Hoke Spring Primer- ESPN
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Interesting that Hoke mentioned Kalis competing at right guard, and Braden at left. Mentioned competition at LG would be Bars, Burzynski, and Braden. Mentioned Kalis competing with Bosch, presumably Bryant at RG. Center competition comes down to Miller, Glasgow, and Burzynski.
Also sounded like Morgan and Ross will battle it out for starting WILL position. The rest sounded like typical coachspeak when talking about secondary and WR.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:32 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^
And this is pretty much what every one expected
March 13th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^
This is actually pretty interesting. that looks like a lot of talent competing for the RG spot. It seemed like the general concensus was Kalis at LG with braden, bosch, and bryant all competing for RG. Wonder if that means the staff is really that impressed with Braden.
There were also a number of people speculating that Morgan would move over to MLB, with Ross at WLB. If true, this would make Bolden the starter in the middle.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
The problem with Morgan at MIKE is that he's not very big. I think he would do okay at that spot, but Bolden is a couple inches taller than Morgan and can carry some extra weight. I think that leaves a lot of talent on the bench if one of Morgan/Ross isn't on the field, but we'll see how it all shakes out...
March 13th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
would be your ideal LB group on the field?
March 13th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^
Ryan, Morgan, and Ross.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ^
Is there a specific issue that you have with Bolden? Or is it just that he's not on the level of the other two at this point?
March 13th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
I just don't think he's on the same level as Ross (as a WILL prospect) and I like Morgan's leadership/playmaking ability. It's more about what those two bring than what Bolden doesn't.
Middle linebacker.
Coaches don't tend to make line-up decisions based on players that aren't even on campus yet, no matter how good they are. They would cross that bridge if/when they get there.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
It sounded to me like Braden is the frontrunner for the LG position.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
No mention of Chris Bryant, he's about 6.5 months off his broken leg. Anyone know if he's participating in spring practice?
March 13th, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
What are you skilled at?
March 13th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
vincent smith! vincent smith! we've got vincent smith here!
March 13th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^
Lewan, Braden, Miller, Kalis, Schofield
March 13th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
i hope it shakes out like this: "the five best offensive linemen are put on the field, regardless of our preconceived notions of who we think should be the five best offensive linemen"
March 13th, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^
I agree with your sentiment. I simply said I hope these 5 prove to be the best, as they have the potential to be dominating with size. Not stargazing.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
Godin was left out intentionally? Considering the class from 12 and the spots available I would have thought he'd be mentioned in the mix. There is going to be very strong competition to get on the field especially for the O and D line which is a great thing for the players and the team
March 13th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
Godin was not very hyped coming out of high school, and he's lacking in athleticism. It wouldn't surprise me if he's a ways down the depth chart. Michigan has recruited the crap out of the defensive line the past couple years.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
I'm just thankful for the person who invented Spring football.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^
We all speculated that Kalis was a lock for Left Guard, but it seems he will play on the right side. This makes sense to me since he came in and learned Right Tackle last year so moving inside one spot is probably easier to adjust.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:58 AM ^
some one please correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt the RG more of the pulling guard and RG more of the straight line one? If that is the case, it makes sense to put the more agile Kalis on the right and the road grader Braden on the left.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:01 AM ^
Omameh seemed to pull more often than Barnum, but I think that may have been partially because Denard ran well the left and always carried the ball in his left hand, ball security be damned.
With a right-handed QB, it makes more sense to pull the LG more frequently. That sets up the play action pass to the QB's dominant side.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^
so we can run behind lewan?
March 13th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
It's possible.
March 13th, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^
I think what [Brian said] has some merit, but more so, teams tend to be right hand strong, so they typically prefer to run to the right. My guess is they want Kalis there now and in the future to hold down that key running position. When they run power right, they need to have a plow that can get a DT out of that hole now. Go outside of that and you need to be able to get a solid push on a DE and drive him somewhere.
On the flip side, LG has a few more pass pro responsibilities. With DE playing wider against the LT, there is more room that the LG also needs to make up, and a lot of teams will B gap blitz there, stunt the OLB and DE or DT and DE. So there really needs to be a more pass pro oriented player there, which is why putting your future RT there makes a bit more sense, and your future and forever RG roadgrader at RG.
March 13th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
First double post every one.....
March 13th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
Brian's gonna be happy
March 13th, 2013 at 11:02 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^
Hoke was really only addressing competitions for starting spots - Magnuson is a tackle, and those positions are as solid as they're going to be. If we aren't hearing anything about Magnuson next Spring, then it's time to wonder what's going on.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
how he would have walked to Michigan (from SDSU), Hoke is the master of understatement.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:27 AM ^
Yay comments on giving Norfleet a chance with no Toussaint or Green! Hopefully it's a legitimate chance and he actually gets to carry the ball a bit in game situations this year.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:42 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
It could be a good thing, depending on whether you use him like Borges did (as a third down back, which is good) or like Rodriguez did (as a feature back, which is bad).
A third down back refers to a back used on third and long, not third and short. It's a passing down back.
March 13th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^
March 13th, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
I seem to hear about him fairly often but it feels like he's on his 7th year now or something