O line weight
FWIW,
I just heard from someone close to the team:
Many of the o lineman have already put on 10-15lbs of "mostly" muscle since the end of the season in their attempt to bulk up.
Taylor Lewan will probably not start. I was told that he is not yet as good/ready as some of the lineman that started last year, but were considered shaky.
Lastly, Told that Fitz T. is a freak show& game breaker& will probably start.
** This is all second hand info from someone on the team. I don't claim to be an insider. Thought it was relevant.**
February 9th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
Yea on Fitz news, boo on Lewan news. The OL is going to be the key this year for this team; really hope that Lewan turns it on during spring and fall practice and starts by no later than midseason.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
and while he's pretty tall, he's not all that large. Moosman seemed bigger to me, last time I saw him.
I know technical prowess has a lot to do with success on the O-Line, but he might need more time to develop his body.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:33 PM ^
That was my impression when I ran into him on campus. He looked like a really big kid who needed more muscle mass to be a starter. Just judging by nothing more than my untrained eye test it looked like he needed a few years in the weight room. There is such a physical difference in OL guys between freshman and redshirt senior years it amazes me when even a redshirt freshman starts.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:44 PM ^
Thanks for the info. You seem to pop up every blue moon with some pretty good intel.
If you don't mind me asking, just out of curiosity, who on the team or in the program are you in touch with?
February 9th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
Snitches get stitches ... he is not giving up his friend on the team.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
Not at all, but I was just hoping he might anyway.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^
It's obviously Barwis. Doesn't everybody have a self-picture or a pic that they took/drew themselves? Clearly he's good friends with Barwis so he snapped that picture and put it up.
Magnus is good friends with a swimsuit model and I believe cameras steal your soul so I don't own any pictures.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:35 PM ^
She's my BEST friend, especially after her photo shoot for this month's GQ.
This pic is slightly NSFW:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.stylelist.com/media/2010/01/miranda-kerr-nak…
How could anyone resist falling in love with her?
February 9th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
chick's eyes are too far apart.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:27 PM ^
She has eyes?
February 9th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
snitches get stitches...classic
February 9th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
His last name starts with Co& ends with ne(r)& he's a master on the mike! He got flo fo sho!LOL
February 9th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
V Smith and Fitz have all the makings to be a very good tandem for the next few years.
As for Lewan, I hope you have some bad info because I would really like to see him play this year and become Jake Long 2.0.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
Seeing Toussaint described as a "freakshow" and "gamebreaker" gets me chubbed up at my desk. The next 7 months are going to suck...
February 9th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
Please don't say that something's going to suck after saying you're all "chubbed up".
February 9th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
This does not surprise me about Lewan. He was very thin last year, and he's only been playing offensive line for two years now. I think we need to lower our expectations for his development.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
Yea they haven't gone through spring practices, summer workouts, or fall camp yet so I'll hold off on starters talk until at least the fall
February 9th, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
Until someone can get me the actual quote from RR or Barwis I need everyone to stop with the we need bigger lineman. RR wants big, strong lineman that are mobile. RR's ideal is everyones ideal Jake Long. They do not want small lineman and they don't want weak lineman. They did not find out the Big Ten is too tough, this is the natural progression of the lineman under Barwis. Once they can survive the conditioning they begin to add the weight with their strength gains and after a few years they are where they want them. This isn't a revelation from RR this is the progression of a plan. I think this report from GBMW/Scout that feeds the old school line of we need big fat guys to survive the Big Ten and RR finally "gets" the Big Ten is bullshit.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
Don't put this one on GBW or Scout. Eroc, Maizeman, and GBMW are not affiliated with GBW or Scout other than through the tenuous link of one of their main contributors (CoachBT) being a respected member at GBW. There has been speculation over there (just like there is here) but no confirmation from Tom, Sam, or Dre.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:01 PM ^
I can't find written transcripts, but I am pretty sure he said something to the effect of needing heavier linemen post game at Illinois and Wisconsin.
That said, I agree with your "natural progression" in the Barwis system, and posters above with respect to Freshman vs Senior linemen.
So I would imagine that if Rich really told the linemen they need to gain weight - the context is the "natural progression" and building them from a conditioned base, not so much a "gee, we finally figured this out" standpoint.
However, I also would venture a guess after two tough Big Ten seasons, Barwis maybe has had to adjust the weight versus conditioning balance a bit.
