LTT responds to Touch The Banner's evaluation

I love this. LTT showing his competetive side.  C'mon, we are all sensitive about our abilities and no one likes As much I like TTB, I respectfully disagree with much of Magnus' player analysis and to a certain extent find 65% of it highly "debbie-downerish" and just flat out dour.  His dislike of JT Floyd (who has turned himself from a liability into a consistent and reliable corner) and liking of Avery over Floyd comes to mind.  So I can't say I blame LTT for callin' it out.  I honestly do not know what Mags is thinking sometimes in his analysis. HOWEVA, relax folks...TTB's analysis is not going to steer LTT away from the "global degree" at the Mich.  I may get hated on for saying this but I personally know of many Michigan fans who feel the same way about this but do not have the fortitude to speak or write it. Good for LTT. Sorry so long...oh, and Roll Damn Time it is nice to have you on here...you got my vote for coolest new guy.

I'm glad RollDamnTide rushed to the board to tattle on Magnus.

How did we ever keep Magnus in check before RDT came along?

It is important to remember that the youth football development system in his hometown is terrible and that his coaches are working with players that come from families with bigger concerns than football.  I was on the Manual football coaching staff, and I know his coaches. They understand and can teach the game.  But I agree with Magnus, though, LTT isn't yet ready to be a M-level starter.  This is mostly for reasons beyond his control. Kids from his neighborhood have been told "they can't" for their entire lives. Some lose hope, and others respond with a giant "fuck you, hater."

I don't understand why this is an issue at all. Is Magnus supposed to become some sort of fanboy where he writes up "omgz this guy is gonna win the Heisman" just because a guy committed to Michigan? Magnus looks at the film, and does an honest, objective evaluation of the player. If LTT doesn't like his evaluation, then great, let him use it as motivation. That's great. But for us to crucify Magnus for simply doing a great job of OBJECTIVELY evaluating talent, is absolutely bullshit. Keep up the good work Magnus, you have my support for sure. And LTT, if you read this, we couldn't be more excited for you to be a Michigan man.

I don't mind someone giving their opinion on a recruit and identifying their strenghts and weakness.  But some of Magnus statements are totally unnecessary in an evaluation process-For example Magnus says:  " He could be a first round pick in 2018, or he could get frustrated and leave Michigan early."  Seriously, do you know this young man well enough  to say that he may get frustrated and leave?  Just stick to the physical evaluation which is typically good and stay away from being a mind reader.  Keeping It Real Up in this Piece! Thats how I roll! 

I personally look forward to reading Magnus' evaluations.  Too often we get a review from someone wearing Rose (Bowl) colored glasses.  Magnus has a keen eye for weaknesses.  That said, I do hope in the future that TTB keeps in mind that the commits are reading these reviews.  Some of the points could have been written in a friendlier manner.  I'm not saying to sugar coat it, but lines like "It looks like Tuley-Tillman has never had a day of quality offensive line coaching" are just not necessary.

In a few years when LTT is all Big 10, we can sit back and laugh about this thread.

There's a difference between potential and achievement.  Like all incoming freshman, He's got no college level achievement yet and HS football is a tricky business to judge because of the varying competition levels.  He does have a load of potential.  And that's what offers are based on.  But being big doesn't necessarily mean he'll be successful, although it really helps for that position.  He still has to show up, learn the system, improve technique, etc. etc. 

So while I might disagree with Magnus's evaluation, LTT's tweet only cited things under the 'potential' column.  I'd be more convinced if he had a highlight tape showing that he already knows proper stance, proper reads, what to do against different D-Lineman moves, a demonstration of judo like hand technique would be nice.  If he can demonstrate all that and has the weight room measurables to go with his size, that would be a slam dunk case. 

As far as personality and taking criticism.  It only matters if he can take it coming from a coach.  But I liked his response.  If 'proving the doubters wrong' translates to working harder in the offseason, that's good.  

My evaluation from a former college lineman. Good feet and can stick with block once engaged. Catches instead of punches for now but should vastly improve this area as his coordination and strength catch up with his body. In summary could be dominant in the very near future. My optimism is based on his motor which the coaching staff also identified. A big man who puts in work is a big man who will prosper.

