Rashan Gary Fitting In

Submitted by StephenRKass on

There's a fluff article at the Freep (freep alert) on Rashan Gary:

Michigan's Rashan Gary already fitting in well with the defensive line.

Greg Mattison is quoted:

The thing that excites me probably the most about that is he’s with a great group of guys that can mentor him and get him into that freshman year. One thing I’m real proud of is these seniors. They’ve become real men and they see a talented kid and they’ll make sure he does all the right things and we’re going to help him get as good as he can be. “He’s already fit in.

And something almost all of us are anticipating:

The challenge is where to put Gary because, Mattison said, “he’s got the size to play inside, but the speed to play outside. So it gives us a lot more flexibility.”

The future looks bright. Bright indeed. Looking forward to the season.

LSAClassOf2000

June 28th, 2016 at 5:17 PM ^

We could look at this in an alternate way, of course, and say that - of all sources - the Detroit Free Press is the one where a quote to get the discussion going is all that is necessary and skip the link, but then a Free Press fluff piece has historically been "fluffier" than most when compared to other local outlets. 

It's harmless enough this time around though, and glad to hear that Gary is already finding a fit with the players and coaches. He is definitely one of the reasons this could be a fun next few years at least. 

bluepow

June 28th, 2016 at 5:49 PM ^

 I appreciate you may at times feel in a tough position, but if there is anywhere that can continuously carry out due punishment with conviction and righteous predjudice for that particular instance of journalistic malpractice, it is this blog.

For how long?  I don't know really but suggest a generation or so as appropriate.  That would be my mandatory minimum.

Also: Thank you Freep for taking my mind to our defensive line.  It is a good place to go.  Everytime.

drewsharpnotsosharp

June 28th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^

+1 for you. It was meant as a joke. But seriously, I just don't understand how that paper continues to employ Sharp after the plagiarism mess and all the anti Big Ten crap he's written over the years. You figure at some point that paper goes, sorry, you gotta go.

csmhowitzer

June 29th, 2016 at 7:38 AM ^

I give this 10 out of 10 fakes. We know this is you Drew, can't fool us.

In all seriousness how was he ever hired on 105.1 after Drew and Marc left. He is just as bad when he speaks. His words always form some sort of click-baity sound clip "now I know you Michigan slappies will hate this" or "I know that detroiters don't want to belive this". As though he fully understands the one perspective. The guy's a joke.

Wolfman

June 29th, 2016 at 5:44 AM ^

know just how unique your DL is this season and another thing about a DL that awesome, so confident in their own ability, loving the way everyone is rotated so they all are recognized and rewarded for their hard work. I think it's impossible for a group like this: I feel their understood obligation by being blessed with this much talent prevents them from even thinking of doing anything but expediting the evolution of Rashaun Gary. To a man, no matter how good they are, know he is the greatest teammate they will ever have and they will do, because their willingness is as strong as their obligation, absolutely nothing but that which will assist this tremendous young man. 

Given his gpa, the exemplary manner in which he was raised, I am not sure they will ever even have to offer upperclassmen advice, worrying about him taking a wrong turn. He's just a very special blend of all that's good in a person and all that's great in a football player. As Coach P says, "To have one in a lifetime is almost beyond belief. To have two back-to-back is probably mathematically impossible, but it happened."  

I agree with the majority, I am somewhat frightened for our opposition. Imagine if you will - and you all know how great play can become contagious - if they all go full out DUDE at the same time. Simply unfathomable. There is a realistic chance, I believe, rotation of opposing OLs could be done by motorized gurney.  Mr. T's comedic warning could prove to be anything but funny. 

StephenRKass

June 28th, 2016 at 9:50 PM ^

I'm StephenRKass, and I've never created an alternate account, and never will. I'm too old and too lazy and don't feel the need to have alternate identities so I can write really snarky or rude or whatever things. Just not going to do that. Besides, it's my real name and I will stand behind what I write.

Go Blue in NC

June 28th, 2016 at 4:56 PM ^

While nearly all the Michigan football freshmen arrived last week and went through orientation this week, Rashan Gary got a head start.

The nation’s top 2016 recruit, from Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, was wandering around the U-M camps on June 18, absorbing the program.
“It’s great to have him, now he’s here,” U-M defensive line coach Greg Mattison said that day. “The thing that excites me probably the most about that is he’s with a great group of guys that can mentor him and get him into that freshman year. One thing I’m real proud of is these seniors. They’ve become real men and they see a talented kid and they’ll make sure he does all the right things and we’re going to help him get as good as he can be.
“He’s already fit in.”
Yet many believe Gary, a defensive tackle, can fit right in on the field as well.
Mattison doesn’t want to jump on the Gary hype train, but understands what he’s getting.
“I always evaluate a guy how he plays all four years, (but) the one thing Rashan has had is great coaching in high school and had great coaching when the season was over with people that understand pass rush and understand the basics,” Mattison said, referring to Gary’s work with New Jersey line guru Peter Kafaf. “He’s worked with them and he continues to get better and better. That’s been a big plus for him. And he’s really motivated. He really wants to be great.”

In case you missed it: Rashan Gary's love for football - and mom
The challenge is where to put Gary because, Mattison said, “he’s got the size to play inside, but the speed to play outside. So it gives us a lot more flexibility.”
U-M already has one of the nation’s top defensive lines, lining up seniors Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley at the ends and Ryan Glasgow in the middle as probable starters.
Add redshirt sophomore Bryan Mone, redshirt junior Maurice Hurst, Lawrence Marshall and fifth-year senior Matt Godin, and there’s a ton of talent and experience in the deepest defensive line Mattison has had in his current six years in Ann Arbor.
“With us always playing two deep, all of these guys have started or played a lot of ball,” he said. “That’ll help us and that’ll give you great competition.”

Placing Gary into this group (along with other freshman defensive linemen Michael Dwumfour and Ron Johnson) gives Mattison confidence that they’ll bring along the younger players, even if they’re pushing for the seniors’ jobs.
The younger players are eager to learn.
“We’ve got a strong unit,” said Gary, who expects to learn from Wormley and Charlton. “It’s a lot of seniors, when I get in there, they’re going to teach me how to play the game, the tricks for the four years they’ve been there. I think it’s a great thing.”
Dwumfour said: “You get to get a lot of knowledge from them."
Matison is confident the seniors won’t be threatened and they’ll mentor the younger players because of their cohesion.
“This group of seniors may be different than any other group of seniors,” Mattison said. “When you give them what you expect them to do, they’re all doing it together. Other years, some would do it one time, some would do it another time. This group here has bought in to being as good as they can possibly be, so we’re all doing it together every day.”