[Fuller/MGoBlog]
News Bullets and Other Items:
- Jehu Chesson is working through something. Harbaugh expects him to play, but his medical status will be evaluated again today.
- Derrick Green is also working through something and will be evaluated today.
- Bryan Mone hasn’t been ruled out for Saturday, but Harbaugh wouldn’t say whether he’s been practicing, instead saying he’s been running, working, and healing.
- Peppers at RB is something they might use more in year two. He said next season might “get a little crazy.”
- Grant Newsome is the backup tackle and David Dawson is the backup guard/center
- The snow reminds Harbaugh of 1969, when Bo called the players in on Monday morning to shovel the practice field. A similarly snowy practice field is the only reason he’s thinking of the ‘69 team, though.
First opportunity you get to coach in this big game, this big rivalry. How much are you looking forward to Saturday?
“Very much looking forward especially to today, gathering with the team and starting our preparations.”
Can I ask you about Jake Rudock? When you were in San Francisco, was he on the board as a potential NFL prospect and are you hearing from NFL teams from scouts and what not asking more about him?
“You don’t call that ‘the board’ until somebody’s in their last year of eligibility.”
What about the second part?
“I would think he would be.”
Have NFL scouts talked to you about him this year?
“I really haven’t talked to many NFL scouts this season.”
In Bo’s last press conference with us he said he did something to prepare for Ohio State every day. Is that something that you’ve been following as well?
“You know exactly how we’ve been trying to go about things. We’ve been trying to be better today than we were yesterday, [and] we’re trying to be better tomorrow than we were today. That’s our approach.”
As a player, it seemed like you guys, Michigan players, treated the Ohio State game differently. Do you not anticipate treating it differently as a coach?
“Uh…I have no frame of reference for what you’re referring to. We treated it differently when I was a player?”
Yeah, just circled it, the game, the rivalry game, doing something each week for it, your guarantee and stuff like that.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t really know where you’re coming from. Sorry.”
That’s okay.
[After THE JUMP: Jake Rudock gets upgraded from tough as a two-dollar steak to hard as hen’s teeth]
I know a lot of people look at this as a new rivalry with you and Urban Meyer. I want to get your thoughts on the coincidence of you being born in the same hospital just a few months apart. It’s kind of bizarre that not you guys go head to head in this thing.
“Yeah, I thought that was very interesting and did not know that and it was neat. Neat. Proud of that. But…I always say my reaction to the coach versus coach buildup is he’s not going to be blocking anybody, he’s not going to be tackling anybody. I’ll be standing over there on the sidelines blocking and tackling nobody.”
After the loss to Michigan State you walked in here and talked about putting steel in your spine. Your team could have gone either way at that point. Did that put steel in your spine, and can you talk about the way they have responded after that loss?
“Yeah, very proud. As good as you can respond. They’ve responded at the highest level. They’ve won all their games, so…”
During the game Jehu [Chesson] seemed to have an arm issue with his right arm. From the pictures it seemed like he wasn’t using his arm so much after the game. What’s his status?
“I didn’t see that picture. I didn’t notice that. He’s been working through something.”
Do you expect him to play?
“Uh, yeah, I do. I haven’t seen him today, so…as always, we’ll rely on the medical team and trainers and Jehu himself…to make that determination.”
MGoQuestion: After the Penn State game, you said that you thought the offensive-
“Adam…Biggers? Are you Adam Biggers?”
MGoHeyHeKnowsWhoI-WaitNoWrongLastName: No, Adam Schnepp.
/I point at Biggers
“That’s Adam Biggers? I read your stuff sometimes.”
MGoPatFitzgeraldCharlieBrown.gif: After the Penn State game, you said that you thought the offensive line had a good game. Now that you’ve been able to watch the film, how did they grade out-
“Well-”
-and who had a particularly good game?
“Yeesh. Really good. You know, one of the keys of the ball game was the way both lines played, the offensive line and defensive line. Offensively, Graham Glasgow graded out at the highest and the runner up [was] Kyle Kalis. As a unit I though the pass protection was outstanding and physicality and hat speed and assignment was all really, really good, and it needed to be. We were going against a heck of a unit there at Penn State.
