U-M film sessions: Players called out in front of team

Entering the season, Michigan football players raved about having NFL-level coaches. They felt that the coaches would help them improve and teach them at a higher level than the previous staff.

But they might not have considered how those lessons would come.

They know now, after the first film sessions from the 24-17 loss to Utah. Instead of in small groups or individually, players get called out in front of the team.

"It's about giving a sense of accountability, because you can't watch yourself and mess up on film in front of 40 other guys and not feel bad," center Graham Glasgow said Tuesday. "You're watching it as a group ... they're calling you out, saying you messed up. It's all about having a sense of accountability and doing your job for your offense."

Tailback De'Veon Smith, who missed a number of open holes, knew he had to sit there and take it. That's the way it is under new coach Jim Harbaugh.

"You have to be tough-skinned, which you need to play this game anyway," Smith said. "Yes, all your teammates are going to be like, 'Yes, you missed this play.' But you also have to understand why they're saying that. They're trying to help you. They're going to get on you about missing plays."

The defense got it, as well.

The criticism -- safety Jabrill Peppers made sure to call it "constructive criticism" -- is a way for the coaching staff to teach, but also to assess who can handle it.

"It was pretty intense," Peppers said. "I'm not going to go into details. But they definitely got after us; me, in particular. That's one of the things about being coachable. We can do better. They're honest with us and hold each and every one of us accountable. They've seen what I put forth all camp and in spring and going out there and laying an egg like that, it's just not acceptable."

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder. Download our new Wolverines Xtra app on iTunesand Android!