Quick Bryant Reprimer

Submitted by Blazefire on

I thought since we'll be seeing Bryant in extended action for the first time ever today, despite him being around since the Sugar Bowl season, we might all enjoy a little re-primer on who he is and why we can expect good things.

Chris Bryant - 6-4, 320 lbs - RS Sophomore

4 - Star, #19 OG

STRENGTHS
 Feet
 Intelligence
 Power And Strength

 

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
 Technique

 

HS Evaluation Said:

Big bodied lineman who can move well for a kid his size. Smart, and takes to coaching quickly. Has great power and strength. When he gets his hands on someone, he usually wins. He has exceptional punch and can knock defenders off balance easily. He still is somewhat raw with his hand placement and technique, and is a tad top heavy, but has a ton of raw ability, and the type of aggressive, hard working attitude you want in a lineman. - Allen Trieu

So, here is a big bodied kid that has good feet (pulling) and an exceptional punch, with proper guard size, who mostly needed technique work to move up. In a RS and then injury non playing year, his technique should be very improved. That's exciting to me.

When you consider the fact that Glasgow, while very good, is a walk-on and as such, probably not the fastest player *problems pulling), and also a little tall for Guard, a move to center (or outside) makes sense. Meanwhile, Jack Miller spent two years as the heir apparent to David Molk, only because there WAS nobody else. He has been trying to get to an effective playing weight since coming out of HS at 265 (an exageration, probably, too), and may be featuring more bulk than good muslce at this stage. Another year in the weight room might really benefit him.

Overall, adding a 4-star, #19 Guard, moving a player withou7t pulling speed to center and getting an undersized player with some obvious performance mistakes off the line could pay TREMENDOUS dividends in both the rushing and passing games. I know other people are saying this won't be a magic bullet, but I think there could be a whisp of magic in this move.

PurpleStuff

October 3rd, 2013 at 1:00 AM ^

Getting Chris healthy and into the lineup is a positive, but I think you're off on Glasgow.  He was a walk-on because he didn't play football until the very tail end of his high school career (he was a pretty good basketball player until then).  The guy is very big, is a very good athlete, and is pretty damn smart.  He's also been our best interior lineman by a significant margin (like, better than the 5-star guy everyone was so excited about).  There's a reason so many big time programs wanted to get him on campus.

Don't know about magic bullets, but getting a guy who would've/should've been a starter "back" is always a positive.  Hopefully the two weeks have helped them build a little chemistry and Graham can handle the center specific aspects of the job.  If so, the future looks bright at all three of those interior spots for the next few years.

Eskimoan

October 3rd, 2013 at 1:09 AM ^

Excited about Bryant. I remember last year players on the D were speaking highly of him and talking about him being a brawler. It definitely cannot get any worse.





Speaking of Glasgow having big time programs wanting him on campus,? I'm not too familiar with him coming out of high school, could you name a few or elaborate a little bit and you comment?

readyourguard

October 3rd, 2013 at 8:13 AM ^

If you didn't read the UFR did you at least watch the replays repeatedly? I have, and the fact is, Glasgow has more than held his own.

The star gazing commment seems valid because you sound like an opposing team's fan:

"Herpity Derp...you start a walk on at guard. Guffaw guffaw. He must suck"

Victor Hale II

October 3rd, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^

I think that it's what you said, plus the fact that Kalis had been mentioned as a possible candidate to get playing time as a true Freshman, and is now a starter as a RS Fr.  Combine all those factors with the analysis of someone who really doesn't break down game film, and the "Kalis is obviously better" notion is sure to result.

B-Nut-GoBlue

October 3rd, 2013 at 1:14 AM ^

There's the optimistic outlook I haven't really read here yet (not a slight at the Blog or others around here).  Only time will tell how this Offensive line will perform.  I hope you're right.  I --we all, I think-- hope that the transition to Center from Guard is flawless for Graham and that Chris is truly ready and healthy to hit a gameday situation and even better, play like a beast (he's rumored to be).

Creedence Tapes

October 3rd, 2013 at 2:03 AM ^

If this makes so much sense, why did the coaches wait until 4 games into the season to make the move? Why didn't they see this in fall camp? Was their initial player analysys off? If so why did it take them 4 games to make a change? 

PurpleStuff

October 3rd, 2013 at 2:08 AM ^

The Fort Schembechler shenanigans have muddled the situation, but this isn't some change or reshuffling of the lineup.  We're just finally going to see the Best Five, TM on the field at the same time for the first time on Saturday.

