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| This is a sad sight in so many ways. |
Willie Henry was your leading scorer. Michigan scored ten points altogether, with six coming on Henry's awesome interception return for a short touchdown. I like that Michigan is scoring some non-offensive touchdowns (Ben Gedeon returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Appalachian State, remember), but it's sad that the defense scored more points than 4-star recruit Devin Gardner, Biletnikoff Award watch list receiver Devin Funchess, Rivals 5-star running back Derrick Green, and so on.
In some ways, Funchess hurt the team. The most glaring example of this was when Gardner threw a skinny post to Funchess in the second quarter. Perhaps because of a bum ankle or laziness or inexperience at playing the wide receiver position, Funchess threw one paw out to try to catch a slightly overthrown pass. He could have stuck out both hands, and some guys would have dove. Instead, the ball bounced up to safety Brian Blechen, who pulled it in for the interception (and a nice return, which was negated by a questionable block-in-the-back penalty). Less obviously, Gardner seems more democratic with the football when Funchess is not on the field. The favorite target becomes Amara Darboh, but Darboh's not so overwhelmingly athletic that Gardner thinks he can beat triple coverage. With Funchess on the sideline, Gardner has to scan the whole field and will throw to Darboh, Jehu Chesson, Dennis Norfleet, Jake Butt, Khalid Hill, anyone. I'm not suggesting that the 6'5", 230 lb. guy with the #1 jersey should stay off the field altogether, but his presence - especially when he's limping - makes Michigan more of a one-dimensional team than they should be. That's the coaches' job to sort out.
The defense played great overall. Some people might point to the way-too-easy touchdown by Dres Anderson or the 67-yard screen pass to Bubba Poole as reasons that the defense underachieved in this one, but I don't think that was the case at all. Sure, those were flubs, but those happen in every game. Anderson's touchdown was a blown coverage, seemingly at the hands of sophomore safety Dymonte Thomas. The screen pass to Poole was a great call by Utah offensive coordinator Dave Christensen - and a terrible play by redshirt sophomore safety Jeremy Clark. Clark had no idea what to do and got caught up in the wash of a couple offensive linemen releasing downfield, rather than trying to get on top of Poole's route to slow him down. Overall, though, Michigan held Utah to 286 total yards (6 more than they allowed to Notre Dame), one offensive touchdown, and 13 first downs. Utah averaged 2.2 yards/carry as a team, including just 3.7 yards/carry by the running backs. If you told me before the game that Michigan would hold Utah to just one offensive touchdown and four field goals, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.
Are injuries a problem? I feel like injuries are a problem. I know every team goes through injuries, but it seems that Michigan's star player(s) get hurt every year. Devin Funchess got hurt in the second game and was still limping around in this one with an ankle injury that may linger for a while. Starting tight end Jake Butt is playing less than the ideal number of snaps because of his ACL recovery. Jabrill Peppers got hurt in week one, missed the Notre Dame game, and seemed to disappear for a stretch this game. Starting cornerback Raymon Taylor got hurt against the Fighting Irish and has yet to return. Both guys who were presumed to start at safety - Jarrod Wilson and Delano Hill - have missed extended time due to injuries. "Starting" linebacker Desmond Morgan has missed the last couple games, too. I would not say that the Wolverines have been devastated by injuries, but they aren't at full speed, either.
Derrick Green, you are not Darren Sproles. You are a 220 lb. former high school offensive guard. Run like it. I like that you have learned to pick up your feet in traffic, and I like that you are improving your vision. What I do not like is you tiptoeing through a hole on a straight-ahead run, getting planted on your butt by cornerback Tevin Carter, or running out of bounds when you have the choice to truck a defensive back or two. They say discretion is the better part of valor, but they also say "More yards good, less yards bad."
Derrick Green, you might be Darren Sproles. After years of eschewing passes to anyone other than Vincent Smith, the tailbacks finally got a chance to be involved in the passing game. Derrick Green had 2 catches - including a one-hander - for 26 yards, and Justice Hayes had 2 for 25. I don't think Green has the ability to become the next Eric Metcalf or Larry Centers, but Doug Nussmeier showing a willingness to throw to the running backs might set up other plays in the future.
What's Devin Gardner's problem? If I knew how to fix Gardner, I wouldn't be writing this here blog post. But as a blogger, it's my job to pretend I know.
