Wednesday Presser Transcript 10-2-13: Brady Hoke Comment Count

Heiko

Bullets:

  • Offensive line changes. You know this already, but here it is anyway: Chris Bryant to left guard, Graham Glasgow to center. This wasn't mentioned during the presser, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were also changes at tight end and receiver.
  • Jake Ryan is participating in some full contact stuff. Still wearing a red jersey though, obviously.

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Opening remarks:

“Good practices. We’ve had that. We’ve stacked them together. We expect that this afternoon. I think the competitiveness and physicalness that we need to play with, we’ve had. I think how we’ve responded as a team last week and this week has been really good.”

Changes to the offensive line?

“Those guys have all done a tremendous job competing. If we were going to kick the ball off today, Graham [Glasgow] would be the center. Chris Bryant would be the left guard with Joe Burzynski and Kyle Bosch being part of that mix at some point possibly. Jack [Miller]’s done a great job competing, but Graham would start and Jack always is ready to go.”

So that would be the lineup Saturday?

“Well, if we kicked off now, that’s what we’d do. You never know. There’s still some days left.”

What led to that decision?

“Just competition. Simple. Competition. At both positions.”

Graham Glasgow has only been at center on and off. He’s primarily a left guard –

“Yeah, but he’s splayed center every week, too. Not game day, but during the week.”

What’s the biggest challenge to playing center? Is it the calls?

“No. I don’t think the challenges are there. I think trying to put the best five on the field is always the biggest challenge.”

And the snapping?

“As far as what he has to positionally? Oh yeah. There’s no question. There’s some calls that he’ll go through that he’s done since spring. Snapping the ball, he’s done since spring. Challenges? Differences probably would be the word I’d use, but yeah.”

He weighs 10-15 pounds more than Jack.

“That’s probably a fair assessment.”

Does that give him an advantage?

“Well I think he’s bigger and a little rangier. He’s 6-5. I think the weight and strength and all that are positives, too.”

Was communication across the offensive line a concern?

“No I think that’s been good. I think Jacks’ done a nice job with it. His communication, Devin’s communication for the most part has been pretty spot on.”

What has Bryant done at guard to step into that spot?

“Well Chris has been close all year to be honest with you. His knee became a problem for three or four days, then he had a little nick in the shoulder. A boo boo. He’s come through that pretty well.”

Would you say he’s healthy for the first time in a while?

“Yeah. That’d be a fair assessment.”

Have you seen better footwork from Devin Gardner?

“Yeah, and he’s done a really conscientious [job], which he is. And it’s not just Devin. All of us needed to go back to fundamentals. He’s kind of a high profile guy because of the position. Step into the throws, get the hips turned, all those things you do as a quarterback, the timing of the drops compared to the routes. I think he’s really done a nice job all last week and yesterday.”

Has he paid attention to the criticism?

“We talk about the only noise that matters is what you get constructively from the coaches and your teammates. He’s got a lot of guys that have his back when you think about the 114 other guys who have a lot of faith and belief, and the coaches and all that. I think he’s resilient. I think he’s smart. I think he’s confident. I don’t know if those things bother him.”

Do you think he learned anything from Denard’s fortitude?

“Probably. I’ve never asked him that or never made that comparison, but I would think so.”

You praised Brennen Beyer’s versatility …

“Yeah. He’s asked to wear a lot of different hats. He’ll put his hand on the ground. He’ll be out in coverage on a read concept, and he’ll be over at tight end on his feet. He’s a very intelligent football player. He’s very competitive. He makes up for maybe a lack when you’re out in space with how he studies tape and how intelligent he is. And recognitions. When he’s got the hand on the ground rushing the passer, he may make up that with technique and fundamentals. And then when he’s playing a nine-technique, he’s well suited for it.”

You moved him to SAM because Jake Ryan got hurt. He seems like now he can play both positions (DE and SAM).

“Yeah. And that’s what makes him valuable. That makes him ultra valuable to what you want on your football team. It’s like you had a five-technique that could play the shade or the three. Having him have that ability helps your football team.”

Does that allow Greg Mattison do different things when Jake comes back?