LSAClassOf2000

October 3rd, 2013 at 6:08 AM ^

I know there have been articles as late as this week, as the OL situation came to the forefront again, that talked about how Bryant still does get "flare ups" of the leg problems that took him out of the picture last year. They also mention that he has been learning to play despite the occasional problem, or at least Hoke talked about that the other day in an interview. Either way, I will be excited to see him out there as well, especially as he was part of the originally projected line for this year, as I recall. 

wile_e8

October 3rd, 2013 at 9:39 AM ^

This is the sort of view that helped me go from from glass half empty to glass half full. Instead of saying "The line is bad and now all the shuffling has made it worse", say "Bryant's health forced line shuffling, making it worse, but getting him back will return us to our decent original O-line." That's the ticket.

KAYSHIN15

October 3rd, 2013 at 2:38 AM ^

Like the Bellomy over Gardner fiasco last year. What's important though is that (hopefully) it is being corrected and thankfully it hasnt cost us any games. But like many have pointed out, what in the hell do we have to lose at this stage?  The panic button has been pushed and hopefully the ship is righted. If so then God bless the rest of the B1G cause our backs are outstanding.

What if the 1st quarter of the season ends up being our lowest point? Wouldnt that be awesome??

Ron Utah

October 3rd, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^

Playing Bellomy was not the wrong call; Gardner hadn't practiced at QB and wasn't prepared to play.  And while you could make an argument that Gardner should have been the back-up QB all along, you would have to remember that he was our best WR before he switched back to QB.

Anyway, I hope you are correct and that these last two games turn out to be an aberration...if not, we're screwed.

HipsterCat

October 3rd, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^

gives you an extra week of practice to re-evaluate and get people (ie bryant) healthy. a week to practice where you can focus less on gameplanning and more on other stuff. you also wait to see if a guy improves as the season goes, we did smoke central and dominate ND.

no joke its hoke

October 3rd, 2013 at 4:10 AM ^

I hope/think Bryant will be an up grade, I still don't think this will be a very good line right now. by the end of the season it may be pretty good, but don't expect a huge up grade yet.

JTrain

October 3rd, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^

I am hopeful....but it's PROBABLY not a good sign that we are benching the guy we thought was the best center / snapper, sliding another guy who's not as good a snapper to center, and plugging in a talented, injury plagued player in at LG.

I'm trying to be optimistic , but some of this smells of "oh my god lets just hope this works otherwise we are effed for the rest season".

The reason I remain hopeful is because of all of the good buzz I heard about Bryant last year and this year. Sounds like he brings a "physicality" that some of the other guys didn't quite have. Just hopeful he's not too gimpy.

And one more thing....

GO BLUE....

NOW LETS GO OUT AND WIN THE LEGENDS BOYS!!

Victor Hale II

October 3rd, 2013 at 4:46 AM ^

The OL had better be much improved by November, or we're going to be in for some rough times around here.  I, too, am very much looking forward to seeing how Bryant and Glasgow respond this weekend.  Side note: is anyone else surprised that our boys are a 19.5 point favorite this Saturday?

NoHeartAnthony

October 3rd, 2013 at 11:17 PM ^

Michigan being a "name brand" really doesn't mean much in terms of a line.  The general public just doesn't generate enough steam to move lines compared to the sharps who will jump on juicy opening lines.  I'm guessing that's what you're getting at.  

It's still gonna be based on matchups, HFA, and how good teams are.  It's the most efficient prognostication you can find.

Magnus

October 3rd, 2013 at 7:53 AM ^

FWIW, I thought Bryant was the best prospect in Michigan's 2011 class. I'm interested to see how he does, but all the injuries make me afraid that he'll never have a chance to reach his potential.

michiganfanforlife

October 3rd, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^

will hopefully be just what we need to shore up the tackles for loss problem.  I am gonna stay optimistic and hope that Bryant can stay healthy. That guy is huge, and he makes the overall line more of a power run group. The fact that the coaches are talking about playing other backs besides Fitz has me excited. Fitz is a good runner, but the dude goes down at first contact almost every time. Derrick Green seems to be the type that can get going if you give him enough carries. DeVeon Smith runs with agression (kinda reminds me of Marshawn Lynch beast mode) and will punish people along the way. Rawls could also contribute with his scrappy style. We have a ton of talent on the depth chart and the last three games have been all Fitz with a sprinkle of Norfleet jet sweeps (I still think that play will go for 6 later this year).

eamus_caeruli (not verified)

October 3rd, 2013 at 8:25 AM ^

Let the young man play some football!!



Once again, let's over analyze literally nothing on this board. This notion that any new "body" will improve our oline is a farce. He could make it worse. He could make better than ever. It could stay exactly the same. How about we give him four games to prove himself?