Quick Hoke Presser Tidbits: O-Line Taking Shape? Comment Count

Ace



3/5 of the starting line for the opener? [Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog]

Brady Hoke held a presser this evening, and while Adam should have the full transcript up later, Brian asked me to do a quick rundown since this was a particularly newsworthy one. Let's start with—you guessed it—the offensive line, which seems to be taking form.

That's from left to right, and confirms what Hoke said on the radio earlier today about Braden solidifying his spot at right tackle, with Mason Cole still holding strong at LT.

While Glasgow looks to be the starter at right guard, he's suspended for the opener; Kyle Bosch and David Dawson are competing to start against Appalachian State. As for concern that Kyle Kalis hasn't been mentioned much at all this fall, there's apparently good reason for his absence:

If Hoke is to be believed, Miller is in position to do more than just start the first game—according to the man in charge, Miller is outplaying Glasgow at center. That'd be great news, as it would allow Glasgow to work at guard—where he seems to be a better option than Bosch/Dawson—and let Miller provide an apparent upgrade at center over Michigan's most consistent interior lineman from last year (that is, admittedly, not a distinction worth throwing a parade over).

UPDATE: Per Angelique Chengelis, Hoke actually said that Kalis would be a starter—though one or both of them didn't specify where—if his back was healthy.

That could mean Kalis would take over at left guard, Magnuson would slide over to left tackle, and Cole would move to the bench, or it could mean that Kalis would play right guard over Glasgow.

Michigan held a scrimmage on Wednesday, and in addition to Kalis, three other players were held out: Devin Funchess, Drake Harris, and Delano Hill. Harris is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Hill is reportedly two to three weeks away from returning from his broken jaw. No reason was given for Funchess' absence that I could find, so let's hope upon hope that it was simply "you're Devin Funchess, and we have no need to risk you."

Multiple spots are still up for grabs. Hoke praised the scrimmage performances of Derrick Green and Drake Johnson, while saying De'Veon Smith had a slow start. On the other side of the ball, Jake Ryan is the only linebacker who's locked down a starting spot.

Jabrill Peppers "has a handle" on playing nickel, so he's now getting some work in at cornerback. Given Michigan's depth there, that sounds very positive in regards to Peppers' development.

Adam will have the full transcript up at some point, but that should hold you over for now.

Comments

reshp1

August 14th, 2014 at 11:07 PM ^

Most likely outcome of Kalis returning is that Mags goes back to LT and Kalis takes his spot at LG or displaces the RG, who then moves to LG. Kinda sucks that Glasgow's dumb decision may cost Cole his RS. IMO, he probably gets time this year either way with how thin we are and how good he apparently is.

alum96

August 14th, 2014 at 11:48 PM ^

Don't think it cost Cole his RS.  You have to prepare a 3rd tackle.  If Braden or Mags gets hurt who is going to play tackle.  Cole.  You cannot throw him out there in game 7 in Big 10 play having never played a down of CFB.  His RS is gone if he is the 3rd tackle this year no matter if he starts or not.  Otherwise you get Russel B coming in for Denard v Nebraska situation.  It would be unlikely Braden and Mags play an entire year injury free... and we still have no idea how EITHER will play as a starting tackle. 

BlueCube

August 15th, 2014 at 9:27 AM ^

sending Glasgow a message. I hope it's true though because it will mean that one of last years best linemen got passed up. Regardless the thing I like about this thread is that it sounds like there is legitimate competition. It's still a young line but I don't see the disaster that was there last year. I think this line will be adequate at the beginning of the year and hopefully developing into decent by the MSU game and above average by Ohio State.

If that happens, I think we can make a good run at anyone on the schedule.

Marley Nowell

August 14th, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^

I think this basically means that Mason Cole is better at LT than Bosch/Dawson are at playing Guard.  While that is a little surpring to hear about Bosch he would normally be a redshirt freshman.

blue in dc

August 14th, 2014 at 10:41 PM ^

I think Miller has a big advantage in that he's only been focusing on one position, while Glagow has been switching between multiple positions. I suspect tgat if Glasgow played the same position for several weeks, you'd likely see some improvement.

RobM_24

August 15th, 2014 at 1:13 AM ^

The toughest front 7's we saw last year were ND & MSU. Miller played vs ND, and I thought that was one of the lines better games last year, even though Miller was dealing with guys like Nix & Day.

maize-blue

August 15th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^

Drake Harris has had a hamstring issue for approximately 1-2 years now. Redshirt, redshirt, redshirt....

Monocle Smile

August 15th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^

I apologize for taking this out on you, but the past two years have seen a billion threads about the details of redshirts, and the rules for football are extremely simple.

You step on the field during a game for a single play and it's burned. Unless you've played in less than 30% of games and no games after the season midpoint due to injury. That's it.

bronxblue

August 15th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^

Color me shocked, **SHOCKED** I say, that Kalis isn't a lazy non-Michigan Man who will never amount to anything, but instead a human being dealing with injuries and growing into the position.  I guess I relied too much on the internet for once in my life.  

/s

Honestly, I'm kind of happy Cole is getting some run this early.  By all accounts, he's been very solid since the moment he stepped on campus, and he's competing against solid players and performing well.  Sometimes young guys do just figure it out and have the right physicallity, and while I'm sure Hoke and co. would like to redshirt these guys, it doesn't mean the team is a tire fire because a freshman worked his way into the starting lineup.

AFWolverine

August 15th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^

Look guys, I'm not worried about the OL. What I'm really concerned about is Jon Falk's replacement. Can Berlin handle the load? Is his experience enough? These things are keeping me up at night with the season looming just over 2 weeks away.