MICHIGAN NOTEBOOK: BRAINY PEARSON CENTER OF WOLVERINES SUCCESS.Byline: Walter Hammerwold Staff Writer Michigan Michigan (mĭsh`ĭgən), upper midwestern state of the United States. It consists of two peninsulas thrusting into the Great Lakes and has borders with Ohio and Indiana (S), Wisconsin (W), and the Canadian province of Ontario (N,E). center Dave Pearson Dave Pearson (born March 29, 1981) is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free-agent. brims with confidence over the success he has had on the football field. But his teammates are equally impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: with what he has done off of it. The four-time member of the Academic All-Big Ten Conference team recently was named scholar athlete of the year Athlete of the Year
The Wolverines believe his intelligence pays off on the field. ``He's our brain,'' linemate Tony Pape Tony Pape (born September 29, 1981) is an American football player for the San Diego Chargers. He became a free agent after his practice squad contract expired on January 8,2007. Pape signed with the San Diego Chargers on February 14, 2007. said. ``He is the brain of our offensive line. He has to see the defense, make the calls, listen to the quarterback, snap the ball and block, all in the matter of five seconds. We just have to get to the line and block.'' Pearson began at Michigan as a defensive lineman Lineman or linesman may refer to:
2. By the constitution of the United States, the president has the power to fill up vacancies that may happen during the recess of the senate. at center caused him to change positions during 2002 spring drills. ``The coaches approached me because we needed a center, and I had the right build and could move a bit,'' Pearson said. ``And they knew I would be able to pick up on learning a new set of plays.'' Pearson, who had not played center at any level in his career, has given the offensive line an inside knowledge of how a defensive line functions. His ability to read an opposing defense has allowed the line to prosper and set in motion the Big Ten's second-ranked offense. ``He lets us know the purpose of why they're running this stunt or that stunt, what a defender's trying to do, that he's trying to split the `B' gap or whatever,'' Pape said. ``He brings that asset to the offensive line.'' Pearson also has developed a close relationship with quarterback John Navarre John Robert Navarre (born September 9, 1980) is an American football quarterback who most recently was in training camp for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL, although the Colts subsequently waived Navarre on Tuesday, August 8, 2007. He is currently an NFL free agent. . The two work with one another to anticipate blitzes and other defensive schemes during games. ``He's one of the smartest guys we have,'' Navarre said. ``And the advantage with him is that he's able to make a lot more calls. It helps me out as a quarterback and helps the line out, no question.'' --All dressed up: The Wolverines spent Monday morning practicing, then donned coats and ties to take part in Lawry's Beef Bowl in the evening. Defensive lineman Grant Bowman said the team's practices continue to be positive and spirits are high. ``Practice has been great,'' Bowman said. ``It's probably a little more enthusiastic than normal. There's been a lot of energy, which is hard to do sometimes (during a bowl week) because of all the other things and activities that are going on.'' The Wolverines practice this morning and attend a taping of ``The Tonight Show'' this afternoon. --Memory lane: The last time Michigan played in a Rose Bowl game was 1998, but the last time it played a game in Pasadena was 2000, against UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX during the regular season. The Wolverines entered the game ranked third but lost 23-20. ``When we played that day, it was 115 degrees on the field,'' Bowman said, ``and we had four guys getting IVs at halftime and in the third quarter. So, they weren't good memories. It was probably the hottest game I've ever played in.'' Bowman, who revisited the stadium Sunday Sunday: see Sabbath; week. during Rose Bowl media day, said it does not have the same feel it did for the regular-season game. ``The stadium looks completely different now with all the Rose Bowl stuff up, and it's a completely different atmosphere,'' he said. Walt Hammerwold, (626) 962-8811 walter.hammerwold(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: John Navarre (16) works out at a recent Michigan practice. Bernardo Alps/Staff Photographer |
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