Huyge or Lewan?

Submitted by Promote RichRod on

How is the media totally ignoring our TACKLE CONTROVERSY?

srsly though, Lewan looked good in there today.  I don't want to make too much of it because it was fresh legs vs. FCS team in the 4th quarter and all, but it's a positive indicator for his potential.

OTOH, Huyge has been pretty damn good himself.  I think Lewan should start seeing more time because he is probably the future at LT.  But, a rotation probably isn't the best idea on the OL due to gelling issues, etc.

I'd like to see him play the entire second half of BGSU, at least, to see what he is made of against an FBS opponent for an extended period of time.  Thoughts?

UPDATE: You can compare the two at BIDP's offense every snap video.  http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/michigan-offense-vs-umass-every-snap Lewan begins at 5:33 and holy crap his second level blocking looks sick.

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WMUgoblue

September 19th, 2010 at 1:26 AM ^

When he came into the game I saw a noticable change to run the ball instead of pass. He had a great seal block inside to help spring the shaw 52 yard run if I recall correctly.  Not to sure how he is in pass protection. Here's to hoping we see him more next saturday.

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 12422

csam1490

September 19th, 2010 at 1:27 AM ^

I'm holding off until UFR. I don't remember why, but it seems as if they were using Lewan more on running downs. If he is incomplete, I say play Huyge until Lewan has all the tools. But he looked great run blocking. I could be off here; I just remember thinking Lewan wasn't in pass protect much.

Joined: 05/08/2009

MGoPoints: 543

csam1490

September 19th, 2010 at 1:34 AM ^

I agree. I think that's why I thought, "Looks good run blocking." Lewan is clearly the future, and I would have no problem with a change. Huyge is a great O-lineman name, though. I only look for names that confirm my hypothesis, but I posit you can only be an offensive lineman with a name like "Huyge" or "Molk." Never "Lefleur" or "Gables."

Joined: 05/08/2009

MGoPoints: 543

jmblue

September 19th, 2010 at 1:34 PM ^

Mostly conjecture, although I think I read somewhere over the summer that he wasn't as strong in that area.  Having said that, given how elusive Denard is, and how our offense usually allows him to get rid of the ball quickly, it may be worth it to go with the guy who is better at run blocking (if that is, in fact, the case).

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102720

WhoRunIt

September 19th, 2010 at 2:50 AM ^

Lewan looked great in the second half. I'm not convinced Shaw is the man to be running behind him though. He sat behind McGuffie, Minor and Brown his freshman year, and didn't deserve to see the field last year. I'll give Shaw a pass against a healthy Minor but he should have been able to find his spot against the others. STOP DANCING AND FIND THE HOLE! (thats what she said)

Joined: 08/25/2010

MGoPoints: 20

teldar

September 19th, 2010 at 8:32 AM ^

if you'd watched the game, you would have noticed a difference between the first and second halves. He DID just run through the hole to good effect in the second half. Don't know what the coaches told him. Possibly something like 

"If you don't just run through the hole, you'll never see the field again." 

Because he did that. And he got reasonable yards. 

Joined: 07/14/2009

MGoPoints: 8130

Slippery Rock …

September 19th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^

I don't really understand all the criticism of the RBs.  At this point in the season, were beginning to see what they are as a position.  Both Shaw and Smith have speed, and both can punish defenders with the occasional flash of power, but I don't see them being the gamechangers that everyone seems to demand from our RBs.  They are a good group, not an unstopable group, and  that is OK.  They will punish the D for playing out of position, or for putting too much emphasis on Denard, and we can win with them.  Let's not forget that its pretty difficult to stun us as a ballcarrier when they are splitting time with Denard, who is pretty good with the ball.  In a way, it kind of speeks to the state of our team.  We aren't to the point where we can expect gamechangers at every skill position yet.

Joined: 09/12/2010

MGoPoints: 522

Maize and Blue…

September 19th, 2010 at 8:29 AM ^

The hole was so big that he had time to dance before he even saw the hole.  Watch the replay and you'll see what I mean.  I was in section 20 and wondered what he was doing as I saw the hole before he did, but he did find it.  I know he had a very good day,  but it is definitely a teaching point that can be used

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6750

MinorforPresident

September 19th, 2010 at 8:30 AM ^

Not only for his play and the fact that he's going to be a beast in his career but also because after the game he was just a great guy. We stayed to try and get some pics for our ongoing basement renovation and subsequent M Man Cave and he was just in a good mood which is hard to say since the locker room talk after the game couldn't have been pleasant. Gladly took a photo and autographed everything any kid brought to him.

Joined: 11/01/2008

MGoPoints: 52

Hoken's Heroes

September 19th, 2010 at 9:22 AM ^

... all are praising Taylor Lewan. Said he will make mistakes but he's one guy you don't want to go up against. TAylor said he will be a first round draft pick when all is said and done.

Joined: 04/14/2009

MGoPoints: -97672

michiganfanforlife

September 19th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^

in the stands, It looked to me like Huyge missed a big oppertunity and the coaches pulled him for messing it up. It was somewhere in the 3rd quarter. We came out in a 5-wide formation, and the defese lined up with no deep safeties. There were only 5 guys in the middle on defense, so it was a hat on a hat with Denard free to FKSHTUP. We saw it, and they checked to the QB dive play. Denard runs to Huyge's side (left) and he was blown up and got Denard hit for a minimal play. The coaches on the sideline were not happy, and he never saw the field again yesterday (after that play).

 

Lewan came in and did some good things. I agree that he had a great seal block on one of Shaw's big runs. He likes contact, and when he gets a bunch more PT he'll be scary good. It's freaky that he wears 77, cause you have to blink not to see Jake Long. I think he wants the compairison, and it's probably not that far off.  I could be way off base here, but I think we just saw him take over the left tackle spot. My guess is he will start next week there and dominate again.

Joined: 05/05/2009

MGoPoints: 2788

Zone Left

September 19th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^

Lewan is going to see more time once Michigan gets into the meat of the Big 10 schedule.  He's a better pass blocker than Huyge, and despite Iowa's struggle with Arizona yesterday, Adrian Clayborn looked terrifying coming off the edge.  Lewan looks more capable of stopping guys like him.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 16428