O-Line + Filiaga Commitment: Michigan Sports News 1/6/2017
Chuck Filiaga Commits to Michigan, Signing Event Set, and Najee Harris is "Going Home To Decide"
1/7/2017 - I said earlier in the week that getting Chuck Filiaga, a four-star Offensive Tackle from Texas, might be just as important as getting anyone else left on the board and an important position of need for Michigan. Well, here is some good news, Filiaga committed to play for Michigan today - GO BLUE! We will likely get to see him at the "Signing of the Stars" event which is now set for February 1st at Crisler Center.
In another piece of news, which I take to be a good, after the Army game, Najee Harris said that he is "Going Home To Decide." Earlier stories had him heading straight to Birmingham and into the willing arms of Nick Saban. Let us hope he is dreaming of returning to Ann Arbor on the flight.
Finally, Sam Webb seems to be implying that all of a sudden, Michigan is back in the game on DT Aubrey Solomon (now, that would be big news too).
The Most Important Story I have Read In a LONG Time On Michigan Football
1/5/2017 - Long-time Michigan OL coach Jerry Hanlon always said you can tell who is winning a game by looking at line play. Sadly, for a very long time now, Michigan football has had a less-than-average or average Offensive line. One of the most consistent questions I have had, as a layperson, is why isn't our Offensive line improving despite the addition of a noted Offensive Line guru in Tim Drevno?
I tip my cap to Nick Baumgardner of MLive for the first article I have seen that goes a long way to answering the "why" part of the offensive lines problems. Basically, to summarize, the much heralded Hoke Offensive Line class of 2013 was a bust and the three core offensive lineman who made it from Coach Hoke to graduation reached a peak of performance they couldn't surpass.
Najee Harris is a big deal, and I certainly hope he is coming to Ann Arbor but I am equally hoping Chuck Filiaga signs on the Maze and Blue dotted line and starts bringing dominant offensive line play back to Michigan.