“Yeah probably adds a little more depth, competition, all those things.”

When’s Jake coming back?

“I don’t know. Hopefully soon. He’s doing a lot more every day.”

Any full contact?

“Oh he’s been doing that. We’re smart with him, though. Hard for you to believe, but we are.”

With running backs, how do you decide when to play backups?

“I think that’s always a juggling act, especially when things aren’t going as well as you’d like them to. Do you try and kick start it with another back when it’s not another back’s problem, for some degree. I think we would like to move earlier so you don’t get to that point of the game where you get a little nervous.”

How’s Cam Gordon?

“Good.”

Healthy?

“Yeah. He’s fine.”

You mentioned you wanted to give Taco Charlton more time, too.

“Yeah as long as they practice the way we want them to, we’d like to play all of them.”

Is it kind of the like the running back situation as far as rotation goes?

“I don’t know. Defensive linemen are defensive linemen. God bless them.”

Do you have a sense of the personality of the team?

“Probably not. Not yet. I think they are resilient. That they’ve shown.”

Comments

Indiana Blue

October 2nd, 2013 at 3:50 PM ^

I'm hoping that Stribling and Thomas also see a litlle more game action.  Personally - I think this is the biggest game of the year for Devin.  He had success against them last year and with the road trip to PSU next week, this Team needs a confident Devin Gardner for the rest of the year ... and it can start again on Saturday.  Plus, it will take the "press" off the team's back.

Go Blue!

robmorren2

October 2nd, 2013 at 7:38 PM ^

That would be an outstanding move in my opinion. Garner needs an escape plan when the pocket is collapsing. There aren't any guys that he can flip it up to on the outside. Funchess should be a guy that DG can see in 1v1 coverage, and trust that he can win a jump ball or establish a target area just by using his body to box out the defender. It also gives you a nice blocking matchup with Funchess in the slot or out wide.

Hail-Storm

October 3rd, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^

but I have a bad vision of a high pass over the middle getting delfected right into a safety.  His hands are very good though, so I think this is a mild concern.  I do want him out there more. I think he presents much more of a complimentary threat to Gallon in your proposition. 

mGrowOld

October 2nd, 2013 at 3:56 PM ^

I wondered that as well - specifically your comment about the TE position.  I know Funchess's blocking challenges have been well documented on this site but I don't think I remember reading/hearing about this being discussed from the coaching staff directly.

Do you have an inside source for this teaser or are you basing this speculation on simply the coaches seeing what we bloggers see?

Wolfman

October 2nd, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^

One, of course, being that Butt has earned the starting job there due to his blocking skills along with another big target. However, and probably more prominent as the season goes forward without being said, I think we're being told to look for The Big Man, aka as Funchess playing more wideout. Young man is a phenomenal athlete and definitely presents challenges for smaller dbs. This is good, something I've been hoping for since last season.  The OL changes were obviously going to have to take place and as much as those last two games scared the shit out of us, coaches were more than likely drilling those they would go forward with into the BIG schedule.  It's a very, very good thing to have others working their asses off to try and win jobs on a weekly basis because as it stands now I think there were only three of the five OL positions that were penciled in as permanent and I think we all know which three those were.

BlueFordSoftTop

October 2nd, 2013 at 4:27 PM ^

 
Our bye week at this juncture appears prescient. Injured players have recuperated and, presumably, Devin has watched lots of video and consulted with a shrink/shaman/Baba Yaga/whomever. My normal breathing patterns have resumed, and I am no longer microwaving the neighborhood cats. Wups. Ixnay.
 
Oh, and a welcome switch at the interior.  Stay healthy Mr. Bryant.

dragonchild

October 2nd, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^

JMFR in an orange jersey?  Where does it say that?

If so that's COLD, man.  So you're basically adding a force field to a barbarian, like that guy in Elysium?  I mean I know you're not happy with the O-line but I think I'd rather run sprints until I puke than line up against Barbarian Force Field.

