Barwis brings more NFL players back
Whether or not you believe the Barwis hype or not (I tend to think his functional training style is a good thing), he is bringing our NFL alums back to train in Ann Arbor. I just saw an article where a recruit mentioned seeing Marlin Jackson training with Barwis during his visit. I could be wrong so forgive me if this is old news, but I don’t remember Marlin mentioned last year as a person who came back with Foote, et al. during the offseason. To a recruit, that is not only validation of the system, but creates an atmosphere of a NFL factory. Huge, huge, huge for us going forward on the recruiting trail. I really think we will start to see dividends of his approach this year, particularly if we have a functional offense that doesn’t leave our D playing big minutes in multiple games, they aren't super humans.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:05 PM ^
i agree. some say barwis is over hyped but even from a recruiting standpoint this guy is top notch.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:09 PM ^
But that makes me appreciate the guy all the more.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^
I love what Barwis brings to the table and I think he gives us an edge albeit a smaller one than we would like to believe. I saw in an article about T. Taylor training in Arizona. Any reason he's not in Ann Arbor other than weather??
February 9th, 2009 at 2:21 PM ^
finishing school. Most of those are in the south.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
He's probably in one of those "Combine boot camps" where they train you for the specific tests that you do at the NFL Draft Scouting Combine. It's like taking a prep course for a standardized test, they gear things specifically to make you better at the 40, the shuttle and cone drills, vertical, etc. as opposed to training for the game of football. It's a smart move on TT's part -- Barwis's training might be good for the actual game of football, but focused training to improve your Combine numbers can make a big difference on where you are drafted, and consequently, your signing bonus on your first NFL deal. Don't be surprised if you see TT back working out in Ann Arbor in future years once he never has to do those Combine tests again.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:20 PM ^
To Ziff: there is an established training program in Arizona that a lot of potential pro prospects go to train. I can't remember what it's called, but it's like he's just doing random drills down in Arizona - there is a facility with every kind of specialist down there (nutrition, footwork, strength, conditioning) to help him for the combine.
As far as Barwis is concerned, I'm hoping this will have an impact similar to "The U." It has been noted throughout all the recruiting classes and in Cane Mutiny that recruits are enthralled with seeing former Canes players in the NFL come back to train on campus. I hope we can get a great program like that going as well. I know there are some already, but if we can get more, especially high profile picks like Jake Long and LaMarr Woodley, then I think it would be absolutely tremendous for recruiting.
Speaking of recruiting, I remember one thing that both USC and The U does - they have a junior day/recruiting weekend when the recruits are in town. Now, I know that totally depends on when Pro Day is for Michigan, but I think that could work to our benefit as well.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
The facility you are thinking about is "Athlete's Performance" in Tempe, AZ.
Jake Long trained there last year to prepare for the NFL draft.
Athlete's Performance is owned by Mark Verstegen, who rose to fame after training Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciapara.
Any other questions? Ask me
February 9th, 2009 at 2:46 PM ^
Thanks for your posts, but just so you don't think I live under a rock I am aware of the "Combine Camps" in Arizona.
I just thought Barwis has an overly detailed plan for each player and knows Taylor inside and out by now. Putting aside my Maize glasses Barwis is highly respected in the field. I'm sure whatever Taylor wants to achieve Barwis could help him with... he has said so many times.
So my question is why is he in Arizona??
1. Wasn't a fan of Barwis??
2. It's fucking cold up here I'll got to Arizona to train.
3. His agent told him you go here.
Probably 2 and 3.
I guess I got on this because it always drove me nuts when you got the obligatory article about how the Michigan kid went to one of these camps and they were monitoring their nutrition and the they cut a tenth off their 40 time or lost 10 lbs and I was like hey asshole if you would have worked a little harder while you were here everyone would be better off. We would have more wins and you might have a higher draft stock. I think I've come to the conclusion that once the bowl game is over they eat pizza and subs for 2 weeks then they go to these camps and say they lost weight when really they just lost the weeks pizza. Taylor said he lost 8lbs so far....8lbs form where??
TT weight chart
Jan 08 Barwis arrives Taylor has enormous pizza gut.. 340
Mar 08 Spring game Taylor down to 315
Aug 08 Preseason camp arrives Taylor down to 300
Nov 08 Disappointing season ends no more workouts or weight monitoring... Let's go to Outback!!!!! 300
Jan 08 Party Time!!!! 320
Feb 08 Combine Camp reporting at 312..."I love this place I lost 8lbs so far
February 9th, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^
or 4. Barwis is working with a lot of people right now and in Arizona TT can get much more individual attention on exactly what he needs to be focusing on. I'm not sure Barwis has the time to work one on one with TT for an extended period of time since he has the actual football team to work with.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:11 PM ^
You are probably correct on that 1.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
Several players train in AZ during the off season and leading up to the combine. There is a place in Tempe that specializes athletes prepare for the NFL, even holding interview camps with them. Jake Long went to one of those a year ago. I totally understand why Tayor is down here...in Michigan he would be going through the same workouts with Barwis, which prepare you for overall strength. The combine type workouts train you specifically for the combine...40, bench, agility, etc. There are a few places down here that specialize in training and are top notch. I now Donovan McNabb trains in Tempe as I see him at the LA Fitness all the time playing hoops.
Nothing against Michigan, just looking out for himself right now as he should be!
February 9th, 2009 at 3:05 PM ^
Yeah, Marlin Jackson trained in Arizona last year.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:06 PM ^
How many of the former Michigan players in superbowl were with Barwis' last offseason?
February 9th, 2009 at 5:30 PM ^
I agree that TT probably isn't in A2 because Barwis is not going to work just on improving his shuttle run time and knocking out two more bench reps, and that is really all he needs right now prior to the combine.
I also agree with Ziff about the weight stuff after the season ends - almost every year you hear about some heralded college player who gained 20+ pounds going to "award" banquets and not training as much as he should, then hits one of these draft programs and comes out a "changed" man. Most times, the guys barely change their weight from their playing days, but they do shave off a tenth of a second or up their bench a bit, though this rarely translates to being a better overall football player. That's why I never understood the combine - you don't see the player he will be in the pros, but instead the workout warrior he will be after he focuses on three drills for 2 months. Mike Mamula was the poster boy for this phenomenon, but it happens enough that I figured NFL scouts would be wise to it. But then again, most graduate programs don't seem to have picked up on a similar phenomenon for the various standardized tests, so who knows.
Still, expect Taylor in A2 after this summer.