I am what one would call the complete opposite of a tactical expert, but Mason Cole, who was an All American level center being moved to LT has effectively destroyed not one, but two positions on our OL. Cole, as we have seen is not a LT, and has been at best substandard and at worst ineffective at the position. As for Kugler at C, he seems to be technically "fine", but the line calls are completely lacking. I attribute that to Cole not making the calls for the line from the C position. It seems to me that this line (and this echoes the sentiments of many others) had an overload of interior linemen. Furthermore, if Ruiz is as good as advertised, 3 of our top 6 linemen are natural centers.
My issue is that Cole is the best option at center, especially seeing what looks like a lack of communication and leadership on the line, especially when it comes to calling protections. Him being more in the middle of things may shore up the problems going on on the right side of the line.
But who plays at LT? In actuality, last season's line with JBB or even Bredeson taking over after Newsome went down looked much better than this season's iteration of the the OL. If we move Bredeson outside, put any of the multiple options at G in at LG (Ruiz, Kugler, Runyan. If it's JBB, Michigan will at least have experience from LT to C.
Furthermore, moving Cole inside wouldn't be a huge loss at the LT position, as we have seen him play terribly at LT the last 3 games- Getting overpowered or beaten around the edge by smaller players. Honestly, the guys who filled in last season for Newsome looked pretty much as effective as Cole has looked at LT thus far this season. My completely unprofessional opinion is that moving Cole to LT hasn't exactly shored up that position, while greatly weakening the center spot.
For those in the know, have at me. I'd love to get a more professional spin on this idea
My issue is that Cole is the best option at center, especially seeing what looks like a lack of communication and leadership on the line, especially when it comes to calling protections. Him being more in the middle of things may shore up the problems going on on the right side of the line.
But who plays at LT? In actuality, last season's line with JBB or even Bredeson taking over after Newsome went down looked much better than this season's iteration of the the OL. If we move Bredeson outside, put any of the multiple options at G in at LG (Ruiz, Kugler, Runyan. If it's JBB, Michigan will at least have experience from LT to C.
Furthermore, moving Cole inside wouldn't be a huge loss at the LT position, as we have seen him play terribly at LT the last 3 games- Getting overpowered or beaten around the edge by smaller players. Honestly, the guys who filled in last season for Newsome looked pretty much as effective as Cole has looked at LT thus far this season. My completely unprofessional opinion is that moving Cole to LT hasn't exactly shored up that position, while greatly weakening the center spot.
For those in the know, have at me. I'd love to get a more professional spin on this idea
