Photo Gallery: Michigan football names Doug Nussmeier as new offensive coordinator

Doug Nussmeier's running schemes are much simpler than Al Borges', players say.

(Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan donned pads for the first time this spring on Tuesday, which meant the team's first real -- full contact -- look at Doug Nussmeier's new offense took place.

And when it comes to the running game, perhaps the most important part of Nussmeier's new scheme, ball carriers universally noticed one thing.

Everything is far less complex now than it was a year ago with Al Borges running the show.

"It seems a lot more easier (to understand) than last year's offense, we're going to get used to it," sophomore running back De'Veon Smith said Tuesday. "The running schemes, they're a little bit more simple.

"Coach Borges, to me, was more of a pass first and run second (coach), I feel like coach Nussmeier (is the opposite)."

Nussmeier has been relatively quiet publicly when it comes to the overall ins and outs of what he wants his offense to look like next season at Michigan.

However, for anyone who watched Alabama run the ball over the past two seasons, the team's bread and butter play seemed to be its inside zone rushing attack.

The premise of that is rather simple. A zone blocking scheme aimed at attacking inside the tackles, allowing larger, more physical backs to either run toward his aiming point, or make one cut and get downhill.

But whether it's an inside zone play, or another base running call, players say the premise is far less complex.

Get between the tackles, get your shoulders square and get up the field.

On top of that, players also say Nussmeier pass blocking schemes are pretty simple to understand.

"This is a lot more downhill, that's what I like," sophomore running back Derrick Green said. "That's the biggest thing. He's also real fundamental with pass blocking.

"Coach Nussmeier's a great man, a smart guy, he knows what he's doing. He's giving us the right tools and we're going to give it our all."

Michigan is obviously hoping that by simplifying its pass protection schemes, it'll be able to cut down on the 36 sacks it gave up a year ago. The same can be said about the overall number of tackles for loss (113). If the schemes are simpler and easier to understand, perhaps the offense will have better luck at staying on schedule and ahead of the sticks.

On top of that, Nussmeier's desire to feature more than one back has just about everyone in the position room excited.

At the moment, the two leading candidates for heavy carries are both Green and Smith. Green now stands 5-foot-11, 220 pounds. Smith is 5-foot-11, 223.

Both came to Michigan to take handoffs, get between the tackles and move piles. And they came to Michigan to do it together.

"Eventually, backs get tired, a back can't take 32 carries a game (at this level, every game)," Smith said. "It's important for a lot of us to get carries."

On a more surface level, players say the overall level of energy and passion Nussmeier brings to practice every day is a noticeable difference.

The running backs say he's spending more time in the meeting room with his ball carries and position coach Fred Jackson, and seems to have a strong desire to fix the biggest issue facing Michigan next season.

Its running game.

"We have to bring that running game back, that's what Michigan's about," Green said. "Running down hill, getting (into the defensive backfield).

"That's the focus this year. Getting that running game back."

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