What next for Milton?
It seems like McNamara will be the locked-in starter for the rest of the season and this leaves some major issues that potentially can come up. Mainly what happens with Milton?
Does this coaching staff convince him that he's still who they think he is and getting him to keep working at his craft to improve his touch? Or does he mentally check out and throw his name in the transfer portal? If McNamara gets injured or COVID then whoa...
Almost a 0% chance that Dylan joins the team again for the 2021 season, and if Milton transfers that leaves a real hole in the QB room. JJ hopefully makes it to campus, but what do you do from there if you're looking at Cade, Dan, and JJ? All super young.
Assuming Harbaugh is back next year do you look into the transfer portal for another QB to put on the team or talk to JJ and let him know you think it's important to add another QB for the 21' recruiting class?
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:47 PM ^
i applaud you for having the mental energy for this kind of post given how shitty our team is. i have no idea and refuse to think about it!
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:50 PM ^
He's a big guy, maybe they could introduce some QB sneak goal line packages with him (like the "Belldozer" plays OU would run).
Wait, who am I kidding.
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:54 PM ^
And they could put Mason behind him to shove the pile forward like every other team is doing nowadays.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:19 PM ^
Or have one of the offensive linemen turn around, grab him, and pull him forward. I saw the Rutgers linemen do that to their runner at least twice yesterday, and thought, "Wow - I wouldn't have thought that was legal."
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:28 PM ^
Crazy revolutionary idea but could be line up under center on short yardage goal line situations and QB sneak it? /s
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:43 PM ^
They already do that. They just do it from a shotgun formation.
November 22nd, 2020 at 8:24 PM ^
They not only do it in shotgun formation though.
They come out in shotgun, the other team calls timeout because they see from a mile away what's coming.
Then we come out in the exact same formation and try to run it anyway.
Then the following fucking week after that's on tape, we come out in the SAME FUCKING FORMATION!
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
He will be backup quarterback - on the ready since injuries are common and COVID is real
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:58 PM ^
The constant word about Milton the past few years from various sources was that he was a worker - putting in more time and effort than the other guys and keeping a positive attitude.
Just because he (probably) lost the starting role, it doesn't likely he would "check out" - does not sound like who he is. I hope he finds (read: earns) his way back to the field at some point, but QB2 is still a critical role on the team.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^
I imagine he will keep at it this year but it will be interesting to see what he does after the season. I understand people wanting to play and if you're being passed by a younger guy and another top guy coming in come December then it is a real gut check to make a decision.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:14 PM ^
I would assume he continues to work his butt of this year and he will be just one snap away from being needed. Now the off season is when questions will arrive Cade is damn good and I would expect him to continue to improve and keep a strong grip on the starting QB spot. If JJ is as good as advertised he could come in and make a push for the back up role. That is when a decision will come into play for Joe. Wouldn’t shock me if he were to transfer at that point
still frustrated to know we lost Dylan and what a difference it might have been to have him in a game against Indiana and MSU. We need the offense to score and move the ball because our defense is awful and think we could’ve done more of that with Dylan in there against those teams
November 22nd, 2020 at 4:33 PM ^
I think he needs to transfer. He's not a backup--need a reliable, game-manager as your backup or someone with some polish. His arm-strength is ungodly and the only way he'll get better is actually playing in game conditions. He should go D2 or somewhere where they can trot him out and keep him on the field irrespective of mistakes. Seems to be a good, hard-working dude, would love to see him do this and succeed. But I don't think it happens for him in Power 5.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:11 PM ^
This may be an unusual take, but I kind of wonder if he has all the attributes but a certain kind of aggressiveness? He just doesn't run with a bang. Seems like an extremely placid and well-adjusted person. . .
November 22nd, 2020 at 4:30 PM ^
Joe seems like a terrific guy with real talent. But he seems to play slowly, with lack of urgency and pace. Maybe that’s just him not fully grasping the offense yet. Or maybe it’s his nature. Hard to tell. But he was constantly snapping the ball very late in the clock. There was something t lethargic about the offense when he was running it. Cade made everything move faster and made quick, decisive moves.