- Gardner has an inherent - or coached - fixation on whoever his favorite target is from year to year. In 2012 it was Jeremy Gallon. In 2013 it was Jeremy Gallon. This year it's Funchess. Gardner locks onto his favorite receiver too quickly, and he throws to him even when he's well covered. This results in some amazing catches that make us think Gardner, Gallon, and Funchess are awesome. It also leads to lots of interceptions.
- Gardner has played for two coordinators who don't understand him. Both Nussmeier and Al Borges call too many play action waggles because they like to run the ball with lots of people stacked inside. Meanwhile, Gardner turns his back to the defense without having a good understanding of what's going on behind him, and it cuts the field in half. He generally keeps the ball or dumps it over the head of the unfoolable outside contain man to a fullback or tight end in the flat. Michigan has I-formation or under center tendencies with a quarterback - in my opinion - who should be running a pro-style shotgun/pistol offense the majority of the time.
- Michigan has yet to develop a solid complementary receiver to Funchess. Darboh is not a great route runner. Jehu Chesson does not have great ball skills. Dennis Norfleet seems comfortable only on bubble screens and swing passes. Jake Butt has been hurt. In yesterday's game, the big-play guy for Utah was Dres Anderson, but quarterback Travis Wilson was just as comfortable going to possession guy Kenneth Scott on any given play.
- The offensive line and defensive coordinators are in his head. Much like what we expected, the interior offensive line has improved its pass protection and blitz pickups, but the young/inexperienced offensive tackles are barely treading water. If any defensive coordinator fails to run an edge blitz on a critical down, it's probably because he feels sorry for Ben Braden and Mason Cole. Gardner's internal clock is screwed up because of it, so he spooks early.
How about a spread punt? No? Okay. We didn't need to tackle that Kaelin Clay guy, anyway.
To all the people who looked sideways at me in Friday's preview: thppppppppppppppbt. Some of you automatically assumed that Michigan would blow out Utah, and I have no idea why. Yes, their oodles of points in the first two games came against crappy opponents, but Michigan scored 52 and 34 points against crappy opponents. Utah has a solid blitzing defense and a capable, fast-paced offense. I think a lot of fans are falling prey to the whole "This is Michigan" mindset without looking at what's happening between the lines.
To all the people who looked sideways at me in Friday's preview: thppppppppppppppbt. Some of you automatically assumed that Michigan would blow out Utah, and I have no idea why. Yes, their oodles of points in the first two games came against crappy opponents, but Michigan scored 52 and 34 points against crappy opponents. Utah has a solid blitzing defense and a capable, fast-paced offense. I think a lot of fans are falling prey to the whole "This is Michigan" mindset without looking at what's happening between the lines.
Minnesota is a threat. Every team is a threat now. There are no "gimme" games on the schedule. Minnesota, Rutgers, Indiana, Northwestern, Maryland, they're all capable of beating Michigan. If you are not absolutely terrible on defense, Michigan might not be able to get into the red zone. I do think things will improve because I believe in Doug Nussmeier, and Devin Gardner improved throughout the 2013 season as well. Like the Notre Dame game, Michigan outgained the opponent (308 to 286) but couldn't find the consistency to put together a touchdown drive. At some point the plays will come together consistently enough to put offensive touchdowns on the board against decent teams, but if Brady Hoke wants to keep his job, it has to happen soon.
To that guy wondering why people weren't more positive...what say you now?
ReplyDeleteIt's beyond frustrating watching a "power" back get crushed by defensive backs. On the play Green was run over by the DB, why did he stop running in anticipation of contact? Stiff arm, lower the shoulder, run through the guy. Nope. He's too soft. Five star my ass.
I think Green is figuring out when to juke and when to run. He has shown some nifty feet the last couple weeks. I think he was just being indecisive on that play about whether he should try to juke or run through the guy. I don't think "instincts" have ever been listed as a strength for him.
DeleteI used to believe in Doug Nussmeier. Until yesterday. Our offense was a train wreck. Utterly uncoordinated with abysmal play calling. To be unable to even get close to the end zone all day, in spite of having very good field position on a regular basis is incomprehensible and inexcusable. We have tons of talent on offense, and this is the best Nussmeier can do with it? Not that it matters...this whole staff will be gone by December.
ReplyDeleteNussmeier is trying to run Alabama's offense with Michigan's players. No wonder that doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely UNREAL!
