O-Line is good according to D-line coach

Submitted by baleedat on

For those of you who are freaking out about the O-line, this clip may help you relax.  While discussing the O-line v D-line battles in practice thus far, D-line coach Bruce Tall says it's "an equal battle at best. We're either equal or they're beating us." Maybe he's just being diplomatic/blowin smoke, but he sounded sincere enough to me.  I know it doesn't mean much, but it still made me feel a little better.

http://www.mgoblue.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?id=143350?id=143350

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mjv

August 20th, 2008 at 4:14 PM ^

I find it very difficult to believe that given our lack of ANY depth at OL, there is much success on that side of the ball.  Unless our D-Line sucks.  And early in the clip, one DL was blowing an OL back off of the line.  Obviously, just one example, but didn't give me a warm and fuzzy about the OL.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Bane of Gargamel

August 20th, 2008 at 4:31 PM ^

Please tell me that I’m not the only one who keeps rotating between terrified and confidently optimistic with every little shred of information that comes out regarding this year’s team.

Joined: 07/31/2008

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Farnn

August 20th, 2008 at 5:27 PM ^

When I heard that, I didn't feel more confident about our O-line, I felt less confident about our D-line.  But with so many questions about our team this season, I am not terribly optimistic.

Joined: 07/07/2008

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ndhillon

August 20th, 2008 at 7:31 PM ^

I remember early on in 2006 when TTaylor was battling for a starting position...he owned the MAC level OL early on in the season...and won the starting DT job.  But when it came to elite competition like O-State and USC, he couldn't get any penetration.  I mean it wasn't even a battle...he just got handled.

The way he handled that dude in that clip, reminded me of the MAC level guys he used to wipe the field with.

Joined: 08/03/2008

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JLo

August 20th, 2008 at 7:43 PM ^

To be fair, that was a sophomore Terrance Taylor in 06.  This is a senior, Barwisized Taylor going up against a redshirt freshman who's only in the lineup because of injury.  I'm willing to give Molk the benefit of the doubt for now, and chalk it up to Taylor's badassedness.

It's better for my mental well-being this way.

Joined: 07/19/2008

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baleedat

August 21st, 2008 at 12:24 PM ^

This is the first time I think we've heard from this guy and he seems to be the only coach who isn't giving the typical cookie cutter interview answers. His guys (who are great) go up against the O-line every day and he has nothing but good things to say about them. And all you can do is shit all over him.

Joined: 07/10/2008

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mjv

August 21st, 2008 at 1:30 PM ^

I just suspect that he doesn't want to throw his other coaches and the OL under the bus.  What is he supposed to say, "we've been whipping them like a rented mule"?  That would go over like a fart in church during staff meetings.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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baleedat

August 21st, 2008 at 1:42 PM ^

it's probably not a good sign that a guy who has never played o-line before has a chance to start the first game of the season after only a couple of weeks practice

Joined: 07/10/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 21st, 2008 at 2:16 PM ^

I concur with baleedat there - when I saw Richrod's comment that Ferrara may be the Utah starter at guard, I almost choked. The kid has had like 3 college practices as an offensive lineman.

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dex

August 21st, 2008 at 2:36 PM ^

Before I go vomit in the office bathroom - what is this guys background? Did he at least play OL in HS? It's not good any way you slice it, but if he has just a little bit of experience maybe it will only be mildly terrifying instead of OMG NICK SHERIDAN IS DEAD frightening

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 21st, 2008 at 2:37 PM ^

From Rivals:

Ferrara's move seems to have been a good one. He put talented junior defensive end Brandon Graham on the ground with a punch block and has shown he could be a natural at guard.

"We think he has a chance for the starting job," said Rodriguez. "He's such a smart and competitive guy, we've been impressed with him. I think it's a good move and I think he's going to be battling for a starting job at guard maybe by the first game."

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 21st, 2008 at 2:38 PM ^

I would imagine he played O-line in high school. That would make sense. That said, that's 2.5 years ago right now.

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MRG

August 21st, 2008 at 2:52 PM ^

"In high school on offense I only played tight end, I only caught passes, I didn't do a lot of blocking," he said. "So there's really a lot of technique stuff I have to learn. The entire offense, basically."

Just the entire offense?  Well, at least he's got 9 days.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/football/index.ssf/2008/08/ferrara_move…

 

 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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baleedat

August 21st, 2008 at 3:11 PM ^

didn't you say he saw a fair amount of playing time at DT, or was in the rotation or something? it sounds like he is an athletic/talented kid, hopefully he's a quick learner. he weighs around 280 lbs

Joined: 07/10/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

August 21st, 2008 at 3:13 PM ^

If I remember, he was in the rotation at DT last year, and played in virtually every game. He didn't get the bulk of the snaps by any stretch, but he did seem to play at least a series of non-garbage time a game. I think he may have played more than Slocum.

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