The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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said 2003 Doak Walker Award winner Chris Perry (2000-03). "There was an intensity in camp because the job was open and Coach Jackson liked using one primary guy, so all of us backs were giving everything we had ev- ery rep. It didn't even have to be in the scrimmages — even in individual drills we went after it because we were trying to impress Coach Jackson. "You had to be consistent, not make mistakes like fumbling the ball. You had to show a willingness and a pro- ficiency in pass protection, and then when you scrimmaged you had to make a big play to show you could be a difference-maker." Michigan's coaching staff still has time — the first game is Aug. 30, with game week, and the need for dedi- cated reps, beginning Aug. 24. And new offensive coordinator Doug Nuss- meier also preaches a multi-pronged attack, similar to the early 1990s when four different backs in Biakabutuka's freshman year had at least 40 carries. "We're going to play a number of guys," Nussmeier said. "What you look at is: 'OK, who is going to carry the load? How many carries does each guy get?' We're not going to be just a one-back system. "There are a lot of variables. Each back has different types of runs they excel at. You talk a lot about the pro- tection stuff — who excels at it, and where do we want to implement that in the game? "How many touches do you want to get a certain player who maybe is not ready to carry the whole load, but maybe does have a certain skill set? Maybe we get this guy in for a certain amount of snaps. "Those are all variables we'll get to once we identify, is there one guy to carry the majority of the load, or are we doing it by committee?" Those questions remain unknown, so for now, the running backs them- selves are approaching the season like they must win the job outright in fall camp, but both Biakabutuka and Perry can attest that while you can fall on the depth chart due to a poor preseason, ball carriers truly do not separate themselves until the lights go on. COMPETITION IS FEROCIOUS, NOT VICIOUS Huddled together near the 40-yard line inside Michigan's massive indoor practice facility, the Al Glick Field House, Smith, Green and Johnson kept an eye on each other, smiling, laughing while they listened to the questions asked. Green's reduction in weight — more than 20 pounds from last season — and decline in body fat was a consis- tent topic of conversation while the 5-11, 220-pounder showed off a slim- mer physique. In the background, Smith flexed his muscles, keen to let it be known he, too, is a chiseled 5-11, 220 pounds. "I believe I have a good-looking body also," Smith said, laughing. "Derrick does, but he's not the only one working hard to be stronger and leaner too. I wanted to be in the best shape possible, be the fastest running back I could be, so I worked really hard." Moments later, both finished with their interviews during U-M's annual