Blocking improvements an emphasis for tight ends, wide receivers

The Michigan Wolverines are still working on getting their rushing attack into midseason form, which goes beyond what the backs and offensive line are doing. The tight ends and wide receviers play a big role in blocking, and so far through two games it has not quite been up to snuff by their standards.

Tight ends coach Grant Newsome saw improvements last week in the win over UNLV, but still thinks there is more to clean up from a group of guys that have gotten more opportunities to catch the ball.

“I think they took a big step,” Newsome said of the tight ends. “I didn’t think week one lived up to the standard we’ve kind of set in the tight end room. How we should block, how we control the line of scrimmage and I think we really challenged the guys and they took a step forward in week two. We had one of our better blocking games as a tight end room in the last 18 months. It was really encouraging but we still have a big challenge ahead of us starting this week. Have to keep it up.”

Different players in Michigan’s tight end rotation bring different things to the table, especially in terms of their blocking abilities. Newsome and company are focused on getting all of the basics down so tendencies are not developed based on who is in the game.

“Every guy has different skill sets, all the guys in the room are extremely talented but there are definitely guys with different skill sets and we try to put them into positions to showcase those skills,” Newsome said. “At the same time, you’ve got to keep people honest so making sure you’re not developing tendencies that anytime one guy is in it’s always this or one guy is in it’s always this. It’s always a balance in putting guys in a position to succeed. Also, mixing it up.”

Michigan wide receiver opens up on blocking

Graduate wide receiver Cornelius Johnson has been a solid contributor with 10 catches for 150 yards in two weeks, but has never been known for his blocking ability. Sometimes the film shows someone either coasting through games or not getting the job done in run blocking.

Earlier this week, Johnson said he knows it has to get better.

“There’s always ways to improve there because that can allow us to spring the backs through the backfield around the defense,” Johnson said. ” That can open up different passing lanes and overall just help our team win. Really just mastering that perimeter blocking will really definitely help us. And that’s something I gotta work on as well.”

The hope is that the steps forward through the air can help keep the defense honest, but there is still plenty left to unlock and more work to put in.

“The coaching staff from the top down just try and give us a great game plan going into each week with different route concepts and also just finding out new ways to get in what we do well,” Johnson said. “And that’s something we’re focusing on, just working on what we do best and then try and work off of that and add complements to it.”

Michigan’s emphasis on details will get one last test in non-conference play with Bowling Green in town for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff from the Big House on Saturday night.

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