Fall Camp Update #2 on OL/DL on WTKA The Michigan Insider
Here's the final update.
I hadn't listened to the whole Michigan Insider podcast prior to my first post - If I would have, I would have included these in the previous post as there wasn't a lot more information to report. Instead of burying this in the previous thread, I thought I'd go ahead and still do a second thread.
Nothing on DB's or LB's seems to have leaked, but here are some updates on the OL/DL.
* OL looking good but not great - "Holding their own." I would see this more as a confirmation of the defense than a negative on the O-line. I mean... look at that 2-deep DL.
* Ben Bredeson - "Keep eyes out for him." Sounds like he's impressing early and should definitely be on the two-deep. Possible snaps for him this season as a 6th OL ala last year's Grant Newsome?
* Michael Onwenu playing snaps at DL AND OL. Testing the waters with him. Obviously yesterday the clip of him came out and confirmed that he was at least getting some looks at DL, but it sounds like he is still working with the OL as well.
* Rashan Gary - Early impressions are that he still needs to learn technique (*gasp*) and the playbook (*shock*), but.... his "physicality is AWESOME!" (exclamation/underline/bold required) - Unnamed source states that he is a "1st round draft pick in a few years." Apparently he's been a machine so far. Not quite the 99 NCAA rating, but perhaps a 97. I'm joking guys he's probably an 89.
* Taco Charlton "has been really really good." Another source... "Lights out." Frank Clark 2.0? We shall see!
And yeah... that's about it.
Sounds like we have the BTN guys to look forward to later today. Hope these updates were satisfactory. I was kind of surprised not to read much as of yet, so it was a fun listen even if we need to take everything with a grain of salt.
Here are links to the three segments where I obtained this information.
https://audioboom.com/boos/4934156-04-michigan-camp-report-segment-1-08…
https://audioboom.com/boos/4934165-05-michigan-camp-report-segment-2-08…
August 15th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 12:56 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^
Those of us in exotic, far-away lands (like Ohio for example) don't have ready access to WKTA so these updates are greatly appreciated.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^
Or use whatever other podcast resource you have access to such as the podcast app on an iphone/ipad.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:12 PM ^
No electricity or internet in Ohio. I think residents have to use their public libraries for access.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:43 PM ^
Ohio public libraries are crawling with serial masturbaters.
http://deadspin.com/5632853/deadspin-classic-the-most-brilliant-thing-y…
August 15th, 2016 at 10:49 PM ^
You spelled cereal wrong...
August 15th, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^
I refuse to believe that Rashan Gary is not all ready the best player on the team, and will destory all that is put forth before him!
August 15th, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
but can't help reading taco is balling out as grant newsome got work to do as taco owned him in the spring
August 15th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^
As a true sophomore, Newsome definitely has work to do. But remember that Taco is widely considered to be an early round draft pick. Getting beat by a guy at his level isn't necessarily indicative of doom.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^
Given our depth at DL, and lack of depth at OL, does it strike anyone else as odd that Onwenu is taking snaps at DL at all? I'm scared to death of happens if we have any injuries to the starting OL. Why take any learning opps away from a great prospect at an area of desperate need?
I'm hoping it means good things about the OL and their performance to date.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
Absent the most extraordinary situation--Mason Cole--no freshman OL play, and even redshirt freshmen do not normally play. I am also guessing Bredenson is the most advanced of the freshmen and if one of the freshmen had to play this year or next, it would be him. And finally, Michael always had the look of a dominant NT, so why not see if he might be one?
August 15th, 2016 at 1:18 PM ^
Onwenu played both in high school, there's debate among where he's best suited for his future, he may have "bad weight" to lose - extra reps won't hurt, often linemen do both - even as specialists (Some DL are on the FG team for example), Harbaugh loves playing guys both ways, He's not expected to need to see the field in either capacity this year so it's not like his development will be stunted, and probably about 35 other good reasons too
August 15th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
then bumping him to DL should be fine
August 15th, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^
I'm sure they are just seeing what Onwenu is capable of at each spot, he'll probably flop back and forth a couple times while at UM. The o-line seems to have some depth for an injury....Cole can pretty much play any postion, Magnusson can play a couple too....Plus you have Dawson, Bredeson, Kugler, and the other guy, possible starter right now, name is in the OP....obviously injuries are bad but I think we have decent depth....
August 15th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^
There's pretty much no way Onwenu plays this year on OL, so it's redshirt or try on DL (probably redshirt). DL is a lot easier to pick up as a freshman, so it makes sense to get him ready there as break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option.
