The season doesn't start for another four-and-a-half months, but Michigan football fans got their first look at the 2007 Wolverines in the Big House on Saturday.

Well, sort of.

With notable names like running back Mike Hart, wide receiver Mario Manningham and tackle Jake Long all sitting out, it was up to new faces like Saline native Vince Helmuth and cannon-armed freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett to entertain the crowds as Michigan held an open practice to conclude its spring season. The practice/modified-scoring scrimmage - played in front of 5,500 people on a cold and slightly windy day - capped off what the Wolverines described as a positive few weeks of play, even if many of next season's starters saw limited to no action in the 15 practices.

"I don't ever remember being 100 percent as far as putting a team together in the spring," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said in a press conference prior to Saturday's practice. "The emphasis is always individual improvement. I like the attitude of this team. They've worked as hard as any team we've had. Practices have been very physical. I think we've made a lot of strides, but there's plenty of time for dramatic improvement at each position."

Said Hart: "I don't really think it's going to make a difference (that I missed practiced). Spring ball is really for young guys. It's for young guys to get better, for young guys to learn things. We've all played, we all have experience, so it's not really for us."

The small roster might have annoyed fans, but in a way, it was a blessing for the Michigan coaching staff. With veteran players resting, the coaches had the opportunity to evaluate the younger, less proven Wolverines, some of whom will compete for jobs this summer.

"It's been good; it's given our younger kids a lot more reps," offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. "It's made our younger guys better, so, it's improved our depth."

Special effort: Before practice, Carr told reporters that one particular aspect he planned to focus on was the kicking game. Looking to replace the underappreciated Garrett Rivas, three Wolverines alternated booting kickoffs prior to the scrimmage and field goals and extra points during it.

The results were mixed.

Senior K.C. Lopata impressed by starting the scrimmage with three 40-plus-yard field goals, but sophomores Bryan Wright and Jason Olesnavage both missed their first field-goal attempts.

No one in the trio was especially effective on kickoffs.

Fill the gaps: The scrimmage also provided a first look at a defense rebounding from the loss of a group of NFL-bound stars that last year formed one of the most fearsome run-stopping units in the nation.

But if anyone has doubts about Michigan repeating its stellar performance - it allowed just 564 net rushing yards all season - defensive lineman Tim Jamison would like a word.

"There's been a lot of speculation on how the defense is going to be because we lost a lot of players, but I'm excited about all the players returning," said Jamison after the defense emerged with a 42-41 victory in Saturday's scrimmage. "We had a great defense and all, but I think this defense this year upcoming has the ability to be better. As long as everybody gets back healthy, stays consistent, stays on the field, works hard during summer conditioning, we should be excellent."

Branch-ing out: The NFL Draft is just two weeks away, but that didn't stop possible top-10 pick Alan Branch from demonstrating his Wolverine pride.

Wearing his varsity jacket, the 330-pound, lane-clogging defensive tackle chatted with reporters and signed autographs before heading into Michigan Stadium to watch his former teammates.

Branch, who worked out in Arizona with players like Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell, said he has already interviewed with Tampa Bay and has trips to Washington and Cleveland planned for this week.

"It's a four-month long job interview," said Branch, who plans on watching this month's NFL Draft in his New Mexico home. "You can't get in trouble, you have to keep your nose clean. You have to present yourself well, and I feel like I've been doing that."

Branch said he can't wait for draft day, no matter where he ends up going. Predictions change so frequently he doesn't even bother to check them and he's sick of the lengths some NFL teams will go to conceal their true intentions.

"I mean every team is going to act like they want you and need you," Branch said.