Michigan offensive line getting healthier heading into OSU showdown
The Michigan offensive line is a Joe Moore Award semifinalist despite playing what seems to be a new starting lineup every week. They captured the award last year, of course, an indication of just how good offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore has been the last two years.
Ed Warinner took the group to another level before head coach Jim Harbaugh tabbed Moore to replace him last year. The group has continued to progress with “tough love” despite going through at least 6 different starting lineups so far this year.
Moore wouldn’t make any excuses on the “Inside Michigan Radio” show with Jon Jansen Monday. He didn’t have to, though, given how well his group had been playing.
“We all know we want the best five out there, whoever it’s going to be that week,” Moore said. “We train that way from spring ball into fall camp. Everybody plays every position, so guys are never stuck — only play left, or only play right. Or only play tackle, only play guard. We trained in every way so when those things happened, we were ready and prepared for battle.”
Michigan line is healing up, developing depth
And they have been, in every way. When starting left guard Trevor Keegan went down — he’s missed a few games this year, including the last two — sophomore Giovanni El-Hadi has stepped up and not only played well, but also dominated at times.
He’s on his way to an All-Big Ten career if he continues to progress. Moore is confident he will, and the coach’s style is a big reason why.
“I coach them like they’re ones,” Moore said. “I tell them I don’t have any twos … you’re all ones. Everybody is 1, 1a, 1b. Just because you’re with second line doesn’t mean you’re a two. Everybody is coached exactly the same … they understand and know what it takes when we get on the field.”
It helps, too, that they all support each other. When Jeff Persi started at Rutgers, Moore noted, he played with confidence knowing his teammates were behind him.
“The camaraderie, the unity, the way they focus, the way they work — such a selfless group,” Moore added. “They’re obviously very talented, but the way they go about their business every day … for example, yesterday they came in and watched the film and said, ‘All right — we have to start up today on that team.’ They were ready to go.
“I’m so excited about it. I just love this group. They just did a great job adjusting to different things [against Illinois]. They did things they hadn’t shown all year. Obviously, I think every time we play somebody, we get different looks. We get more blitzes, things we haven’t seen all year. I think people prepare differently for us, which is great. Our kids responded in the end and hit the knockout punch at the end.”
He’d like to see more communication, even, heading into the finale with Ohio State. Keegan should be back, and that will help. Senior right tackle Trente Jones is “back to full strength,” too, but fellow senior Karsen Barnhart has been playing so well, he might be hard to replace.
“So much different [than early fall],” Moore said. “So confident in his own abilities and confidence in the scheme and what he’s doing. He’s playing at a really high level. I’m just excited for him and the way he’s playing.”
Ditto Ryan Hayes at left tackle, Olu Oluwatimi at center, and Zak Zinter at right guard, he added.
If Michigan wins Saturday in Columbus, they’ll have had a huge hand in it. Moore enters knowing his group is up to the challenge, and he can’t wait to see how they respond.
