Newsstand: Desmond Howard delivers speech to Michigan team 146

Tweets Of The Day

Legendary former Michigan wide receiver and 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard spoke to the 146th version of the Wolverines during fall camp Wednesday.

“[It’s] always great to have him around, and [he gave] a great message to the guys,” Michigan offensive line coach Grant Newsome said. “Just a great message about your mindset and how that mindset and your perception shape your play on the field and your performance in the rest of your life. Are you looking at things as half empty vs. half full? And how just that simple change can change how you are as a player, change how the team is.

“Great question and answer session. It’s always awesome to have him around and he just embodies everything that a Michigan man is.”

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day — who reportedly told his team years ago that the Big Ten better have a “mercy rule” because he was going to beat Michigan so badly — hasn’t seen his promises hold true.

The under on Michigan’s over/under win total of 8.5 games is one of the most bet lines on BetMGM.

Graduate quarterback Jake Garcia finds junior wide receiver Semaj Morgan, who came down with a ridiculous one-handed catch.

Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy hasn’t seen game-like action since the first preseason tilt last year, before being ruled out for the season with a knee injury that required surgeries. He’s slated to play in the first preseason game this year, Saturday against the Houston Texans.

From Vikings.com:
It was a long return road, but he stayed focused and upbeat. Growing in his knowledge of Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s system, soaking up the learning opportunities and attacking the rehab.

“I will take a moment [to appreciate being back in action],” McCarthy said Wednesday. “And I’ll take this moment to thank the athletic training staff, thank my coaches, thank all my teammates. Everyone throughout that journey has just been amazing, and I think it did a lot more good for me than bad, and just being out there again is going to be really special, and I can’t wait to go do it.”

McCarthy said he’ll emphasize making the right decisions with the football and “being able to function as one unit, one heartbeat and be all on the same page to execute and follow our football philosophy and have it come to life” during his time on the field.

McCarthy and the offense have been battle-tested by a fast and feisty defense that has a particular ability to obfuscate with versatility and scheme.

Quote Of The Day

“That competition has been healthy. Left tackle, Evan Link’s been there, played well in the bowl game and has done a great job elevating his play. We really kind of challenged him to get that next step to go from a guy feeling your way through your first season, getting used to it, to go be the tackle you’re capable of being. I’ve been really, really impressed with the steps he’s taken this summer to continue that. He’s having a really, really good camp.”

— Michigan offensive line coach Grant Newsome on junior Evan Link being the first name in the mix at left tackle, before adding that freshman Andrew Babalola and sophomore Blake Frazier are both competing at the position

Headlines Of The Day

• Chris Balas, The Wolverine: Michigan left tackle competition sparks major improvement … many options at right guard
• Anthony Broome, The Wolverine: Inside Michigan football’s push to revive its smashmouth identity
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Michigan freshman standing out as an ‘unbelievable’ athlete: ‘He’s gonna be a great one’
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Michigan football: Who will start at DT next to Rayshaun Benny?
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Fall camp quick-hitters: Desmond Howard speaks to team, competition is high, ‘same Michigan’ on the DL