2013 offensive line- Schofield's best position
In regards to depth chart, the offensive line is one of the most interesting position groups for 2013. I'm not sure if the conventional thinking regarding the offensive line is on target. Specifically, that Scholfield is a lock at right tackle.
I had the chance to speak with Scholfield's father in Tampa at the Outback Bowl, and I am convinced that he thinks that guard is his son's best position and certainly where his NFL future lies. Clearly, the line was better with him at guard in 2011 than tackle in 2012, regardless of the other multiple variables. I think he might be the best guard on the team in 2013.
Prediction of 2013 OL left to right: Lewan, Schofield, Kalis, Bryant, Braden.
I think the ceiling for this group might be very high.
ED: bryant not barnum-- too many Bs with braden barnum burzynski and bryant
February 21st, 2013 at 5:43 PM ^
I agree that spreading out the experience in next years offensive line is important. It could be important enough to determine who-plays-where, since so many of our players are versatile enough to move around. Between a previously suggested RG-Braden/Bryant RT-Schofield option, and your RG-Schofield RT-Braden suggestion I'd also pick your idea. Having Schofield between Braden and Miller would be good for both of them by having someone experienced to help when double teamed, and with calling out combo blocks, ect, and would make a much smoother transition for 3 new starters.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:01 PM ^
It seems as if your potential OL makes the most sense if Braden (or Magnuson) is one of the 5 best OL. If Bryant is among the 5 best (or potentially Bars is), then I would assume Schofield stays at RT, Kalis goes to LG and Bryant to RG.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:26 PM ^
From what I've heard, I don't think Magnuson will be a legitimate option this season. I think the starting five need to come from Lewan, Schofield, Braden, Miller, Bryant, and Kalis.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:10 PM ^
February 21st, 2013 at 4:47 PM ^
I would agree that, long-term, putting Kalis at center is probably a waste. But, in the short term, assuming he can pick up the mental aspects of the position, I don't think putting him at center for one season while Kugler gets himself ready is a terrible idea. I don't think anyone would bat an eye at the conclusion that Kalis is most likely a better offensive lineman than Miller, and that Kalis has a big size advantage. Plus, would it really set Kalis that far back to switch to guard after one season, with 3 more years of eligibility left? I think the five OL that the OP listed are most likely the best on the team, and unless there is some reason why Kalis just can't pick up the center spot, the OP's lineup is a good one. Certainly not deserving of all the HALOL criticism it is currently garnering.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:51 PM ^
Well, Kalis has never played center before. That's my biggest concern there. I certainly think he's a better football player than Miller, but Miller has been playing the position his entire college career. AFAIK, Kalis didn't play center at all last year in practice.
February 21st, 2013 at 5:01 PM ^
None of us really know how well Kalis would be there, and Miller definitely has the experience advantage. On the other hand, It could be that since Michigan had non-freshman bodies at center last season, albeit not very good ones, coaches didn't really give Kalis an extended look there. Now that the depth there is thinner, he may get a longer look.
February 21st, 2013 at 5:52 PM ^
support the choice of Kugler at center - with some non-frosh at G and seniors at T the coaches could give Kugler a stretch assignment.
Kugler has the talent and technique, and he might be physically equal to Miller by August.
Center is so knowledge dependent, though, that I suspect Miller is the safer choice over Kalis and Kugler for this season.
February 21st, 2013 at 7:46 PM ^
I am not sold on Kugler coming in and being ready to play right away, not only because he probably isn't physically ready as a true freshman OL, but because he is switching positions himself. The coaches may have brought him in as a center, but he didn't play much of it in high school. Given that Kalis has a year in the weightroom, and that both players will likely face similar learning curves switching positions, I'd give the nod to Kalis by the slimmest of margins if Miller isn't ready.
February 21st, 2013 at 3:49 PM ^
Well now that you have your names correct, lets walk through this, shall we?
So you want to convert Kyle Kalis, the most college ready guard/can't miss prospect on offensive line that people have seem in long time, to center? Not only do you want to do that, but you want to do when one class behind him is Patrick Kugler? Son of a NFL offensive line coach and a 5* center who is considered college ready and can't miss as well? This means you're either moving Kalis at some point so Kugler can play, so Kalis doesn't get all four years to master a spot, or Kugler plays for one year (two of Kalis leaves early). Extremely poor use of resources all around. Even more so when you have Miller in the system, a guy who has had multiple years in the system.
After you fix the Kalis bug of course that means you have a free guard and Scholfield remains at tackle where he was an excellent tackle last year.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^
To add to what I said above.
The OP is probably basing his post on the newest "insider" post on thewolverine.com, or he just happened to come up with the same sort of idea at the same time.
This "trusted anonymous observer" said that he doesn't expect to see Miller at C at the end of the year. Same observer "gave the nod" to Burzynski over Miller.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:09 PM ^
I'd assume that is Miller isn't ready to go, you just see Burzynski at center. Failing that, Kugler goes in. Or possibly or Braden, who for some reason was listed as a center at one point despite being 6' 6". I don't see the depth chart problem that makes you take Kalis and focus his development on snapping the ball as opposed to be a guard.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:18 PM ^
It doesn't help when you are the lightest OL on the roster not including freshman.
