Henne, Hart expect to play Capital One Bowl
When quarterback Chad Henne was last seen publicly on a football field, it was with a bad throwing shoulder that couldn't lead the University of Michigan to a comeback win over Ohio State.
Henne said Thursday the time off after that game helped, and he has participated fully in each of the team's bowl practices over the last two weeks.
Henne and running back Mike Hart, who suffered an ankle sprain in October, struggled with injuries the second half of the season but are expected to play in the Capital One Bowl against Florida on Jan. 1.
"I don't know what percent I am, but I know I'm getting better," Henne said. "I'm definitely improving, and my strength's coming back."
Mike Hart didn't attend Thursday's news conference previewing the bowl, and neither did coach Lloyd Carr, but teammates said Mike Hart has been participating in all of the practices and has looked good.
Henne said that establishing the running game and controlling the ball will be key to beating Florida. That didn't happen in the regular-season-ending 14-3 loss to Ohio State, a day Henne would like to forget not just because of his injury but also because of the poor weather.
Henne described the injury as a painful one that would have many people sitting out. He couldn't lift weights for five weeks.
During the Ohio State game, he felt a twinge that forced him to the locker room in the second half for medication to numb the shoulder.
"It hurt the one time I threw, and I was like, 'It's pretty much over,' " Henne said. "I was like 'I can't control it. The ball's not going where it needs to be. It's over.' "
As for any other injuries the Wolverines are dealing with, Carr's absence Thursday meant he couldn't be asked about anybody else.
"I think everybody's feeling healthy and doing well," left tackle Jake Long said. "You can tell this rest definitely helped us all out because we're having faster, harder, more intense practices."
Carr's last ride
Safety Jamar Adams has personally been by Carr's office to thank him for what he called irreplaceable teachings during his college carrer. Adams said Carr hasn't changed anything about his coaching style since announcing his retirement following the Ohio State game.
Many of the players saw signs of the oncoming retirement, so they were somewhat prepared for it. Many would like to honor their coach with one final win.
"We really want to end on a high note for him, for the seniors and for this whole team," senior tackle Jake Long said.
Bowl week
The Wolverines have their final practice in Ann Arbor today and leave Christmas Day for Orlando. Among the activities during the week is a stop at Best Buy for a $400 shopping spree, one of the bowl gifts given to each player.
"These bowl gifts are getting ridiculous," Henne said.
Cornerback Morgan Trent said he was looking forward to some warm weather. The high temperature upon Michigan's arrival is forecast to be 76 degrees.
"I'm going to be outside as much as I can," Trent said.
Ryan Mallett mention
Henne hopes his understudy, freshman Ryan Mallett, gets a chance to play under Rodriguez but acknowledged that the new coach's spread offense is a big change, especially for the non-running quarterbacks currently on Michigan's roster.
"(Ryan Mallett's) pretty athletic, but we're not spread quarterbacks," Henne said. "If they're going to keep him here, they're going to have to mesh around him because he's definitely a great quarterback, and it would be a waste to get rid of him."
Program sales
The Capital One Bowl is sold out. Game programs are available through fcsports.com for $10. Kickoff at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium will be at 1 p.m. on ABC.
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