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| Devin Gardner passed for 503 yards and ran for 81, totaling 5 touchdowns. |
Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Jeremy Jackson. Slot receiver Drew Dileo appeared to have been injured and spent much of the game on the sideline with a headset (why does a slot receiver need a headset?), and Jackson stepped in with 2 catches for 23 yards. I have never been a fan of Jackson, largely because of his lack of speed. Here's hoping that Dileo comes back for the next game, because he's a superior target who can run a little bit after the catch.
Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Jourdan Lewis. Lewis played as a backup cornerback yesterday and ended the day with 5 solo tackles. He was beaten on a long pass, but the coverage was almost perfect. He also nearly had a pick on a late throw by Tre Roberson, tipping it into the hands of safety Thomas Gordon. Michigan might need not need him for a few weeks, but Lewis could be valuable against up-tempo teams like Northwestern.
Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . Channing Stribling. Cornerback Stribling started the game because Michigan spent almost the entire day with at least five defensive backs, moving Blake Countess into the slot. It looked like Stribling blew a coverage on Indiana slot receiver Shane Wynn's 5-yard touchdown catch, and Stribling also got out-muscled and out-techniqued by Kofi Hughes on a 67-yard touchdown. Instead of leaping with his fingers up to get the ball at its highest point, Stribling tried to cradle the ball into his chest - a high school-level technique issue - and allowed Hughes to come over the top for a catch. The coaches seem to like Stribling more than Lewis, perhaps because of the difference in size and strength; but Lewis seems to be more ready for the speed of the college game.
Play of the game . . . Jeremy Gallon's first 70-yard catch. In an unbalanced set, quarterback Devin Gardner ran a play fake to the left. As he turned around, Indiana's backside end came bearing down on him, forcing Gardner to sidearm the throwback to Gallon. Gallon caught it in stride, came inside his block, dodged a couple tacklers, and started racing downfield. Meanwhile, center Graham Glasgow was almost stride for stride with Gallon for about 40 yards before finally realizing that he's supposed to be slow. Safety Greg Heban eventually chased down Gallon on the right sideline, but it was a pretty play up to that point.
MVP of the game . . . Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon. I can't pick just one, so they share the trophy. Without Gallon, Gardner doesn't have a record-setting day. And without Gardner, Gallon doesn't have a record-setting day. Take away either one, and this likely would have gone down as a loss. Gardner had the second-best total yardage performance in Big Ten history (503 passing, 81 rushing), set a school record for passing yards, and totaled 5 touchdowns. Gallon had the best receiving yardage total in Big Ten history (369 yards) while catching 14 passes and scoring 2 touchdowns; he also had two 70-yard receptions in one game, similar to Roy Roundtree's 246-yard performance against Illinois in 2010 in which he had two 75-yarders.
I watched the game again last night on BTN with the idea of watching the guards and Stribbling.
ReplyDeleteMagnuson looked quick and smooth pulling left. It was easy to see why people were loving his mobility as a high school tackle.
I still like Stribbling's game better than Thunder does, although I get the complaint. His technique isn't very good anywhere except when it comes to getting there. I think more than a speed of the game issue it's simply that the kid has enjoyed a speed and length advantage for most of his life. To play at this level you need to actually employ the techniques you are given in practice as everybody at this level was a stud in high school. He hasn't assimilated that one yet.
Once again, as dumb as this sounds, the good thing about this kid is that when he screws the pooch, you know for sure it was him because he's right there in the middle of the screen screwing the pooch, as opposed to being three yards behind the play trying to catch up. I couldn't agree more that the kid has to way improve technically, but I watch him cover to the extent I'm able watching TV and think to myself that he's got a chance to grow up to be the shut down cover corner we haven't had around here in a long time.
I'd play him in two weeks ........ after kicking his butt all day, every day until then.
Agree on Stribling. He's been in the right place but 6'2/180 and playing soft aren't cutting it at this level. The potential is certainly there.
DeleteThe "speed of the game" thing is not just limited to foot speed. It's mental speed, too. It's realizing that high school wideouts might not have the quickness/athleticism to come over the top and make those catches, so you have to react to the ball quicker. That play that Kofi Hughes made over him on Saturday would have been a pick for Stribling against almost any high schooler.
DeleteI think you're being a little harsh on Stribling. He should probably be red-shirting given he's a beanpole still, but he's looked pretty good to me other than the three big plays. The coverage is there - the execution and technique should be the easy part. Perhaps 3 big plays is enough to pull him, but I'd still rather throw him on the outside than Avery again. Why Avery isn't playing nickel with Countess/Taylor outside remains a mystery to me. Avery seems to have nice awareness and solid tackling, but he's limited as a cover guy. I think Stribling is going to be an all-conference player at some point.
