The Wolverine

April 2013

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/116680

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 62 of 183

2012 — Lewan and fifthyear senior right guard Patrick Omameh. Inside, fifth-year seniors Ricky Barnum (left guard) and Elliott Mealer (center) made their first career starts, and Michael Schofield moved from left guard to right tackle. With the new makeup in the trenches, the Wolverines struggled to find consistent success in the running game. U-M ranked 41st nationally in rushing offense last year (183.8 yards per game). In the last five games of the year, when senior quarterback Denard Robinson was not taking snaps because of an injured elbow, the offense averaged a measly 147.2 yards per game on the ground. "I think it's hard to evaluate the running backs to some degree, for the simple fact that maybe if we had blocked better, it may have been better," Hoke said after the Ohio State game, voicing his displeasure with the line's performance. Now entering spring practices to gear up for the 2013 season, the Wolverines will have new starters at three posi- tions in the trenches. Lewan and Schofield, also now a fifth-year senior, will take care of the two tackle spots. Inside, everything is up for grabs, and the spots will be filled with talented — albeit very inexperienced — players. The two guard positions will most likely go to redshirt freshmen Kyle Kalis and Ben Braden. The center position is redshirt sophomore Jack Miller's for the taking. Although it can be nerve-wracking to put so many underclassmen on the field, the Michigan coaches are confident that the group will be successful. "This year, we have to get better fundamentally," Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "Finishing blocks, getting on people quickly with good technique and finishing, understanding the scheme, all those things. There are so many areas we have to get better at, and we will get better. "We will improve in a lot of ways as we go through this. With our style of play changing somewhat, I think that will help us coming off the ball." Finding Consistency In The Middle One thing that has hindered the progress of the offensive line is continuity at center. The Hoke era, now entering its third season, has seen a new starter at the position every year. Last season, the coaches juggled between Barnum and Mealer in the preseason before settling on Mealer just weeks before the opening game against Alabama. The center is responsible for directing the line's blocking schemes and breaking down blitz packages. A second- or third-year starter can make a huge difference in communication. But the Wolverines have not had that luxury. "It can be difficult to make the transition to a new center," Borges said. "Just like any other position, but particularly that one and quarterback, you'd like to be able to have a guy do it more than one year. "If Jack comes around like I think he can, that would give us the op-

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - April 2013