ReplyDeleteThis game from start to finish was a complete mess. This is what I would imagine the Barnum and Bailey Circus would be like if Homey the Clown was running the show. This was a complete disaster from of all sorts from an offensive perspective and a mild accident on defense.
The highlight of the game was a defensive lineman doing what he should be doing while covering space and getting his hands up to stop a pass. Just so happened that Henry was lucky enough to have better hands than Funchess, Chesson, Darboh and several others who play on the offense.
Gardner got the start and he deserved to get it, but as the game went on it became clearly obvious that he once again was feeling the game get away from him. Bringing Morris in was a good choice for two reasons. 1. The change of pace was needed as this train wreck was getting stale. 2. They needed to see who was going to step up and play for this team. The obligatory #3 is that Hoke needed to quiet his critics as well. The only thing we know for sure here is that Shane isn't an instant upgrade at the position and that turnovers are a real problem for this team. The upshot is that Shane hasn't been practicing with ones and most of his action came during a huge rain storm...doesn't make him Noah nonetheless.
This team is in deep trouble. The players seem to still be trying and don't appear to have given up yet, but there is a severe lack of coaching going on. This could spell disaster shortly if the team loses faith in the coach.
Overreaction.
Delete"They needed to see who was going to step up and play for this team. " So is the answer - nobody?
No way this is an overreaction as you say. This is exactly as it has looked for the last 3 weeks. ND, the first half of Miami of Ohio and now Utah. This team needs a "leader" and I am all for playing those who want to try. If that means putting Shane with the "1s" all week and letting him start next week, so be it. We now have almost two full seasons of Gardner and he is not improving. You are left with two options at this point 1. Go with the known and deal with 4-5 losses..maybe more or 2. Put Shane on the field and see what happens. We don't know his ceiling yet, but we know the ceiling for Gardner.
DeleteMorris has shown absolutely nothing to indicate that his ceiling can approach Gardner's current performance. He has played awful. Last year the excuse was "he's a freshman"...now it's "he needs to work with the 1's"?
DeleteHe worked with the ones in fall camp and was soundly defeated.
I understand that the offense has been incompetent. I saw it last season and was skeptical it would be much better this season.
Our desires for improvement don't change the reality that Gardner is the better QB. Last year, this year, yesterday, next Saturday and beyond. Morris' numbers are at a Bellomy level. You could call for him and not sound much less credible.
Lank....I don't know what you have been watching, but Devin is becoming a head case. He feels pressure almost immediately after snapping the ball. We have almost two full seasons over the course of 3 seasons to go by with starts in all 3 of those seasons. Morris has 1 start over the course of 2 seasons and has 3 years less in the program. He is by no means John Navarre or Chad Henne, but statistically he isn't far off from either this far in his career. If you want to go based only on statistics he is killing Gardner in the rushing game. One could argue that he commands the game better because he isn't running around like a lunatic trying to avoid pressure that isn't there. With the extremely small sample size there is no way you can tell me that we know anything about Morris' ceiling. Give him the start, let Devin watch from the sidelines....who knows maybe he will see something that slows the game down for him and see what happens. This isn't about being the savior, this is about seeing who rises to the occasion and takes care of the ball.
DeleteHe feels pressure because there is pressure. I think Devin has actually shown improved patience in the pocket, but the pass protection is worse than last year.
DeleteThe big thing with Devin is inaccuracy. He was not this bad last year and his mechanics look to have devolved.
You are just flat out making things up at this point re: Morris. Morris' stats are like Bellomy's, not remotely close to Navarre or Henne. Those guys had some struggles along the way but immediately had success. Navarre threw for 4 TDs/O INTS his first game and had 8 TDs to 1 INT his sophomore year, without the benefit of having a bowl game start under his belt at the same age. Henne was immediately good and never had any games as bad as KSU. I know you'll say the teammates were better and I won't disagree. Yet the fact remains-- Morris has been bad and another QB on the roster has been less bad.
Look at Gardner's sack numbers and tell me the pressure isn't there. He isn't a lunatic, he is under fire.
The arguments you make for Morris over Gardner can just as easily be made for Speights over Morris. We don't know his ceiling either. Or Bellomy for that matter.
My argument for Morris over Gardner at this point is based on relegating 2014 to the "build for next year" argument. I think we've seen the ceiling of Gardner in this offense. I don't think we've yet seen the ceiling for Morris in this offense. How high his ceiling is I can't say, but I think it's higher than Gardner's ... again, in this offense.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, keep Gardner and we go 7-5 and start next year with a relatively UNseasoned QB. Go with Morris and we go 6-6 and start the year with a more seasoned QB. It's come down to that.
