Kornacki: Bredeson Details Why the Offensive Line Has Made Strides
8/13/2018 10:21:00 AM | Football, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Ben Bredeson reclined in a swivel chair at Schembechler Hall and grinned while leaning back and removing the sweaty, maize and blue Nike cap from his head.
"That was some two hours," Bredeson said after practice. "We removed an hour of the walkthrough and individual stuff, and just said, 'Let's do two hours of team.' It was pads on pads straight for two hours. So, it was bangin'. But there's no better thing."
Bredeson's smile continued widening as he spoke. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound junior offensive guard loved the two hours of hard contact Friday (Aug. 10), not only because he's a physical player. The hitting also meant that the opening of another Universtiry of Michigan football season -- which begins the night of Sept. 1 at Notre Dame -- is just around the corner.
"We're getting there," said Bredeson, "and we're coming along real well. The offense made incredible strides in the first week of practice. It's been growing by leaps and bounds every day."
The numbers say that Michigan, which was 8-5 in 2017 after a pair of 10-win seasons, must improve offensively to finish with the kind of record it covets.
The Wolverines ranked No. 105 out of 129 major college teams with 348.9 yards total offense per game. They were OK running (No. 49, 177.7 yards) but were No. 110 with 171.2 passing yards. Michigan scored 25.2 points per game, finishing tied for No. 91.
Starting quarterback Wilton Speight (in the Big Ten opener) and eventual replacement Brandon Peters (at Wisconsin) were injured after getting crushed by pass-rushers and missing significant playing time. The offensive line took much of the blame for that and what went wrong last season. Bredeson, a unanimous All-Big Ten second team selection, has heard the criticism and is eager to quiet it.
"We're really sick of hearing that," said Bredeson. "Especially as an offensive line, you're expected to be the heart and soul of the team. And last year, we weren't. But that's what we've been striving to become this year. That's been stressed all winter and spring in workouts by (new strength and conditioning) Coach (Ben) Herbert, and internally, we've been stressing that ourselves.
"As an offense, we need to come together and be stronger. But we, as an offensive line, we lifted and we worked hard each and every day. We knew there were going to be eyes on us this year because everyone needs to point a finger somewhere, and last year it was at us. We don't want that to happen again. And things have definitely changed."
Bredeson said new offensive line coach Ed Warinner, who developed quite a reputation as a coach and coordinator at Ohio State and other schools in more than 30 years, has impacted him and the entire line.
"Camaraderie is at an all-time high," said Bredeson. "And what's impressed me most is just how he's simplified the game. He comes up with these brilliant ideas, sits down and explains it in a way you can understand it. It makes us play the game that much faster. We don't have to think about a lot of things. It's just quick checks. He's a great teacher and makes sure we understand things. You see it in the meetings, and it carries over onto the field each day."
Wolverines defensive end Rashan Gary was asked what was different about this offensive line, which he faces daily in practices.
"Confidence," Gary said. "They are really working as a unit, and you can tell in practice that the communication's a lot better. I love going against them: iron sharpens iron, especially when you're in the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines set the standards for a team.
"I've seen an attitude on the offensive line where they do something (incorrectly) and say, 'Run it back. Run it back.' You see the hunger. They want to get better … I love that attitude, and they've been doing a good job of pushing that attitude to others. They watch film (after practice) and come back and are able to counter that move. They are aggressive, and everybody's pushing each other to be great."
Bredeson agreed with the positive vibe Gary feels, saying, "We are playing with a lot more confidence than last year. It's a fun group to be around."
Bredeson easily has the most experience on the O-line with 20 starts in 25 games, and also the most acclaim. But he is hungry to be more and accomplish more.
"I'm making a lot of progress on my pass (protection) with Coach Warinner," said Bredeson. "Specifically, it's my hand positioning. I had my hands too wide and that got me into some trouble. He's got me stressing hand placement and cleaning up some of the finer details.
"And with Coach Herbert, I've put on some weight and added some strength and muscle. I've put on upwards of 25 pounds and I'm up to 330. It's been incredible working with him and the rest of the staff. There's a very visible difference in the size, not just along the O-line, but across the entire team."
Bredeson stressed that, despite his physical gains, he is not moving outside to play tackle, which is what Mason Cole did last season, going from center to left tackle. Cole, a third-round pick, was recently named the starting center for the Arizona Cardinals.
"We're all the biggest fans of Mason Cole," said Bredeson. "The fact that he's going to potentially be starting for the Cardinals, we're pumped. Personally, I've got my Mason Cole (Cardinals) jersey coming in the mail."
The left side was strong last season, but those on the right side were young and often struggled. Bredeson said many of the young players moving into starting or significant playing time roles this season rotated into games last year, noting that their experience has helped this year's line in terms of having the timing and familiarity required to function efficiently.
Cesar Ruiz is expected to replace center Patrick Kugler, now a graduate assistant coach. Michael Onwenu and Stephen Spanellis are competing for the starting position at right guard. There are battles going on across the line to earn jobs, and seniors Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Jon Runyan, and second-year players James Hudson and Andrew Stueber are rotating at the tackle positions. Others could be a factor, too.
Hudson, 6-foot-5 and 301 pounds, from Toledo Central Catholic, has been impressive.
"He's a crazy athlete," said Bredeson. "Just a crazy athlete. The kid can do some things that the body really shouldn't be able to do. He has tremendous length and is quick off the ball. He's picking things up really well now after a slow start in the spring, and has just been making strides this fall. He's got some heavy hands and is really kicking ass."
This offensive line is looking to step up to the Block M tradition the Wolverines established beginning with the Bo Schembechler era. In the 49 seasons since his coaching arrival in 1969, they have blocked for 21 Big Ten championship teams, and produced 42 selections that were named first team All-America or taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Players earning both distinctions were not counted twice in that total.
This group, like the best blockers who came before them, is looking to thrive in a brotherhood that demands the best.
"We refer to ourselves as the coolest position group on the team," said Bredeson. "So, we all love each other and that adds to everything."
He cannot wait to prove that the O-line is ready to meet expectations, and that iron indeed sharpens iron.