Why oh why do we (being any pro-Michigan site) have to rip on recruits before they even signed a LOI...especially one so sought after as LTT?  We make fun of Meyer for saying stuff about his own players being not very good, yet we (I use this losely, mind you) do an over-evaluation of someone who simply gave us a verbal.  Even if it was supposed to be constructive, the wording was ALL OFF.  There are better ways to make points.  These are young guys remember.  They can and sometimes will change their mind on a whim, especially if they feel they have been slighted so early...there is alomst a full year of recruiting still.  Seriously man, take it easy, use better wording and stop giving recruits a reason to swap.  I'm not saying lie, but be constructive....better than what was used there.  You think Saban or Meyer won't lie through their teeth and try and use that at one point or another?  Look at the history and think again...dirty recruiters will use dirty tactics to try and muddle with players minds.  LTT is a smart guy, but thats not to say that smart people can be taken by craft coaches every now and then.

I see what you're doing here, RollDamnTide.  You slowly gain our e-friendship, only to ultimately pit us against each other, and at the expense of one of our prized recruits, who was also strongly considering Alabama, coincidentally. 

I'm hip to your jive, son.  You better watch it. 

Let's not single out Magnus for stating an opinion and analysis on a recruit. The entire college football offseason Is centered on this stuff. If anything, we should point the fingers at ourselves for obsessing over kids that haven't been to their senior prom yet. Magnus gives an opinion on a website because we all want hear it.

Suggestion for Magnus: it might be a more prudent idea to wait until after these guys have signed LOIs before critiquing/projecting them.

It's threads like this that remind me why I never read the MGoBoard very in-depth. Magnus brings something to the table that most of you do not, an actual knowledge of the details and fundamentals of football. How many of you that are criticizing Magnus' evaluation of LTT have any idea what proper technique looks like for an offensive lineman? What their form should look like? How high is too high? What do good hands look like for a lineman? Most of you have no idea. Not only do most of you have no idea, most of you have not even watched LTT's film to see if you can find the things Magnus is talking about. If you had watched the film and do know anything about proper technique for a lineman, you would see that Magnus is correct. 

Magnus isn't criticizing LTT at all. He said he has the potential to be a first round NFL draft pick. What more praise do you people want? He gives an analysis of tons of recruits every year and this is the one you guys decide to freak out about just because the kid tweeted something? Magnus gave less than rave reviews about Dawson, where is your freak out there? Gave less than favorable reviews for Khalid Hill BEFORE he committed, no freak out on that one either. Get a grip guys. Magnus watches film from a purely analytical/football knowledge based viewpoint. If most of you had any knowledge of the fundamentals and techniques that go into making the great players you see on Saturdays, you would know exactly what Magnus is talking about.

Other quick notes that some of you can't quite understand:

• Denard was voted league MVP and not 1st team QB. That is exactly what Magnus is talking about when he says Denard is not a great QB. He is a phenomenal player and none of us would trade him for any QB in the nation but there are reasons he is going to be an NFL WR. (Don't give me the Tebow comparison here either. Look at the comp % and INT rates between Denard and Tebow. Nowhere close)
• JT Floyd remains less than stellar. I have approximately zero faith that he can shut down a top level NCAA receiver and he has never ever done anything to prove otherwise. OSU game and ND game serve as prime examples. Posey and Michael Floyd owned him. Agree with Magnus again here. JT running away from people in the Sugar Bowl is also correct.
• As far as the Cox being the best RB thing, I think Magnus can acknowledge that is not the case. What talent evaluator shoots 100% from the field? None, give the guy a break. He made those comments at a time when we had no true RB and Cox had shown flashes. I bet there are a lot of us that would have liked to see Cox get a chance in at least one game at that point in M football lore. I'm positive that Magnus is not pushing for Cox over Toussaint at this point.  

Don't be so sensitive guys. Magnus comes across as a pessimist because he is not a blatant homer like most of you. He has forgotten more football than most of us have ever known and his opinions and evaluations are usually spot on. And for the record, most HS lineman do not have the advanced technique and training that a recruit like Kalis had. Most lineman are very raw and need seasoning in the weight room as well as in the technique area, that is why almost all of them redshirt.