Michigan Coaches Clinic: Breaking down the Offensive Line

Several of us went to the Michigan Coaches Clinic and were able to watch the practices and drills. The first day was shorts and helmets, second day was full pads, and third day was scrimmage. Of course, the players need to continue to work hard and keep on developing, but this is what we saw so far this spring.

If season started today:
Ortmann (LT), McAvoy (LG), Mooseman (OC), Zirbel (RG), and Schilling (RT).

Offensive Line:
As a group, this is Michigan’s biggest question mark with quality and depth. Right now, we only have seven offensive linemen ready to play in 2008 on this current spring roster. Seven offensive linemen are ready to play in 2008. Out of those seven, there are four that are sure starters (Ortlmann, Mooseman, Zirbel and Schilling). Big question will be who will start at offensive center (Molk or Mooseman). If Mooseman starts then the starting lineup will remain as stated. If Molk starts then Mooseman competes at offensive guard and it will be a competition between McAvoy and Mooseman.

Offensive Line Breakdown:
Ortmann:
Strengths: Great kid, works hard, very quiet kidwho is very long and athletic with perfect body to play left tackle. He is “ok” at everything both run blocking and pass blocking, but not great at either. He is much quicker than last year while maintaining strength. He is right now our best candidate for left tackle. He has earned a chance to start at Michigan. He should have played more last year. The potential is there to be All Big Ten Player.

Weakness: Tends to play high off the snap and must learn to play with his knees bent. Speed rushers (like Jamison) give him some trouble. His first step is too long (coaches were working on that with him). Still needs to get stronger and improve his first step. He also has habit of losing leverage when pass blocking.

McAvoy:
Strengths: He is another good kid. He is better suited for zone blocking scheme. He has good quickness and athletic ability that gets off the ball well. Is an athlete who is a smart kid and gets decent leverage for his size.

Weakness: Needs to continue to get stronger. He has a tendency to get hurt. Pass blocking needs to improve especially against a bull type rush.

Mooseman:
Strengths: One of stars of spring who is an outgoing kid, but has a little temper in practice. He has good quickness and quick feet who leads the team in getting into scrapes mainly just trying to protect the quarterbacks. He is a strong kid who is in very good shape seen after practice doing additional weights. He has regained his desire becoming one of the leaders on the offensive line. Not scared to mix things up and play with an attitude.

Weakness: Main one is his snapping ability very inconsistent it was all over the place and not very sharp or accurate and would not be surprised to see him move to offensive guard once Molk is back to health. . He needs to get quicker on that first step which could get better.

Zirbel:
Strengths: He is the most improved member of the offensive line. Best run blocker out of the group we have this year. Explodes off the ball and buries defenders when he gets on someone, he crushes him. He is a very strong kid who can only get better. He has regained his passion for football. Was the best guard on Friday and Saturday.

Weakness: Pass blocking. He got beat handily in drills at times. He needs to maintain consistency and continue his training with Barwis. As of right now, he is a sure starter.

Schilling:
Strengths: I get impressed with little things, but Schilling was always first offensive player on the field and first to line-up. He just might be hardest worker on the offensive line and is definite leader. He is a good run blocker who stays very low and drives his man. What a difference looks to have lost a good twenty pounds and added a bunch of muscle almost looks like a huge linebacker. He looks very athletic and quick, perfect for this offense. He is a rock solid player.

Weakness: He needs to get more physical on initial contact in pass blocking. Bull rush gets to him at times. Still needs to improve his strength and quickness.

Dorrestein:
Strengths: His attitude, nasty player, does everything “ok”. This kid has that nasty edgy attitude. Not afraid to mix things up and get involved. Very good run blocker who when he locks onto defender moves them.

Weakness: He seems like a in between type of offensive linemen who is not physical enough for right tackle, but not athletic enough for left tackle. He needs to continue his progress with Barwis and get quicker who needs to work on his overall conditioning and quickness. He is a tall kid and has a tendency to stand up too much.

Molk:
Strengths: Simply put he is just a good football player with a nasty, edgy, takes no prisoner offensive linemen. Love this kid’s attitude. In the fall, it seems like the coaches want Molk to win the job outright and have the battle between Zirbel and Moosman for the right guard position. He does nice job with his snap.

Weakness: His size and weight. He has been sick losing fifteen pounds it was very tough for him to get back his strength during this period, but is just too small right now. His snapping is average at best. Upside is the coaches seem to be pulling for him to take the job, but Mooseman has beat him out as of now.

Huyge (overall): He is a tall and lanky lineman with very long arms. Has good feet and overall athletic ability. He is not very strong at this time. He had problems handling bull rushers.

Offensive Line Incoming Freshmen:
We see O'Neill getting quickly in the two deep and may even become our #2 left tackle. O'Neil may prefer right tackle, but unless Dorrestein gets more athletic may not have a choice. Barnum also may get in the two deep at offensive guard.

Coach Frey is the perfect coach for this team and system. Very impressed he continued to emphasize how our offensive lines must gain yardage with their first step after the snap and they work hard in drills to emphasize that point. I think this offensive line will be a good run blocking offensive line and if they establish the run as they play their quick passing game should be fine. This offensive line may struggle in games in which we have to pass and pick up blitzes. Experience is a big issue and game experience will only help.

written by CoachBt, MaizeMan and ErocWolverine

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