Updating Bowling & Burgers, 1st Frame: The O-Line post from last week:
It sounds like Luke Bowanko, last year's starting right guard, is going to open camp next week as our starting center. The fallout:
- Not sure what this means for Matt Mihalik, other than he must have failed to impress the coaching staff in the spring after working at center exclusively. Consensus is currently that Mihalik will get a long look to start at right guard, but I'm hedging my bets against that. Better to get a young guy with more upside on the field in that role. Any of Cody Wallace, Conner Davis, Tim Cwalina... or my personal favorite... Kelby Johnson could use the 2012 right guard spot as a springboard to a very nice career of starting along the UVA offensive line. Mihalik is probably a better fit in a backup role this season.
- I love Luke Bowanko at center, especially starting alongside Sean Cascarano. That's an extremely mobile pairing, which could open up a very interesting series of pulling options. Our perimeter runs could look very interesting this season, with either - or BOTH! - of those guys surging around to lead block on the right side alongside Mount Moses.
- I love that Luke Bowanko is just a junior. If he indeed emerges as our starting center this season, that means we return our starting center NEXT season, which is obviously a big boost.
Kendall, are you crazy? The Mihalik kid looked pretty darn good at center in the Spring, with only one bad snap by my count. He demonstrated quick feet for a big guy, and he has played both guard and tackle. Mihalik is a big guy who looks to be around 6' 7" 320. If Mihalik doesn't start at Center, then UVA would be smart to put him in at a starting guard spot. Between Mihalik, Moses and Bowankwo in the middle, we would dominate on the inside. Based on your comments, you must be confusing Mihalik with somebody else.
ReplyDeleteI personally thought Mihalik should have started last year at Guard over Bowanko. Bowanko stuggled with pass blocking, where Mihalik looked more stable, especially when picking up the blitz. I believe center may be a better spot for Bowanko, but I just don't know if he can beat out Mihalik at Center. I personally would love to see Mihalik starting at Guard over Bowanko. David Talley, Gum Springs, Virginia. Go Hooooooooos!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBowanko starting at center is what I've heard / read. Check it out: http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=205504295
ReplyDeleteI don't think Coach London would be making this move unless Mihalik struggled with the center job this spring, but maybe I'm reading too much into it.
Meanwhile, we'll have to agree to disagree on the topic of Bowanko vs. Mihalik. I'm a big Bowanko fan. To me, Luke has much better feet and a much higher upside for mirror and slide blocking, which Lazor's offense calls for. Mihalik is a lot bigger, but that hasn't manifested itself as demonstrated functional strength, and he seemed to be really shaky in pass pro. With Perry Jones, the better compliment is Bowanko's blocking.
Wow, an o-line argument on August 1st. I love football season!
David -- thanks a ton for reading, and please know that I really, really appreciate you adding your $0.02 to the discussion.
Kendall,
ReplyDeleteLOL! As a former high school offensive lineman, I tend to watch the O Linemen more than the other flashy speciality positions. I believe both Bowanko and Mihalik will offer much to the offensive line. As a 5th Year Senior, Mihalik brings a wealth of experience having played every position along the interior line. Bowanko is an aggressive player, with some question marks relating to past injuries. Mihalik is too good of a player not to be starting, the same being true for Bowanko. I personally would prefer to see Bowanko at Center, because often times he struggled against the pass rush. Put him in between Mihalik and Moses, and I believe Bowanko's weakness relating to pass blocking would be minimized. Regardless of what the coaches decide to do, we are going to be huge up front! With Mihalik at Center (6'7"),we would have the biggest ACC O Line, and probably one of the biggest in the NCAA. - David
Kendall, it's Mike Lynch from Waynesboro. I have to agree with comments made about the Offensive Line. Mihalik (#71)has looked good in years past, not sure exactly why he has not played more. I thought he looked pretty good at center in the Spring, but I would love to see him playing guard opposite Moses. (Talk about a huge O-Line!) Combine Bowanko at Center, and you have a great interior O-Line with umbelievable size! It's nice to have options along the O-Line because of the depth that has developed over the past few years. UVA has the potential to have one of the biggest O-Lines in the NCAA this season! Wahoooooooo!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIs it me or is Moses the most overrated player in the history of the NCAA . He struggles against a speed rush and the coaches must be blind. He has to be the most overrated player ever! When he made the all America freshman team I thought it was a mis print. Big name with horrible feet.
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