The Lewan Effect
hey this can probably work
I had assumed Lewan's departure was so much of a foregone conclusion that I didn't even bother to hang around the computer last night when he announced and only found out once I flipped on the Nebraska game. Derpity-doo.
In any case, I don't have to tell you how huge his return is for Michigan next year. Without him, Michigan was replacing four starters on the OL with at least two freshmen. With him, they return two solid-to-All-American tackles and only have to find three new guys.
In addition, Lewan's return gives Michigan flexibility. Michael Schofield was a quality player at guard last year and could return there if necessary. That allows Michigan to let Ben Braden and Erik Magnuson compete for starting jobs. Team 134 now has to find three starters out of this group:
CENTERS: Jack Miller, Patrick Kugler
GUARDS: Kyle Kalis, Chris Bryant, Kyle Bosch, Blake Bars, Joey Burzynski
TACKLES: Erik Magnuson, Ben Braden
Even if you dismiss Burzynski as a walk-on—not necessarily wise—that is eight candidates for the three spots, seven of whom will compete in spring. The eighth, Kugler, is the son of Sean Kugler, until recently the Steelers' OL coach and now the head man at UTEP. If ever there is a guy who will be ready to play center as a freshman it'll be him.
Remove Lewan and you not only force Braden* in to the starting lineup ready or not, you likely remove Magnuson from the conversation. Moving guys around is a lot less possible when you've got one guy standing between you and walk-ons at tackle. Then you're trying to get someone out of Bosch/Bars/Burzynski/Bryant. That's doable, but Lewan is not only an All-American coming back but two extra bullets for the holes Michigan has to fill. High five.
The starting line above is four touted recruits and four kids who are entering at least their third year in the program. Behind them they'll have options in case they aren't working out. It's kind of a big deal.
HEY DERRICK GREEN HEY WHAT'S UP NAW JUST SAYIN'
[Note: I'll redo "27 tickets" after Signing Day.]
*[Speculation based on insider buzz has Braden ahead of Magnuson, FWIW. As always take insider buzz lightly.]
January 10th, 2013 at 7:55 PM ^
January 10th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
January 10th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^
January 10th, 2013 at 11:21 PM ^
January 10th, 2013 at 11:56 PM ^
I saw the post before. It was critical of Brian, but in a professional way, not a personal one. I am surprised that mods would delete it.
Although I didn't agree with the now-deleted comment, which questioned whether Brian had reliable insider sources, it would be better to have a discussion on the topic and have the comment disproved than to censor it. Blogs are simply no fun if those who visit are prohibited from sharing a unique viewpoint.
Perhaps the mods or the original commenter could explain what they think happened, and why?
January 11th, 2013 at 9:09 AM ^
January 13th, 2013 at 1:18 AM ^
but I hadn't seen this before. He was caved at some point (I'm not able to see when), most likely not with this comment. I took a second to look at some of his past posts, and literally every post he'd written was criticism of Brian, with some crossing the line into personal territory.
I don't want to sound like I'm just towing the company line or anything, but I can definitely picture a comment or two that went too far judging by history. I would also add that, personally, I'll never take negative action as a result of a civil disagreement (I'd like to think that I can speak for profit on this matter as well), but I always try to quickly intervene if something gets personal, even if it is Brian we're talking about.
January 11th, 2013 at 1:08 AM ^
January 11th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^
A simply above average OL at Iowa last year with no passing game turned a sixth-string fullback who runs something like a 3-hour 40 yard dash into a 5.1YPC feature back who ran for 900 yards and 8 touchdowns last year.
Basically, Weisman was Thomas Rawls. If you can imagine Rawls becoming the leading rusher on the team last year, that's the difference between a bad and an above average line. If Fitz played for Alabama last year, he would've looked like TJ Yeldon. That's the difference between above average and outstanding.
January 11th, 2013 at 1:10 AM ^
January 11th, 2013 at 4:24 AM ^
January 11th, 2013 at 7:55 AM ^
These comments bear out the title of Brian's piece, "The Lewan Effect." Instead of discussing whether or not our O-Line will be even competent next year, we are debating whether or not they will be dominant. Thanks, Taylor! That's a big effect.
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