November 22nd, 2020 at 4:32 PM ^
Joe seems like a terrific guy with real talent. But he seems to play slowly, with lack of urgency and pace. Maybe that’s just him not fully grasping the offense yet. Or maybe it’s his nature. Hard to tell. But he was constantly snapping the ball very late in the clock. There was something t lethargic about the offense when he was running it. Cade made everything move faster and made quick, decisive moves.
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
He is QB2, ready to go in when called on. With the Covid or injury threat (God forbid either), one cannot have enough backups
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:55 PM ^
Starting next week against PSU of course.
November 22nd, 2020 at 12:55 PM ^
QB2 rest of this season, followed by position switch to tight end (less likely) or transfer to play QB elsewhere (more likely).
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:04 PM ^
With this OL and Covid, Milton needs to be prepared (and practice to improve) as his number could be called again at any time.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:42 PM ^
This is why McCaffery is such a disappointment. I get he lost the job and doesn't want to squander his opportunity, but there is a lot of change in the world especially right now. Perhaps he quit because he was 3rd string. It was weird seeing that Brandon Peters and Luke McCaffery were the starting QBs for IL and NE.
Milton will get another chance before the season is over. Let's hope he's able to take advantage of that opportunity.
November 22nd, 2020 at 9:47 PM ^
Ya they are saying Dmac lost the job. You'll never convince me that he did, especially without a single padded practice. Something else happened with Dylan I firmly believe.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:04 PM ^
Not sure what he will do but I really hope he stays. Seems like a great kid and person who his teammates like and a Michigan degree would be great for him. He has the tools to help this team in the future too, whether it be as a change up or in case of injury.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:04 PM ^
His future after college is at TE if he wants to go down that road. Finish the year out as the backup and make a change to his body in the off season.
He is an impressive kid from a physical standpoint.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:46 PM ^
So washout college QBs automatically make NFL TEs? Am I reading that right?
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:59 PM ^
He wouldn't be the first Wolverine QB to do so.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:00 PM ^
That's not how it read it at all. But it has definitely happened before, twice at Michigan that I can think of, once in the Harbaugh era.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:02 PM ^
I believe it is more recognition that Milton's size/physique and natural athleticism would lend himself well to also being a TE (similar as Gentry did). That doesn't necessitate that the transition would work, but that would likely be his best option if not at QB. (He has the height for WR or CB, but doesn't appear to have the speed).
Maybe a defensive role such as Barrett (who was also a QB in HS), but staying on offense would make more sense in terms of learning the playbook (especially if he can still be called on as qb2 or qb3 if needed later).
A place can always be found for a good/smart athlete - even if their first position choice is not available.
November 22nd, 2020 at 4:48 PM ^
Where do you see 6'5" CBs?
November 26th, 2020 at 6:28 AM ^
Charles Woodson was about the same height (6'2" or 6,1" depending on source) and same build. He played CB as well as a few other roles... a good, versatile athlete with height and build can always find a use.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:08 PM ^
Portal...
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:12 PM ^
It’s the era of entitlement...when a player has his feelings hurt or has to face adversity he enters the transfer portal. I hope Joe is different, but I don’t expect it
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:31 PM ^
Because players never thought of transferring in the past, right? Charles Woodson wanted to transfer to Miami after his sophomore year. Is he one of your "entitled" players also?
I'll get off your lawn now.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:01 PM ^
Just because you can transfer doesn't mean you should.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:39 PM ^
Why? Let me reiterate my question above. Would you stick around in a job if you could get a promotion, raise, etc. at another company? Or if your own job skills were more highly valued in a different place?
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:32 PM ^
I've been around long enough to know that the grass isn't always greener.
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:38 PM ^
I won't disagree with that. But sometimes it is. Let them find out on their own if they want to.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:01 PM ^
And Charles Woodson would probably tell you that if he had transferred it would have been the biggest mistake of his life.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:44 PM ^
Probably. But that's beside the point. I was objecting to the comment that these players are transferring out of a sense of entitlement, because they are unwilling to work, etc.