I'm not a football expert, but my *sense* is Morris is better at sensing pocket pressure, is better and reacting more prudently to the pressure, and is better at seeing the field and getting the ball out quickly. Yes, he makes mistakes. That's because he has relatively little game experience.
With an offensive line such as we have it, the ability to get the ball out quickly in the short passing game is essential. To me, Morris seems to do that better. We don't have the luxury of having a skittish QB waiting for one receiver to come open in a play that requires time to develop.
As for Nussmeier ... if he truly has a free hand to run the offense in any way he sees fit, then there's cause of concern. But if he's hobbled by mandates from Hoke on key things ... then it's a different matter. If in fact Hoke is hindering him, then shame on Hoke ... and it would be yet another piece of evidence of Hoke's stubbornness that's hurting this program.
Did you say 7-5? Wow. What are you watching through your maize-colored glasses to give you any confidence that cluster**** team is capable of beating anyone? Long, long gone are the days where any Big Ten games can be counted as automatic W's. 5 more wins?? Thanks for the laugh.
DeleteI guarantee you Brady Hoke doesn't see that way. He's not to use the rest of 2014 as Shane Morris's extended training camp for 2015. If Hoke doesn't salvage this season, he won't be around for another.
DeleteI don't think losing every remaining game qualifies as building for next year. If Morris is the QB you will lose - every week. His confidence will be shot.
DeleteIt was good Morris got to play - only to show him how far he has to go to be effective.
I don't know what in the world is giving you the 'sense' you are talking about. Have you not watched Morris play?
DeleteGreat write up. My only bone:
ReplyDelete"Some people might point to the way-too-easy touchdown by Dres Anderson or the 67-yard screen pass to Bubba Poole as reasons that the defense underachieved in this one, but I don't think that was the case at all. Sure, those were flubs, but those happen in every game."
Where was our 67-yard screen pass or 28-yard crossing route TD? Those things don't happen to every team every game. We're special.
I'm not saying they happen for every team in every game. An example from earlier this year would be the Devin Funchess TD against Appalachian State on the crossing route. Or Green and Smith's numerous long runs. If teams always played perfect defense, every game would end up with scores of 14-10. A lot of the points scored in football are when teams blow a coverage, fill the wrong gap, etc.
DeleteEvery point you made in this post is very accurate. Funchess is hurting the team, we need other WR/TE to get involved, and Derrick Green needs to hit the whole stronger and faster. If it wasn’t for our Defense Michigan would have lost 23-3. Hoke/Nussemeier offense hasn’t scored on a Power 5 opponent in 2 games shm!
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with your evaluation of Shane vs Devin this game. Shane got thrown into a situation that wasn't winnable in the 4th quarter down 3 touchdowns and a defense daring him to throw. Devin on the other hand is just terrible, for a 5th year QB with 1 year experience at WR you would think he would understand DB coverage and anticipating WR getting open but he doesn't. Coming into this season I believed Devin was the right QB but 4 games into the season he still plays timid, can't read defenses , and locks onto 1 WR.
It's time for Shane Morris to start at QB. I would rather win or lose with a sophomore QB getting valuable game experience with 3 years left than a 5th year senior that haven't developed the skills to take this team to the next level and on his way out the door.
Michigan was never down by three touchdowns. They were down by two scores (including two 2-point conversions). And yes, Morris entered the game when Michigan had almost no choice but to pass, but that has not been the case in all of his appearances. Most of his career appearances have occurred during late-game situations when it would be very much expected for Michigan to run the ball. Regardless of the situation, Morris throws interceptions - against CMU, Kansas State, EMU, and Utah.
DeleteI completely agree with you. I really wanted Gardner to make it because he seems like a great kid, but he has lost all of his confidence. I would rather get Shane some experience because this season is a wash.
DeleteWe're 2-2. We have played 0 conference games. People who think the season's already over should be ashamed of themselves and go root for some other team.
DeleteI'd be fascinated to hear where you think this miraculous improvement is going to come from. Those of us who know college football and have watched it for decades realize that this team's problem is not talent or experience…it's poor coaching and motivation. Those things are not going to change this year. Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison are not going to become better coaches over the next 2 or 3 weeks, nor is anyone else on the staff. There is no "better" to be had here. Hoke's teams at Michigan have NEVER improved from the start of a season to the end, and there is no reason whatsoever to expect improvement this year over what we've already seen.
