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http://www.detnews.com/2005/um/0509/06/D01-304780.htm
ANN ARBOR -- Testy, grumpy, miffed and sleepless.
Coach Lloyd Carr appeared to be all of the above during his weekly news conference Monday, just a couple days removed from fourth-ranked Michigan's season-opening victory.
"I haven't slept in two nights," Carr said, "so I don't profess to come in here being in a great mood."
The cause of his insomnia? Defense.
After Michigan allowed 411 yards to Northern Illinois on Saturday in a 33-17 victory, and following his postgame comments that attempted to diffuse criticism of the defense, Carr said he had re-evaluated the game film. He was, in fact, disappointed by the performance of the defense, particularly the front seven.
Carr promised lineup changes before Saturday's home game against Notre Dame but would not make any revelations.
"You'll see what those changes are on Saturday," he said.
A glaring modification to the depth chart involves nose tackle Gabe Watson, who has made 12 straight starts. Watson apparently does not have the starting job locked down, as redshirt freshman Will Johnson is listed as a potential starter.
Another change involves inside linebacker. Scott McClintock and Chris Graham were starters inside in the opener. But McClintock, who was listed as a backup to Dave Harris a week ago, is still listed as a backup to Harris, who is coming off an undisclosed injury in the preseason.
"We're just not where we need to be," Carr said. "We need to play harder, and we need to play more physical. That is our intent.
"So there are going to be some changes in the lineup because we're not going to sit and watch that type of effort. We need to play harder, we need to play tougher.
"When I looked at our team as a whole, that's an area we have to deal with. Sometimes that means making changes.
"Maybe you get somebody's attention, and maybe it doesn't matter, but the issue is that you've got to try to put people out there that are going to play very hard and very physical."
Graham, a sophomore, was the only defensive player Carr singled out for praise. Graham, who made his first start, led the team with 10 tackles.
Carr's comments Monday were far different from those he made immediately following the victory. The Wolverines gave up big plays, including a 76-yard touchdown run by Garrett Wolfe in the second quarter to cut the Northern Illinois deficit to 14-10.
"I think if you take one play out of the football game, our defense did a very good job," Carr said after the game.
The change in assessment from "very good" to "disappointing" occurred after he watched the game film.
"I've learned one thing -- you can make a lot of statements after a game as a coach and be inaccurate, because there are a lot of things going on out there," Carr said. "But it's in the film. Film is the eye in the sky. It doesn't lie. It's there, and that's what you deal with."
Carr was asked if nothing in practice this week could change his mind about the defensive changes.
"No," he said emphatically.
Carr has been dealing with and deflecting criticism of his defense since the end of last season.
Now he must prepare for a Notre Dame offense that appeared capable of scoring at will in a 42-21 victory against 23rd-ranked Pitt on Saturday. The Irish, under first-year coach Charlie Weis, gained 502 yards, including 275 rushing, against the Panthers.
The prospects of containing the Irish could cause more sleepless nights for Carr.
"I don't care where you go in this game, there are things that aren't going like you want them to," he said. "And sometimes you don't know why something isn't going like you think it would. Sometimes, the more you dwell on something, you come up with an idea. There's always issues on any team, and right now, that's the biggest issue we have and we're going to try to deal with it in a way that can help us get better."
Five reasons why Michigan should be worried about Notre Dame
1. The Irish beat Michigan, 28-20, last year with the same quarterback (Brady Quinn) and same tailback (Darius Walker) that they will have in their backfield Saturday in Ann Arbor.
2. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis likes to go to multiple receivers. Quinn completed passes to seven receivers Saturday in a 42-21 victory at No. 23 Pittsburgh. The Irish were led by Walker (three catches, 52 yards), tight end Anthony Fasano (4-42), and receivers Rhema McKnight (3-51) and Jeff Samardzija (3-34). All are experienced players.
3. Michigan's defense has surrendered 400 or more yards in five consecutive games: Northern Illinois (411), Texas (444), Ohio State (446), Northwestern (405) and Michigan State (535).
4. Despite its struggles in recent seasons, Notre Dame is 4-5-1 against Michigan in the last 10 meetings and has won three of the last five, although the three victories were in South Bend.
