Kornacki: Magnuson Has 'Gone Piggin' for Wolverines
9/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 19, 2016
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Wolverine head coach Jim Harbaugh said senior right tackle Erik Magnuson has been Michigan's most reliable pass protection blocker, and he's on the watch list for the Outland Trophy.
Mention the Outland, given to the nation's top interior lineman, to Magnuson and he smiles, shrugs his shoulders and says, "It's cool, but I don't pay much attention to it. I have no control over it, and it's nice to get recognition, but ranking of offensive linemen has always been a little silly to me just because we don't have stats.
"It's cool, but it's not going to be on my tombstone that I was on the Outland watch list."
Magnuson displays the candor and humor of a late-night talk show host, which he is about to become. The show, "Gone Piggin'," will be co-hosted by fellow offensive line stalwart and good buddy Kyle Kalis.
"I don't know whether it's going to be available for you to see," said Magnuson. "It's going to be similar to 'Wayne's World,' actually. But it's going to be called 'Gone Piggin,' and it may be available. We'll see."
Magnuson ruled out doing it as a podcast.
"It's a show, and maybe we'll put it on YouTube," he said Monday afternoon (Sept. 19). "Depending on how much criticism Coach (Harbaugh) thinks we'll get for it. So, we'll see. Filming is tonight, and so we could be launching tonight or tomorrow...or never."
Where's the studio?
"I'm not sure I can disclose that," said Magnuson. "It's a local studio. It's going to be under the radar -- only it's not under the radar anymore because I just told you."
Might it be good enough to be picked up by ESPN or some national network?
"Maybe," said Magnuson. "I'm thinking more of a late-night TV show for a more mature audience. We're got to watch what we say. But one day we'll make it big and say whatever we want."
The name of the show ties into Magnuson's and right guard Kalis' term for defensive linemen.
"Just understand that the defensive line is a bunch of pigs," said Magnuson. "We've got to go get them. We live in a pig pen; we roll around in the mud. We can get better at piggin'. Every week, you can improve on your piggin'. It depends on your attitude, and that's why you have to wear your piggin' shirt."
Offensive linemen often are referred to as "The Hogs," dating back to the 1982 Washington Redskins, who were so named by offensive line coach Joe Bugel before beginning a decade-long run that included three Super Bowl appearances.
But since "Hogs" is obviously not an option for his position group at Michigan, Magnuson, who last year likened teammates Jabrill Peppers to a tiger and Jake Rudock to an owl, was asked what animals his offensive line brought to mind.
"The offensive line...No more animal name comparisons," proclaimed Magnuson with a smile. "That's done."
Magnuson strives to keep his comedy fresh and relevant, and in mid-August announced on Instagram that he had emerged as the surprise winner of the team quarterback battle between Wilton Speight, John O'Korn and Shane Morris.
Joel Zimmer, a Michigan graduate and the executive producer of CNBC's "Blue Collar Millionaires," tweeted out a poster from @JCZimmerLA that was a takeoff on the poster Wolverine director of football creative, Aaron Bills (@AaronBDesigns), designed for Harbaugh's quarterback camp earlier this year at Michigan that included elite NFL quarterbacks serving as instructors.
Zimmer had Magnuson, who sports a 10-month-old beard, most prominent in his spoof poster, posing in a passing set position with the football in both hands.
So, there's always fun where Magnuson is involved.
Harbaugh was asked what he liked about Magnuson both as a player and for the spirit he brings.
"Mags is good in both those regards," said Harbaugh. "He's brought a lot to our team. He's been our most consistent, best pass protector so far. He's a likeable guy; everyone likes Mags. There's a good leader and a good guy, a genuine, down-to-earth, good person."
Wolverine tight end Jake Butt was asked what he enjoys most about "Mags," a 6-foot-6, 305-pound right tackle and bundle of fun.
"Who he is," said Butt. "He's hilarious. But as funny as the guy is, he's business-like. He works so hard when it comes to his craft of football. He likes to joke around and have a good time and keeps everyone else around him relaxed. But he's such a hard worker and such a talented football player. It's a nice little balance."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're goin' piggin'. I'm excited about that. I think I might be a guest on the show if I'm lucky enough. It's in the works. I found out about it literally on my way over here. Those guys are always thinking up something like that. Whatever they do, it'll be worth it."
Magnuson wore the gas station garage mechanic-style blue work shirt Harbaugh has given players to emphasize the "blue collar" aspects required in football, and "Erik" is written in script over his chest. He also sported a Nike "Jumpman" cap worn backwards.
"This is my piggin' shirt," said Magnuson, who is from Carlsbad, California. "We take a lot of pride in that. Coach Harbaugh emphasizes that we're a 'blue-collar' team that works hard. There is a lot of hype around the team with the (No. 4) ranking and all, but at the end of the day, we're a hard-working team that doesn't listen to outside noise and does whatever we can to do our best."
Harbaugh's praise for his pass-blocking ability was mentioned.
"I only have one class right now," said Magnuson. "So, all of my time is focused on football. I get a lot of time to focus on defensive linemen's tendencies and their blitz patterns. That's a big thing because school takes a lot of time."
Magnuson's class in sociology is all he needs to finish the requirements for his sociology degree.
He answered a question as to whether he'd allowed a sack yet by saying he had not and then reached to literally knock on the wood of a windowsill at Crisler Center.
"I have not," Magnuson said, "but it'll happen. It's not a matter of if but when. It'd be nice, but there are defenses that are going to do lots of different things."
Magnuson added that his run-blocking and pass-blocking can "both get a lot better," and the next challenge comes Saturday (Sept. 24) in the Big Ten opener at home with Penn State.
Magnuson with Kalis last season
Whether "Gone Piggin'" debuts this week remains to be seen.
Kalis, who had been a long-time roommate, has the perfect personality to co-host an off-the-wall show.
He said he's only been "star-struck" twice. Once was when Michael Jordan served as an honorary captain for Michigan's season-opening win over Hawaii.
"I was like a little girl," said Kalis, "screaming to Erik, and we were both jumping up and down."
The other pinch-me moment involved country music legend Hank Williams Jr., nicknamed "Bocephus."
"I was star-struck when I met Hank Williams Jr. backstage at a concert," said Kalis. "Bocephus, baby! My dad got backstage tickets, and I was like, 'Bocephus! Bocephus!' "
The fifth-year seniors began rooming as freshmen.
"This past year was the first year we broke up," said Kalis, feigning attempting to hold back tears. "It was sad, but we're fine."
Magnuson said, "A situation happened, but we spent many years together. Off the field, we have a great relationship and bond. It's real important to trust the player you play next to, and me and him are on the same page a lot times even if we don't get to communicate on changes just because we've had so much time playing together. That's huge.
"We're thinking that when we get married we'll move our families in together and have one big house...It's just a thought."
Then, just like the "Wayne's World" skit from "Saturday Night Live" that morphed into a movie starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, they could videotape the show from their basement.
The Wayne and Garth of the Wolverines have "Gone Piggin'" and are sure to leave 'em laughing so hard they'll snort.
"Just like the University of Michigan," said Manguson, "piggin' will live on."
Oink, oink.