DeleteThere are two reasons why Shane should start in front of Devin: 1) Devin's shot confidence and 2) Shane's potential. As for 1) The book is out on how to beat Devin: max pressure him and he will throw the ball to your wide-open middle linebacker or safety. Last night I watched Clemson's true freshman quarterback cooly throw accurate passes to open receives as the blitz was coming in. Devin will never be able to do that so the strategy against him will always work. Plus, his inaccuracy makes even receptions minimal gains. Plus, did I mention his shot confidence? 2) Come on about Shane. The guy needs reps. He came into an obvious passing situation in a driving rainstorm and you are going to dismiss him for that high throw? The guy throws with confidence and a lot of his passes are outstanding ones. It would help if the receivers would catch his passes, but with reps they will. For these reasons, our only hope is with Shane playing. I can't believe this even has to be argued after a Devin run offense has 3 points in 2 games against Power-5 opponents.
DeleteBlastBeat, don't give me that "we can still win the conference" thing. Do you really think this crappy team can beat anyone in the Big Ten? We'll get raped by Michigan State and Ohio State, something like 50-3 at this rate. Minnesota might very well beat us. This season is doomed, and this is coming from a hopeless homer.
DeleteThe Morris excuses just never stop. Hackenburg, Forcier, Henne - these guys can come in and start as Freshman and play fine but Shane is our only child special snowflake.
DeleteHe was awful against KSU and he was awful against Utah and Gardner has been better than him at every step. Get real.
How was he "awful" against KSU? 24-38-1 for 196 may not be incredible but seems okay given the total lack of a run game, not to mention pass protection.
DeletePeople who think lighting the rest of the year on fire to "prepare for the future" that we might not even have are delusional and up their own asses.
ReplyDeleteThat's all I really have to say about that. I feel dumb for looking sideways at you, Magnus, although in my defense, our struggles were more our offense shitting itself than Utah (outside of Orchard) doing anything special.
Also, Travis Wilson is a dunderhead. That was the dumbest leap I've ever seen, considering his history.
It was a very dumb leap. Otherwise though, Wilson played fairly well.
DeletePlease, Dave Brandon, please hire Les Miles! I'm begging you. Les Miles and the LSU coaching staff are our only hope at this point.
ReplyDeleteStarting to hear that Les Miles may become a reality this time around.
ReplyDelete"That happened after Saturday, too, as Miles was working up to his big finish and he gave this marching order to Tigers fans because his players had just won a cliffhanger: 'YOU GO FIND THEM, YOU THROW YOUR ARMS AROUND THEM, YOU GIVE THEM A BIG KISS ON THE MOUTH --
ReplyDeleteIF you're a girl,' Miles added, quickly catching himself."
Lol, I can't wait for this guy, and I'm being serious. We need someone like him, we haven't had a "funny" coach in forever.
I'll come for my serving of crow, I predicted the Michigan 45, Utah 10 score. I thought that the talent gap between the two teams was enormous and we would finally put it together. I really thought after the last two weeks that Hoke would have these guys playing to their capabilities. The talent is there, unless the recruiting services and our coaches evaluation just completely wrong (this doesn't seem to be the case for other teams). Devin Gardner and Shane Morris are about the same, the offensive line needs to buy them some time. Thunder nailed it about our two new tackles unable to hold up against any outside blitzes. That being said, smash mouth run it down their throat between the tackles is also ineffective. Everything we are trying on offense is failing miserably, I think someone whether it be a captain, coach needs to step up and show some leadership.
ReplyDeleteGardner was very bad. Morris was a trainwreck. The best thing about yesterday was that they actually played Morris. His awful performance serves to shut up the nutters out there (a bit) and (hopefully) motivates Morris to get better.
ReplyDeleteI thought Funchess bailed on that ball in the second, but I think Gardner deserves a good bit of blame for hanging him out to get nailed in the first quarter. Gardner was inaccurate, even on his completions.
Disagree that Darboh is the top 2nd option. I saw a lot of balls thrown to Chesson. Those seemed to come at the expense of targets to Butt. Darboh made a really impressive catch on one of Gardner’s high balls. Agree the Chesson’s “ball skills” are lacking. These ‘other’ WRs are solid, but unexceptional. The Darboh hype was BS.