November 22nd, 2020 at 4:18 PM ^
I am definitely on the side of guys looking for the easy out versus trying to battle to win a job back. College football has created there own problems. By fawning over kids from their early days of high school to try and get them to sign with their programs versus somebody else's they are truly creating a culture where you do have a lot of entitled athletes. Whether Milton is one of those, I highly doubt it as he didn't come in as a guy that was overrated and has shown a propensity to work hard to try and prove himself. I don't hold it against any college athlete if they want to try the transfer portal to try and get more playing time but I do value guys that much more that are willing to stick it out to try and earn their positions back.
November 22nd, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
Fair enough. But transferring doesn't mean they are looking for the easy way out. They still have to work, compete, and fight for a starting position on a new team.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:48 PM ^
Interestingly enough it sounds like Charles was frustrated that the team and coaches weren't living up to their talent and ability, as they went 8-4 both his freshman and sophomore years.
Glad he stayed and they managed to put it together in 1997, but some things never change. And we're likely losing McCaffrey for a similar reason.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:07 PM ^
Funny how "loyalty" and "perseverance" are touted and valued... until they become an inconvenience. The it's ok to bolt, right?
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:02 PM ^
I too value loyalty and perseverance. But I won't shit on someone that makes a decision that they believe is better for their future. Funny we weren't having this conversation about "entitled" players when Speight transferred to UCLA...
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:37 PM ^
To some it is ok for coaches to bolt for greener pastures, but heaven forbid a player do it.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:11 PM ^
If you don't acknowledge the fact there is way more transferring going on now than there was 25 years ago, not sure you and I are going to be able to have a rational conversation.
November 22nd, 2020 at 2:36 PM ^
I'll certainly concede that there seem to be more transfers today, though I haven't seen the data to know exactly how many more. The transfer portal has certainly made it easier for them to do so.
But I will not concede that it is a sign of "entitlement" or that they had their "feelings hurt" or they are transferring because they had "to face adversity". That's just your opinion, and a rather lazy one at that. These players work their asses off and put more into the university than anyone (barring former players) on this board.
I would wager that the #1 reason for transferring is playing time. And if they have the ability to get more playing time on another team, or have their skills utilized more effectively in a different system, I have no problem with it. Would you stick around in a job if you could get a promotion, raise, etc. at another company? Or if your own job skills were more highly valued in a different place? For many players, now and in the past, this is a decision about their futures. I, for one, will not criticize someone for thinking about their future.
I don't think we will be able to have a rational conversation if you continue to view players as "entitled", prone to having their "feelings hurt", or unwilling "to face adversity".
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:24 PM ^
We can certainly disagree about the ‘why’, but here are the facts, in terms of QBs who have played meaningful snaps in the 6 years of Harbaugh:
Jake Rudock: transferred in
wilton Speight: transferred out
John O’Korn: transferred in
Brandon Peters: transferred out
Shea Patterson: transferred in
Dylan McCaffrey: transferred out
Joe/Cade: we will see
So for a 6 year period, every single QB who has played for us has transferred at one point in their college career, excepting the ones who are on the team this season. That tells me something about today’s athlete...perhaps entitlement isn’t the right word, but perhaps it is. Who knows.
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:33 PM ^
That tells me something about today’s athlete...perhaps entitlement isn’t the right word, but perhaps it is. Who knows.
I guess that's the difference between the two of us. When I'm not sure about why a player transfers, my first reaction isn't to assume they are entitled, unwilling to work, etc.
Not trying to be an ass to you and I respect your opinion. I just see these things in a completely different light. I would love for Milton to stick around. But I won't think any less of him if he doesn't.
November 22nd, 2020 at 1:12 PM ^
He will transfer to Maryland, suddenly look like a combination of Tom Brady and Cam Newton, and destroy us next year
November 22nd, 2020 at 3:45 PM ^
With Taulia Tagovailoa currently lining up behind center Maryland is the last place he'll go.