5. The Irish won't panic if they fall behind. Weis promised a tougher team, and he delivered on that promise vs. Pitt.
ANN ARBOR -- Testy, grumpy, miffed and sleepless.
Coach Lloyd Carr appeared to be all of the above during his weekly news conference Monday, just a couple days removed from fourth-ranked Michigan's season-opening victory.
"I haven't slept in two nights," Carr said, "so I don't profess to come in here being in a great mood."
The cause of his insomnia? Defense.
After Michigan allowed 411 yards to Northern Illinois on Saturday in a 33-17 victory, and following his postgame comments that attempted to diffuse criticism of the defense, Carr said he had re-evaluated the game film. He was, in fact, disappointed by the performance of the defense, particularly the front seven.
Carr promised lineup changes before Saturday's home game against Notre Dame but would not make any revelations.
"You'll see what those changes are on Saturday," he said.
A glaring modification to the depth chart involves nose tackle Gabe Watson, who has made 12 straight starts. Watson apparently does not have the starting job locked down, as redshirt freshman Will Johnson is listed as a potential starter.
Another change involves inside linebacker. Scott McClintock and Chris Graham were starters inside in the opener. But McClintock, who was listed as a backup to Dave Harris a week ago, is still listed as a backup to Harris, who is coming off an undisclosed injury in the preseason.
"We're just not where we need to be," Carr said. "We need to play harder, and we need to play more physical. That is our intent.
"So there are going to be some changes in the lineup because we're not going to sit and watch that type of effort. We need to play harder, we need to play tougher.
"When I looked at our team as a whole, that's an area we have to deal with. Sometimes that means making changes.
"Maybe you get somebody's attention, and maybe it doesn't matter, but the issue is that you've got to try to put people out there that are going to play very hard and very physical."
Graham, a sophomore, was the only defensive player Carr singled out for praise. Graham, who made his first start, led the team with 10 tackles.
Carr's comments Monday were far different from those he made immediately following the victory. The Wolverines gave up big plays, including a 76-yard touchdown run by Garrett Wolfe in the second quarter to cut the Northern Illinois deficit to 14-10.
"I think if you take one play out of the football game, our defense did a very good job," Carr said after the game.
The change in assessment from "very good" to "disappointing" occurred after he watched the game film.
"I've learned one thing -- you can make a lot of statements after a game as a coach and be inaccurate, because there are a lot of things going on out there," Carr said. "But it's in the film. Film is the eye in the sky. It doesn't lie. It's there, and that's what you deal with."
Carr was asked if nothing in practice this week could change his mind about the defensive changes.
"No," he said emphatically.
Carr has been dealing with and deflecting criticism of his defense since the end of last season.
Now he must prepare for a Notre Dame offense that appeared capable of scoring at will in a 42-21 victory against 23rd-ranked Pitt on Saturday. The Irish, under first-year coach Charlie Weis, gained 502 yards, including 275 rushing, against the Panthers.
The prospects of containing the Irish could cause more sleepless nights for Carr.
"I don't care where you go in this game, there are things that aren't going like you want them to," he said. "And sometimes you don't know why something isn't going like you think it would. Sometimes, the more you dwell on something, you come up with an idea. There's always issues on any team, and right now, that's the biggest issue we have and we're going to try to deal with it in a way that can help us get better."
Five reasons why Michigan should be worried about Notre Dame
1. The Irish beat Michigan, 28-20, last year with the same quarterback (Brady Quinn) and same tailback (Darius Walker) that they will have in their backfield Saturday in Ann Arbor.
2. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis likes to go to multiple receivers. Quinn completed passes to seven receivers Saturday in a 42-21 victory at No. 23 Pittsburgh. The Irish were led by Walker (three catches, 52 yards), tight end Anthony Fasano (4-42), and receivers Rhema McKnight (3-51) and Jeff Samardzija (3-34). All are experienced players.
3. Michigan's defense has surrendered 400 or more yards in five consecutive games: Northern Illinois (411), Texas (444), Ohio State (446), Northwestern (405) and Michigan State (535).
4. Despite its struggles in recent seasons, Notre Dame is 4-5-1 against Michigan in the last 10 meetings and has won three of the last five, although the three victories were in South Bend.
5. The Irish won't panic if they fall behind. Weis promised a tougher team, and he delivered on that promise vs. Pitt.