“And same for the offensive- er, defensive line. I would say that Taco Charlton would be the one that if you were singling out the best performer, but much like the offensive line it was a team effort in there and everybody was really acquitting themselves well playing at the highest level.”
The past couple years Michigan’s played Ohio State very well. Lost on a two-point conversion a couple years ago, last year played close through three quarters. How much has the team talked about that this year and addressed those guys, and has that been a topic of conversation?
“Let me think…yeah, nothing’s jumping to mind right now. No specific conversations with the team.”
Have you referenced with those guys playing well at the end of the year against Ohio State?
“Yeah, we reference it every week. Our plan every week is ceaseless and intense. Never slackening. Always continuing at the same intense, demanding, punishing level. That’s week to week.”
This won’t be a field where the winner immediately leaves with a division championship; you still have to have help. Did you address that at all before this one, or is the message the same as it’s been, that playoff thing you’ve talked about over the past couple of week?
“Yeah, that and the greatest share is getting ready and preparing for Ohio State. Beating Ohio State- that’s our mindset. And the mindset I just laid out when you asked me before.”
Jabrill- we saw him line up in the backfield. How did you think he did as, I guess, a running back on Saturday? He’s played 90 plays a couple of times. Does he have limit for how many he can go on Saturday?
“We were lower on defensive reps this past game. It was in the 50s, I believe. But…what’s your question? Is he a good running back? Yeah. Yeah, I think so. I think he’s a darn good running back. Year two may get a little crazy. May be one of the things we look at.”
/laughs
Curious, with Ohio State’s loss this weekend, has it affected it at all in your mind as if they had come in undefeated versus having their streak stopped? Does it make a difference?
“I think it’s the same as we were planning, making our preparations, formulating our plans. Get prepared how to beat Ohio State and practice and learn that plan and prepare for the ball game Saturday.”
But the psyche of your opponent- does it make a difference that they lost?
“I don’t know. Psyche, psychological…I would have a hard time even spelling either of those two words right now in front of you, so…I don’t know”
How much do you compete with Ohio State for some of the same recruits, and how much does this game matter in that competition?
“I mean, once I go through a full year, a full cycle, might be able to have a better answer for you.”
You and coach Meyer inherited struggling programs but then stabilized it immediately. Looking at what you’ve done and looking at afar at what he’s done, are there commonalities or contrast in how you’ve been able to right the ship so quick, if you will?
“Yeah, I can just speak for ours: it’s not an individual accomplishment by any means. It’s a team accomplishment. Everybody does a little and it adds up to a lot. Yeah, in everything I know, in my professional and personal life was experienced here at the University of Michigan, was rooted here at the University of Michigan- the team, the team, the team. That’s been our approach.”
Just as you watch tape of Ohio State, what’s the biggest challenge for your defense against their offense? They struggled against Michigan State, but you know they obviously have capable players on that side.
“Tremendous football team. They’ve probably…not going out on a limb by saying that this is a remarkable team, and what they’ve accomplished, the rate at which they’ve won with numbing repetition. Tremendous coaching, tremendous program, tremendous player. Multiple, multiple obstacles and tasks for our football team to face this week. With that being said, we’re very excited to face them.”
When Kyle [Kalis] went out with injury, David Dawson hopped right in there. Is that instead of shuffling the line, because earlier Grant Newsome at tackle had been the next guy in there. Is that just because you were in the game flow and wanted to go one position for one? Has the hierarchy changed?
“No. As it relates to the outside tackles it’s Grant Newsome as the backup. Inside with the guards and centers it’s David Dawson.”
Curious what you remember of the atmosphere of this game when you played in it and how you think it will feel different being a coach as opposed to a player this time?
“Today I’m most reminded of a time when I wasn’t even here. I just read about it and heard players from the 1969 team talk about the practice, the preparation the week before the game when there was snow. Snow was falling, and it was up on the banks. They came in on Monday, and as the story goes Bo assembled the entire team on Monday morning at 8 o’clock. Called everybody down to the facility for a team meeting and gave them all shovels. They went out to the practice field and shoveled off the practice field and had banks of snow on the sidelines, so, again, I wasn’t there but today, as the snow continues to fall and we’ve got about 10 inches on the ground I’m most reminded of that atmosphere, and I wasn’t even here. Just read about it, heard about it.”
