Positive comments from Kugler

Submitted by UMich2016 on

Scout has an interview with Kugler where he says this year's offseason workouts have been a lot more serious.  He also claims that UM's O Line is more athletic this year.  Scout has some great information - I recommend that service over the rest.

 

LSAClassOf2000

June 27th, 2017 at 3:04 PM ^

See, THIS is why the revised site is slow in coming, all these ads over the years and they forgot the whole payment thing. 

In all seriousness, I was just curious as to whether or not the OP would eventually link us to the story itself so that we might read it. We ask so little here, after all. 

somewittyname

June 27th, 2017 at 2:49 PM ^

Why would they be more "serious" this year? Don't think Kugler hasn't been seeing the field because of summer workouts. Regardless, hope he's right.

In reply to by somewittyname

oriental andrew

June 27th, 2017 at 2:53 PM ^

Maybe (just pure speculation based on nothing but my own experiences as a student/non-athlete) it's more serious this off-season because HE is taking them more seriously. When a light bulb goes on, as it did for me junior year, the same effort and work seems more serious, more productive, more useful, with better outcomes. 

OwenGoBlue

June 27th, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^

Major/consistent injuries can also lead to natural complacency. You spend a long time doing working with defined limits on what you can do, and it can take a while to take the regulator off mentally, if you will. Can help create that "waiting for my turn" mindset and you have a natural excuse for yourself for why you got beat out.

I've always liked Kugler in his comments and I'm thrilled he's pushing hard and accountable now. I have no idea if the above is part of his deal but it's a factor people don't consider enough.

DrMantisToboggan

June 27th, 2017 at 3:50 PM ^

There are many factors, many of them psychological, that can contribute to a player underperforming in comparison with his recruiting ranking. Many people are quick to dismiss them as poorly scouted, but usually it's a result of a bevy of other factors that happened once the kid got to college. 

 

I hope Kugler does finish out camp beating out Ruiz for the starting Center job. For one, this means that Kugler is at least better than a near-five star freshman OL. This doesn't mean he will be great, but it probably means he won't be a liability. Secondly, it gives the staff the ability to redshirt Ruiz. This probably won't happen as he will be the 6th or 7th lineman (and there's still the chance he starts at Guard if Onwenu isn't in adequate shape or if Bredeson kicks out to RT), but he can at least be brought on slowly in his Freshman year instead of being thrown into the fire as a starter.

somewittyname

June 27th, 2017 at 3:06 PM ^

Your scenario would be more plausible to me a year or two a go after he would have presumably came to the realization that seeing the field wasn't maybe the sure thing he imagined. You could be right, but we hear things like this from some player or position group ever year, so I guess I've grown skeptical about comments like these.

In reply to by somewittyname

FauxMo

June 27th, 2017 at 2:58 PM ^

I believe positive comments from Kugler should be called "Kuglies" from now on. For example, "I could really use a few Kuglies to pick me up today and brighten my mood!" 

In reply to by somewittyname

Lou MacAdoo

June 27th, 2017 at 11:30 PM ^

I'm guessing it's because they had a couple of clowns in that room last year. I mean Kalis and Magnuson were two guys that loved to have fun. It could be as simple as that. They were seniors so they set the tone and maybe it was a little more layed back. It could also have to do with the addition of Coach Frey.

In reply to by somewittyname

war-dawg69

June 28th, 2017 at 1:30 PM ^

As far as the more serious part i believe Kugler is talking about himself. I have heard him say that he finally realized what it was going to take for him to crack the starting lineup. He is talking about his overall training in general. I do believe the o-line will be more athletic, which I hope translates to a better running game.

stephenrjking

June 27th, 2017 at 2:49 PM ^

Wait, last year's workouts were less serious? How is that possible?

Not suggesting that Kugler is wrong, but... last year's team didn't show signs of issues with work ethic or anything. Sometimes players are just saying what they know is supposed to be said.

Perkis-Size Me

June 27th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^

I'm going to reserve judgment until the Florida game. But I hope he finally comes into his own this season. I remember back when he committed, he was supposed to be the surest of sure things. He is the son of the former OL coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, so who could've blamed anyone for thinking that?

I think every other OL recruit from that class fizzled out or transferred. I hope he bucks that trend. 

stephenrjking

June 27th, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^

Well, that was a blast from the past.

Not all of his observations were garbage (he liked Taco Charlton, and of course like Taylor Lewan; he admired a DL drill) but the tone of that post (consisting of Dinardo tweets) was all optimism. And that optimism was misplaced. Wasn't that the year that we couldn't block Akron?

Pepto Bismol

June 28th, 2017 at 9:29 AM ^

I'm continually encouraged though by Ben Gedeon. 

I was never impressed by Joe Bolden, probably due in large part to Brian's UFRs constantly pointing out his deficiencies.  When Bolden, Morgan & Ross left after '15, their was large concern for the the LBs because if Ben Gedeon couldn't beat out Joe Bolden, then expectations for his play should be set relatively low.

And then I thought Gedeon had an outstanding 2016 season.

So for some reason, Gedeon was overlooked in favor of Bolden in 2015.  That was either because Gedeon hadn't figured it out yet or because the meritocracy is less wide open than we are led to believe and upper classmen matter.  Or maybe Don Brown made LBs look better.  I don't know. 

But it's not impossible for a Senior to finally get the call, step up and outperform expectations.  We saw it happen just last season.

Davymac97.

June 27th, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^

"I fully expect this offensive line to be punishing"- Taylor Lewan, 2013

Does that mean I'm not going to buy in?  You bet your ass it doesn't!  Can't wait to see a physical, punishing o-line who can blow d-lineman off the ball again!

BoFlex

June 27th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^

Does the set-up of the offensive coaching staff seem odd to anyone else?

  • Offensive Coordinator/OL - Tim Drevno
  • Associate Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator - Pep Hamilton
  • Running Game Coordinator/OT/TE - Greg Frey

I know it is a minor point, but why not just make Drevno the OC, and Frey the OL coach. The current set-up seems like a recipe for "too many hands in the cookie jar."

DrMantisToboggan

June 27th, 2017 at 3:18 PM ^

Those are just titles. Coaching duties don't overlap so it's not an issue. Drev coaches Guards and Centers, Frey Tackles and Tight Ends, Jay Backs, Pep Receivers, Jim Quarterbacks. They all coordinate on gameplan with Jim getting the final say on play calls. Pretty simple.