How can the missed assignments by the OL be fixed?
Do offensive lines get better at identifying blocks as the year progresses? How about with a new OL coach and shared OL coaching duties?
The recent UFR (and posts derived fom that UFR) illustrate that our biggest problem is OL missing assignments. When they engage, they are talented enough and do fine. I think it is the single biggest flaw on the whole team that affects the pass and run games more than anything (especially with young receivers and new QB).
I looked back at this year's UFRs. The picture looks bleak:
Florida UFR:
Michigan appeared to have a severe Kalis issue where guys would run by dudes it seemed like they really really needed to block.
I had a lot of Ulizio minuses because he'd run by a DE and that guy would subsequently run by a TE with basically no shot at making good.
Cincinnatti UFR:
These big mental errors were collectively –10, or approximately half of Michigan's minuses on the day. Will they continue? At some level certainly. They are likely to drop off as these two second year players move along.
Air Force UFR:
Michigan's blocking was a little substandard as they failed to cope with blitzes too often.
Kugler, meanwhile, had a rough day and might have been responsible for more stuff than the obvious. Air Force had a number of plays on which Michigan looked befuddled. Sometimes that's individual players. Sometimes that's the line call. Kugler consistently failed to adapt to the nose tackle exiting stage right, and a couple of plays on which some other sap looked bad were issues with either Kugler's ability to ID a blitz or the presnap line call. He got some –2s when he decided to block a guy who was very obviously leaving for another gap.
And, of course, you just read the Purdue Offensive UFR. Same issues.
So, does this type of thing typically get better throughout the season? Is it the Center's fault in failing to make the right line call and should Cole move back?
How about Greg Frey? Where is he?
From a 247 article on Frey joinging Drevno:
With the vacancy created by the departure of running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley to the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh decided that having multiple minds of different philosophies working together could make the offensive line unstoppable.
"We’ve had a lot of great discussions on how to block things, on how to handle things," Frey said of his conversations with Drevno. "Picking up twists, stunts and bringing two really good styles of offensive line play and coaching together in that world has been outstanding.”
Are the different backgrounds causing confusion? Did Frey mention this in the interview to telegraph that there was some divide (or power struggle) over how the line calls should be handled?
EDIT - BONUS QUESTION: Is it possible that the complex blocking schemes and need for someone experienced to ID blitzes is what lead to Speight getting the starting nod? If my OL (or center) can't seem to figure out a line call when the defense moves, then I lean towards the most experienced QB just because of how important it is to pick up the blitz.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:40 AM ^
Is it possible Drevno is a great OL coach, but his ascendance to coordinating the offense has caused him to lose focus on the OL development?
Being an OC at Michigan is a full time job. He was a great OL coach, but maybe the new position (which he is doing fine with) is causing problems with his position group coaching?
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:52 PM ^
He does have a track record of success and Harbaugh also has a great track record of choosing assistants. But the fact remains, development of the OL has been underwhelming to say the least.
I don't think firing Drevno is the answer like many do but I can understand the frustration and lash out. Oh how quickly we've forgotten the RR/Hoke years after back to back 10-win seasons and now we expect to be Alabama all of a sudden. Great to be a Michigan fan!
October 3rd, 2017 at 1:28 PM ^
Drevno as OL coach -
Comparing Drevno years vs. the average of 2 years before and 2 years after Drevno:
SJSU
Before/after: 4.1 yards per carry
Drevno: 3.6 yards per carry
Idaho
Before/after: 4.0 yards per carry
Drevno: 3.6 yards per carry
Stanford
Before/after: 4.4 yards per carry
Drevno: 5.3 yards per carry
USC:
Before/after: 4.8 yards per carry
Drevno: 4.0 yards per carry
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^
Well it does sound like Ruiz had a brutal game against Purdue in a limited number of snaps.
October 3rd, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
They are not one of the worst in the country because they can't block. They seem to do a good or even great job blocking... once they engage the right guy.
The reason the OL is bad seems to be almost exclusively confusion. That seems like something that MIGHT be able to change.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^
There is some level of difference in physical ability among P5 offensive linemen. Michigan players probably fall on the high end of physical talent because of recruiting, intensity of conditioning, competition, etc. but maybe not.