Gardner is still locking in on guys. If it’s not Funchess, it’s someone else. I don’t think it’s a Funchess-specific thing, since you saw it with Gallon and you see it with Norfleet, Chesson, whoever his #1 option is on the play. Denard did it too. I don’t know if you blame Gardner, the fact that he’s had 3 OCs, or the quality of coaching. Probably all 3.
I think the OL is really a problem. Your ‘internal clock’ comments are dead-on IMO. We saw Gardner devolve last season. He did the opposite of improving. He traded INTs for an endless barrage of sacks and the offense stopped being effective. I don’t think he has recovered from that, and I don’t know that he will.
Agree the defense was good. They are not great though. They got a big boost from Utah Wilson missing a lot of the first half. He was a far better player than their backup.
I don’t see anything unusual about the injuries – that was a strange comment to make.
I thought Green looked good. I thought the run-blocking looked about as expected – better than last year, still bad.
I think my comments in the preview were dead on. Utah is the better team, and it’s not even close. Utah has the better program, the better coaching staff, the better team. This loss is not unexpected and it’s not cause for panic. Utah is better than most Big 10 teams.
Minnesota is not a threat. Rutgers is not a threat. Indiana and Northwestern and Maryland are though.
Michigan can still win the big 10. They probably won’t, not with this OL, not with this coaching staff, not with the way Gardner is playing… but they can. This defense is good and they’ll be able to run well enough to beat bad teams like Minn and Rutgers. Beyond that, we don’t know.
I agree, another mistake I made in predicting that crazy (in retrospect score) is no respect for Utah. They play really well, their corners can play man, their defense runs to the ball and their special teams just massacred us (3/4 on fg's, a punt return for a TD and a punter that can consistently punt 50 yards, their kick coverage was good too). I think their QB was tough as nails and they will be a force in the Pac-12, Utah is a sleeper.
DeleteThe offense never started being effective in 2013. They had good games against CMU and Notre Dame early, but I'd rather have a QB taking sacks than throwing interceptions. I think he threw 10 in the first half of the year, and then just 1 in the final six games.
DeleteI'd rather score points than not. Michigan scored when Gardner threw interceptions and did not when he took sacks. He was told to be conservative, and he heeded his directive. The season collapsed from there.
DeleteThe lack of respect for Utah, which is still prevalent in everyone's hostility towards this whole situation is baffling.
DeleteUtah is a better program than Michigan and has been for a decade now. They are in a better conference. They have a better coach. They have stability. They are 2-0 against us and will be heavily favored to be 3-0 by this time next year.
This is just stupid. The minute Utah joined a real conference those great seasons became 5-7. Stop pretending like going 10-2 in the MWC for a few years means anything.
DeleteAre they better than us right now, yes, but acting like they were better than us at any point during the Carr years is just stupid.
They beat Michigan the first year after the Carr era.
DeleteTwo years earlier they won the Fiesta Bowl and went undefeated, beating Texas A&M, BYU, and Arizona along the way.
Utah has consistently been better than Michigan for many years now. Denying it is no better than denying Oregon was better in 2003. Utah has passed Michigan. Their 5-7 team was better than our 7-5 team last year and they whooped us on Saturday.
Miles is not the answer for Michigan.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I'm not a guy that hopes Michigan gets bad coaches.
DeleteI'm not a guy who believes that just because you're around success means you're the reason for it.
DeleteMiles is not going to bring Louisiana and Texas recruiting to our backyard. He MIGHT try to bring the cheating and corruption at that program? You want that? You probably do. I don't.
I think Les Miles amounted to damaged goods many years ago. He's not very saintly (no big deal to me ... just an observation) and he's played dirty (necessary in the land of "bag men") for a long time. He would be a poor cultural fit with UMich.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the "Les Miles for HC" bandwagon.
DeleteDan Mullen from Mississippi State is intriguing. I'm not saying he's the Messiah, just intriguing.
Dan Mullen would be far superior to Miles IMO.
DeleteMullen would be a great candidate if this was 4 years ago. Now Michigan would have to go through ANOTHER scheme transition. I'm not sure the program could weather that.
