Michigan Football

March 19, 2013

: Erin Kirkland/Daily

Notebook: Devin Gardner, a “professional trash talker,” motivates by getting in teammates’ heads

BY ZACH HELFAND

Hoke says that one the field, Gardner is more confident in the pocket, that he sees the field more quickly. But Gardner’s biggest change this offseason might be his maturity. Gardner watches film on NFL quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick to improve his play, but he also studies Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning to learn how to lead.

March 15, 2013

Football

: Marissa McClain/Daily

Mattison signs three-year contract extension through 2016

BY ZACH HELFAND

The Michigan Athletic Department announced Friday that Greg Mattison, the defensive coordinator, has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him in Ann Arbor through the 2016 season. Mattison was the architect of a defense that improved to sixth, from 107th, in scoring defense in his first year with the Wolverines in 2011.

March 14, 2013

: Terra Molengraff/Daily

For Robinson and Kovacs, a final steak dinner before an uncertain future

BY ZACH HELFAND

Kovacs, the underdog again, must prove that he has the athleticism and ability to play at the next level. For Robinson, the question isn’t about talent, it’s about how he can use it, and at what position.

March 12, 2013

: Adam Glanzman/Daily

Robinson outruns Swope, ballot stuffers to win spot on NCAA '14 cover

BY ZACH HELFAND

EA Sports announced Tuesday that the former Michigan quarterback won its fan vote to determine who will grace the cover of the NCAA Football ’14 video game next fall. Robinson defeated Swope in a close and surprisingly eventful online vote that would make the state of Florida proud.

February 12, 2013

: Paul Sherman/Daily

Aided by '13 recruiting class, Borges and Michigan move closer to offense of choice

BY BEN ESTES

The questions began almost as soon as Brady Hoke was hired as the coach of the Michigan football team more than two years ago: what would Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges, who believed in a more traditional style of offense, do with a roster designed for the spread?

February 06, 2013

: Paul Sherman/Daily

Michigan wraps up top-10 recruiting class on National Signing Day

BY BEN ESTES

The Michigan football team’s 2013 recruiting class began to take shape nearly two years ago, when Warren, Mich. quarterback Shane Morris, then nearing the end of his sophomore year in high school, committed to the Wolverines.

February 03, 2013

: Todd Needle/Daily

SportsMonday Column: A glimpse of the future, a salute to the past

BY STEPHEN J. NESBITT

As five-star running back Derrick Green strolled to the head table in a banquet hall in Richmond, Va. to pledge his commitment to Michigan, Auburn or Tennessee, Denard Robinson, tucked back in a locker room in Mobile, Ala., reached up and strapped on the famed winged helmet for the final time. It was 4 p.m. on Jan. 26, the last Saturday in January.

January 22, 2013

SportsTuesday Column: The making of a champion

BY STEPHEN J. NESBITT

Players from different decades, from Randy Moss to Patrick Willis to Colin Kaepernick, peered above their lockers after a team meeting to investigate. Each sheet was different. The white plaques had each player’s recruiting rankings, college logo and a grainy photo from high school.

January 16, 2013

: Erin Kirkland/Daily

What to watch for: ‘Team 133’ sends five seniors to postseason all-star games

BY STEPHEN J. NESBITT

An 8-4 season and Outback Bowl loss to South Carolina wasn’t the way the Michigan football team’s seniors wanted to go out. And, for five of them, they’ve got another chance to wear the winged helmet.

January 16, 2013

: Erin Kirkland/Daily

Notebook: Denard Robinson expected to be ‘no later’ than second-round pick

BY STEPHEN J. NESBITT

With the 2013 NFL draft just three months away, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. laid out his projections for Robinson, as well as the remaining Michigan football seniors.

Michigan Football

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