Most of the first-team is on the sidelines
Starting tailback Mike Hart watched Saturday's intrasquad spring scrimmage with his left arm in a sling, protecting a shoulder that recently underwent surgery.
All-America left offensive tackle Jake Long watched, too, to minimize his chances of getting hurt. Injured left guard Adam Kraus wasn't in the mix. Starting wide receiver Mario Manningham, who isn't at full health, was an observer, too, as was tight end Mike Massey.
Given those considerations, here's what the first-team University of Michigan offense looked like across the front: Mark Ortmann at left tackle, Jeremy Ciulla at left guard, Justin Boren at center, Alex Mitchell at right guard and Cory Zirbel at right tackle.
Brandon Minor was the tailback, Chad Henne quarterbacked the offense, and Greg Mathews and LaTerryal Savoy were the wide receivers.
As coach Lloyd Carr noted prior to the scrimmage, the sophomore Mathews - who's 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 207 pounds - is noticeably bigger and stronger than he was a year ago.
The team's only tight ends currently available are untested Chris McLaurin and converted fullback Andre Criswell.
On defense, injured nose tackle Terrance Taylor sat out, as did safety Jamar Adams. In its package with five defensive backs, the first team featured Tim Jamison and Shawn Crable at end, Brandon Graham and Will Johnson at tackle, Chris Graham and John Thompson at linebacker and Morgan Trent, Johnny Sears, Charles Stewart, Stevie Brown and Brandon Harrison in the secondary.
Spring practices, which began a week ago, will continue through April 14.
Number changes
Several Michigan players will don new uniform numbers this fall. They include backup tailback Kevin Grady (from 3 to 24); Brown (from 30 to 3), linebacker Obi Ezeh (from 44 to 45) and cornerback Doug Dutch (from 81 to 35).
Squib kicks
Ballyhooed freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett - who graduated high school early to join the Wolverines - led the second team, throwing the football with plenty of zip. ... Offensive lineman Jon Saigh has switched from the offensive line to the defensive line. ... Former Michigan assistant coach Bill Sheridan, now with the New York Giants, watched the Wolverines and his son Nick, a walk-on quarterback. ... Offensive lineman Perry Dorrestein sat out the end of practice with an ice pack on his right knee. ... Michigan wrestler Mike Milano has joined the football team as a walk-on tailback. He finished his prep career as the leading rusher in Rocky River (Ohio) High School history.
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