DeleteMullen is a great example of why we should be patient. There are some parallels to his arc at MSU with Hoke's at UM. Nobody seems to want to hear it, but more often than not it takes time to get it right. Most coaches deserve 5 years unless they show gross incompetence. Hoke's punt philosophy is the closest he's come to that. OL development was the other big question and there are some solid signs in that regard.
Hoke's punt philosophy -- by itself -- is the least of our problems.
DeleteNow, if you're saying his punt philosophy, as a proxy for his overall philosophy, is illustrative of gross incompetence ... then okay.
Yesterday's punt return for TD on the punt was due to very poor special teams play. Not the punt formation per se.
The punt thing is huge because it speaks to Hoke's head-in-the-sand (or backward looking, if you prefer that metaphor). Just like huddling and no headphones and other stuff. Maybe acceptable as quirk or personal preference if it's just one thing and you are winning. Taken in aggregate, coupled together....
DeleteAnd, even if our O had come back to functionality, we could have lost the game because of that special teams TD. You can't say "ah it was just a bad play".The point is that it is an inferior strategy, that reduces your margin of error. Poor play is going to happen, you can mitigate for it or not. It's like saying "you have to execute". But why put yourself in a difficult position when you don't need to.
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ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm (a) stupid, (b) a "nutter," and (c) delusional. Fine. You may be right. I don't really care.
ReplyDeleteIf Michigan is going to ride the Gardner wagon for the rest of this season, then at least play to Gardner's skill set -- go to a modified read-option spread (best one can given the current personnel) and let Gardner do what he's limited to doing -- playing out of the shotgun, using his legs more, and allowing him to make basic decisions while on the move. He's a great athlete with an athlete's instincts about football. He's *not* an under-center, drop-back QB. Not now; not ever.
I'm *not* saying Shane Morris is going to miraculously win games. But to say he's "terrible" is just stupid on the face of it. He's shown the ability to get the ball out quickly and with some accuracy. His receivers are not doing him any favors -- Heitzman against Miami; Norfleet in that deep pass against Utah (that was on his hands and catchable). He was put in the Utah game late, in a pouring rain, with no running game to support him, an offensive line with issues, and a Utah defense that was dialed into what Michigan was doing. Payton Manning would look "terrible" under those conditions.
The argument that Hoke won't go with Morris because he has no "next year" to look forward to has merit. If Hoke's thinking is "I'm going out anyway, so I may as well reward Gardner" then I understand. I don't agree with it, but I understand.
But we'll see. We'll see what the coaches do. And we'll see how this team does going forward.
7-5 is absolute best case at this point. 6-6 is more likely. 5-7 is not out of the question.
@DonAZ
DeleteIf this is a response to me, I meant no disrespect, but I disagree.
I don't think a scheme change is the answer. It just sets back the program further. These half-steps and constant flux are how we got here. More of the same you say? No thanks.
What they need to do is stick with it and get better. Taking their lumps, hopefully for the sake of a good conference season.
Morris has been terrible. The results speak for themselves. The guy you're badmouthing has outplayed Morris at every single turn. Including yesterday. Morris might be good some day, he might not, but he's not good today. Throwing him out there will get you freshman year Mallet level outcomes. We've already seen it. It's not even a hypothetical. We know. Morris couldn't even produce with the game out of hand. Accuracy you say? To the opposition's DBs?
The excuses for KSU don't apply to Utah. The exxcuse to Utah don't apply to KSU. The excuses for Gradner beating him out in practice...I don't know what those even are. There is simply not a single bit of evidence to say that Morris is a better QB. You might want him to be, but it doesn't mean his.
The "well, we gotta try something" and the "we have nothing to lose arguments" - why not make those for Bellomy or Speights if you're going that route?
The issues you mentioned -- most will still be there if he's a starter. And they are the same issues Gardner has to deal with.
Hoke is going to play the best QB. I don't think it's very complicated.
The best case scenario is 10-2, the worst case is 2-10. Either one is feasible. We have no clue if MSU and OSU are any better than Utah and ND, and this team can build off the bits of improvement they have shown in the run game. We know Gardner can play better than he is playing. Scheme changes take time. The defense can kick it up an extra notch. etc.
I would say that OSU and MSU are 80% likely to be losses. I would say that Minnesota and Rutgers are 80% likely to be wins. Michigan will have to scrap and fight to get wins in the games in between but none are a sure loss - and none of those teams are as good as ND or Utah.
We agree to disagree.
