Is Boren's Departure THAT Big of a Deal?

This morning, stories about Justin Boren (U of M's would-be return OL starter) leaving the team and "blasting" the program on his way out have been top three stories in terms of popularity on both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News websites. Seeing that the News is now reporting that Boren may transfer to OSU, I am sure this is just going to get even more press.

The question I have is; Does this story really deserve this much coverage?

The last few months have seen a lot of changes for Michigan's football team. Is this one really all that significant?

With an entirely new coaching staff that brings in drastically different philosophies on both sides of the ball, there is bound to be some hesitation from returning players. UM has already seen a few players choose not to return to the team because of the coaching change. I give Justin a lot of credit for at least trying to come back and play for the program, and believe that if his heart is not in it for one reason or another, he and the team are better off with his choice to leave.

We, as fans, can only speculate as to what is really behind Boren's decision. Is it really a "lack of family values" as his released statement indicated? Is it the fact that he wasn't tough enough, or in shape enough to handle the new faster-paced practices as some fans have said?

Personally I think a lot more of it has to do with the new offense being implemented and what a drastic change that is for the linemen, than it is a lack of toughness. To me, every starting lineman in the big ten has already proven his toughness. For so many years now, Michigan has been a team that likes to pound their running game down the throat of opposing defenses. This is a dream for linemen who like to get downfield and plow into someone. From Pee Wee football to Jr High and on to High School, most of what offensive linemen do is run blocking. Add another two years under Lloyd Carr, and it's not a stretch to believe that Boren would love run blocking (which he has stated in the past) and does not care so much for pass protecting.

If you have played offensive line at any level of football, you know the extreme differences between the two forms of blocking. As a run blocker, your job is to go hit someone and move them out of the way. As a pass protector, your job is to stand your ground and not be moved out of the way yourself by defenders coming at you. Two completely different skill sets, a bunch of different techniques for each skill set, and in all reality two different mindsets or attitudes.

The offensive changes for U of M this year will impact no group of players more than the linemen. Some may not be able to handle it physically and/or mentally. I applaud Boren for having the sense to recognize this team wasn't for him anymore, and having the conviction to act on it instead of just dealing with it and becoming an unhappy, and therefore less effective, player.

As for his statement, I'll cut him a little slack. I am sure he was pressured from everyone ranging from former teammates to local or even national media to explain why he left. I'm sure everyone wanted to hear the wisdom this 19 or 20 year-old could give about the Michigan program as he is dealing with what is possibly the biggest change in his life thus far. As anyone who has raised, or has been, a male around this age can attest, while they may think they know everything, that is most often not the case.

All in all I don't see this as much of a story. This happens all the time on football teams across the country at every level of competition. Boys and men of all backgrounds and all levels of football experience come to terms with the fact that the sport, as it is, is no longer for them. Some choose to stick it out to please their parents. Some choose to stay on as to not disappoint their teammates or coaches. Some choose to keep going because they feel they are supposed to, and don't see other alternatives.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is a story here. A story about a young man displaying enough maturity and conviction to follow what his heart is telling him. A story about growing pains, and how Justin Boren handles them.

But to me, there is no football story here. If this were a player who was one of the greatest RBs in NFL history poised to start a season where he could possibly surpass the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and decided to hang it up on the eve of training camp because his passion for the game had been killed by an inept head coach....now THAT would be a story.