Wolverine Wednesday: DG Released From The Steelers

Devin Gardner didn't have a good Hall of Fame Game and now is looking for a job.  During the game the Steelers kicker tore his ACL and the Steelers had to sign another kicker.   Which meant Devin was expendable and was cut.   It sort of sucks that he was let go just a couple weeks into camp but if he was the 90th ranked player on a roster of 90 players, it was only a matter of time.    NFL camps go into the season with 53 players. 

Good luck to Devin and hopefully he will be able to find another job in professional football.

• Michigan will make some minor changes to the home and away jerseys.   One simple change is the loss of the block M above the number in the final year of the Adidas jersey. 

HT to WD


• Do you remember Kellen Jones?  He was a LB recruit from Houston that stayed with Michigan for about 5 minutes in 2011 and then transferred to Oklahoma.   He then decided to transfer to Clemson and now will spend his 5th and final year at Wisconsin. 

• 3 star WR from Miami has Michigan his leader with Alabama: Per Rivals:  Miami High School wide receiver Keyshawn Young says Alabama and Michigan are the two frontrunners in his recruitment. He hopes to take an official visit to Alabama for the Tide's game against LSU and tour Michigan on the weekend of the Wolverines' meeting with Michigan State. Young says he'll take all five official visits allotted to him but is yet to settle on his other three.  This kid has a 5 star offer list with the likes of Florida, USC, LSU, Georgia, Tenn, Miami and many more.

Michigan Thursday: Jimmy Bringing The Old School Back

Jim Harbaugh is clearly bringing back the old school Michigan uniforms and gear.  

The first step was bringing back the skinny M on the coaches hat: (you can note the differences in the M in the below picture from the hat to the sweatshirt)

Getty Image

There also has been a discussion about white socks and black shoes but many players wore maize and blue socks for the Spring Game.    There is also a trend to bring back the darker maize color vs. the highlighter yellow which you can also see in the hat vs. the sweatshirt above. 

Now comes an example of a very simple away jersey:

Per Rivals

That looks more like a sleeveless t-shirt then it does an away jersey.   Some readers at Mgoblog have pointed out there isn't any numbers on the shoulders which make it easier for the TV viewer and the pants seems to be old "highlighter" yellow.   So I'm wondering if this is the final product?  This looks like a practice jersey to me.  On a side note, that manikin has been spending some time in weight room!

Here is an example of last years away jersey for comparison:

gmbwolverine.com

• Scouts Sam Webb is saying Michigan has a silent commit from a 4 star prospect.   I don't have any information on who it might be, but my best guess is Penn State commit DB Lavert Hill or OL Terrance Davis.

Michigan Tuesday: New Uniforms for Dallas

Here we go again with new uniforms for a big game.  It seems the players like it a bit more then the fans.

"The players and staff like the commemorative jersey that Adidas presented for the Alabama game," said Brady Hoke, U-M head football coach. "The players really enjoyed the legacy and bowl uniforms that were worn last season." The gloves have lyrics from the Victors on them.   Michigan during the season will also have a Big 10 logo patch on their jersey.   That logo will also be on the field turf at the Big House.  Penn State players and Michigan.  There is still more to come on this story, like the Big Ten clearing the way to allow players to transfer in conference and still get a scholarship (it seems they will relax that rule for PSU transfers).  If you were looking to fill needs now it would be at defensive tackle and WR.  I still think the local State of Michigan guys like Zettel and Olaniyan would be the most interested in attending Michigan but is the Michigan staff interested in them?  We should see soon because these transfers would want to start fall term at Michigan.   Zettel redshirted last year.    PSU's starting RB Silas Redd is already talking to USC about transferring.  35 schools have already contacted Penn State LB Fortt.   The rule is schools can contact players directly but they have to notify Penn State at the same time.   Open season in Happy Valley.   Michigan AD David Brandon has received a contract extension taking him through the conclusion of the 2017-2018 athletic year.  This should allow the possibility of Michigan playing Auburn in China.

Inside - Out: A closer look at Michigan's new Jerseys

Here are some photos that show the inside "traditional" items that Adidas put into their new Michigan uniforms. The shoulder pad photo (which is a little hard to read) are the Big Ten Champions years.

New Uniforms Bowl at the Big House

No this isn't one of those pre-season Bowls when it's like August 18th and you flip on ESPN to find USC playing BYU in New Jersey.

This is the un-Official new Uniform Bowl when Utah meets Michigan at the Big House. Or in the athletic gear markets it's the non-Nike Bowl when: Under Armour meets Adidas. Both Michigan and Utah left Nike this past year.

Here is the Tale of the Tape: Utah's Under Armour vs Michigan's Adidas:

Colors: Utah can go all White or all Red or mix the two. Michigan's will stay with tradition and not mix the colors, but does have some new yellow strips on it's away Jerseys. So Flexibility vs Tradition. Have to go with Tradition: Michigan

Technology: Adidas: the ClimaCool fabric system that enhances ventilation in “high heat zones”; the Foromotion cuts, strategically placed seams that remove excess fabric such as when a wide receiver stretches for a ball; and beyond the jersey, players will have the TechFit PowerWeb sleeve for their calves to improve oxygen delivery and increase blood flow.

Under Armour: Slight changes in looks and material are part of the new package. "They're tighter and lighter," said Johnson, "so I can run faster." "It feels lighter," said Mack. "It's all good." Not a tough one here - Michigan

Intangibles: Inside the Adidas Michigan uniforms will have Bo Schembechler’s famous quote ‘Those Who Stay Will Be Champions’ in the hem. It will also have (silicone prints of) the 42 Big Ten championships on the inside of shoulder pad area.

Inside Utah's new jersey will say, "Urban Meyer Coached Here!". This is a tough one - I have to go with a PUSH.......... :-)

So the Wolverines have the clear edge in the new Uniform battle, let's hope that translates to a 14 point victory on the field.

New Away Jerseys

New info about the Jerseys:

We put Bo Schembechler’s famous quote ‘Those Who Stay Will Be Champions’ in the hem of the authentic jersey. It’s not just about us just putting a logo on the program. We also have (silicone prints of) the 42 Big Ten championships on the inside of shoulder pad area. We can do everything with the outside of the jersey to uphold the honor and tradition. We’re putting more on the inside.”

Adidas is touting three technological aspects of the jerseys: the ClimaCool fabric system that enhances ventilation in “high heat zones”; the Foromotion cuts, strategically placed seams that remove excess fabric such as when a wide receiver stretches for a ball; and beyond the jersey, players will have the TechFit PowerWeb sleeve for their calves to improve oxygen delivery and increase blood flow.

I have to say, I like the "Tradition" items inside the Jersey. I know some will say the Away Jerseys look too much like West Virgina's but I like the change.

Michigan's new Home Adidas Uniforms

No comment from Braylon on who would excatley wear this number! It's also cost $200.