Also OL doesn't rotate, so you don't need a 2-deep at every spot, just a couple guys that have some positional flexibility (either the starters or backups). Cole can play any position on the line, Kugler can play center and guard, then you have Dawson, and maybe one of the guys that redshirted last year that can come in in a pinch. I think we're pretty ok there actually.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:23 PM ^
Great work, but this has only made me hungry for more M practice tidbits. NEED MORE MICHIGAN TIDBITS NOW, DAMMIT!!
August 15th, 2016 at 1:29 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 7:30 PM ^
LB, QB and OL. I trust this staff, but . . .
August 16th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^
Those three areas concern me as well but I'd order them OL, LB and QB...
OL because Kalis and Magnusson aren't very good and Kalis just can't seem to figure it out. Behind them are a bunch of Brady Hoke guys (meh) and some freshmen.
LB should be fine, the DL will cover up a lot and it's not like we lost any world-beaters in last year's crew. Gedeon has experience, if McCray stays healthy he's a beast and DBjr will be fine once he learns the playbook.
QB is the least of my concerns because Harbaugh. He took an Iowa castoff in Rudock and turned him into one of the most efficient passers in the B1G Ten, a 3,000+ yard passer (quite the feat at Michigan) AND an NFL draft pick who's likely gonna be the #2 guy in Detroit once the season starts. Not to mention what he did with guys like Josh Johnson, Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick. Two full offseasons and one regular season under Harbaugh and I'm not very worried about either Speight or O'Korn. Whichever one it is should be playing at full swing by the time we roll into E. Lansing.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^
Thanks for posting these.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:18 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 1:48 PM ^
I'd be shocked to hear that any OL in the country was doing any better than "holding their own" against this DL. So that part makes sense.
Re: Gary and technique - Yeah, I'm sure he does need to learn technique. Technique suffers when sheer power and athleticism has you in the backfield on every snap. Dude had All-Americans trying to keep him out of the backfield in January and was still in it on almost every play.
Love the good news on Bredeson - We'll need him next year for sure, if not sooner with some bad health luck (please no please no please no)
Onwenu - Makes sense to me to try him on both sides. I think he'll need a year to find a spot and really develop, shed bad weight, etc. But just like with Bredeson, we'll need him next year. So the early reviews coming back positive is promising.
August 15th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^
I'm ok with the O-line described as "holding their own". I'm not 100% positive that they are going to turn into D-line destroyers this season anyway. If they can keep the QB upright, do enough in the run game to keep defenses honest, then that may just be enough.
August 15th, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^
The Huge One was one of our biggest recruiting coups last year, given his versatility to be plugged in on either side of the ball and instantly strike fear into the guys lining up across from him. McDowell got away, but Onwenu will be a thorn in Sparty's side for years to come!
GO BLUE!
August 15th, 2016 at 2:46 PM ^
I could see him being a Terrance Taylor type. If he requires a double team and can get 2-3 sacks/ 5 tfl a year, I would take it.
August 15th, 2016 at 6:08 PM ^
In terms of straight size, Gabe Watson may be the better comparison...just hope Big Mike has more of a motor than Gabe did...that guy had a ton of talent and speed for his size, just didn't seem to put it all together on a consistent basis.
August 15th, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^
Shouldn't Gary be expected to be a 1st Rounder? Being a consensus #1 recruit, wouldn't anything less than the First Round would be an absolute disappointment?
August 15th, 2016 at 4:38 PM ^
Ronald Powell, Bryce Brown, Terrelle Pryor, Jimmy Clausen, Derrick Williams....
August 16th, 2016 at 12:23 AM ^
You made his point.
August 15th, 2016 at 5:59 PM ^
August 15th, 2016 at 7:09 PM ^
Not that I really care-I will listen and accept all good news as true-but how reliable is the "inside information" that is put out there on this podcast?
August 15th, 2016 at 7:51 PM ^
No insider is going to correct 100% of the time.
I would say that Sam Webb and Steve Lorenz are the best. They have good sources and aren't the kind to float things out there just for the sake of it.
Rivals always had terrible fall practice reports. Their recruiting coverage has gone down too, but maybe it picks up because of Brandon Justice. Brandon Brown is not that great and I think is a downgrade from Sullivan.
Rivals also didn't renew Michael Spath who was really good and provided hockey coverage.
August 16th, 2016 at 12:08 AM ^