OK srsly I know it's probably more organized than that, but "Jake can hit you but you can't hit back" still strikes me as something on the wrong side of physical abuse, man. :D

cbs650

October 2nd, 2013 at 6:41 PM ^

I dont know all the nuances of the oline play but it just seems odd to me that guys are lining up at multiple positions during practice in season especially since they are young inside.  i would think you would want them to be focused one position especially your starters. Am im starting to think that Miller was never really inline to start but Bryant got hurt which pushed Glasgow to guard and miller to center by default.

robmorren2

October 2nd, 2013 at 7:32 PM ^

I've been having the same thoughts. Especially after hearing that Bryant was slated to start the UConn game until the shoulder injury. Also, the way Hoke specifically mentioned theonly injuries to Bryant's knee and then shoulder ... almost like it was one thing after another that kept him out, as opposed to this change being made to "shake things up." It's hard to believe that a coach like Hoke who is CONSTANTLY talking about physical play and toughness, wouldn't immediately choose Bryant/Glasgow over Glasgow/Miller. Especially with the fact that it appears they are making Glasgow the permanent fixture at center, with Joey B. and Bosch the backups at LG (as opposed to sliding Glasgow over and inserting Miller). I think this may be the line the coaches envisioned from day 1.

cbs650

October 3rd, 2013 at 12:39 AM ^

I understand this point but your starters should be locked into their position in season. If you want to rotate guys and do all stuff, do it exclusively in the spring and fall camp but once the season starts let those guys who won their position battles get comfortable in their spot. You also have to look at the fact that three of your starters are new and very inexperienced. ANd im saying this only for those who start on the line, not those on the two deep who need to stay ready no matter what so them knowing multiple positions makes since.

getsome

October 3rd, 2013 at 3:20 PM ^

multiple groups run each play against scout and they just keep running them through, ie 1st team 2nd team, etc.  not odd at all, actually pretty normal.  obviously glasgow has been getting reps as 2nd team center or 3rd tm which makes sense if coaches identify him as being 1 of top 2 options at center.  and im sure they run plenty of sets where glasgow jumps to C and bryant or 2nd team LG jumps in and runs with the 1s.  common at every program.  and if bryant is 2nd team guard, constantly  competing and on cusp of getting some clock as hoke hints, then hes gotten plenty of quality reps when healthy

m1jjb00

October 2nd, 2013 at 7:55 PM ^

Otherwise, if Graham Glasgow is splayed, we're screwed.  See what I did there.

All good, thanks for the write up and the addition on Funchess.  I found out yesterday my wife "won" two tickets in an auction, and I just booked my airline tix.  Already excited for Saturday.

Leonhall

October 2nd, 2013 at 10:47 PM ^

just have to worry about chris bryant getting hurt, seems like thats been a problem for him and he hasn't had much game action...presumably, J. Miller is not playing in the future unless Glasgow gets hurt...after Chris will be Bosch or Joey B. 

M go Bru

October 3rd, 2013 at 7:00 AM ^

Why are people so concerned that Glasgow, a walk-on, is starting? The sky is not falling. The best players play. So were Griese and Kovacs poor players? So what if they are not the most gifted athletes. Football smarts is a lot harder to gauge than height, weight, speed, and strength.

An integral part of the great Nebraska teams of the 1990s were their walk-ons. They had the best walk-on program in the nation. Nebraska, even back then, never had a top rated recruiting class. Similarly today, Wisconsin never seems to have highly rated recruiting classes. Yet they are in the mix for the Big Ten title every year. 

Recruiting is not an exact science. You are targeting guys at 18.  You are recruiting on where they are at at that point in time. Where they are going to be in 2-3 years or 4-5 years physically and mentally is an educated guess at best.

Some of the best players at Michigan have been 3-star recruits: Braylon Edwards, Jake Ryan

Furthermore, Michigan seems have had really bad luck with the success of their 5-star recruits.

Relax and enjoy the success of your team.

sneaker1freak

October 3rd, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^

I love how the media makes such a big deal about the criticism that Devin is getting... like players and coaches actually care what fans think...despite what fans think, players dont play to make fans happy (no metter how much they say they do)... coaches and players motivation is the other guys in the lockerroom... they play for their brothers.

I mean just look at the Denard or Rich Rod situations... that tells you all you need to know about the fans