And, yes, the mental aspect is HUGE. But, we had a very experienced line last year with similar issues. This year we have some older and some experienced players. Years in the system is very important for mental growth. We are not seeing it.
However, on the defensive side, the young players, who have just as much to learn, seem to have picked it up.
At this point you can't honestly say there isn't some problem with the OL coaching in light of all the missed assignments. (Either the schemes are too complicated and should be simplified, the players are not having it drilled into them, the coaches are not effectively communicating how to pick up blitzes, etc.)
There is a problem across the board. That is clear and the players don't seem to lack basic mental ability.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
Is how we have struggled with this regardless of it's a senior like Kalis or a first year starter like Onwenu/Ulizio. I feel like Cole never made these mistakes his freshman year. Sure, he got beat, but not because he missed assignments. So far from my perspective, these issues have been going on for multiple years now. I don't get why it's so hard to fix and how many years to have to continue to deal with it?
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
My assumption is that the problem over the last few years is what led to UM hiring Frey this last year. Maybe as Drevno started concentrating more on Xs and Os, the teaching of young OL was suffering.
Regardless, I think Frey was brought in to fix it. BUT, it doesn't sound like Drevno wants to cede full control of blocking schemes over to Frey, or, at maybe his playbook relies on other blocking schemes and now players need to learn both?
In the end, this middle ground approach doesnt appear to be working yet.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^
But all you have to do is look at the other side of the ball. Don Brown has 7 true sophomores starting and (as far as we can tell) there aren't nearly the amount of mental mistakes. And everybody on this defense is in agreement that they have plenty more in the bag when Brown decides it's time.
Then you turn to the offense and it's busted and it's this guy or that guy. This guy is too young to be ready. That guy is too old to be good. That guy didn't have enough stars. That guy is too small. Blame is everywhere. Nobody cares about Bush's size, or McCray's speed, or Long's age or Metellus's starz.
Just seems to be the difference between a well-taught unit and, well... not that. Making me very skeptical of the offensive staff.
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^
I partially disagree. I believe that Hoke and Mattison starting prioritizing and recruiting and coaching the DL about 5 years ago. Because of the depth, and because of the level of recruiting, and because guys had time to develop, they are doing well. And even on the DL, there is a severe drop off in level of play from starters to backups. I believe that it will take the same 5 - 6 year focus on the OL. First year was a complete loss. Next was a wash. We are in year three this year. Next year things start to improve significantly, and in 2019, we start to see a vastly improved OL. It just takes a long time on the line.
October 3rd, 2017 at 2:08 PM ^
Well, Harbaugh was only at Stanford for 4 years, so that's a bad theory.
October 4th, 2017 at 1:16 AM ^
to average OL in the next 2 years. But if we get average play from an OL (something we haven't seen since LC was coach) with a good QB, RB, TE and WR and given our D being top notch we will not notice only having an average OL in 2019. I'm afraid of playing a good DL. MSU is an average D line and it has me worried. WI, PSU and OSU have good DL and if this OL doesn't improve our D will have to start scoring points to win games.
October 4th, 2017 at 8:31 AM ^
I feel like we've been saying that for 2 years now. At some point the future has to be now.
October 4th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
When is the last time we liked our offensive coordinator? I don't even know a good coordinator that runs a pro style that we'd want to replace Drevno next year if Harbaugh decided to do that. Sometimes I just wonder if we're making it too complicated. USC didn't have problems with Drevno, only we do.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^
Because Mason Cole was a freaking phenomenon, he was a miracle his freshman year! Dude is an absolute stud, if the scouts knew how well he would do his freshman year, he would have been a 6 star recruit!!
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^
I'm not sure he ever improved in missed assignments and targeting the correct guy to block.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:13 AM ^
Your guess is my hope (at least with respect to Improvement Week changes)
October 3rd, 2017 at 6:41 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:12 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
1. I am opening discussion, not venting a complaint.
2. I am an EXTREME optimist. I thought RichRod would turn us around. I thought Hoke just needed the right assitants. I see hope and sunshine for Michigan coaches and I know their football knowledge is vastly superior to ours.
