Let's see more of this guy on offense . . . Hassan Haskins. Haskins averaged 5.9 yards per carry on 17 attempts (stat line: 17 rushes, 106 yards, 2 TD). The quarterbacks combined to average 4.0 yards per passing attempt. Of course, you're probably not going to be able to break off big runs if you're handing off the ball 60 times and throwing it 20 times, but Haskins was not used enough. He's the most consistent runner behind a mediocre (or bad) offensive line.
Hit the jump for more.
Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Cade McNamara. I hate to say it, because I do think McNamara gives Michigan the best chance to win, but McNamara's throwing shoulder was not operating properly. He was playing pretty well prior to getting injured, and he ended up 12/25 for 91 yards. Hopefully he can get healthy for the Ohio State game, but ultimately, you want him to be healthy long-term.
Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Kwity Paye. I say this not because anyone wants Paye on the sideline, but because Michigan's defensive line was noticeably more explosively with him on the field after missing two weeks due to injury. With the season spiraling downward, I hope he sticks it out for Michigan's final two or three games. He made 4 tackles and 1 of just 2 quarterback hurries on the day for the Wolverines.
Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . Adam Shibley. It's great that Shibley is a feel-good story as a walk-on, and he has performed fairly well (6 tackles against PSU). Ultimately, he's just not a difference-maker as an athlete. Michigan might as well play for the future by getting some young guys playing time, such as Kalel Mullings and Nikhai Hill-Green. Shibley couldn't keep up with Penn State's freshman, 230-pound running back, and that physical mismatch is just going to get worse against Maryland and Ohio State.
Play of the game . . . A.J. Henning's leaping catch for a 28-yard gain. It was the rare big gainer for a Michigan team that only had 112 yards through the air on Saturday, but down 20-10 late in the third quarter, an injured McNamara lofted a slot fade for Henning, who brought down a tough catch.
Incredible grab by A.J. Henning 😤
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) November 28, 2020
(via @BigTenNetwork)pic.twitter.com/tkVf0Htzw5
MVP of the game . . . Hassan Haskins. As mentioned above, Haskins had 17 carries for 106 yards (5.9 yards/carry) and 2 touchdowns. He was the best part of Michigan's offense. I wish he had a little more top-end speed to turn that 59-yard run into a touchdown, but beggars can't be choosers.
Michigan RB Hassan Haskins on that drive: 60-yard run + TD run pic.twitter.com/Qx97jx7Qeo
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 28, 2020
If Henning doesn't catch that and a DB gets it instead we call it an arm punt and complain about the QB. But when your offense isn't moving the ball it's what you have to try.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of two passed that probably went farther then 10 yards in the air. That is not a way to win. You have to throw deep at least once a quarter and preferably to your tallest guy or a great jumper like AJ. But yea if that wasn't caught people would be saying it was a bad throw. Even if P. Mahomes threw it.
DeleteYep. This is why Joe Milton's short stint as a starter has been so frustrating. You have the speed at receiver to get downfield, and you have the arm to get it there...and you just don't take downfield shots.
DeleteThe guy with the weak(er) arm is a better downfield thrower than the guy with the rifle. McNamara has hit deep shots to Sainristil, Henning, and Johnson, whereas I think Milton's only real deep ball that he hit was the one to Cornelius Johnson against Indiana.
Mcnamara with a lesser - and even busted arm - is more trusted by the staff than Milton. Joe Milton was feel good story, never a sound pick for QB
DeleteGiving McNamara credit for this kind of thing seems dubious. Neither he nor Milton have been good downfield - that the coaches won't even try it when their offense is scuffling tells you something.
DeleteI don't understand why we just don't play the young guys more. Use Shibley a little bit but put some of the future in to get them ready. Especially on Defense.
ReplyDeleteI generally believe that on defense, Michigan puts its best guys out there. They had every chance to yank Vincent Gray in favor of someone else, and they didn't do it (except for a short stretch against Wisconsin, IIRC). There have been a couple exceptions (some people think Josh Uche should have played earlier, and Ben Gedeon should have played over Joe Bolden). This staff has a pretty good track record of good defenses, 2020 notwithstanding.
DeleteExactly. Coaches have earned some trust here. If you put an obviously inferior player out there, even over a walk-on, you're telling everyone you are giving up on the season. Sticking with Gray seems like it could pay off.
DeleteI have no issue with rotating some freshman in for development but you don't just bench the better player for good.
Moot point with the season probably over but this criticism of coaches seems like going overboard.
Thunder do you think Ross has enough speed to make it to the NFL? He seems to make alot of tackles. And also what do you think his Forty is? I always like to know a 40 times for players. U know it doesn't always translate to football speed. I thought the said he has good shuttle times for change of direction.
ReplyDeleteDo I think he has enough speed to make it TO the NFL? Sure. Based on whatever film is out there for this season, I don't think teams would be very interested right now, because he's blown a bunch of assignments. He's a guy who needs to come back in 2021 if he wants to get drafted. He would be a UDFA guy right now, I think.
DeleteI haven't heard anything about a 40 time for Ross, but I would guess he's about a 4.7.
One other question why doesn't Michigan use smaller faster LBs like other schools do? Like a 215 220lb Alot of schools use them and they seem to be studs. Pretty sure Clemson and ND have a couple this year.
ReplyDeleteNotre Dame's starting linebackers are Drew White (227), Shayne Simon (230), and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (215). AVG = 224
DeleteClemson's are Baylon Spector (230), Jake Venables (235), and Mike Jones (220). AVG = 228
Michigan's linebackers are Michael Barrett (227), Cam McGrone (236), and Josh Ross (230). AVG = 231
The only real outlier is Barrett at 227, because he's a heavier nickel linebacker than the other two teams'. But the two guys who preceded him at that spot (Peppers, Hudson) were 215-220.
So I think Michigan is pretty much on par with other teams when it comes to linebacker size.
I kind of agree with this take. Barrett had a really good game 1 but has been a virtual non-factor since. They should move him inside (as they did with Glasgow) and let somebody more dynamic play viper.
DeleteWhat is Haskins' secret sauce ... is he really shifty, or does he make really good choices about where to run, or does he stay on his feet really well, or is he a real bruiser? I know *of* him, but I don't much *about* his style of play.
ReplyDeleteReally, I think Haskins is a very good running back except for his lack of breakaway speed. I think I would probably rank Patience as his #1 attribute. He waits for holes to open up and sets up his blocks well. He also flashes good vision, even though there's a pretty popular picture/clip of him missing a hole against OSU last year when he was running Wildcat. On top of that, he probably has the best balance of any of the running backs.
DeleteI wish he was a little bit faster, and I wish he would break out a stiff-arm once in a while. But overall, I've come around to him. I'm on the Haskins bandwagon now.
He keeps his feet moving. Not strong, not fast, and definitely not shifty... but he keeps his feet moving. That matters
DeleteHe's not as strong as Deveon Smith but has the same kind of toughness to keep running through contact and manufacture yards. He's faster too. These are the two best backs Michigan has had in recent years IMO.
DeleteThe balance is a standout thing as Thunder said but you also don't see too much dancing from him. When he cuts back he does it decisively, and it's moving the ball forward, not hunting around for the big gainer that probably isn't there trying to outrun guys.