It's only July 11, but for the sake of hurrying up, I'm going to call it mid-July--which means we're just a few weeks away from real happenings in regards to Michigan football.
If you're anything like me, you're sick of the offseason chatter. Granted, it's fun, extremely productive, and a necessary element of constructive discussion, but it's time for a new hat.
With that being said, I'm going to hammer home the topics that we've humped for months, hopefully creating a sort of "what not to talk about" guide as we prepare for changing leaves, cooling temperatures, hoodies (yes!) and, of course, Team 135 (plus the rest of college football). So I'm rushing the weather part. I apologize.
But you get the hint.
O-Line (Feel the Pain)
@TomVH I'm worried about Michigan's O-line. How bad is it for real?
— Jamie Sipsma (@jsipsma) July 11, 2014
I labored over this part. Why even include it? Then I realized, it's the most obsessed-over aspect of Brady Hoke's program, and it's something that will continue to get play as the season progresses and players (regress/advance?). Let's wait until camp for that. It's important, and I get that, but let's pick something else. I promise not to write about it until August.
For those counting, that's 21 days.
Alabama'ing
Are you ready for the Tide-inspired, SEC-modeled, in-your-face--a style that Michigan pioneered years ago, actually--brand of football? Are you ready for new OC Doug Nussmeier to turn Greens into Yeldons, Smiths into Richardsons? (and/or other applicable RBs). Morrises and Gardners into McCarrons?!
Great. So am I.
So much in fact, that I spent a few minutes back in June at SMSB in Detroit talking with Fred Jackson, running backs coach, about the 'Bama angle. It was a great talk. I walked away thinking that I was given a pretty good look at what to expect this fall.
Michigan fans want 'Bama ball (or old Michigan ball, if you prefer). But it's unfair to expect a carbon copy in Ann Arbor, at least this season. But really, Nussmeier's only options are to hit the ground running and to hit the ground running. He deserves some slack, but he can't have too much. The expectations are justifiably high and standards can't be relaxed just because he's a "first-year guy" at Michigan.
The comparisons are there. In terms of level of talent and coaching style, It's a legitimate head-to-head measure with Alabama and Michigan. Not entirely equal, but comparable.
I'll try to wait until September before bringing up anything remotely close to Tide/Wolverines similarities.
More Things, Estimated Time Table of Return
Jabrill (not going into this any further): Mid-August. OK. One last look. Can't help it.
Shane Morris vs. Devin Gardner: Week 3 (unless Gardner collapses vs. App. State)
Jabrill
Youth: Week Never. It's time to cease with "youth." These guys are old enough. If anything, we should address why "experienced" guys aren't performing--and they're experienced, at least on defense. Greg Mattison said so.
OK, so the casual, fun conversation has to end. I'm sorry. I have laundry to do and a lawn to mow. However, I wanted to stir the pot and gauge the feelings of readers: What are you sick of talking about? Which one of the mentioned topics was killed long ago? Did I miss any?
Can Al Borges still be blamed for anything?
Follow Maize 'n Brew's Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81