3. Since being a Michigan fan (decades), this is one of the few times I am certain this is a coaching problem. (Not to say it isn't one that just takes a little more time to get worked out. That is what I am hopng.)
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^
This is a stupid discussion and you should feel bad for opening it.
>this is one of the few times I am certain this is a coaching problem.
Yep, and I was certain the Pats would win this weekend, but I'm still out a bunch of money.
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^
I think we have great coaches and two great OL coaches. That does not obviate that this is an issue to be addressed by coaching. (I guess subtle points are lost on a lot of peole on message bords).
October 3rd, 2017 at 2:26 PM ^
In addition to other factors people have cited here, with all the staff changes it might take longer for the offense to find its chemistry. Brown and Mattison are a year ahead.
Hopefully, not too much longer..
October 3rd, 2017 at 6:33 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^
What are programs like Wisconsin doing such that they have solid O lines year after year with 3-star recruits?
We've been hearing for years (like since Jake Long graduated) that our line is young, and it takes a while for linemen to learn their assignments; wait for them to become seniors, yada yada yada. Then when they get to be seniors they are out of football or highly touted guys who never quite figure out their assignments (Kalis & Kugler). Usually there is one recruiting class with no servicable O linemen for various coaching transition/incompent recruiting reasons, and we're told to be patient.
I'm tired of this. Lots of programs do a lot better with a lot less than we have. I have no idea what the fix is, but I do think that the "break class in case of emergency" plan could be offering Wisconsin's O line coach a lot more money than he is making now.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^
Wisconsin's line was bad last year and that was with lucking into a D3 transfer who became a first round pick. Hard to tell if it is good this year.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^
Exactly this. Wisconsin has beef up front and just goes forward in 1 giant lurch. They pull some guys and run off tackle every now and again, but it's a ton of dives and power plays over and over again from the limit games of their's I've watched recently.
Passing wise they know they're limited (and Hornibrook has a noddle arm) so they don't do 5 or 7step drops with complex routes that require time to develop. Curls, drags, and flys. Get the ball out to the TE or something simple so they don't run the risk of getting bowled over.
Against AF when it was 3rd and 1 around the 50 Michigan ran something behind Bredeson/Cole and Isaac buffed it and lost a yard. I wanted to see a dive, full speed, right at Bredeson's back. It's 1 yard and you have 50 pounds on the DT. Kick his ass!
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
I totally agree. Look no futher than the LSU-Troy game. LSU's DL was far superior to Troy's OL yet they ran all over them. When they did pass i saw no missed blocking assignments or free runners to the QB. All i kept thinking while watching was if Troy can do this surley we should be able to with the talent we have.
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
Steroids & HGH
October 3rd, 2017 at 7:29 PM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^
Picking up twists, stunts and bringing two really good styles of offensive line play and coaching together in that world has been outstanding.
Outstanding, eh?
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^
Save it, punk.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^
Don't waste your time. Jon Falk reads the blog and I am sure he will pass on the comments.
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:45 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
Just a joke, based on this:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/falk-jack-harbaugh-checking-out-mgoblog
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
I bet it can be fixed by more posts on MGoBlog
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
October 3rd, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
for program health, there needs to be a shakeup.
By program health, I mean that maybe we need to start thinking about the future and putting our long-term people in the positions that they are going to play in 18,19, and 20. Even if it means we're a little bit worse this year, at least guys can gel together working the positions that they'll need to work in coming years.
Does a post-improvement-week line look like this:
Bredeson-Onwenu-Cole-Ruiz-Ulizio?
or Cole-Onwenu-Ruiz-Runyan-Bredeson?
or Bredeson-Onwenu-Cole-Ruiz-Stueber?
I mean, you'd love to have Newsome back, but I think prep needs to happen under the assumption that he won't be the guy he once was.
The play of Kugler, the 5th-year guy and coach's son, is flummoxing. With Ruiz' redshirt already burned, does it make sense to let Cole make the calls and have Caesar right next to him to hear them and learn for next year?
Something ain't right.