wresler120

September 1st, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^

After watching each lineman on every snap I believe next weekend's O-Line will be Cole-Magnuson-Miller-Glasgow-Braden. Hoke has raved about Cole and he will get better every single week. Mags played very well. Miller had some great blocks and some so-so plays, but why change the center when the line worked, and the snap was never jumbled up. Plus Miller did a great job sealing off his man on quite a few plays. Braden also played a very good at RT. That leaves Kalis who had some great blocks and some great whiffs. I also noticed Burzynski came back for a series in the 3rd and the rest of the 4th quarter. I know the game was out of hand, but the rest of the O-line starters remained in.

Double-D

September 1st, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^

Kalis and Miller looked good (AS). Brady wants continuity and has been talking them both up. We seem to be all in with Cole. Glasgow? I think they prep him to come in relief. We might see him at center before the game ends but I think Miller has earned the coaches support for now.

ShruteBeetFarms

September 1st, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^

The line worked against ASU. Notre Dame will be a better test. I trust the coaches to figure out the line that works best against Michigan's defense in practice this week. That should paint a more accurate picture.

maize-blue

September 1st, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^

The offense is definitely headed in the right direction. I think the O line can improve. Can it improve enough in week 2 to beat ND? Maybe, but I think Nussmeir is a confirmed upgrade over Borges.

Sten Carlson

September 1st, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^

Play beginning at 7:13 ... one of Green's long runs.  LOS is Michigan's 34 yard line ... look at Miller taking his guys all the way down PAST the 50!    Stop the play at 7:20 and you can see 3 OLinemen downfield almost keeping up with Green!  Then at the end of the run there is Fuchess ready to give another block -- unfortunately, Green was caught from behind and Funchess' block didn't help ... but still he was there.  Now THAT is what great execution looks like!

Take any good run, stop it as the RB's break the LOS, and look at how nearly EVERY Michigan player is locked up on the App. St. defender.  Duh, I know good runs come from good blocking, but man alive does this look different from the shit show we've seen of late in the rushing game.  They're locked on and maintaining their blocks ALL THE WAY DOWNFIELD.  I know, I know, App. St., but still ... I'd love to see similar cut ups for the Akron game last year -- wait, no I wouldn't ... don't every want to see that again!

Keep up the good work boys!

Go Blue!

1989 UM GRAD

September 1st, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

Man, watching the plays back-to-back...it does appear that Green and Smith are so close.  Smith does seem to be a bit better at breaking tackles...and I also feel as though he's a bit better at hitting the right hole at the right time.

But, so so close.

maize-blue

September 1st, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^

Yeah, they are almost the same guy. Each guy has one thing that he does slightly better, but for me it's a wash. My only beef with the RB depth is I don't know if they have a quick to the hole guy. Maybe Hayes? Green and Smith, at this point in their career, seem to take about 5-6 yards to get up to steam. Probably after a little more time in the offense they will be able to hit the line with more decisiveness/speed.

WolvinLA2

September 1st, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^

This video reinforced what I felt after watching the game - and that's that Smith is the better back. Green had about twice as many touches, but it looked like more of Green's runs did nothing compared to Smith. Smith had fewer runs go nowhere and more yards after contact. Against better defenses where the holes are smaller, I think Smith will be the better option.

DonAZ

September 1st, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^

Last year I would grit my teeth and cover my eyes every time I'd see Gardner go under center ... it almost invariably led to some loss-of-yards play.  So I wondered ... what did the Appalachian State game look like in terms of shotgun vs. under center?

Results:

Gardner
Shotgun ........ 23 snaps ... 54%
Under Center ... 19 snaps ... 46%

Morris
Shotgun ........  7 snaps ... 50%
Under Center ...  7 snaps ... 50%

Fairly balanced ... but to my eye Gardner looked -- what? -- more comfortable under center?

I wonder whether my thinking Gardner is more comfortable is reality, or just wishful thinking?

 

 

MayOhioEatTurds

September 1st, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^

Gardner did look more comfortable under center. 

In at least one instance from the shotgun, with a designed run called, he looked very hesitant/uncomfortable. 

If this trend continues, it could be very interesting to watch this transition.  I always thought he would prefer shotgun. 

go16blue

September 1st, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^

It looks like we tried 3 different runs, inside zone, outside zone, and power. Inside zone looked bad. OL getting pushed backwards, no holes, just bad. Outside zone looked very good, and power worked a couple of times too. I really like Green when we run the outside zone, for his speed and cutting ability. Smith works better when running power and inside zone for his vision and balance. 

 

All in all, the fact that we could run any running plays successfully is a big step forward.

ADSellers

September 1st, 2014 at 7:26 PM ^

If Peppers plays on offense, is there any problem w/ him and Hayes having the same number? Obviously they couldn't be on the field at the same time, but say Hayes goes in as the 3rd down back 3 or 4 times. Can we just sneak Peppers in there to catch a pass out of the backfield and hope the opposing team doesn't notice the name on the jersey? Or do we have to somehow declare that a different #5 has entered the game on offense?