ReplyDeleteDileo probably doesn't NEED a headset but it's something a lot of skill position players do to listen and learn. Wouldn't surprise me if Dileo had coaching aspirations, knowing that his playing career is a few games from being over.
Totally agree on POTG. Great call and standout individual execution. Also agree on MVP - both guys are playing like studs. Tons of respect for both kids.
I agree that he should probably be redshirting, and I'm actually pretty high on him down the road. But right now he's just not up to the level of playing in the Big Ten. I'm not down on Stribling at all. It's expected that freshmen won't be studs immediately. But since that's the case, you need older guys to be in place, compete, etc.
DeleteObvs I could be wrong, but it seems like his issues could be the sort of thing that disappears quickly. He's not going to magically gain muscle overnight, but I think the urgency and aggressiveness needed to snatch those balls away from receivers (or at least knock the ball away) can be.
DeleteIf so, you have a guy making impact plays (for the good guys) - which to me is better than putting Avery or Hollowell outside and crossing your fingers that they stick to their man and time their jumps just right.
In other words, freshman mistakes will happen, but they don't necessarily need to push you to the bench for good. Stribling needs to play better, but I don't think "seeing less of him" is necessarily the right path for this team.
Another big play mistake and I will quickly retract this view.
One thing I notice watching both Bosch and Magnuson compared to Kalis and Bryant is that Saturday's duo move their feet so much better. Kalis not Bryant aren't by any means lost causes, but if Michigan is planning on running and throwing out of the gun as much as it did on Saturday, I like the current tandem. Magnuson, definitely, needs to get stronger. He has very good feet and technique, but when guys bull-rushed he definitely gave up ground. MSU DT's will make it interesting. Lastly, on the OL, Graham Glascow showed tremendous athleticism on Saturday. He may eventually move from center, but he will never not be one of the best 5. He looked great on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Stribling, I think he and Lewis are near carbon copies of each other. They both rely on the athleticism and instincts primarily. The area they both need to improve on is their strength. Both of them are excellent in man to man coverage, but when competing for position when the ball is in the air, they simply can't make a play. The WR's can simply out-muscle either of them when its time to make a play on the ball. Both guys willl be very good next year and are already very close now. They just need to get much stronger.
I totally agree on Bosch and Magnuson. It comes down to scheme. Those are two prime examples of guys who are physically built to run power, but not so much for running shotgun/spread concepts.
DeleteA great point!
DeleteNot sure how much not having Dileo back will matter. His production has been pretty disappointing this year..only 8 catches and 99 yards in 7 games. Part of that is the fact that Borges can't seem to design a play that uses him, instead of just "have Gardner run around back there and hope somebody comes open". But I had been hoping for 25-30 catches from him this year.
ReplyDeleteIf Michigan runs more spread concepts like they did last Saturday, I feel like Dileo's production could jump a little bit. Getting 3 catches per game out of him isn't out of the question, in my opinion.
DeleteIt's great to see Kyle Bosh come in and contribute but one of my concerns is why ins't Kyle Kalis starting? If he's as physically gifted as everyone says is the reason becuase he's not very smart? Seems like the only thing holding him back would be learning the schemes. Is this going to be an issue for him going forward. I would love to see him on the field.
ReplyDeleteI think he's struggling to learn the schemes and technique for what Michigan wants. The zone stretch plays are not a good fit for him, in my opinion. The tough part is that Michigan has some guys who fit zone blocking and some guys who don't. The two guys who seem to be able to do both are Lewan and Schofield, who are both gone after this year. Magnuson is a guy who can probably do both, too, but he's obviously far from a finished product.
DeleteIt would help if there was some consistency from the OC. I still think Kalis and Braden can be good players, but the learning curve is higher when there is inconsistency.
DeleteI was watching the game again, and I thought maybe Gallon could win the Heisman. I know, I know, it is very premature. Last season he really came through with 800+ yard performance, and he already has more than 800 yards with 7 TDs with 5 games left to play in the regular season. If he could haul in 1500 yards, 6~7 more TDs and beat both Michigan State and Ohio State, do you think Gallon could be in the conversation? I'd be really sad to see him go after this season -- hopely Chesson, Darboh, and others can start producing next season.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think he could win the Heisman. Maybe the Biletnikoff if the second half of the season is REALLY good. But I just don't think he has the exposure or the all around game (punt returns, kick returns, running the ball, whatever) to win the POY-type awards.
DeleteAh, I tried. It would've been a long shot anyway.
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