Your Projected Starting Lineup?
Would like to see the general thought on the entire starting lineup from fellow MGoBloggers.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:23 PM ^
Did I miss something? Braden won't be starting at guard?
EDIT: I just read Heiko's notes in the thread below this one. Wow, strange.
August 18th, 2013 at 5:10 PM ^
Didn't we see Glasgow going with the 1's at guard in the scrimmage?
August 18th, 2013 at 6:46 PM ^
Reportedly because Bryant sat out of the scrimmage.
August 18th, 2013 at 4:45 PM ^
Bryant at guard should be nice for the run game. I remember people were saying Bryant was probably our best run blocker last year.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
Gallon (and Dileo, to a lesser extent) both have the experience, although I think we all collectively agree that Gallon seemed to regress a bit last year with PR decision making. I wouldn't mind seeing Norfleet lock down both return jobs, though.
August 18th, 2013 at 6:02 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:16 PM ^
I think ultimately Justice Hayes will land at Slot Receiver, and please for the love of God let this offensive line be better.
The LG and C positions are starting to worry me with Braden not practicing at guard and Miller and Graham Glasgow STILL are fighting for the starting spot. Let's just hope this is because both are doing so well it is a stalemate....
August 18th, 2013 at 1:44 PM ^
Hayes will be a RS Soph and likely have a role this season in the backfield. IMO, he's also probably the #3 RB coming into the season (behind Fitz and Green). UM needs to bodies much more at RB than they do at WR (everyone keeps bringin gup Slot, but Slot isn't a necessary position outside maybe a couple guys in this offense).
Hayes will be fine at RB and stay there.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:48 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^
Hayes is probably the best bet as a true 3rd down back (though I think FItz is underrated in this regard). You don't move your third string RB to WR to be a...3rd string WR. They've worked on bulking Hayes up, and in his third year he is simply a better fit at RB right now. Hayes likely won't take a huge workload at either position, but he's much more valuable in the backfield right now than he would be at WR or especailly if he only could play the slot.
Michigan right now, has Dileo that could take snaps in the slot as an underneath guy. Norfleet if they want to just get the ball in the hands of a playmaker. Chesson if they want a Breaston type slot. Gallon if they want an all around guy. Or even Darboh, Jackson, or Reynolds if they want a bigger Slot type that can use his body as a possession guy (think Avant) or they could split out Funchess. Hayes is fine at RB, and of much more use because he provides something that the rest of the unit isn't as accomplished in.
August 18th, 2013 at 2:06 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 2:48 PM ^
If the O-line can run block and keep Devin clean.
August 18th, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^
August 19th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
But if they're basically static, that's not a good sign for what we can get out of Devin. His potential is through the roof, it would be a shame if he couldn't really let loose because of the pieces around him. I think by mid season the line should be in decent shape, with the huge caviat at center. If Bryant and Lewan stay healthy, and Kalis can pull... look out.
/furiously knocking wood
August 18th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^
Not sure how good his blocking is, but he's shown good ability to slip out of the backfield for a dumpoff pass. I think he's going to get his touches this year, maybe lock down the Vincent Smith role if his blocking is reliable.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
The few carries Hayes got last year were zone stretch plays. He's one of the few back that can effectively threaten the edge without first having the threaten between the tackles.
August 18th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^
I agree that too many people are forgetting about his potential as a running back. I don't think he's feature-back material, but if you remove him (and Norfleet, who's already switched) from the equation in the backfield, you're left with a bunch of bowling ball types at running back (Rawls, Green, Smith, etc.). That doesn't leave much play calling flexibility if you want to call screens, draws, wheel routes, etc.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:38 PM ^
I think Glasgow is going to play. It's a indirect competition between Braden and Miller as worst of the OL contenders. Glasgow will plug in for that guy. My guess is Glasgow is the starting center and Braden is left in for upside potential, hoping he comes into better form with more experience.
It's hard to tell because of the close angles but Miller looked to be standing around a lot at the end of plays and his body language looked like he was frustrated.
I also think Jarrod WIlson is still the starter at the safety spot opposite Thomas Gordon.
I'm not totally sold on Heitzman or Cam Gordon either, but those guys will rotate so much it doesn't matter too much who the nominal starter is.
EDIT: Apparently Braden isn't going to be a guard according to Heiko. I still think what I said stands though, Glasgow will start at either LG or C, depending on where he's needed most.
August 18th, 2013 at 2:37 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 3:32 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:30 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 3:29 PM ^
Assignments are a problem sometimes (or were in the spring), but the biggest weakness I've read about him is...well...weakness. At 6'4" he's only 290 lbs.
August 18th, 2013 at 4:50 PM ^
Yeah. Molk was around 300 and only 6'. Miller needs to bulk up more.
August 18th, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 3:39 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 4:29 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:30 PM ^
The one question would be Funchess at TE. I love the kid ... just wondering how he's doing with his blocking relative to some of the other TE's, particularly Khalid Hill or Jake Butt?
Honest question ... I just don't know ... I haven't seen Funchess' name come up much this fall.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
Think that has to do with him being a relatively known commodity. I'm guessing They run some sets with Funchess in a H-back adn Butt or Williams in tight.
August 18th, 2013 at 2:06 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:37 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:43 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:45 PM ^
If Avery is moved to safety it will almost certainly be as a FS. Avery won't be someone the coaching staff is going to want to bring down in the box against the run, he'll almost certainly be the back tasked with playing deep.
August 18th, 2013 at 1:45 PM ^
QB: Gardner
WR: Consistency
TE: Versatility
T: Toughness
G: Mental toughness
C: Footwork
DE: Technique
DT: Work ethic
LB: Hustle
CB: Tenacity
S: Big play ability
August 18th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 4:27 PM ^
August 19th, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
Physicalness?
August 18th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 2:07 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 2:53 PM ^
Troll
August 18th, 2013 at 2:09 PM ^
I wouldn't fret too much over the O-Line situation... The first couple games should be tough chemistry-wise, but there is some serious raw talent in Bryant and Kalis... Should be interesting to see how Miller progresses at the center. Don't forget about the senior leadership in Schofield and Lewan either... Should be a solid line by the end of the season.
As for the rest of the team, defense is going to be really good, passing game will be solid all season with Gardner's arm and his numerous weapons around him, and the run game should progress with the o-line.
August 18th, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 5:08 PM ^
Braden will win out and Kenny Allen will be the punter.
August 18th, 2013 at 5:38 PM ^
August 18th, 2013 at 5:41 PM ^
Solid contributor, but I wouldn't be shocked if he was starting by the end of the year.
August 18th, 2013 at 5:55 PM ^