Appears we have a Michigan OL again...

Submitted by Alumnus93 on
Alot of talk about a star is born in Chris Evans... and the DL play and injuries..... To me the elephant in room always has been the OL below Michigan standards the past 9 years. After watching the replay, I am comfortable in saying, that we finally have a Michigan quality OL.. thank God.... Kalis, and I have been his biggest critic...looks compete now. He got great push, and pass blocked quite well. No longer a liability, but he looked like the best lineman yesterday. And Kugler! saw several pancakes. He did well. Newsome looked the part, am happy. Cole was invisible, which is good. I didn't notice Mags much. Then the backups like Bredeson , did great. Granted this is one game, and Braden didn't play...but boy, am I relieved. Braden should be sweating now, the way Kugler played. And alot of props to Evans, who reminds me of a small Dickerson, however the holes he was given by the OL were very nice Man, It feels Ive been holding my breath for years a bit...when the Michigan OL isn't dominant is like the Sun not rising in the morning. I say with confidence, that our OL IS BACK.
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the Glove

September 4th, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^

Pump your brakes buddy. They weren't moving the ball on the ground all that well up the middle early in the game. So keep in mind that they could have worn out an already tired Hawaii team. Hopefully they have got it together but we need to wait and see.

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Sten Carlson

September 4th, 2016 at 8:21 PM ^

I thought it was Hawaii's determination to stop the run by loading the box. As soon as Wilton completed a few passes the running game picked up. I think that's why the first play call was a play action boot. Had that pass not been picked off and instead been a good gainer to Butt, the running game might have started better than it did. After the INT, it kinda looked like the calls got a bit conservative and played right into Hawaii's scheme.

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stephenrjking

September 4th, 2016 at 3:27 PM ^

I'm in mid re-watch and the first drive in particular featured some mediocre run blocking. Also, FWIW, at least one bad cut by Smith. Things tightened up a bit later, but it looked to me like they used zone and straight blocking concepts more later on. I'm no expert. UFR will be a better look. But, at best, the jury is still out.

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Bodogblog

September 4th, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^

Kugler went from nowheresville to apparently neck and neck and slightly preferred above Bredeson.  This is wonderful news.  Assuming he can still play center, he's viable option if Cole needs to kick back out to LT for any reason. 

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Ball Hawk

September 4th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^

I'm not that optimistic yet. They looked good against a bad Hawaii team but after watching other teams play yesterday,I think we still need a couple of years yet to be great. Hopefully they make huge improvements before the big ten schedule kicks in. I think the pass blocking was very good.

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Ty Butterfield

September 4th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^

I think Smith is just frustratingly inconsistent. Can't seem to put it all together. I thought Isaac looked good. Maybe the light has finally come on for him.

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elhead

September 4th, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^

to reach any conclusions about him. But I think he's reached his full potential already and you know what you get. Hopefully he can take things to yet another level, we'll see. Isaac appears to be running the way that a lot of folks thought he could/would - really looking forward to improvement from him as the year goes on.

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JTrain

September 4th, 2016 at 3:37 PM ^

Right. I think Smith is tough and grinds but at times I find myself wanting him to develop a little more of the "work smart not hard" mantra. He tends to force things a little.
Granted..I don't have a trained eye...but it does not take one to notice the next guy come in and be patient...read blocks...and let things unfold ahead of u.
Don't get me wrong. I love De'veon...but...it seems like he forces the issue all the time.



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turtleboy

September 4th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^

I didn't see him, but he could've played. When the backup Oline came in for OKorns drive late in the 3rd the line was Newsome Bredeson Kugler Onwenu Bushell-Beatty Edit: in the 4th they sat Newsome, B-B moved to LT and they ran out Ulizio for Shane's drive.

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Danwillhor

September 4th, 2016 at 12:41 PM ^

Kalis was still Kalis in the mental game, but I think I beat you out for his biggest critic. Cole was solid and Bredeson looked like the most natural OL on the team. He's nasty. This still seems to be a mediocre OL.

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jonesie022

September 4th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^

Not as optimistic as the OP, but in a thread last week asking what I was looking most forward to seeing week one, it was dispatching of a vastly inferior opponent quickly...which we did.



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Leonhall

September 4th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^

I thought the oline had difficulties very early on. Actually, to my eye, Bredeson looked the best. This is going to be an area that must improve every game in order to be prepared for B1G play.



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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

September 4th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^

the 3 guys on the left - Newsome, Bredeson and Kugler.  Newsome and Bredeson looked effective together.  Quiet day for Newsome, which is just fine.  Bredeson is quite a talent - he performed an uncovered zone block by doubling down on the 1-tech and releasing to the 2nd level so smoothly that his talent is obvious.  Not sure how Kugler will grade, but at least he's healthy enough to contribute. Anxious to see them compete and develop facing a high-quality front 7.

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allintime23

September 4th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^

OL looked good but my biggest surprise was the linebackers. They played great. Back to the O line though, it was great to see them get better as the game progressed.

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ghostofhoke

September 4th, 2016 at 2:05 PM ^

I was really happy with the way the OL played overall. You can't possibly complain. I can't remember the last time I saw holes that size and people were picking up blocks when pulling all over the place in the running game. They were mauling people for sure. As impressed as I was, I still want to see that kind of domination against a much better defense before I say for sure that this unit is where our expectations are. Yes they did everything they could and should against the opponent put in front of them, now we just have to see consistency and that kind of domination against a more worthy adversary. I think it's going to happen but we can't anoint them till it does. Still work to do.



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MgoRayO3313

September 4th, 2016 at 2:44 PM ^

I have to say I was most impressed with the O line. Some of those holes were enormous. Especially on any misdirection/counter plays. Enormous holes for the RBs. Couldn't have been much happier with the blocking, subpar comp or not.



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