They Aren't Dead Yet: Resurgence of the Tight End at Michigan—Is It Coming?

In 2008, Michigan fans said goodbye. They all said goodbye to Lloyd Carr and they said goodbye to the old pro-style offense that they had grown accustomed to over the years.

In 2008, Michigan fans also said hello. They said hello to new head coach Rich Rodriguez and his spread-option offense. An offense that was a complete 180 from the old pro-style offense of years past.

Needless to say Rich's welcome didn't stay warm for long after a 3-9 finish in his first season in Ann Arbor.

As the season progressed one thing became very apparent.

That was the minimal play time the tight ends received.

However, this didn't come as much of a shock seeing that Rich's zone-read offenses called for little use out of the tight ends.

In fact, it was almost seemingly possible that the tight ends could see the field more if they ran out and got the kicking tee than to actually stay as a tight end. They were practically afterthoughts.

Freshman tight end Kevin Koger (pictured above) did manage to stand out and impress coaches and teammates, but still received sparse playing time.

It seemed as if the tight ends, who were big contributors in the old offense, were facing extinction at Michigan under the new regime.

But in the words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friends!

It appears they may not be done just yet. As matter of fact, they may be far from finished...maybe just getting started.

It was about two weeks ago when Michigan and Oklahoma's coaching staffs held a meeting in Ann Arbor. While it is not the first time the two staffs have met this was, however, the first time in which it was Michigan's staff asking the majority of the questions.

Before it was Stoops and company who asked Rich and his staff for advice, now it was Rich's turn.

Rumors have been flying around about Rich switching his offensive philosophy to reflect that of Oklahoma's with his new talent at quarterback and other skill positions. In all honesty, this could hold true in time.

But don't expect a full blown OU style offense if this does happen.

Many believe Rich had scheduled this meeting to seek advice from Stoops, not on offensive philosophy, but how to make better use of the tight end position.

Oklahoma is best known for its high power pass spread that dominated the Big 12 last year. The offense shattered NCAA records...But it did something else too.

It got most of its success from great tight end play. In Oklahoma's offense the tight end played a vital and productive role for the.

It is with this reasoning that Rich may have gotten the idea of possibly incorperating the tight ends more in his zone-read, and possibly making a slight shift in offensive philosophy.

If this holds true then Rich may be returning to his roots at Tulane where he ran a more balanced approach on offense, while still relying more on the run(about 55-45% pass/run ratio).

If the tight end does find a more vital role in Rich's scheme next year all that needs to be said is...Don't call it a comeback! (A little LL Cool J for those that don't know)

With the talent Michigan has at tight end right now, it would perhaps be best for Rich to strongly consider including them more in the offense.

The football gods only know how much Michigan might need them. Chances are they will need them a lot.