Michigan Wolverines Football: Ed Warinner Looks To Simplify
Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner is just trying to keep things simple.
Warinner’s simplicity seems to be working for the Wolverines. Since the Notre Dame game, the offensive line has taken a leap forward under the tutelage of Warinner.
Warinner said that the offensive line is a complicated position, with many complex things going on each and every play. It’s his job to simplify that for his player.
“Just how you present it,” Warinner said. “There’s a lot of things that can happen on every play and nobody knows before the play starts what of those are going to happen.”
Even though the group is working with Warinner for the first season, the lineman believe in their coach.
“I think we’re just challenging them to continue to grow and get better,” Warinner said. think they trust me and I trust them. I think we have fun together. I think we work hard together. I think they know if they show up not ready to work, it’s going to be an uncomfortable day. If they show up and do what they’re supposed to be do, then it will be a really joyous day of everybody working hard.”
One area that has improved significantly with the offensive line since the loss to the Irish is communication. That comes back to Warinner’s mantra of simplicity.
“We’re trying to improve that area,” Warinner said. “We’ve simplified our protections and our guys have got really comfortable with them.”
The unit is working together to get better each practice.
“They’re a group,” Warinner said. “I think they are much more confident. I think they believe in what’s going on and just consistency. I think those things are so important.”
The group is finding itself right as the season demands it. The positive indicators are there of progress.
“I would challenge anyone to say who has less penalties on their offensive line in five games,” Warinner said. “We have three. Our negative yardage plays are down, our sacks are way down. Those things show you that good things are happening and you are making progress.”
NOTES
- Fifth-year senior Juwan Bushell-Beatty is one of the linemen who has improved the most.
“The thing we really challenged him with is to be consistent and I think he has,” Warinner said. “He’s out there practicing, getting lots of reps, working hard. He’s improved himself physically. He’s in much better physical condition than what I thought in the spring."
- Junior offensive lineman Michael Onwenu has had a large responsibility in pulling. Warinner said Onwenu has improved a lot in that area.
“His deal is deal footwork and using his hands,” Warinner said. “When he has great footwork and uses his hands, he can be dominant. That’s where we’re trying to get him to grow."
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