alum96

March 25th, 2015 at 11:14 AM ^

Bars has been a mystery.  He was also a 4 star in that same class with Kalis Magnuson etc.  He is a RS JR now and this is the first time I've seen him anywhere and its only because our starting center left football and our backup center has an issue with alcohol.  He has been the Tom Strobel of the OL.

Joined: 04/28/2012

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Reader71

March 25th, 2015 at 12:15 PM ^

I've said since the first time I saw Bars in a Michigan practice that he wasn't going to see the field, if ever, before his fifth year. His body wasn't anywhere near to being ready and his technique was as raw as they come. His star ranking, which I only learned of later, was a real surprise. He was a Lon way from being ready. And I haven't changed my mind at any point in the last 3 years. I'd love if he has finally arrived this spring.

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the real hail_yes

March 25th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^

If thats true, good for him for jumping on the grenade.

He might not have a choice here, but thats a decision that could cost you millions... Not too many centers drafted in the first round!

[also, I'm not saying he was a first-round lock or that this is permanent, just my first thought]

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the real hail_yes

March 25th, 2015 at 10:24 AM ^

I think the fact that the OL has been so suspect is exactly the reason why we have to be patient here... Harbaugh obviously knows how much work that unit needs, and thats probably why he hired a former OL coach as his OC

Furthermore, we'll have to see how the Glasgow situation plays out before jumping to any conclusions. Its unliklely the group that takes the field vs Utah will be the same one starting against the bucks

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maize-blue

March 25th, 2015 at 9:34 AM ^

When/if Glasgow returns does he bump Cole back out to LT or maybe take over LG for Mags? It seems Kalis and Braden have a pretty secure hold on the right side of the line. 

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Mr. Yost

March 25th, 2015 at 9:51 AM ^

Kalis and ESPECIALLY Braden shouldn't have a hold of anything.

Braden was our worst OL for much of the year.

I'm really hoping Dawson pushes Kalis. Also hoping Newsome comes in and we hit on back to back freshman tackles. Not saying he needs to start like Cole, but if he's pushing for early PT and ready to play/conribute, that would be nice to have some serious depth.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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alum96

March 25th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

He has become the forgotten man by the board.  After Kalis he was the next highest rated OL in that class and struggled less than Kalis when he actually played - he also was able to flex from T to G halfway decently.  Unfortunately injury bug has really hit him.  Glad to hear he is showing well.

I know Cole is undersized for a tackle but I'd rather see a guy who has done center do it.  It's a position you cannot make a mistake on the snap.  Otherwise its a fumble.  You have to be perfect in that regard.  So making 2 mistakes a game can be the difference between winning and losing.  Wish Miller had decided to stay on (one other aspect of his decision is he now has to pay for grad school rather than get it free for a year), and Glasgow could act responsible.   I'd actually like to see LTT (if ready) pushing for both tackle spots or if he is just a LT then have Cole go out to the right and push Braden for that spot.    LTT-Magnuson-Glasgow-Kalis-Cole or LTT-Magnuson-Glasgow-Cole-Braden would seem like 2 good options if Glasgow had his head on straight and LTT is the real deal.

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MichiganWolver…

March 25th, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^

What's the difference in skills required to play LT vs RT? I understand why you would rather have your more talented tackle protecting the blind side, but aren't the skills transferable to both positions? Ie can you explain how a player would be appropriate for LT only and a no go for RT?

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Bodogblog

March 25th, 2015 at 4:23 PM ^

Traditionally the RT is on the strong side, therefore the run side, needs to be more of a driver/move men off the ball.  Also gets the easier draw or a TE rub on the defender for pass protection (the defense puts the best pass rusher on the other side). 

LT needs to be quicker to take on the opponent's best pass rusher, but you knew that. 

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Maize and Blue…

March 25th, 2015 at 5:33 PM ^

QB spot, being a left-handed QB, will then make RT the blind side, and thus more important in passing situations than the LT side, and we are going to want the best pass protecter playing RT, at this point, I doubt that is Braden, and we will probably see the coaching staff begin to practice some of the LT's in the RT position. Perhaps we will soon see Braden in the LT and Cole or LTT in the RT position, assuming Morris wins the job.

The major difference between the two positions is that the footwork is the exact opposite from one side of the line then from the other.

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Perkis-Size Me

March 25th, 2015 at 9:36 AM ^

I have to say that I'm a little surprised that Kugler isn't locking down that spot. I understand that making the high school game to college game transition can be tough, but he was described as the real deal coming out of high school, and when you've got an NFL O-Line coach for a Dad, you'd think that automatically gives you a leg up based on how much you've been taught.

Still, if this gives Michigan the best chance to win football games, then so be it. Cole looks like he's going to be a good one after being thrown in the fire as a true freshman last fall, and if LTT pans out, he could be Michigan's next great left tackle. He's definitely got the size and the frame, and now he most certainly has the coaching.

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DonAZ

March 25th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^

On the winners in a competition having to do the extra PT:

"And then we watched the defense run, and at the end when we broke we were like, 'That didn't feel good standing there watching,' " Darboh said. "You kind of feel guilty. You lost, and we're just standing there. The next practice we made sure we came out and won."

Harbaugh is like some mad scientist Dr. Phil out there ... he's using double top-secret reverse psychology ... and it works!

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Padog

March 25th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^

I like Cole better at center. He is better sized for that spot. I always thought that he was at a disadvantage at LT. He would have reached his ceiling earlier.



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Ivan Karamazov

March 25th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^

Based on the video of Stanford's spring games under Harbaugh (posted above) the "draft" is part of the spring game. Harbaugh announces the picks made earlier by the coaching staffs. BTN is already going to be broadcasting the game on the 4th, so whatever Harbaugh decides to do for his spring game, they will air.

Joined: 08/26/2011

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skurnie

March 25th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^

How great is this?

 

"Sprinting reward

When teams practice, players or units that struggle have to run extra or do pushups or lift weights as a punishment of sorts.

But under coach Jim Harbaugh, the winners in practice actually get the extra running.

"His philosophy is you get the chance to get better," Cole said. "If you win, you get the chance to get better so you've got to help yourself."

Darboh said the offense lost during the first practice.

"And then we watched the defense run, and at the end when we broke we were like, 'That didn't feel good standing there watching,' " Darboh said. "You kind of feel guilty. You lost, and we're just standing there. The next practice we made sure we came out and won."

Joined: 07/31/2013

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Achilles

March 25th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^

ugh

I just need real football already. This is likely going to be the longest feeling off season simply because of our new coaching staff. I am so excited to return to winning football games and not losing to shitty teams like Maryland and Rutgers.

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UMCoconut

March 25th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^

After all the practice reports and variance in opinions, the draft should be the best opportunity to see what the coaches actually think about where everyone stacks up.  It's particularly interesting because there's no real clear-cut #1 overall guy, so I'm curious to see who takes that spot.  Obviously the first QB off the board will be big too.  

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