Mike Hart Lived Up to His Name

By Sean · Monday, September 3, 2007 · 1:21 AM |  Share | 3 Comments 

Despite missing almost 2 quarters in the Appalachian State game, Mike Hart managed to run for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns on Saturday. Excuse the pun, but he truly was the “Hart” and soul of the team and really seemed to be the only person on that team that even cared if Michigan won or lost. Just think if Hart wouldn’t have played at all after leaving the game with an injury. The momentum Michigan received from his return wouldn’t have been there, and ASU probably would’ve got away with a win pretty easily.

Go back to the 50+ yard run late in the fourth quarter that gave Michigan the go-ahead lead. With the offense stuck in reverse, Hart took it upon himself to find a way into the endzone and did so in dramatic fashion. The same can’t be said about Chad Henne, who had his worst game ever as a Wolverine. I don’t care if people want to say that he just had a bad day. There is no excuse for a 4-year starting QB to play like Henne did on Saturday. He looked absolutely clueless out there. On every deep ball, the pass was either way underthrown or went just a tad too far. Other than that play to Mario Manningham at the end of the fourth quarter, it was a complete joke watching him try to run the offense. If he continues this kind of play, I better see Ryan Mallett on the field.

The second worse part about the offense had to be the o-line. They were getting pushed back all day. Chad Henne can put some of the blame on his offensive line, who failed to protect him countless times he went back to pass. In the first three quarters when the run game was really non-existent, it was because every hole would close before the running back could even get there. Add in the mental mistakes in the form of penalties in the second half and the o-line stunk in all aspects. So many times it seemed there was a false start that would stall a promising drive, and that simply is unacceptable.

Rounding out the offense that was just offensive, Mike DeBord should be fired. He is by far the worst offensive coordinator in the nation. His lack of any imagination is killing a unit that should be one of the country’s best. How many times are we going to see run, run, incomplete pass? Defenses catch on pretty quick. Just from watching Michigan games in the past you know what’s coming. Mix things up a bit. I’m sick of the same running play every time the ball is handed off. And I’m especially sick of the passing game that really is just sending receivers across the field and hoping they’re open. DeBord has to go before this offense is ever effective. The addition of the shotgun was nice, but it was so ineffective that it didn’t make a difference.

On the defensive side of things I don’t even know where to begin. Can someone tell me when Ron English became Jim Herrmann? Let’s just say the Ohio State and USC games last season were no flukes. Instead, it was exactly what this defense is. The only difference this year is that all of those great players now in the NFL are gone and now even Appalachian State can pick apart this defense. English has pretty much lost all credibility because he has shown absolutely no ability to adjust. When something isn’t working you have to change things up so they do work. With this defense, they continue to be inconsistent. Every once and a while it looks like adjustments were made, but then a drive like the game-winning one for ASU happens and you’re left scratching your head.

I don’t even know what to say about the special teams. Other than Zoltan it is a complete mess. The kick and punt returning is a joke. Johnny Sears should be benched for life not only because of his lack of defensive skills. He misplayed three punt/kick returns, and if it weren’t for an official’s review on one of those fumbles, Appalachian State could’ve easily put the game out of reach. Kicking-wise, I really wonder why Michigan has such a problem recruiting kickers with all of the skills. We miss Garrett Rivas greatly. I gave the guy a lot of crap over the years, but I truly apologize for that. I had no idea it would be this bad. Jason Gingell really can’t be blamed for the blocked kick at the end, but the one before that was just too low in my opinion. We are in for a long year on special teams at this rate, and it is losing us games already.

Out of all the coaches and players, Mike Hart really is the lone one with any heart. He put this team on his back and carried them as far as he could. He put them in position to win and was let down. I feel sorry for him because you could tell he wanted this more than anyone, but his teammates simply didn’t execute and lost this one. I blame a lot of people for this mess, but Mike Hart is not one of them.