Fun Question: Who would you bring back?
Jake Long. Just a needs based pick... For sheer excitement I'll take Woodson or Carter.
My head says Steve Hutchinson, but my heart says Brandon Graham.
Guard is one of our worst positions and Hutch is as good as it gets. Although I get the feeling defense wins championships and one offensive lineman can only do so much. So, I'd say it's a toss up between Graham, Woodley, or Woodson. As much of a difference maker as Woodson is and probably the best player UM has ever had IMO, I think one of the two pass rushers would make a bigger impact since I expect the secondary to be pretty good. But, if you took Graham or Woodley do you move Clark or one of them to the strong side because they all play WDE? I don't know, I'd probably try to get them both on the field at the same time as much as possible.
Graham could play a few spots on the line, just put the best 4 out there. I think a solid rush will put this defense into a top-15 unit. But Hutch could probably bump our YPC a whole yard and that has to be the top priority.
A reliable center would go a long way to calm my anxiety about next season.
Because Woodson is my favorite player ever. Wheatley because he doesn't even need an offensive line.
motherfucking gif motherfucker!
Braylon Edwards
We are loaded on offense, except for the O-line, which was a dumpster fire last season even with two tackles who got drafted. I'm willing to give the interior line the benefit of the doubt about being young and expecting one more year's experience for eveyone will be a big boost. But, now we have two rookies at tackle. The best LT in the program's history and #1 over draft pick the year he came out looks real tasty right about now.
Note: corrected subject to Long. Got my LTs confused.
Steve Hutchinson. No hesitation.
steve hutchinson. best player for the biggest need.
I would go with LaMarr Woodley, give me either Jake Long or Steve Hutchinson on offense.
Anthony Carter. Number 1 in your program and number 1 in your heart.
bc he's my hero
We didn't know that!
even get an offer if he had the same athleticism/talent from his era and tried to compete in the modern era of sports? anyone have any idea how fast he was?
I'll have to track down the source, but apparently he broke 10 seconds in the 100-yard dash several times (hand-timed, but still). He might not win the Heisman today, but he'd be a coveted athlete. His height and weight appear to be 6-1 and 197 pounds, so he wouldn't be undersized for skill positions, either.
Means Tom Harmon was a big guy that could easily have been 6'3" and 235 in 2014.
but he could def put on some more weight
Average height has been increasing for generations most likely due to improvements in childhood nutrition.
the average height of US males has increased since 1940 by about 2 inches and weight has increased by about 30 pounds, through better nutrition and health.
Not that dramatic of increase compared to the average increase of the Netherlands. Average male in 1940 was 5'4" while in 2012 the average for 20-30 is 6'0".
have nothing to do with individual heights. doubt harmon had issues with childhood nutrition.
Jake Long, and then just run HB Iso 40 times a game and watch Green/Smith/Isaac rack up a combined 250 yards as we win 20-7....I miss those days :(.
I say Charles Woodson. I watched a big ten special on our 1997 team and our coaches that were interviewed about that amazing season said, in hindsight, never did losing one player make such a HUGE difference the following year.
Charles was one of those few BIGTIME players that always stepped up in big moments. Both sides of the ball. And special teams.
Woodson shutting down his half on the field would be awesome .... with Peppers on the other side ! and I would number them 2 and 2a
Go Blue!
Hands down.
Maybe if he came as the Threetidan combo...
Those Sheridan/Threet days were PAINFUL to watch. Talk about square peg and round hole.
Those Sheridan/Threet days were PAINFUL to watch. Talk about square peg and round hole.
He was a good one. . .
I just like saying his name
The best OL coach we've ever had: Jerry Hanlon. Allow Funk to learn from the master.
I actually wondered, as I was reading, when we would see someone mention a position coach or something with some systemic impact like that, and I find myself attracted to this answer in particular given the OP's question. I think Hanlon, Nussmeier's scheme and the current available talent would produce something that was definitely serviceable, to say the least.
Hanlon was OL coach from 1969-81, and from 1988-1991, when he retired.
During his 17-year stint coaching the offensive line, Michigan had 16 All-Americans.
On top of that, Hanlon was QB coach from 1982 to 1987, and all he did was coach Michigan's last All-American quarterback, Jim Harbaugh, in 1986.
Now that's what you call "systemic impact."
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lot's of snark in this thread...
I'd have to say Jake Long. Biggest need on this team is still O-Line and not only was Long awesome but could also step up and be a team leader.
Jim Harbaugh in a player/coach role.