October 22nd, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
One would think that D-line is easier to do than O-line; which is why the whole Campbell to O-line thing is perplexing to me. I would think that it's harder to not only learn technique there but all the blocking skills. At his old position his job was just to get to the ball in simple terms.
October 22nd, 2010 at 12:47 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
that they are moving him to OG for a while so that he can become a better DT in the long run?
I'm not a football coach, but as a teaching tool I would think that understanding what the O-line is trying to do to the defense would make it easier for a defender to counter it. My thinking is that perhaps he's just not getting the "why" of particular techniques at DT, so he's working with the O for a while until the penny drops.
Or more simply maybe the coaches have realised that he's hit a wall as a defensive lineman and is never going to crack the starting lineup, so moving him to OG is the only way he'll see playing time.
Perhaps I'm just broadcasting my ignorance.
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^
I think the teaching tool idea is reading too much into things. If he's playing O-line, especially with the relative depth on each side, he is more likely to just not be "getting it" on defense.
Frankly, as nerdy as it sounds, his pad level is awful and he isn't playing anywhere until he figures out leverage. No one's good enough to have awful technique and be a solid BCS football player.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
Couldn't have said it better myself
October 22nd, 2010 at 7:43 PM ^
I had read about it beforehand. It was rather surprising to see an obvious, caricature-like demonstration of the problem, rather than a subtle technique issue.
At least it won't be a problem with pass blocking.
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
I posted a week or two ago that maybe they should move Big Q to DT.
No, the coaches didn't read my suggestion.
I just like the fact that the coaches are willing to think outside the box.
Washingon is built like a prototypical NG.
I love this idea!!
October 22nd, 2010 at 3:47 PM ^
One would think that D-line is easier to do than O-line; which is why the whole Campbell to O-line thing is perplexing to me.
Maybe, but remember that he still has a redshirt available. If he switches, I expect him to get a RS in 2011.
October 23rd, 2010 at 3:20 AM ^
This sounds good to me IMO. I always thought that Will looked more like an OL, but my heart wanted him to be a bad ass DT so bad. If he switches to his possibly more natural position on OL at least we can give him the redshirt he desperately needed in the beginning.
Plus, didn't he play both sides of the line in high school? Also he was thought by a few to be a better option on OL as many on here already know.
October 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^
Linemen are swapping positions right now for a whole new season of "Position Swap" on ABC.
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:34 PM ^
"Position Swap" sounds like something you'd find late night on Cinemax.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:37 PM ^
Skinemax
October 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^
Wow, didn't see that one coming. Does this mean that Q.Wash wasn't developing or is he just trying something out to see what happens?
October 22nd, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
Quinton was doing well from everything I had read or heard, but he played defense in high school as well, so he isn't totally green at the position. They are probably just experimenting for now, and see if it takes.
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^
FWIW apparently Washington was looking good at practice on the dline.
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^
Yes Please.
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:09 PM ^
Will be our starting guard next year. So it makes sense to move Q if you think he can be an impact player.
October 22nd, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
You should change your thread Title to "Inside Michigan Football - Q. Washington to DT (?)"
This is intersting info - but reading the title I thought it was an interview with Q. Washigton, not possible position change insight
October 22nd, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
I am all for it if it means that our offensive line won't be significantly impacted.
However, I was really looking forward to 3-years of Lewan-Washington on the left side of the O-Line....
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^
Think happy thoughts Beavis... maybe it will be 2 years of Lewan / Campbell on the left side of the line?
Or, 2 years of Lewan / Barnum. Or 2 years of Lewan / Mealer. Or 3 years of Lewan / 5-star Guard recruit not yet on Michigan's radar that will start as a true freshman.
