Odds and Sods

As mentioned previously on this blog, the Miami Dolphins drafted Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long with the #1 Pick in the 2008 Draft.  However, as an interesting post from mgoblog points out, Long’s post-collegiate success has been an exception at Michigan the past six years.

From 1996 to 2001, the Wolverines graduated fourteen starting offensive linemen.  Seven of them were drafted by NFL teams.  Five are still playing in the NFL.  Four have been starters.  Two have been voted to the Pro Bowl.  One, Steve Hutchinson, is regarded as one of the best Guards in the Game.

In contrast, from 2002 to 2007, only three of the fourteen starters Michigan has graduated have been drafted.  Only David Baas and Long will likely see significant NFL playing time.

If offensive line is the most important position in football, the lack of depth and overall quality may provide a justification for the decline in the second half of the Lloyd Carr era, coincident with the appointment of Andy Moeller as offensive line coach.

Hopefully, this will be an area of improvement under Rich Rodriguez and new offensive line coach Greg Frey.  Though the untimely transfer of freshman starter Justin Boren to Ohio State–because of a “decline in family values” and not because of his desire to play for a team that can be competitive in the next three years– may prove worrisome.