We are a young team, and only time in system really fixes the problem.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:06 PM ^
I do remember him saying they could "eat off our hats" or something to that effect.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:34 PM ^
I understand your points and I remember RR saying we need to get bigger stronger in the trenches(and I agree), but the meme is that RR didn't want strong lineman he wanted fast lineman and the big bad Big Ten showed him and he has to change his philosophy now and Barwis gave all the lineman pizzas.
The truth is that we were weak because we were either really young or not good. Many of our players have reached new strength plateaus and they will continue.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
Our line consisted of...
a 3-star 5th year senior (Ortmann)
a 5-star 4th year junior (Schilling)
a 4-star 3rd year sophomore (Molk)
a 4-star 5th year guard (Moosman)
a 3-star 4th year junior/3rd year sophomore (Dorrestein/Huyge)
We weren't exactly lacking talent, and we weren't exactly lacking experience.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^
I think once they play we can throw out stars Magnus. You think that that Oline was Big Ten Championship worthy?? Plus Molk missed most of the year.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
When did I say they were conference championship worthy?
All I said was that they had talent and experience.
A bunch of people have been saying that we lacked both, but everybody on that line save Dorrestein/Huyge was a multi-year starter. And even Dorrestein played a fair amount in 2008.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
While I believe that RR/Barwis naturally want the lineman to get stronger;& they will as they progress from freshman to seniors. I have it from a good source that RR apologized to the o lineman for for making them drop too much weight& he wants them to now bulk up. He initially wanted them to be intentional about losing fat/weight& now he has somewhat reversed course after watching them get pushed around.
I'm all in for RR, but I don't think that was the "progression of his Plan." I give him credit for recognizing something wasn't working& then going out & fixing it. He doesn't want the o line Jabba the hut like, but he realized they were too sleak/smallish& needs them bigger in order to get a good push off the line(see Illinois game: 1st& goal @1 yd line x no score= massive fail/end of season).
February 9th, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^
I heard that memo and I understand you believe your source, but didn't we hear that every lineman blew away their previous lifting records?? So the lineman are stronger and faster than they have ever been and we decided that is a bad thing?? RR had one of the best rushing offenses in the country at
WV that shredded teams such as Georgia G. Tech Florida St and Oklahoma, but he learned that the mighty defenses of the Big Ten were just too big and strong. I need to scrap my whole philosophy. I don't buy it.
You think Barwis is not trying to maximize each player and make them as strong as they can be??
I think something was said about getting stronger, it was passed around like telephone and this rumor was started.
I just don't believe RR went to his olineman and said sorry guys I was 1 play from a NC, but I had no idea the Big Ten was so much harder than the SEC. Let's add on 20lbs.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
Magnus, I respectfully disagree with your O-line arrangement. With that O-line we were 4-0. Subtract Molk and all hell broke loose. Granted that the level of competition rose after those first 4 games, but losing Molk killed us. Rich Rod and Co. will make the adjustments needed and go bowling with a very improved team next year. 10 games is a stretch......8 or 9
February 9th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^
I think Magnus was replying to some comments (like mine) that our linemen were young and haven't reached full weight. Maguns points out, in fact the line wasn't a bunch of sophomores like the rest of the of the team, and should have been at the Junior / Senior weight. This is even more of the case once Molk was out.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:18 PM ^
How in the hell can it take RR and Barwis 2 seasons to realize are OL's are undersized.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
They tried to go all BMW over F150 because that's what they knew, and it didn't work. Given that a lot of people (media included) were ripping Lloyd Carr for big slow dinosaur linemen, who could blame them for trying speed?
Now they they are shifting the balance the other way a bit. The good news is they are doing it from a basis of fitness (versus a pizza a night from the time you set foot on campus).
Really, Barwis is trying to build these guys the right way, and adjusting his methods as necessary. Looking at some of the fatties from OSU, at least our kids learn better lifelong habits.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
We have limped to the finish line both seasons under RR. The Deity status Barwis has been granted on this Blog, thus far is unwarranted.
The fact that our undersized, lean team is giving up the ghost by mid October is troubling to me. Barwis and RR have done a shit job having this team prepared to compete for a full season.
Alas, the light has clicked on and now we realize the OL are too small. GMAFB the whole scenario makes no sense.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:37 PM ^
Let's just focus on S. Schilling. He said last year he was up near 300lbs and never stronger in his life. So what needs to be changed? He didn't play well, I don't see how being in shape, stronger and faster than ever hurt him.