I guess we will just have to wait for the spring roster to come out to see how much weight he has put on since the season ended.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:16 PM ^
February 21st, 2013 at 4:23 PM ^
Mealer was 6'6"?
Edit: I checked the official roster. It lists him at 6'5"... so does that mean he is closer to 6-4?
February 21st, 2013 at 4:23 PM ^
I'm pretty sure that's an argument against using a 6'6" center. Mealer was not great, and I'm just being nice.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^
What's the deal with Miller? Is he not developing or is it an offensive fit issue?
February 21st, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^
The issue has been that he isn't big/strong enough yet. If he can get close to 300 lbs. this offseason (he was 6'4", 288), then he'll have a better chance.
February 21st, 2013 at 6:00 PM ^
The reason why people think there is a problem with Miller is because his weight is at 288. He has most likely added another 5-6lbs since then though..Also some people think 6'4'' is short..which it isn't. Thats about the average NFL center height and Molk was only 6'1'' so he actually is the ideal size(if you remember borges said Ricky Barnum had the ideal size to play center last spring). If he can come into fall camp around 294-296lbs then we shouldn't worry too much about him being over matched.
Also if you look at this picture of Jack Miller standing next to Kyle Bosch you will see that Miller isn't very small compared to what is supposed to be a manchildBEAST(bosch).
February 21st, 2013 at 6:09 PM ^
So 2 years in a college S&C program he will be almost as big as a true freshman.
February 21st, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
To be fair, I walked past Bosch recently on campus, and size-wise he looked 100% college ready, especially standing next to LTT.
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:27 AM ^
I'm not really sure why you are putting it like that. Are you wanting to argue that Miller is too small and you don't want him to play? I guess I should have also said that Bosch is supposed to be one of the most college ready o-lineman physically. So yeah, Miller being pretty similar in size to a guy who only happens to be a freshman, but is college ready size now is still something to smile about.
February 21st, 2013 at 3:56 PM ^
February 21st, 2013 at 4:05 PM ^
ricardo miller has right tackle locked up.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^
You want your best blockers on the edges. Schofield's best (and future NFL) position might be guard, but we need solid, experienced blockers on the perimeter.
February 21st, 2013 at 4:39 PM ^
Our best blockers (Lewan, Schofield) were on the perimeter in 2012.
Things did not go well for our running game.
February 21st, 2013 at 5:35 PM ^
Sorry I have to be that guy.
I work at the same company Schofield's Uncle.
Last month our company rented out the Big House for a dinner in the box and tour of locker room, field, etc... It was truly awesome.
Michael came up to see his Uncle and stayed a long time to talk. What a great kid, handled himself really well around a bunch of 40 and 50 year old men/women who asked pretty stupid questions. Very impressive.
Anyways, take this for what it is worth, but I did ask him about next year and he likes and believes he is a tackle. I tend to agree with his size and speed. But based on that, I would be shocked to see him at guard. Coaches may disagree, but doubt it.
February 21st, 2013 at 6:05 PM ^
Some threads start out as this crazy, fun, incite full and imaginative idea that get throttled by an awaiting Michigan public! Go Blue!
February 21st, 2013 at 6:15 PM ^
February 21st, 2013 at 9:28 PM ^
I see Schofield at tackle in all scenarios except where Magnuson is one of the top 5 OL. I don't see Magnuson playing guard. This might be the case if Bryant isn't back healthy and Braden is behind Magnuson. In this scenario, I would expect: Lewan, Kalis, Miller/Burzynski, Schofield, Magnuson.
I think if Braden is one of the top 5 OL he'll play guard and Schofield will play OT. His strength is run blocking.
I think people are underestimating Burzynski. He was the first (and only) OL off the bench, and to me he looked ok when he played. Won't be the powerhouse run blocker we'd like but will know what he's doing and block the right guy. I see him as the option if the young guys and Bryant aren't ready.
This being said, I expect Miller to start at center, and I don't see Miller and Burzynski both starting. This makes center the most likely spot for Burzynski.
Line I'd like to see: Lewan, Kalis, Miller, Bryant, Schofield
February 21st, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
February 21st, 2013 at 10:31 PM ^
Yo, those hips are fluid.
February 21st, 2013 at 10:52 PM ^
Any reason he can't be a right tackle? I know that tackles are generally taller, but arent right tackles more run blockers and is the difference between 6'5 and 6'6" really that big of a deal?
February 21st, 2013 at 11:47 PM ^
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:06 AM ^
Not only is Barnum gone, but he was pretty bad
February 22nd, 2013 at 7:46 AM ^
The one thing that matters to me is we put together a line that manhandles OSU.
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:57 AM ^
I would like to see more about the positions where michigan has "fixed" themselves based on recruiting alone...my take on it
OL ....fixed
LB...fixed
RB....fixed
QB....depends on shane morris
WR....not fixed
TE....would be nice to see jake butt do good
DL...not fixed yet ....i hope i am wrong
DB...i think they still need 1 more elite recruit here
Spl Teams ....dunno
Just to be clear ...fixed means hoke has addressed their needs in terms of recruiting...does not mean that they will definitely be good at those positions. would love to have this as its own post and see what other ppl think.