Odds and Ends from Spring Ball

I had a blast at the Spring Game in Ann Arbor this past Saturday, and not just because I got to hang out with Mini-Me.

Yeah, so no player of note except for Chad Henne really played, but we get our first look at super-stud Ryan Mallett, and the big Texan freshman did not disappoint.

So, without further ado, the highlights from Saturday's souped-up practice:

Dressed to Impress: Greg Matthews and Obi Ezeh. Most of the starters didn't dress because of minor injuries, giving the youngsters a chance to show off their skills. Matthews is a big, physical receiver who plays a lot like Adrian Arrington (and might have to play a whole lot like Arrington if Adrian messes up one more time...and is subsequently kicked off the team). Matthews made the first TD grab of the game on a nice deep ball from Chad Henne, and looks to be a nice, big target who should be able to catch some balls over the middle.

Meanwhile, Obi Ezeh, the kid out of Grand Rapids Catholic Central who really didn't participate much at all last year due to a shoulder injury, made some plays from the outside linebacker position; and certainly could contribute down the road. Ezeh looked ripped, the baby fat is gone, and his hard work is starting to pay off. One could easily see him take a similar path to Ottawa Hill's David Harris.

No Shows: As stated earlier, Adrian Arrington is on his last straw. Pretty much any infraction, no matter how minor, will have him tossed off the team. This guy is a charmer and a great player, but just can't seem to get his personal life together. Also, Carlos Brown was moved from tailback to corner; a position that Michigan is painfully thin at, but decided to stop showing up for practice a couple weeks ago. Word is he's back on the team, and looking to move back to running back after the knee injury to Kevin Grady. We'll have to wait and see on that one.

Word has it: During the media interview session, Ron English told me that the biggest obstacle the defense will face this year is consistency. They are young and inexperienced. However, playing the first four games at home should help them gel before that tough road game at Wisconsin.

Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Jake Long all voiced their desire to win the Big 10 and then compete for further titles. The fact that last year's team didn't win a championship of any kind really was a disappointment. Mike Hart told me that his final game against Ohio State is #1 on his mind. Going 0-3 so far against the Buckeyes has him itching to take one final shot at The Sweater Vest.

Super Fan Spirit Award: Goes to Verne Troyer, the pint-sized actor who played Mini-Me on Austin Powers and had some less than endearing moments on VH1's reality show, The Surreal Life. But Verne is a Michigan fan, and watched from the sidelines; although he did back his scooter up a bit after an errant Ryan Mallett pass decked a photographer nearby. Speaking of which...

Newest Man-Crush Award: Ryan Mallett of course. I love this kid, and you will too...that is if you've got a thing for 6'7 quarterbacks, turbo-charged rocket arm. Apparently Mallett broke some kid's nose with a pass only a week into practice, and after watching him whizz the ball around on Saturday, I assume that whoever he hit in the face is most likely dead. Remember those half-size Nerf footballs that you could chuck at your buddies and feel like a tough guy for throwing the ball so hard??? That's how Ryan Mallett throws a regular football. If Lloyd really wants to punish Adrian Arrington, he'll make him catch balls from Mallett till he either apologizes for his bad behavior, or all his fingers are ripped out of their sockets. I got the over/under on 15 minutes.

Audibles: -Weather may have stunk, but a great day all around, at least for me. Always good to be back in the Big House, and I'm anxious to see how the construction on the north side of the stadium turns out.

-Highlight of the day: Getting hollered at by some cuties in maize and blue scarfs. I can thank my sexy FOX 17 jacket for that one. I'm telling ya, chicks dig three things - Money, Notoriety, and the long ball.

-Alan Brach, David Harris, and others were on hand to watch the game as they prepare for the NFL Draft. I got to sit down with David after the game and do an interview for FOX 17 that will run on the 22nd. He did a great job and you've got to love the fact that he's a self-made man. Good luck to David and the rest of the guys.

-Finally, if you want a player to watch, keep an eye on #3, Stevie Brown. Josh Helmholdt from Thewolverine.com tells me Stevie could turn out be one of the fastest safeties ever to play at Michigan. He shared kick return duties with Brandon Minor, so we might be able to get a glimpse of him early on this coming season.