The Diary of Michael Coleman

[buckeyeryan]

Originally Posted by Saints101

Maybe you can be the next Marion Barber. Cuz he attended Minnesota.

Thanks to all for keeping up with this.

Yeah, i'm hoping that Coleman will follow in the paths of Barber and Laurence Maroney...

Top five Minnesota RB's of all Time (from their website)

1. Darrell Thompson 1986-1989
936 rush, 4,654 yards 5.0 average, 40 TD
2. Laurence Maroney 2003-2005
660 rush, 3,933 yards, 6.0 average 32 TD



3. Thomas Hamner 1996-1999
882 rush, 3,810 yards, 4.3 average 21 TD
4. Marion Barber 2001-2004
575 rush3276 yards, 5.7 average 35 TD



5. Chris Darkins 1992-1995
643 rush, 3,235 yards, 5.0 average 21 TD


Might not get a chance to post much today, but I will try to at least knock out a little.

Thanks.

[buckeyeryan]

July 1, 2008

What’s going on? It’s been a while since I have updated, so let me give you a run down of the last few months…

I finished up with my senior year of King, and my grades ended up good enough for me to be able to officially enroll at Minnesota. I’ve been getting a lot of tutoring on the side, and I feel as confident as ever getting ready to go into college. Momma thinks that I should be able to pull a “B” average. I don’t know about all of that, but at least I feel like I might be able to keep up.

Mr. Jackson and Coach Robertson have also been helping me “study” for college by helping me learn as much as possible about offensive strategy, etc. A few months ago, I didn’t know much at all about the spread offense, but I’ve been watching tape with them and reading as much as I can. They say I am way behind on the learning curve, but can catch up quickly if I’m focused.

As for improving my physical shape, I’ve been hitting the weight room as often as possible. I know that there will probably be a big difference between high school players and college players, so I need to be in the best shape possible. I won’t be able to just beat all the DB’s around the corner and sprint to the end zone anymore. At least that’s what Mr. Jackson and Coach Robertson say. We’ll see about that….

I leave for Minnesota in about three weeks. I’ve never even seen the campus or any of it, so I’m kind of excited, but nervous, too. Momma cries every now and then, and says she’s going to miss me, but I know that I’ll be home as much as possible…

Well, that’s it for now.

[buckeyeryan]

July 25, 2008

Moving Day. Momma couldn’t get off work, so Mr. Jackson offered to drive me up to campus. After everything that happened, he’s like my new father figure, I guess. I didn’t have much stuff to bring – just two suitcases with all of my clothes and personal stuff – so we just took his old beat up Cadillac. It’s an 11 hour trip, and we had plenty of time to talk about college and everything that I would be experiencing in the next few years.

“Tre’, your education is the most important thing,” he told me. “I know that you think football is going to be your ticket, but nothing is more important than a good education.”

He went on an on about it, and I tried to take it all in, but I felt deep in my heart, that somehow, some way, I was going to make it big time.



As we finally drove into Minneapolis, I was amazed at the size of the campus and all of the buildings. Yeah, Detroit has all kinds of skyscrapers, but it was a different feeling here. It was so clean and felt new and alive. I was ready to take this town and this school by the horns, and turn it upside down.

[buckeyeryan]

August 4, 2008

Today was the first day of practice. It was a bit nerve wracking, but I knew that this would be my first baby step into making a name for myself at this school and around the Big 10.

I’m tentatively slated as the third back on the depth chart, behind Duane Bennett and Jay Thomas. They are both decent backs from what I have heard – bigger and a bit stronger than I am, but nowhere near as quick. Heck, Thomas has had 2 ACL surgeries. He’s got good hands from what I’ve heard ,but I think I could outrun him backpedaling.





We did some light, non-contact drills and some other real basic stuff at first, but things got a little more intensive as the day went on. I thought I was doing pretty well, until we ran some passing drills and I dropped my first two passes. Dang. I know that this is going to be something I’ve got to work on. The spread offense definitely uses the backs as receivers, and if I can’t hold onto the ball, I might not see the field very much.

As for the off the field stuff, I am loving college so far. Classes haven’t started yet, but I’m having a lot of fun hanging out with the guys and getting accustomed to the school. And there’s tons of beautiful women around here. So many distractions, so little time!

[fukau23]

haha i like that last part

[G-Men72]

nice updates, whos minnesota's first game and are you gonna have him start or make him the backup

[buckeyeryan]

Originally Posted by G-Men72

nice updates, whos minnesota's first game and are you gonna have him start or make him the backup

First game is against Northern Illinois. Coleman will probably start the season as the backup, but we will see what happens through practices leading up to Week One. I try to make things somewhat realistic, so I don't think it would be likely for a freshman to jump up and get 30 carries or something the first week, but it has happened before. Stay tuned...

[Saints101]

nice I'm really enjoying this.

[woy1509]

Originally Posted by YoungWonda

Alright going to the Big Ten woohoo. As you might have seen Ima huge Michigan fan. Just dont beat up on Michigan too bad, please? lol jk. I love this Cl and its one of the best I've read. No offense G-Men lol

lol, um someone is forgetting about another CL. *cough* Chance Kennedy *cough*

Originally Posted by buckeyeryan

First game is against Northern Illinois. Coleman will probably start the season as the backup, but we will see what happens through practices leading up to Week One. I try to make things somewhat realistic, so I don't think it would be likely for a freshman to jump up and get 30 carries or something the first week, but it has happened before. Stay tuned...

well minnesota was what, 1-11 last year? it probably would be realistic if their stud freshman got a ton of carries the first game.

great updates, can't wait for the first game.

[buckeyeryan]

Aug. 15

Our first full scrimmage. The coaching staff broke us up into two squads, and we played a full half under the lights in a real game setting.... We are only two weeks out from our opener against Northern Illinois, and everyone was ready to show the coaches what they could do....

I’m still penciled in as third on the depth chart, but Coach Brewster said I have made a lot of progress. I’ve been working on my pass catching, and trying to hit the hole in front of me instead of bouncing everything to the outside.

The scrimmage today went pretty well. I played for the maroon squad, and shared carries with Jay Thomas. I caught a couple passes, mostly on screens and flares to the sideline to try to take advantage of my speed:



I scored a touchdown on our team’s first possession from a few yards out.







The coaches seemed real impressed with me, and have added a new test to my plate: returning kickoffs. They love my speed and what they call an “unusual ability” to naturally find open space. For the time being, I’m one of three guys they are considering putting back their with out top WR, Eric Decker.

We’ll see what happens. Only two weeks until our first game. I’m ready!