8 - Friday, April 16, 2010 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Quarterback BATTLE *I Again, the three-headed monster at Michigan's quar- terback position rears its head. But this year, the competition could be closer than ever. Michigan fans have seen their fair share of sophomores Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson, as both took significant snaps under center last season. But Satur- day will be fans' first look at electrifying early-enroll- ee Devin Gardner, whose hype precedes him. Ranked the No. 1 dual threat quarter- back in the nation last year by all the major recruiting sites, the 6-foot-4 signal caller has been receiving rave reviews for his competitive nature, and there's no doubt he'll have something to prove when Satur- day afternoon rolls around. And now, with Forcier's status uncertain for Saturday's game, Robinson may have his turn to shine. But don't expect Forcier and Robinson to shed the 0 limelight so quickly. The - race for the starting spot at the quarterback position is in a dead sprint, especiallyafter Robinson has impressed coaches with his improvement this spring. one thing is clear. All eyes at the Big House on Saturday will be locked under center. ARIEL BOND/Daly , With spring practice nearing its end and the spring game coming up this weekend, the Daily football beat breaks down five of the biggest storylines Michigan fans can follow on Saturday. Cam GORDON 0 0 ------- - ------ Spring's SURPRISE PLAYER When redshirt freshman Cameron Gordon arrived at Michigan this fall, he was a 6-foot-2, 210-pound, super-athletic wide receiver. After redshirting his freshman year, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez decided the team had enough talent at wideout and not enough at free safety. He moved Gordon to safety and, apparently, the switch is working great for everyone involved. "There's no question that move was one of the bet- ter moves we've made, personnel-wise," Rodriguez said. "I think he's a natural there." Questions have been swirling around the safety position the entire offseason. The collection of safe- ties who saw the field last year underperformed, and the injury to sophomore Vlad Emilien, who's in the running for the startingspot, made depth at the posi- tion this spring a serious issue. But Gordon has stepped up and appears to be mak- ing a push for the starting job. It will be interesting to see if he appears to be a step up from last year's starters, as the buzz surrounding his spring seems to indicate. After watching then-freshman wide receiver Roy Roundtree catch a pinpoint SO-yard bomb from Forcier in last year's spring game, it was clear that Roundtree was something special. And when all was said and done last season, Roundtree led the team in receiving yards (434) and touchdowns (3), which even the most in-tune Michigan football followers never would have hedged their bets on in the preseason. So Roundtree's performance begs the question: Who is this year's surprise Spring Game performer? Mere's three players who may surprise you on Satur- day: 1. FITZGERALD TOUSSAINT: Despite redshirting last season, Toussaint's speed is being noticed in a big way. And with Vincent Smith out for the spring with an ACL tear, it could be Toussaint's time to show that he can fill the cleats of departingrunningback Carlos Brown. 2. TERRANCE ROBINSON: They've been tryinghim all over the field in spring practice (at slot, in the back- field, etc.), and the coaches have made it clear they want him on the field. Robinson's biggest criticism has been his hands, so if he can show an improvement in that category, he may be making plays this fall. 3. KENNY DEMENS: Senior linebacker Obi Ezeh has had a rollercoaster of a career with the Wolverines, and Ezeh's loss at middle linebacker could be Demens's gain this season. The Oak Parknative has been the talk of the linebackers this spring and has all the skills tobe a tackling machine at the position. Running back BATTLE With graduating seniors Brandon Minor and Car- le. But he showed flashes in his freshman year. los Brown gone, the tailback position is wide open Also in the mix is redshirt sophomore Mike Cox, place. spring. Cox exploded for 82 yards on 11 carries and T e Leading the pack to replace the duo is junior Mike two touchdowns when he got his chance against Dela- Shaw, who is the veteran of the bunch now, but hasn't ware State last season. Rodriguez even went as far x seen enough carries in his first two years on campus as to speculate that early-enrolle Stephen Hopkins Rodriguez ruffled some feathers when he men- to showcase his abilities. Sophomore Vincent Smith is wouldn't be redshirted because he fills a role as tioned a few weeks ago that the defense was working still recovering after tearinghis a bigger back. Toussaint could challenge for with running a 3-3-5 during spring practice. Defen- ACL in the 2009 season fina- carries too. sive coordinator Greg Robinson downplayed the idea soon after, but the formation is intriguing for Michi- gan this year. The Wolverines have run a bit of the 3-3-5 in recent seasons, and Rodriguez ran it when he was at West Virginia. It gives Michigan a bit of flexibility within the 3-4 scheme that the Wolverines ran pre- dominantly a year ago. Identifying who plays where SAID ALSALAH/Daily r t t within the scheme will be interesting. But all in all, it will just be a tweak that Robinson throws in when he wants a faster linebacker, say for example Stevie Brown of last year's team, to drop into coverage and play like a fifth defensive back. It gives the defense more flexibility and could help in defending running quarterbacks or spread offenses with more speed on the field. The key will be whether the front six defenders can get pressure on the quarterback when the Wolverines drop into the 3-3-5. Looking for something more added. "Professore Vacanti would've liberty. thinking of hiding in a closet for the just about every option out there," authentic than local favorite Pizza been proud of me. Or maybe I "Did we eat too many rest of its life hoping toube forgotten said National Greek Board Barn, the group had decided to should say would've been feiro di Doritoes? Maybe. Throw a little and never found. President, Henry Bggins. "There A V E I venture out and try a new place. me." Frisbee around? Sure. But teachers were only about 18,000 possible CLA SS TAK ES Prfessore Vacant erused i , deserve to have a little fun too. And letter combinations to begin with, so t's not like it hurt anyone," said the you had to know it was com ing." O N LAW FI 6nyear-old Fineman. 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