The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan football Mattison hopes his unit's improved mobility and athleticism will result in a more effective pass rush. photo by lon horwedel speed to the ball. Willie Henry, running full speed to the football. Jeremy Clark … I don't want to leave anybody out." Mattison also doesn't want to leave any stone unturned in the effort to put another top-notch Michigan defense on the field. He definitely likes what he sees in his crew's ability to move around. "When I'm standing back there watching it, I'm going, 'Wow.' It looks like were starting to get to the football better," Mattison observed. "I think it's a product of all those things." Mattison hopes some of the improved mobility and athleticism — especially from defensive linemen such as Pipkins, Henry and Wormley, along with an Ojemudia coming off the edge — can mesh with more seasoned players in providing the im- proved pass rush he's seeking. "We're working very, very hard," Mattison said. "We've spent more time this spring working on passrush techniques, working on trying to get pressure with a four-man front, than we've ever done. "You're definitely seeing improvement. But that's a combination of seeing us not being very good at all in pass rush with a four-man front. We're definitely taking steps. Whether it's baby steps or the right steps, we're going to be better at pass rush. That's going to be a trademark of this defense before we're all done." Devin Funchess Grows Up, Ready For Big Ten Grind In the early stages of his rookie campaign, tight end Devin Funchess flaunted all of the characteristics one