Returning starters
Top returners
QB Chad Henne, TB Mike Hart, WR Mario Manningham, WR Adrian Arrington, G Adam Kraus, T Jake Long, DT Terrance Taylor, LB Shawn Crable
Key losses
LB David Harris, CB Leon Hall, DT Alan Branch, DE LaMarr Woodley, LB Prescott Burgess, C Mark Bihl, WR Steve Breaston, T Rueben Riley
Top newcomer: QB Ryan Mallett Insider
2006 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Mike Hart* (1,562 yds)
Passing: Chad Henne* (2,508 yds)
Receiving: Mario Manningham* (703 yds)
Tackles: David Harris (103)
Sacks: Lamarr Woodley (12.0)
Interceptions: Leon Hall (3)
Spring answers: 1. Adam Kraus won't have to move from guard to center: Michigan hoped it could keep Kraus and monster left tackle Jake Long together, and now it can thanks to the development of sophomore Justin Boren at center. Boren played some guard and some tackle last season as a backup. Now he looks ready to become a force, not just a stop-gap at the most important position on the line.
2. Sophomore receiver Greg Mathews is a viable option if Adrian Arrington doesn't return. Mathews won a coaches' award following spring ball for showing the most desire, character, capacity for leadership and success on and off the field. Now, did he deserve it, or was that a way for head coach Lloyd Carr and his staff to tweak senior Adrian Arrington, who was suspended from spring ball and whose return remains undetermined? Mathews did make the biggest impact of any of the seven true freshmen who played last season. Michigan was going to need some young wideout to step forward, even if Arrington returned, because of the graduation of Steve Breaston. Mathews looks capable of 30 catches or more.
3. The void at middle linebacker won't be damaging. Second-team All-American David Harris is gone to the NFL. Who replaces him isn't known yet, but Michigan's coaches won't lose sleep over the summer. That's because they have juniors John Thompson and Austin Panter and redshirt freshman Obinna Ezeh to pick from. Thompson backed up Harris for two years, so it seemed his job to lose until both Panter and Ezeh had big springs. Ezeh also backed up Shawn Crable outside, but saw enough time in the middle to be in the mix there, as well.
4. Will Johnson is ready to take over for Alan Branch at defensive tackle. Branch's departure for the NFL with one season of eligibility remaining leaves a huge gap -- literally and figuratively -- in the middle of Michigan's defensive line. While the 291-pound Johnson can't match Branch's 320-pound girth, he showed in the spring that there won't be a dramatic drop-off in quickness or athleticism where Branch ruled last year. Johnson backed up both Branch and the returning Terrance Taylor last season with good results. Defensive coordinator Ron English likes Johnson's toughness and dedication, predicting he will be "an outstanding player for us this year. You don't have to worry about his position."
5. Charles Stewart gives Michigan a versatile player in the secondary: Stewart moved from cornerback to safety and played well. Jamar Adams' absence due to injury allowed Stewart to get repetitions at strong safety, but Adams' return in the fall likely means Stewart will move to free safety and challenge Stevie Brown. Brown impressed teammates and coaches with his speed and instincts, so he might hold onto the starting job there. But Stewart, being able to play both safety positions and with his experience at corner, will be valuable in nickel and dime packages.
Fall questions: 1. Will Brandent Englemon be a factor, or fade into the background? The fifth-year senior safety should be on the cusp of his best season. Trouble is, Englemon didn't make the impact in five starts as a junior that he did in 12 as a sophomore. Some of that was injury-related, but if Englemon isn't careful, he'll be an afterthought this year. Jamar Adams has one safety spot locked up, and Stevie Brown and Charles Stewart look impressive at the position, as well. Englemon should be a valuable commodity, given his experience. But is he up to the challenge?
2. Can Morgan Trent be a lock-down cornerback? Leon Hall is gone to the NFL, so Trent should ascend to the role of one-on-one corner. Last year, rather than throw at Hall, most teams attacked Trent. The results weren't pretty in losses to Ohio State and USC, but the entire Michigan secondary was exposed in those defeats. Trent should have taken that humbling and let it stoke his fire for 2007. But his spring was largely indifferent and a disappointment to the coaches. He must be someone on whom they can depend this fall if Michigan is to be an elite pass defense.
3. Will the defense be scarred by the losses to Ohio State and USC? The Wolverines dictated to every opponent through 11 games, allowing just 12 points per game. In the two biggest games of the year, however, Michigan got gashed for 42 and 32 points. Now the Wolverines are missing virtually every playmaker from that defense. Coordinator Ron English will earn his money this year. Maybe the return of Vance Bedford, UM's secondary coach in its co-national championship year of 1997, will help solidify things.
4. Is Chad Henne a big-game quarterback? Henne's statistics are outstanding, and no one doubts his arm strength. But the nagging numbers he must put behind him this year is an 0-3 record against Ohio State and an 0-3 record in bowls. There are other big games Henne has won -- Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin -- but the two biggest games on Michigan's schedule are against the Buckeyes and a bowl opponent. Sometimes, a quarterback is victimized by a lack of talent around him. Playing at Michigan, Henne can't play that card.
5. Is freshman Ryan Mallett ready if Henne if he gets hurt? Michigan's coaches held their breath throughout 2006, because they really had no viable option as a No. 2 quarterback. That's not as true now, because freshman Ryan Mallett's early enrollment allowed him to go through spring practice. At 6-6, 247 pounds, Ryan Mallett is the future. Michigan hopes he gets a full year to understudy Henne. But if not, can Ryan Mallett be solid enough to not put Michigan in peril with numerous mistakes or turnovers?
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