Keegan, Zinter, Oluwatimi, El-Hadi appreciation thread
Watched a bit of that Rams/Bucs game yesterday: last two NFL Champs, tremendous QBs, good to great skill players and neither team can move the ball with any consistency because their interior OLs are terrible (injuries, retirements etc). Really made me appreciate what UM is getting from these dudes this season.
November 7th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
The OL has been fantastic. And, kudos to every player in the position group, and every coach who has worked with them.
As Greg Schiano mentioned after the game on Saturday - the team is playing with an edge. That's a very good thing.
Go Blue!
November 7th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
You mean That Greg Schiano!
November 7th, 2022 at 3:52 PM ^
Sherrone Moore has been fantastic. It wasn't too many years ago our OLine was a joke. Now we roll two deep (with some drop off obviously).
November 7th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
On multiple occasions over the last 12 months, I've stepped back and really appreciated the more or less elite state of our OL. While we've generally recruited well at this position over the last couple of decades, the difference in performance is night and day compared to the coaching staffs that immediately preceded Harbaugh.
The floor for the program is just so much higher with a dependable OL, and it really seems like a matter of culture in the OL room. I've never been so confident in the "next man up" when someone gets dinged along the line.
November 7th, 2022 at 11:51 AM ^
The Next Man Up mentality seems to permeate the entire program. Guys have been stepping up through all three phases this year. Just goes to show how huge it is to have the entire coaching staff on the same page. Props to Harbaugh finding guys who are willing to buy into that.
November 7th, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^
Depth is one of the surest signs of a healthy program. Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State can stay top 3 all year with no weird losses (most of the time, lol) because the next man up is almost just as good as the guy who went down.
I've just been utterly amazed at the last 2 years and how so many injuries haven't derailed us like they would in years past. 2015 crumbled at the end when too many DT's were hurt. 2016 was derailed by Speight and the loss of a really good tackle. 2017 was just injuries everywhere. 2018 was mostly fine til Winovich and Gary got run down towards the end. 2019 was derailed by Shea being hurt half the season (and a dearth of defensive tackles). 2020 - yup.
Last year, we lose our starting WR for the year, the 2nd RB is out multiple weeks at the end of the season, the OL was constantly banged up all over, and yet, it never bit us in the ass minus maybe the Michigan State game where our OL was a bit too mangled to deal with that front 7.
After the Hoke and RichRod years, having an OL so deep that 1 or 2 or even 3 guys missing doesn't cause an issue is simply unbelievable.
November 7th, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
While certain people have been wringing hands over the OOC I have been really excited about all the extended playing time for our 2 and 3 deep.
Eye test points vs a 1 loss SEC team be damned. A UCLA win isnt giving us an SEC mulligan either way and a UCLA loss puts us back to win out or else so what is the big deal? Lets make this a legendary run by seasons end team!
November 7th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
Light years removed from the year where they didn't even think they needed to bring in an OLineman, or the years where we were an injury away from probable disaster.
November 7th, 2022 at 2:22 PM ^
Agreed. It was only Rutgers but their front 7 and scheme in this game weren't pushovers. Having OL #6, 7 & 8 in the whole game was impressive. Kudos to El-Hadi, Persi and Barnhart as starters and next men up.
November 7th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
Stunningly good...Excited to see how good Crippen will be in 2023. Huge shoes to fill!
November 7th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
Oluwatimi was a gift.
November 7th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^
Kenneth Walker, only bigger and meaner.
November 7th, 2022 at 5:08 PM ^
... and donning an aesthetically spectacular--rather than putrid--football uniform.
November 7th, 2022 at 11:58 AM ^
Absolutely huge to not only have top level play from the starters but to have a guy like El-Hadi ready to step in when someone gets nicked up. No need to shuffle guys all over the line, he just steps in and the offense keeps working.
Same thing with Barnhart and Persi at tackle.
You love to see it.
November 7th, 2022 at 12:00 PM ^
Such a strong part of a strong team.
November 7th, 2022 at 12:02 PM ^
Throw all the money at Sherrone Moore
November 7th, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
No need to throw it, we can run it to him
November 7th, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
Mike Hart will see to it that no one fumbles the money bag.
November 7th, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
Also, some serious appreciation for Sherrone Moore, Grant Newsome and strength coach Ben Herbert
November 7th, 2022 at 12:47 PM ^
Wilson, I know this is focused on the OL. However, my view is - this is nothing but great news and reflects several things. The commitment, effort, and attitude of everyone involved - players, coaches, staff, etc.
The OL is a foundation - it doesn't matter what you're trying to do on O - if you're throwing, you need effective pass protection, if you're running - you need to open holes and sustain a block.
The OL, TE's, receiving corps, RB's, etc. - are aligned and executing well.
Go Blue!
November 7th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
You gotta give Persi some love, he was protecting JJs blindside in his first start at LT. We had backs chipping to his side and Keegan kept a watchful eye to help, but Persi did a good job yesterday.
November 7th, 2022 at 12:46 PM ^
How many years have we complained about the state of Michigan's offensive line? 10 years or so? It feels so great to develop these guys into very good offensive linemen. This is one position that is so different than high school, that needs to be developed in the proper way to perform at D1. It's great to see Michigan doing this at an elite level.
November 7th, 2022 at 1:18 PM ^
Thanks for posting, you old bag of bones.
November 7th, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
Yes indeed. Oluwatimi is a fantastic gift. Hope Keegan is ok.
November 7th, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
Don't forget Karsen Barnhart. He stepped in (after recovering from his own early-season injury) for Trente Jones and has done well. And he's capable everywhere on the OLine other than at center.
November 7th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
No disrespect intended to the UM tackles at all, just was thinking of the interior OL because of that particular pro game. The tackles weren't the problem, just having poor play from the interior three has utterly wrecked what should be two good offenses.
November 7th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
How about at least an honorable mention of Barnhart, seeing that he has also been inserted at guard from time to time throughout his Michigan career.
Like I said earlier, capable of filling in anywhere on the OL other than center.
November 7th, 2022 at 2:11 PM ^
It is amazing. This group is doing even better than last year's group is just astonishing. The bench could be starters for many teams. When you read the UFRs, you can appreciate what is on their plate every play wrt complex blocking schemes. Yet, they continue to do more and more intriguing blocking and get to second level at will. Kudos to the coaches and players.
November 7th, 2022 at 6:18 PM ^
Kudos to Sherrone. Perhaps the best oline coach in the country at this rate. It will be a bittersweet day when he decides to move on to a head coaching gig. But I have faith Newsome (my guess) will step in and perform admirably.