DeleteNow I'm *really* interested in the Minnesota game. By all rights -- even AFTER the Utah debacle -- Michigan should dispatch Minnesota without too much difficulty.
If they do, it doesn't really prove much. If they don't ... well, then it tells a LOT.
Agreed. I think we trounce Minnesota, as we did App State and Miami. Minnesota is not that much better.
DeleteIf we do not beat them easily, then you have two bits of evidence (ND and Minn) that this team is significantly worse than last year...and it'll be nail-in-coffin time for Hoke barring an upset against MSU and/or OSU on the road.
I'm less concerned with the punt formation than the fact that hager up cant friggin punt!!!!! No distance control and a complete lack of any hang time. Maybe they should let him get high as it might improve his punting.
ReplyDeleteI chuckle at those obsessing about the punt formation. Could somebody do a fact check and tell us how many punts were returned for TDs when the punt team had 11 players on the field? How about just 10?
ReplyDeleteThe problems on this team are infinitely greater, and simpler, than play calling, schematics, and strategy. The root of the problem is what Hoke has been saying since the first game of 2011...doing the little things. Well sure, Hoke tells us they talk to the players about this that and the other thing...but do they actually demand that it be done? If so, what are the consequences when they aren't? What was the consequence for Magnuson when he was called for holding, on a run play of all things? What is the consequence for poor route running by WRs? Who was supposed to be on the field for the punt, wasn't, and if he was injured, why wasn't there a replacement? Who's in charge of this goat screw?
I'm sure the results are not good, but it's sort of beside the point. Michigan is pursuing a strategy that is clearly inferior. The statistics back it up and Michigan doesn't bother to explain why it does the inferior thing. They don't owe us an explanation if they have a real reason, but raise your hand if you think they have a legitimate one.
DeleteLloyd Carr of all people tried the spread punt a decade ago. We sucked at executing it and never went back, but even he acknowledged it was worth trying.
There are bigger problems, yes, but it's an indicator that the whole direction of this program is bullheaded and wrong.
"Make more demands" isn't a fix.
I chuckle at those obsessing about the punt formation. Could somebody do a fact check and tell us how many punts were returned for TDs when the punt team had 11 players on the field? How about just 10?
ReplyDeleteThe problems on this team are infinitely greater, and simpler, than play calling, schematics, and strategy. The root of the problem is what Hoke has been saying since the first game of 2011...doing the little things. Well sure, Hoke tells us they talk to the players about this that and the other thing...but do they actually demand that it be done? If so, what are the consequences when they aren't? What was the consequence for Magnuson when he was called for holding, on a run play of all things? What is the consequence for poor route running by WRs? Who was supposed to be on the field for the punt, wasn't, and if he was injured, why wasn't there a replacement? Who's in charge of this goat screw?
Remember when the big fear around here was Gardner one and done and off to the NFL?
ReplyDeleteGardner was recruited to play Rodriguez' system where many passes came off of the threat of a quarterback run. Niether Borgis or Nussmeier have the first idea of what a Gardner package should look like, and in all likelihood, along with Hoke neither had any desire to run a package that would maximize Gardner's skill set at the QB position.. Pity. From Gardner's standpoint, I don't think it matters so much as his future is running routes.
No, and that is against NFL rules.
DeleteSure you do Lanky, as you were absolutely one of those guys. Don't play kids games. One and done as a starting QB me boy.
DeleteThat's not what one and done means.
DeleteI remember people in August of '13 saying he might leave in December of '13. That would have been after his senior year which is not one and done under anyone's definition.
I don't disagree with your overall point regarding DF possibly hurting the team when he isn't 100% healthy, but I disagree with your assessment of the pass that he tried to make a one hand grab on going over the middle.
ReplyDeleteEarlier in the game DG lead DF on a throw that took him head long into the safety and he just about got decapitated. I think DF was a little leary of laying out for this pass after that hit and simply let his nerves get the better of him. He's already hurt after all and you could see that hit took something out of him too. It was certainly a catchable ball, but I blame DG for that miss more than DF because it was his previous pass that caused DF to have a little fear in the back of his mond while crossing over the middle of the field. This is just my opinion though.
The simple fact is.. DG isn't getting better and might be getting worse. His accuracy is questionable on a high percentage of his throws. His running is not good enough to make up for fumbles and lost yardage plays. His decision making is just terrible. He scrambles just enough to mess up the blocking angles for a young oline.
ReplyDeleteThey have to try different options period.