Or maybe Lewan / Washington.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
at least so far this year. Best case scenario, Washington's too good of a player to keep off the field, hence this move. If Campbell's a good b/up (or even better, pushes for PT) and Washington is good enough to spell Martin by year's end, it's a win for the team. He'll be a RS sophmore next year
I remember Magnus saying a player who doesn't play with low leverage (ie stands up) is rarely able to fix that flaw. Dont' know why. FWIW, ESPN's recruiting site loved QW (rated 82, 4 star, #6 OG), and said "comes out of his stance low and with a flat back". Maybe BWC just needs to rub his belly
Worst case: position-switching doom on both sides
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
Maybe the players are coming to RR and pleading...
I highly doubt this is really what's happening and as long as the coaches think this is what's best for the team then I am all for it...
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
I watched the same episode and noticed that he was wearing a blue jersey and lined up in as a DT in a drill as well. But everything I heard on Washington as a OL was all positive, and that he was progressing and would contend with Barnum for replacing Schilling next season. My issue with Campbell is the DT depth, they can get away with him switching over to OL this year, but next year the depth isn't so flattering. Martin, Ash, Talbott, and incoming freshman.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
isn't QW the strongest in the weight room? i swear i heard that somewhere...
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
I've read somewhere comparing him "to a brick wall". Very strong and hard to move.
I hope this works out for both players and the team.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^
I believe it is Hulk Martin.
October 22nd, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
Yeah. Terry Talbott may take over that distinction in a couple years.
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:10 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
I read somewhere at the beginning of the season that he was described as "insanely strong" or something like that. He was squatting like 450.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^
Didn't Steve Hutchinson switch from DL to OL? That worked out pretty well, so yeah. Bound to happen again.
October 22nd, 2010 at 3:46 PM ^
So did Maurice Williams and Dave Petruziello. Williams was about as highly-rated as Campbell was coming out of HS.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
to 100% is it now, that Campbell redshirts next year? Its pretty much just Barnum and Mealer to replace Schilling and backup at OG.
October 22nd, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^
October 22nd, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
I think this is really interesting. If Washington really is a "brick wall" and can't be moved, it makes perfect sense. We badly need a big nose tackle to eat up space, if he can do that it'll be incredibly valuable for this team. Imaging Washington at NT, Martin kicked out to Banks' spot, and then RVB/Black at the DE spot. That seems really strong to me if Washington can just eat a double and not get moved that often. Even if he has to come out on passing downs, it could be huge for the D.
October 22nd, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^
Don't get too excited, I doubt you will see much from Washington this season.
The whole thing doesn't make perfect sense to me. Why wait until half the season is over until moving Washington to the D-line. I think Martin's injury maybe the impetus behind this move, more so than Washington being ready to dominate on the D-line.
October 23rd, 2010 at 3:00 AM ^
picked this up re: Big Will's tape as a h.s. senior. Can't blame the coaches a bit for recruiting him heavily or for the ranking. Most anticipate steady improvement that would make someone with his body size and speed a starter by this time in their career and an AA by his senior campaign. I read where Tall said that for every thousand reps he took with bad pad level, he'd require 1,000 reps of proper technique to overcome it.
I think we could move Molk to a guard position, if necessary and still have two solid centers in Pace and Koury. Koury has the size to play elsewhere on the line and as RR has said many times, his linemen don't have to be prototypical size, just the best five on the team. It is possible, given this, that BW might me able to minimize his deficiencies better on the offensive side due to our zone scheme and attacking an area rather than a me-on-you blocking assignment. He does have the foot speed necessary to get to two levels on the offensive side of the ball, but a good OT will make him a true liability on the defensive side if he continues with poor technique.
Aside from that, Frey is a tremendous teacher and the kid has a shit ton of talent he's obviously trying to unleash, because we've never read anything to indicate he's lacking motivation as was the case with Terrance Taylor, etc.
Don't forget Schofield in the OL talk either. He was very close this season. Should be a good one and Mealer will more than likely be serviceable so we're ok for a bit on that side.
October 23rd, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
Is there a way for us to get a clip of this anywhere?