The Michigan Daily - Orientation Edition 2002.- 31 .Bellamy ready to be top wldeout in group By Joe Smith Daily Sports Editor Don't tell Ronald Bellamy that this year's Michigan receiving corps lacks a go-to guy. Unless you want to get burned. "When an article in the student newspaper claims that the receiving core is weak just because Marquise (Walker) is gone, that lights a little fire inside you," Bellamy said. The senior wideout, who's coming off an admittedly disappointing sea- son, is primed and ready to "take over" and make up for Walker's graduation. "Last year was horrible for me," said Bellamy, who had just 14 catch- es for 252 yards and two touch- downs last season. "I couldn't get healthy at all last year. "Now it's time for me to step up, and I have to take over. I'm going to do anything to take over and help this team win." "It's a cycle," said Bellamy, whose career numbers are 21 catches for 358 yards and four touchdowns. "Marquise stepped up when Dave (Terrell) left, and now I have to do it since Marquise is gone. It's the cycle, and I'm ready for it." Bellamy said he's bigger, stronger and faster than he was last season and ready to flourish in a "receiver- friendly" offense installed by new offensive coordinator Terry Malone. Utilizing crossing routes - which are the bread and butter of the new offensive scheme - Bellamy led all Michigan receivers at the spring game on April 15 with four catches for 54 yards. "Ron Bellamy is going to be the leader of our group because he's got the most experience," Michigan receivers coach Erik Campbell said. "These guys have to do it by commit- tee, chip in together to carry the load." Sophomore Braylon Edwards also looked good. He was quick, elusive and hard to take down during the game, catching two passes for 20 yards. Redshirt freshman Tim Mas- saquoi used his 6-foot-4, 220.pound frame to add another dimension to Michigan's offense. He made two catches, with his last one a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jermaine Gonzales. Massaquoi snagged a short pass over the middle and then beat several members of the Michigan secondary to the side- line and in for the score. "I was relieved to get (to the end zone)," said a smiling Massaquoi. "It was my first time being there, so I'll try and get back there again." His redshirt year "helped me get stronger and know the offense better, and just concentrate on catching the ball and getting adjusted to the quar- terbacks." Rockin' and Rollin' Over the long history of Michigan football, Wolverine fans have turned some cheers into Wolverine tradition: WHORe:DustOaring the opponents' introduction, Michigan fans greet them in unison by asking "Who cares?' sHAKING THE KEYs: When opposing teams have the ball on third down, students shake their keys on this "key play." HAMMER/CHOP: If the Michigan defense forces a punt, fans thrust their arms in the form of the Tomahawk chop. Sup- posedly, fans are supposed to close their hands and form a fist to represent a hammer, but few actually do this. tHEwAvE: Like most sports fans, Michigan fans love the wave. They even have different variations, such as doing the waveextra fast, etra slow and in both directions. The biggest challenge is getting alumni off their hands. EsL EXT: Unfortunately, when Michigan beats up on early sea- son opponents, many students leave early. Another tradition is the hoisting of a fan after a score. They are hoisted into the air for every Michigan point. BRINTON Continued from Page 30 with the ball "He needed this winter and this spring to really get his feet on the ground and learn the system," offensive coor- dinator Terry Malone said. "Two years out of the country, not touching a football - that'll put some rust on you. He's done a good job over the winter getting physically ready to go." After he had a few series under his belt, Brinton avoided some pressure and dumped the ball to tailback B. J. Askew for a 31-yard pickup - the longest gain of the day for a sluggish Michigan offense. Later, after leading the Wolver- ines into the red zone, he bought time in the pocket and fired a pass to tight end Bennie Joppru for the score. "I'm starting to understand the mental part (of being a quarterback)," Brinton said. "Before about two months ago, I couldn't tell defenses from defenses. I didn't have a clue what was going on. I've been taught a lot from (new quar- terbacks coach Scot Loeffler about) understanding defenses and blitzes. There's different defenses now that weren't even created when I left (for my mission)." Loeffler was impressed with the lefthander, but both he and Brinton are not letting the quarterback's success at the game overshadow the fact that there is a lot he needs to improve. "I made a lot of reads that I shouldn't have' Brinton said. "I broke a lot of progression rules. I need to learn and get those things out of my system." Gonzales, who just decided to return to quarterback after a stint at wide receiver, played well in limited action. The sophomore hit on 8-of-10 tosses for 85 yards and two touchdowns, most of which came on planned roltouts out of the pocket. Gonzales said that playing wide receiver helped him when he came back to be a signal-caller. "Knowing (how to run) routes and knowing what to do in certain situations from the receivers point of view really helped me out," Gonzales said. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has deemed his quarterback situation a "competition," not a controversy. Nonetheless, three players competing for one job can be a tenuous situa- tion for a team that's trying to improve. Brinton and Navarre are both trying not to worry about anything except their own individual performances. 'i Mac OS X is powered by UNIX. 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