UofM-StL

May 25th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^

I'm getting that same error, but if you go to the Rivals home page, you can click on the link, and it goes to the exact same URL, and it works just fine. Strange.

EDIT: Clicking the link in the OP is suddenly working for me. Don't know what happened there.

jaggs

May 25th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^

Not working for me.

EDIT: working.

We should probably hold out and see if some more higher profile guys are interested before offering this guy. /magnus

MGoShoe

May 25th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^

...worked for me.

I like this passage a ton:

Dawson, who played last season at Houston (Texas) Cy-Ridge after spending his freshman and sophomore years at Cass Tech, said that his year in Texas paid dividends but also opened his mind to football across the country.

"It was hotter," he said. "That is about it. We have five-stars and they have five-stars. We have four-stars and they have four-stars. It's football."

Such will be his approach entering the invitation-only Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge that all the players are on equal footing no matter where they are from.

"We are all good players or we wouldn't be there," he said. "You aren't better just because you are from Texas and I am from Michigan."

Michiganfootball13

May 25th, 2012 at 11:12 AM ^

The character of the players the Hoke and Co. Are recruiting is what impresses me the most. These kids want to be the best and will do what ever it takes to accomplish that.

DonAZ

May 25th, 2012 at 1:37 PM ^

I've been thinking about Dawson's comments, which he concludes with "It's football."

There's a fair depth of wisdom in that. 

I've been reading a lot of Chris Brown's "Smart Football" material and listening to his podcasts.  He seems to make the point over and over that football is, ultimately, a game best won by executing a handful of things very well.  There's nothing magical about it.  It's not necessarily scheme or where it's played.

Talent matters, however.  And further, talent that executes properly wins football games.

In short -- understand the game and execute.  For players, understanding the game means taking coaching and going out and working hard to perfect the execution.  And that's exactly the message we hear again and again and again from Hoke, Borges and Mattison.

So Dawson's comment implying there's nothing particularly special about Texas football is really spot on.  It's football.  His recognition of this speaks well of him as a player and as a young man.

True Blue Grit

May 25th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^

Dawson may end up being the best of the linemen in this 2013 class for Michigan.  He seems to have all the attributes of being a dominant college OL - not the least of which is his confident, aggressive attitude. 

DonAZ

May 25th, 2012 at 1:47 PM ^

I realize you were just joking in your post.  But I'm going to follow-up with some questions, and my questions are sincerely offered.  I'm seeking some knowledge here.

I can see how longer arms would be a plus for defensive players, particularly linemen seeking leverage and long arms to knock down passes.

But for offensive linemen ... isn't the general rule that to avoid getting called for holding it's best to keep the arms inside the shoulders?  Would longer arms be a plus or a negative there?

Also, can it be said that there's any strength advantage / disadvantage to longer arms?  I would think shorter arms would provide more strength in close-quarters ... I would imagine (but I don't know) that guys with really long arms have more trouble bench pressing when the weight is down near the chest.

WolvinLA2

May 25th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^

Having long arms is much more important for tackles because it's necessary for pass protection.   It's less important for run blocking, for some of the reasons you mentioned, and therefore less important for guards.  This is a big reason people think Kalis is a better guard prospect than tackle, because he has shorter arms.

Magnus

May 25th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^

As far as getting called for holding, it's neither a plus nor a minus.  If an OL keeps his hands inside, he's probably not going to get called for holding, period.  Whether he's holding a guy at 6" or 12", the rule or interpretation of the rule doesn't change.

The point of wanting longer arms for an OT is that he will be able to strike a defensive end or linebacker (therefore controlling him) before the DE/LB has a chance to strike him.  It's just like a reach advantage for an MMA fighter.  Yeah, you might have to grapple with him once in a while, but if you can keep him at bay with your reach, then why wouldn't you?

DonAZ

May 25th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^

The point of wanting longer arms for an OT is that he will be able to strike a defensive end or linebacker (therefore controlling him) before the DE/LB has a chance to strike him.

<insert lightbulb image here>

Ah!  And since contemporary DEs tend to be taller, longer-armed and freakishly fast, a shorter-armed OT is at a distinct disadvantage.

Thanks!

Lac55

May 25th, 2012 at 11:18 AM ^

He won me over a long time ago, but he's becoming my favorite recruit in this class. Going to Texas really helped a lot mentally.

WolvinLA2

May 25th, 2012 at 2:09 PM ^

Yeah, Dawson looks like a beast. 

You know who hasn't gotten nearly enough praise around here?  Chris Fox.  He is as highly or higher rated than any of our other OL commits, he just hasn't hit up the camp scene as much.  But that guy is a total monster and I'm as excited about him as anyone.

MN Go Blue

May 25th, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^

Dawson shows in these camps that he has a nasty streak.  He plays to and a bit past the whistle.  If you watch the highlight tape on Fox and Boesch you will see a nasty side to them to.  They are pounding one guy and then looking to get someone on the next level.  These 3 on the same line will we so awesome.

WolvinLA2

May 25th, 2012 at 11:04 PM ^

Yeah, although Kalis should be a great OL, he doesn't really project as an ideal blind-side pass protector. Most people see him as a guard or right tackle, which is why the poster said he'd be a left tackle of Shane is the QB.

TESOE

May 25th, 2012 at 11:31 PM ^

If Dawson plays the circuit like this... he is going to get attention - more than the considerable attention he has already garnered.  It may be an honor but I'm not sure it's really going to do as much for him as hitting the gym or the books might in the long run. 

Both he and Shane are driven by the recruiting scene.  It shows commitment to excellence and a desire to be the best but these recruitniks aren't trying to coach them up so much as make money.   Dawson has nothing to prove to Michigan coaches at these events.

I admit I love it regardless.  I especially love his dig on regional favoritism in the recruiting world.  He's going to right that ship if past camps are any indication.