I???
Up until now, they have not been practicing with the team. There is ongoing punishment that they will have to deal with and neither has been cleared to play yet. This is being handled in pretty standard way.
Before you go blasting Hoke, remember that they redshirted Darryl Stonum last year because of his legal issues. gave him a chance to earn his way back on the team. He crossed the line again and was dismissed.