Michigan assistant LaMar Morgan talks plan with, without Will Johnson
Outstanding Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is questionable for Saturday night’s game with Michigan State. His absence would be a big blow to the U-M secondary, but defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan said Johnson will do everything he can to be back for the rivalry contest.
“Yesterday or two days ago we have a Monday thing that we did some things … what he did last week,” the Michigan assistant said. “Some of our guys are modified throughout the week. There are different things they’re doing.
“I think right now, Will Johnson is just working through … just trying to be his best all the time when he gets on the field. I think we have done a good job — I think he has done a great job. Right now, Will … the game is not played today. There are a lot of guys that maybe didn’t go full speed all the way until Wednesday or Thursday, and then had a heck of a game on Saturday.”
He’s trying to get his mind right, Morgan added, still in the front row during Michigan practice meetings, coaching his teammates up.
“We’re excited about Will. I know when he gets on the field, he’ll go 100 percent,” Morgan said.
And if he can’t go? Then they’ll need more of what they saw from backups Jyaire Hill and Aamir Hall Saturday in a Michigan loss at Illinois. Both played relatively well, but each would have to take it to another level against the Spartans and their improving offense.
“As a coach, you have to always ask, see what guys do well,” he said. “We have a a big library of things we can do here. Each week you find out what opponents do — what does this team do well, and what can we do well against those guys?
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“I’ve said this … if you love chocolate cake but your wife’s not really good at chocolate cake, you’re probably not going to ask here to make that. But if she makes a really good banana pudding which is just as good, she probably makes that. I think there are things that all the guys can do. There are some things that Will can do better than anyone in America. I think we’ve just got to gauge it.”
But there’s confidence in the others, too. They’re gaining more experience, and if Johnson doesn’t go, Morgan insists they’ll have a plan.
“You can’t throw out a whole game plan if he doesn’t play,” Morgan said. “I know he’ working to play this weekend, but the game plan didn’t change against Illinois. When we went out, we called the same calls we would when he’s in there.
“Everybody gets the same reps during the week. We try to break it up evenly, so guys are prepared and ready to go.”
