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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While the Michigan football team will have a lot of new looks in terms of coaching staff and schematics, there is still a fair share of returning players from last year's team.
One of the more reliable players on defense a year ago was linebacker Troy Bowles, the transfer from Georgia, who played a big role as a reserve player, particularly in the latter half of the season. Now, Bowles is seen as a leader and was mentioned by defensive coordinator Jay Hill as one of the playmakers among his position group.
So, what is Bowles' estimation of this new-look defense?
"Definitely a run and hit and a lot of physicality," Bowles said. "The room is definitely new, but I like all the guys we brought in, personality-wise and playing-wise. And the new system with Coach Hill, I like it a lot. Put us in the right position to make plays, everybody on the field. That's what I believe, and you can see it in our practices."
Not only does Michigan have a new head coach and a new scheme, but there's a new linebackers coach this year in Alex Whittingham. The son of the head coach had spent the previous eight years in the Kansas City Chiefs organization, working his way up from defensive assistant and quality control to being the assistant defensive line coach.
Bowles says that his NFL experience has certainly helped the position group, as they're drawing a lot on how the pros operate.
"I like him a lot," Bowles said. "You could definitely tell he came from the league. And he's teaching us -- we watch a lot of Chiefs tape because that's where he came from. So just looking at guys like Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. Been watching a lot of tape on them, so they've definitely been teaching us a lot."
The changes aren't just window dressing, and they go beyond the coaches and the playbooks. Much of what Whittingham has instilled already are habits. No longer is being on time on time. You have to be at least five, if not 10 or 15 minutes early, to be on time for team meetings. There are other things that he's instilling to improve the trajectory of the team, and Bowles is all in on everything his head coach has been doing.
"It's definitely a little bit of an adjustment in a structure standpoint, but I feel like it's definitely really good for us," Bowles said. "We've been honed in on the details with Coach Whittingham, as in the warm-up. We do a lot more with the strength and conditioning staff, so I think it's been great for us."
Fans will get to see the new-look Wolverines on April 18, when the team takes the field for the annual spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football's Troy Bowles on new defense
Continue reading...
One of the more reliable players on defense a year ago was linebacker Troy Bowles, the transfer from Georgia, who played a big role as a reserve player, particularly in the latter half of the season. Now, Bowles is seen as a leader and was mentioned by defensive coordinator Jay Hill as one of the playmakers among his position group.
So, what is Bowles' estimation of this new-look defense?
"Definitely a run and hit and a lot of physicality," Bowles said. "The room is definitely new, but I like all the guys we brought in, personality-wise and playing-wise. And the new system with Coach Hill, I like it a lot. Put us in the right position to make plays, everybody on the field. That's what I believe, and you can see it in our practices."
Not only does Michigan have a new head coach and a new scheme, but there's a new linebackers coach this year in Alex Whittingham. The son of the head coach had spent the previous eight years in the Kansas City Chiefs organization, working his way up from defensive assistant and quality control to being the assistant defensive line coach.
Bowles says that his NFL experience has certainly helped the position group, as they're drawing a lot on how the pros operate.
"I like him a lot," Bowles said. "You could definitely tell he came from the league. And he's teaching us -- we watch a lot of Chiefs tape because that's where he came from. So just looking at guys like Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. Been watching a lot of tape on them, so they've definitely been teaching us a lot."
The changes aren't just window dressing, and they go beyond the coaches and the playbooks. Much of what Whittingham has instilled already are habits. No longer is being on time on time. You have to be at least five, if not 10 or 15 minutes early, to be on time for team meetings. There are other things that he's instilling to improve the trajectory of the team, and Bowles is all in on everything his head coach has been doing.
"It's definitely a little bit of an adjustment in a structure standpoint, but I feel like it's definitely really good for us," Bowles said. "We've been honed in on the details with Coach Whittingham, as in the warm-up. We do a lot more with the strength and conditioning staff, so I think it's been great for us."
Fans will get to see the new-look Wolverines on April 18, when the team takes the field for the annual spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football's Troy Bowles on new defense
Continue reading...
