Michigan Wolverines Football News & Views: Is There Hope Up Front?
The Michigan Wolverines have issues on both lines … and the problems go well beyond that.
We tackle some of the bigger concerns in this week's News and Views segment, following Jim Harbaugh's Monday press conference.
NEWS: Wisconsin owned the lines of scrimmage against Michigan, running for 350-plus yards to U-M’s 40. The Badgers were more physical from the jump and never let up, while Michigan was sporadic.
HARBAUGH: “You can [teach physicality] and it will be an emphasis. Emphasis on physicality, emphasis on toughness and emphasis on hustle. We'll make that part of the practice plan more and also playing the players that are dedicated and playing physically at all times. Get those players in the ballgame."
VIEWS: This program has had some attitudes over the years among guys who later blossomed into great leaders and players and realized their potential. Sometimes it’s a challenge from a coach that brings out the best in them (1980 linebacker Andy Cannavino) … other times it’s a parent at home (2003 Doak Walker Award winning back Chris Perry’s mother).
Parents of malcontents are doing their kids a disservice if they’re coddling them or encouraging them to “get theirs” before putting team first. As for the others … it’s on the coaches to get everyone on the same page with a common goal, specifically Harbaugh himself. Guys who don’t want to buy in need to sit; others, hopefully, will come around and become leaders like Cannavino was to help lead a successful turnaround.
Analyst and Ohio State alum Chris Spielman once again played the “lack of talent” card recently, like he did when Rich Rodriguez was here. U-M is lacking in spots (specifically, defensive line), but there is plenty of talent at other positions — several returners have already earned All-Big Ten honors, and there is very good young talent we haven’t seen yet. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some of the younger guys get a shot going forward … but not if they aren’t ready.
So no, Chris, this is not “Mike Martin and a bunch of kids who look like they belong at Indiana.” There is hope.
NEWS: Several offensive plays have gone awry this year due to one player doing something wrong on a play … and it always seems to be someone new.
HARBAUGH: “Players have to focus … always have to play with focus. That has to be coached, too. That's not getting done. We're missing detail at one position and then a mistake pops up at another position on the next play; there's always one guy. That's coaching and focusing by the players, make sure they're doing their job.
“We’ve got to make sure it's done and done right. As the week of practice goes on, if it's not done right then we've got to do it again. I've got to make sure of that, and that's part of my responsibility”
VIEWS: At the same time, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said Wednesday, practices have been quite good. The offense has moved the ball well and the mistakes aren’t being made like they are on Saturdays.
There are probably a few reasons for that. One — as Gattis noted — they aren’t seeing the level of defense they’re lining up against on Saturday. They usually go against the ‘twos,’ and that’s not close to what they see against, say, Wisconsin’s first unit. They don’t usually hit anymore, and there’s as difference between a guy 'thudding' a ball carrier in practice and a defender trying to put his helmet on the ball.
No. 2, the guys making the plays in practice aren’t the guys getting a lot of the reps in games (at least a handful). Guys like freshman running back Zach Charbonnet, receivers Tarik Black and Donovan Peoples-Jones have been missing practice with bumps and bruises … to expect them to perform at a high level probably isn’t reasonable.
Bo Schembechler used to have a rule — you want to play Saturday, you’ve got to practice full go by Wednesday or Thursday. Peoples-Jones stepped on the field Saturday without practicing all week, Gattis said Wednesday.
That might be a policy worth revisiting.
NEWS: Michigan lined up fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Glasgow at defensive tackle on the goal line a few times against Wisconsin, once leaving the ‘A’ gap open. It didn’t work. Harbaugh was asked if freshman defensive linemen Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith could help in that area.
HARBAUGH: “We're looking for players that are going to help us. Maybe somebody can help us on a cover team, on a return team, run down to cover a kickoff or run down to cover a punt. We're looking for guys to step up and play with that great focus, physicality and hustle that this level demands.”
VIEWS: That’s how you go about not answering a question you don’t want to answer.
It’s clear at this point that defensive line is a weakness, and judging by Harbaugh’s response, neither Smith nor Hinton are answers (yet). Senior Carlo Kemp is busting his tail and has been good, especially getting penetration at the snap. Redshirt sophomore Donovan Jeter struggled up front against the Badgers, and junior Ben Mason just isn’t the answer.
That leaves more questions than answers at this point, especially with redshirt junior Mike Dwumfour’s status in doubt (he’s been dressing, but not playing). Defensive coordinator Don Brown has his work cut out for him.
NEWS: Michigan’s offensive line, with four returning starters, has not met the early-season hype, especially in the running game.
HARBAUGH: "Offensive line, we talked about that being an experienced group. They’ve got to play good; they’ve got to hustle and they’ve got to protect the quarterback and they’ve got to play physical in both areas, in pass protection and the run game. It's our job to get them to do that.
"We've got backs that need holes. We expect our offensive line to move people and that didn't happen this past game. We weren't as physical as our opponent on the offensive or defensive line. It all ties into all 11.”
VIEWS: Junior center Cesar Ruiz, for one, hasn’t been the guy many hoped he would be through three games. He should be playing at an All-Big Ten level, but he’s been average through the first three games — and he’s better than that.
The line did some solid things in pass protection early, but the breakdowns came fast and furious from the end of the second quarter on. There was some fire on the left side in the second half, which was good to see, but this group is way too inconsistent … and it shouldn’t be there at this point in their careers.
It’s time to step up and take pride in their jobs beyond "this is my assignment." Right now, they're not playing winning football.
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