Michigan Tuesday: Injuries, Recruiting and Press Conference Analysis

RR 's Press Conference Notes:

Denard sprained something in his rotator cuff; it gets aggravated or sore when you fall on it. Worried about the big guys falling on him more than anything. He's not as hurt as Tate was last year, and should be good with a week off. "Hypothetically, we won't talk," but Denard would probably be good to start if there was a game this weekend. He's still the team's starter, despite Tate's solid play on Saturday.

• Fitz should practice this week. Mike Martin and David Molk should be ready for PSU, both need the week off to heal. Shaw has been limited, but hopes to be ready to play as well.
• No practice on Monday and Tuesday while the kids are on Fall Break.  The team needs the rest, and the freshman might have hit a bit of a "wall."

"Kenny Demens we thought played pretty well... He's played well enough that Obi will have to beat him out in practice over the next week and a half."

"Carvin Johnson we thought did some good things at Spur." With Mike Martin's injury, Adam Patterson got a chance to step up and he did well.

On offense, they need to fix execution issues that lead to turnovers. "On defense, certainly the same thing. The same issues with execution and making sure we do that." On ST, kicking and returns have been bad, other units solid. "We've got a couple guys I think could be pretty good returners, we just haven't given them a chance."

The defensive staff all knows the issues, "I think they've talked about it at length, I know they have because I've talked with them." The players still believe in it. The team is close to playing good defense outside of a couple plays a game "but those two plays count." Need to work on some basics defensively, tackling, getting off blocks, etc. Will work on understanding scheme, which helps guys play faster. At times, tackling has been OK.

More from Tim at Mgoblog at the above link.

• Michigan loses a big basketball recruit to St. Johns. Report: Dominick Pointer to St. Johns. The "word" was that Dominick's family wanted him to go to Michigan. I guess he didn't. 

• TomVH comes in with his weekly recruiting update:  Dallas Crawford still has Michigan listed No. 1 after his visit this week, but keep an eye on Miami. Chris Wormley, 2012 prospect from Toledo, got his Michigan offer last weekend. He is going to be highly ranked in the 2012 class and comes in at 6'4", 255 lbs at DE. The Illinois game  now looks like the big Dr. Phillips visit weekend. DT Kevin McReynolds (6'2", 280 lbs, 4-star) is now interested in Michigan.

• Michigan transfer Vlad Emilien has decided to enroll at Colorado. I wish him luck and hope his knee is better. Maybe he can room with Toney Clemons.

• Ray Ball, a Michigan offensive line recruit, has committed to Wisconsin.

• Brian at Mgoblog looks at Michigan's important next few games against PSU, Illinois, and Purdue. Please win at least two, but Michigan really needs all 3.