Are you going to make them shovel?
“Well, times have changed. Apparently we have some snow plows. It has not been plowed yet. If that doesn’t occur in the next hour or two we might be out there with some snow shovels.”
Do you guys think you’ll get Derrick Green back this week at all or do you know anything about his status?
“Uh, yeah, still- we’ll evaluate that today. Haven’t seen Derrick since the ball game. You always catch me with that question when I don’t know for sure.”
I know you said it was a long time ago when you guaranteed it, but did you have any feeling what Bo might say to you when you made that guarantee, and how did he treat you after that or what did he say?
“Uh…yeah, it was so long ago. He always treated me good. He always treated me good. Unless I screwed up! Then he would get mad at me.”
So he didn’t consider that a screw-up?
“Must not have.”
What is it about this rivalry that makes it so special in your mind?
“So many things. A lot of things.”
Like?
“Ah…”
/shrugs
“I’m sure we’ll talk about it as the week goes on. I’ve got numerous more- I’ll save some for, some nuggets for later in the week. You know, I’ve got to do a radio show tonight, a TV show with Brad after this, and…radio show with Jim Brandstatter, so we’ll have ample opportunities. I’m gonna save a little material for the next one.”
/laughs
“You think that’s funny, Steve? Steve liked that.”
I feel like clarification on officiating is a recurring theme. Can you help us- did you receive any further clarification on targeting or illegal blocks? Can you maybe enlighten us if you did?
“No, I can’t. No, I can’t.”
Did you address it with them at all?
“Seek no clarification. I’ve been spending my time on other matters, but I can’t tell you that I have any more clarification.”
Defense is playing really well. How much more room for improvement is ther-
“I’ve capitulated on trying to gain clarity!”
How much more room for improvement with the defense is there?
“In our minds, always room. Always chasing that improvement as well.”
Somewhat satisfied with-
“No. That’s not a word that we ever use in football. That would be a confusing word that would not resonate.”
Jake’s set a couple of school records in just a few short months here. What can you say about the mark that he’s left on the school and the team in a short amount of time?
“Well, he’s left some marks on the record book, without a doubt. That is fantastic. Playing at a very high level. He’s…in terms of respect and appreciation, he left a deep, indelible warmth in our heart for him.
“He is so tough. This past game, I mean, the toughness was on display. I know I’ve said it, and maybe saying tough as a two-dollar steak doesn’t even give it real justice. This guy is tough as nails, hard as hen’s teeth. He’s been a godsend for our team.”
Where do you think that toughness comes from?
“Hm. That’s a great question. I think he’s just got a competitive fire. He’s been in a lot of competitive situations. I don’t think it’s- it’s a talent. I’ve always looked at toughness as a talent, that it’s trained. It’s not just granted upon somebody. He’s been trained well.”
I think Jake has an opportunity to pass one of your records: single season passing. How would you feel about him passing one of your records under your watch?
“I feel good about it. Which one?”
Single season passing yards.
“Oh, great. Have at it. I didn’t know I had any left! Such a long time ago.”
Is snow the only reason the ‘69 team comes to mind today and this week?
“Yeah, that was…I’ve always read those stories, heard those stories and listen to people tell them. Walked out there and there was snow covering the practice field.”
But not the-
“That’s the one, yeah.”
Bo’s first Michigan-Ohio State game and your first Michigan-Ohio State game; will you have those players talk to the team or anything like that?
“Uh, I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet.”
Last week you mentioned Bryan Mone as a possibility. Is there still a possibility he might play this week?
“Eh, we’ll see. We’ll see today. We’ll see what it looks like.”
You think it’s still possible?
“I don’t know if it is or isn’t.”
What’s his status? Is he practicing with the team?
“He’s working. He’s running. He’s healing. You’re a tough questioner, Mark. Grilling me up here. We good? Thanks.”