To say we faded the last few years is just stupid. Our schedule is much harder on the back end and we've gone over it ad nauseam freshmen qb's, walk on's on d etc...
How's B. Graham doing without that 20lbs??
February 9th, 2010 at 9:42 PM ^
If what your saying is true why is RR changing course?
February 9th, 2010 at 9:44 PM ^
"To say we faded the last few years is just stupid."
It might be stupid, but it's true.
"How's B. Graham doing without that 20 lbs.?"
Really? Your argument revolves around the middle linebacker who ate himself into being a defensive tackle? Yeah, big surprise that losing 20 lbs. helped him. I didn't read the part where gordie bell said losing weight is bad for EVERY player.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:27 PM ^
In 08 we played our best game of the year aginst Minnesota down the stretch, with Threet out and Minor beat to piss.
Last year we again were down our best lineman, Minor and Brown and Tate was playing with a bum shoulder and you think we faded down the strecth because of Barwis's conditioning tactics to our OL?? You think the Purdue game was the fault of our OL?
You don't think we faded because we were injured, but because our OL didn't have 20lbs on them??
I frankly agree to disagree and if our lineman have guts this year and look like J. Boren well you guys were right.
Magnus do you really believe Barwis does not get our oline strong enough to compete in the Big Ten?? That it worked in the Big East and against top flight competition in bowl games, but just not the unbelievably tough Big Ten?? Barwis spends his life getting people ready for football and players come back from the NFL to work his program, but we screwed up our own players.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:38 PM ^
The question wasn't WHY we faded. There are myriad reasons. I said we faded, period.
Regardless, strength isn't the issue here. Nobody has said that Michigan's offensive line isn't strong enough. The rumors are that the coaches want Michigan's offensive linemen to pack on a few pounds. If that's true, then the coaches obviously feel that being 290 lbs. isn't as conducive to success as being, say, 300 lbs.
I really don't know why you're fighting this. You're putting your foot down and saying "Rodriguez didn't say this!" based on zero evidence when multiple posters have stated otherwise based on their contacts within the program. Why are you being so adamant?
February 10th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
You are right I'm being a little hard headed about this, but I'm a big believer in what RR is trying to do here and when he succedes I don't want the memo to be that once he figured it out(like us geniuses on the internet) he was ok.
I also hate when people keep portraying myths about what we are trying to do. It's like listening to sports talk radio.
The feeling I get about this is that people are saying the reason we didn't run the ball well is that our lineman were not big enough. Suddenly everyone wants to be Wisconsin. The reason we didn't run the ball well is that our lineman were not that great and they lost some key pieces to injury, our 2 best RB's were hurt and our QB was a true freshmen who made several poor reads.....and we still had 1 of our best rushing years over the last 10.
Obviously everyone wants our lineman to be as strong as they can, but the key for us is mobility. To run the spread read you need mobility. That's why Lloyd wanted the oline to lose weight when they installed it in 06.
That's why I think despite the supposed "insider" info I don't think this is completely true. If it has validity I think it was taken out of context or twisted after it was retold 5 times. I've never heard any 2nd guessing from anybody on the team about what Barwis is doing for them.
Lastly, I think Barwis is pushing these guys to the limit of their capability, he wants them as strong and as mobile as possible, he keeps pushing them and setting new goals, to just add 10-20 lbs seems silly. I'm sure the plan was for most of the lineman to add bulk this year as most are young and still developing and I think people are twisting it to say we were doing it wrong the last 2 years and now we need to add. I think the truth is Barwis's plan for each player is pretty similar for their career, strip them down of useless fat, then continue to add muscle while maintaining their speed and flexibility. So that is why I say that most of the Olineman will be gaining weight this year, because that is part of the plan not because Barwis was wrong and Steve from Livonia was right.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
As Michigan fans, we shouldn't care HOW Rodriguez succeeds. You should only care that he does. (As long as it's not by cheating, of course.) I don't care whether he succeeds with 285 lb. linemen or 335 lb. linemen, as long as it happens. I don't know why you're concerned about the perception of how he achieves success.
And again, most of our linemen are NOT young and undeveloped. The returning starters from last year - Dorrestein, Schilling, Molk, Huyge, Omameh - will be in their 5th, 5th, 4th, 4th, and 3rd years in the program. If they're putting on weight, it's because Barwis wants them to put on weight, not simply because their bodies are finally maturing.