Who on the OL will make the line calls?
Have a question for the MGoexperts. Who should we expect to make the line calls for the offensive line? As I understand it, the center is usually responsible for this, and this makes sense since the last two years we had Glasgow and Mason, our most experienced guys and top lineman, making the calls. With Cole moving back to left tackle, would this job stay with him, or would Kugler/ Ruiz be the guy to make the call?
If it is still on the center, I can imagine why it'd be a good idea to have Kugler start this year, with Ruiz spotting or starting at gaurd before moving over next year. Thanks for sharing the knowledge (not the KNOWLEDGE even though he knows).
August 14th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
It will most likley be Kugler as long as he wins the Center position
August 14th, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:24 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:29 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
I have never heard of LT making line calls ever. That probably explains why Michigan OL has been awful under Hoke if true
August 14th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 11:57 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:24 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:29 AM ^
he can't be the line caller. It has to be the C unless it's Ruiz then it has to be Speight to make both the line call and adjustment on the play.
August 14th, 2017 at 11:43 AM ^
They have the best view of the entire defensive front 7 and can communicate it to the entire line the easiest. A QB can always adjust the protection and many times does make the adjustment. Whoever plays center for us this year will be making the calls.
August 14th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
then it falls on Speight to make the line calls. I don't trust a true freshman to do it. Ruiz's best path to PT is at OG where he doesn't have to worry about it but gain experience from seeing different front 7 then he should be ready to take over the following season.
August 14th, 2017 at 10:25 AM ^
Will be Center. there will always be communication between all 5 lineman but the center will still be the 'captain' of the line due to positioning/vision.
August 14th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^
wins the LT job, he cannot make line call because it's not a C and cannot see the whole front 7. This is the reason why C always make line call unless they're inexperienced which is why starting Ruiz can be a big concern. Expecting a true freshman to do it at C is hard. They have to know what the front 7 is doing but has to worry about the blocking scheme/techniques. If Ruiz starts, then it falls on Speight to make the line call.
August 14th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
If the QB is going to be responsible for the line calls, it would give O'Korn & Speight a huge experience advantage over Peters.
Edit: Sorry, did not scroll far enough to read the Farnn comment below. Great minds however, and +1 to Farnn.
August 14th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 4:21 PM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:41 AM ^
It's probably the Center and probably going to be Kugler. You could potentially have one of the guards do it or at least help, but our Gs are going to be true So so not ideal either. I'm guessing if Ruiz's physical play warrants getting him on the field, it'll be at guard with probably Bredeson bumped out to RT. I don't see anyway he starts at C this year because of the line calls.
August 14th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
August 14th, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
I'd say if Kugler wins it will be him, but if Ruiz is the starter it may fall on Speight. That may also give a leg up to Speight in the QB competition. A true freshman center and RS freshman QB could lead to some big negative plays early on, especially against a veteran defense like Florida.
August 14th, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^
Sam Webb speculated about Speight calling for Ruiz a while back. I'm skeptical. Speight has enough that he's still learning without adding that responsibility. I think the only way Ruiz starts at C is if Kugler starts at G and Bredeson kicks out to OT. Then Kugler would make the calls.
Is a G-C combo of Kugler-Ruiz better than Ruiz-Kugler? Maybe all the switching around in camp will give us a definitive answer.
August 14th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
If Kugler wins the job, I bet its him. He's a RS senior, has been in Drevno's scheme for three years, and the responsibility also traditionally falls on a center anyway.
But if Ruiz wins the job, I think the responsibility goes to Cole. Four year starter and the clear leader on the line right now. Ruiz will be making the calls in 2018 and beyond I'm sure, but it might be too much to expect it from a true freshman this year. No matter how talented he is, he still doesn't have the playbook knowledge that Cole has.
August 14th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
it falls on Speight, not Cole.
August 14th, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^
I'm confident that whoever it is, it will be ok.
August 14th, 2017 at 12:56 PM ^
there are calls that are independent of that and/or, once the center makes his call then others on the O-line will make theirs. for instance we might go up with a play action play, call it a 600 pass-pro, and the if the center reads a bliz he might change that blocking scheme or keep somebody home. even if the center doesn't see or need to make any adjustments, further out on the line you will have calls about whether people are staying or going, combo blocking, etc.
August 14th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
I always thought they were adjusting the opposition to ensure the gap they wanted to block was still there. Maybe this will change if we move more towards a zone block scheme with Frey?
Sounds like everyone is in agreement for most part, that Center still makes the first call. I hope that means Kugler earns the spot, as others have pointed out. Ruiz spotting RG would be ideal to get him center snaps in practice while still getting playtime so he can take over ful time duties next year.
August 14th, 2017 at 2:35 PM ^
incredibly hard to hear. hard to articulate what that's like but even in front of 20-30K fans, if they are fired up, it is very difficult to hear what you/your linemate is yelling at you from 2' away.
August 14th, 2017 at 4:30 PM ^
Kugler makes the line calls. Frey will decide that. Drevno makes the Frey call and Harbaugh hires the OC. Warde Manual hires the head coach and WD controls the Athletic Director.
Basically everyone ultimately decides for themselves who to block, but it all comes back to WD.