8B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - April 12. 2004 Spring a ByG J Offense Michigan should have an excellent passing attack, but success will likely depend on how it runs the football. The Wolverines return one of the best receiving corps in the country, but are going to have some new faces up the middle at quarterback, running back and center. David Underwood broke a couple of big runs on Saturday, but the running game will likely be by com- mittee. Alabama native Max Martin fits the profile of a Michigan running back at 6-2, 210 pounds, and he also runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. Syracuse, N.Y., native Mike Hart ran for more touchdowns than any high school player in history (203), but will likely be featured just in certain situations if he plays this season because of his smaller size (5-foot-9, 185 pounds). Sophomore Jerome Jackson looked good on Saturday and should also compete. Redshirt sopho- more quarterback Matt Gutierrez never lost a game in high school, and looked to have a solid grasp of the offense at the Spring Game. Gutierrez also showed some of his mobility, something Michigan fans haven't seen since Drew Henson. While Gutierrez (FdFZ tua V - A" 'ta redshirt freshman southpaw Clayton Richard got a number of snaps, it's Gutierrez's job to lose. Although Gutierrez will be protated by return. ing starters leftu guard David Bass,; right guard Matt Lentz and left tackle Adam Stenavich (who was held out Saturday because of injury), there will be someone new snapping Underwood him the ball. Senior Leo Hinge started at center on Saturday, but junior Mark Bihl may also compete for the position. The Rock 4 If there is one thing the Wolverines do not have to question, it's their receivers. Braylon Edwards's announcement on Detroit television that he would return for his senior season solidified an outstanding returning group of Edwards, Jason Avant, Steve Breaston and Carl Tabb. Incoming freshmen Doug Dutch and Adrian Harrington could also receive some playing time if they do not redshirt. Edwards's return means that Gutierrez or Richard will Breakout ' player On the field after the Spring Game, David Underwood compared his upcoming battle to start at run- ning back to a gazelle being chased by a lion every day in Africa. Under- wood never solidified himself as the true backup to Chris Perry last sea- son, but he ran on Saturday like he has to potential to start. It was diffi- cult for Underwood to show all the strides he has made in Spring Prac- tice on Saturday because there was no tackling. But Perry improved immensely between his junior and senior seasons, so there's hope that Underwood can do the same. b Defense Two words best describe the Wolver- ines' defense: experience and speed. Michigan has eight players on The Michigan Daily's projected No. 1 squad that started at least one game last sea- son. And many players that saw regular action in all 13 games are back in 2004. Michigan returns its leader in tackles (Lawrence Reid with 82), leader in sacks (Pierre Woods with seven), leader in tackles for losses (Woods with 14) and leader in inter- ceptions (Leon Hall with three). Burgess enced cover corners - Marlin Jackson and Markus Curry - and a speedy front seven, the Wolverines should enjoy great success blitzing and apply frequent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With Jackson moving back to corner, sopho- ° more Ryan Mundy - one of plenty talent- ed underclassmen in the secondary - worked with the start- ing defense at free safety in the Spring Game. Young linebackers Shawn Crable and Prescott Burgess, who came to Michi- gan as a safety, worked with the second defense on Saturday. But both players look to see significant time. Incoming freshman Tim Jamison could make an instant impact. The 6-foot-3, 230- pounder boasts a 4.8 40-yard dash. for most career starts. In 2002, Jack- son had three interceptions and set a Michigan record with 18 pass breakups at corner. But, Jackson will be hard-pressed producing numbers anywhere close to those achieved in his sophomore season - the Sharon, Penn., native's repu- tation will force opposing quarter- backs to look away from him. Jackson carries the swagger of a tal- ented cover corner, as he referred to himself as "the best corner in the country" following Michigan's 28- 14 Rose Bowl loss to USC. Breakout ' player A USA TODAY high school first- team All American and Michigan's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002, LaMarr Woodley came into Ann Arbor as one of the nation's top recruits. And he didn't upset, record- ing 23 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and two sacks. The 6-foot-2, 268-pound specimen played in all 13 games last season, and started two at defensive end as a true fresh- I man. "Wood" had his best game against Minnesota, using his noticeable speed on the Metrodome turf to compile nine tackles, including one tackle for loss. Looking to start at outside linebacker, the light-footed 19-year-old boasts sheer power and explosiveness off the edge that's rare for a player of his age. 01 The Rock After playing free safety last season in order to give Michi- gan an opportunity to start its four most talented defensive backs, Marlin Jackson moves back to the position where he earned second team All- JASN R/Daily' son. have favorable matchups to throw to This athletic crew may be the fastest America all over the field, as Avant and Breas- defense Michigan's ever had. Defensive ciated Pr ton will likely face single coverage. coordinator Jim Herrmann introduced season. H This will make the new quarterback's many new schemes to his players dur- over thre, job much easier. ing spring practice. With two experi- senior ist mato 2004 Projected Starters honors from the Asso- ess in his sophomore aving made 27 starts e years, the tied with Baas Photos by COOPER Jack 2004 Michigan Schedule Date Opponent TB 5 Underwood FB 32 Dudley QB 1.2 Gutierrez Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 (>,- 0 Miami (Ohio) Notre Dame San Diego State Location Ann Arbor South Bend Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Bloomington Ann~r Arhncr FL 8 Avant Iowa SE Z Edwards RT 76 Kolodziej RG 67 Lentz C 65 Henige LG 75 Baas LT 79 Stenavich TE 88 Massaquoi Indiana --- N /i t r- nt da