Offensive line evaluations:
1) Schilling:
At any level a disappointing year not so much in his performance, but in expectations vs. performance. Many (including myself) believe that he would be better off at right guard, but as of now (changed my mind on this) I simply do not see it.
Last off-season Schilling was one of the leaders during workouts and was the obvious leader of offensive line during spring practice. In retrospect it is possible that Barwis workouts caused Schilling to lose too much weight too fast and hopefully Schilling attacks this off-season as aggressively as last year.
If so I think in 2009 Schilling finally plays up to expectations, but it will be at right tackle.
2) Mooseman:
Good news Moose played well overall in 2008 probably our most consistent offensive linemen. Bad news he did not play his best football late in the season. As Schilling Moose had a great off-season a year ago and he needs another one this year including somehow improving his footwork.
Strength is not an issue anymore with Moose, but getting to the second level in our schemes is a big issue for Moose.
3) Molk:
Bad news is Molk at times was just not strong enough at point of attack. Good news he may have been our best offensive linemen late in the season. At one time I thought Molk was a candidate to lose his job in 2009 (changed my mind).
One thing-overlooked Michigan rarely (I cannot remember more than one) had a bad snap in 2008. And Molk has a certain toughness that allows him to play despite his size he has improved his footwork tremendously and is probably our only starting offensive linemen who is able to consistently get a good block on linebacker's or second level.
4) Ferrara:
Coaches as I have reported love his toughness, work ethic, willingness to learn. In addition, he has not had an off-season preparing for offensive line position.
As season, progressed coaches became more and more comfortable with Ferrara.
5) Ortmann:
He waited a long time to gain a starting spot. His performance this year can be labeled as consistently above average, but nothing great. Frankly, this year he was really our only option at left tackle.
Ortmann will return next year and another year of experience will help, but he is a serviceable player and do not expect much more out of him.
6) Dorrenstein:
I now look at him as a career back up at Michigan. Can play either right tackle or left tackle, but just is not good enough at point of attack.
He does better in pass protection than anticipated and is a good kid to have around who plays very tough, but will be back-up for future.
7) Barnum:
I still think he is a starter in 2009. Why? Simply because of his athleticism and ability to play in this system. He can get to the second level and has strength to be successful at point of attack.
His biggest problem this off-season to me is getting through his first Michigan winter.
8) Khoury:
Same info as in the past an up and comer who will push, but not pass Molk at offensive center.
9) Omameh:
Coach Rod even mentioned him in his press conference. See my comments on Ortmann above. Omameh is our only other option at left tackle. Can he pass Ortmann in off-season?
Well coaches will give him every opportunity, but he still needs a ton of improvement in his pass protection. His ability to push people off the ball he simply has to gain a ton of strength. However, they see his upside potential as much higher than Ortmann. Therefore, it is possible just not probable.
10) O'Neill:
I must be the only person who has seen improvement over the year. I do expect however, that he plays both right tackle and right guard in spring practice next season.
My projection going into 2009:
Schilling is really only sure starter at right tackle.
After that based on performance I now think Molk has second best chance of starting. Big reason is Coach Rod really thinks offensive center is very important and he will be cautious about breaking in a new offensive center when Molk has performed well.
Moose is probably third, but while early in the year I felt he was our #1 offensive linemen his late season drop off has put him in a potential vulnerable spot.
Barnum is going to play somewhere so will it be in Moose's spot or Ferrara. Given the fact that Ferrara seems to be coming on strong Moose needs to continue his history of having a great off-season to keep his job.
Ortmann I think he is the early favorite, but his position is also vulnerable (see above).
written by MaizeMan
Note:
Depth next year will be so much better and players will be under much more pressure to perform consistently. This is why I also think our running game will be much improved. Another year in the system plus good competition between players usually equals more success.
Other position groups later.
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