Interesting observations by Nick from MLive
Nick Baumgardner has several interesting observations on the team. Here are a few that just blew my mind;
Nussmeier says an "explosive play" is either a 12-yard run or a 16-yard pass, by the way.
By Nussmeier's definition, Michigan had as many explosive plays (8) as it did tackles for loss allowed (8) on Saturday.
Michigan faced 19 third downs on Saturday ... average chain reading was 3rd and 9.2 ... 0.0% chance this offense ever wins with #s like that
At this point, I'm wondering if there's something wrong with Devin Gardner's arm. Zero zip on any of these throws, underthrew people all day
I said it after App game that DG is just floating his passes. Is he hurt?
Michigan ranks No. 8 nationally in total defense, No. 81 nationally in total offense.
And most of that offense came against worst defenses.
10 men on a punt return TD, four turnovers, 0 offensive TDs, 0 trips to the red zone. ... This is a poorly-coached football team. Period.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:27 PM ^
He's not wrong.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
I want him to succeed so bad he's such an awesome kid
September 21st, 2014 at 8:51 PM ^
September 21st, 2014 at 8:52 PM ^
We went 16-4, and 9-2 in the B1G, when Denard was our starting QB (not counting the NU game where he got hurt). Things were okay then. It's gotten much worse since.
September 21st, 2014 at 9:02 PM ^
September 21st, 2014 at 9:13 PM ^
I have no idea what that has to do with our record with Denard playing under Hoke.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:31 AM ^
I can accept the fact you have no idea.
The poster's point is, I believe, that both DR and DG were recruited, and are best suited, to be dual-threat quarterbacks, runners as a threat of equal or greater importance than their passing threat to a defense.
Not only is RR gone, so is our spread offense, which Hoke said would not be his preference anyway. DR was a special, great quarterback for UM. A great ambassador for the program too, and from all accounts, a great person also. But he could not pass at this level, and as a quarterback, he was not the best decision-maker, arguably what separates good from average quarterbacks. The reality is, though, that when we played a good defense, DR was woefully inadequate, because he was not a passing threat. DG is the same, now does not have a spread offense which would utitlize his best talents, and what's more, he looks to be something of a head case at present.
I like him. He's a great guy seemingly. His move to wide receiver, and his support for the team has been all class. The point is that DG's passing, like DR's, is not threatening anybody. DR's decision-making is abysmal. What's more, he locks in on receivers, telegraphing his intentions to every linebacker and db.
Yes, Hoke rode DR (who was RR's guy, not Hoke's) to a lot of Big Ten victories against the lesser teams who could not stop his running, but that was Hoke and Borges playing the hand they were dealt.
It is time for Hoke to be a coach at this level and start making the tough decisions, or be rode out of town due to the L's. It's going to happen whether you or I like it or not.
If I was Hoke, I suspect my quarterback Sat would be Morris, who looks to have the talent and skills to take the team where it needs to go, in the direction it and their coach claim to be heading. Tough blow for DG, but he'll survive, and has plenty of talent to play some still not only at quarterback, but elsewhere it he wants.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:31 AM ^
I can accept the fact you have no idea.
The poster's point is, I believe, that both DR and DG were recruited, and are best suited, to be dual-threat quarterbacks, runners as a threat of equal or greater importance than their passing threat to a defense.
Not only is RR gone, so is our spread offense, which Hoke said would not be his preference anyway. DR was a special, great quarterback for UM. A great ambassador for the program too, and from all accounts, a great person also. But he could not pass at this level, and as a quarterback, he was not the best decision-maker, arguably what separates good from average quarterbacks. The reality is, though, that when we played a good defense, DR was woefully inadequate, because he was not a passing threat. DG is the same, now does not have a spread offense which would utitlize his best talents, and what's more, he looks to be something of a head case at present.
I like him. He's a great guy seemingly. His move to wide receiver, and his support for the team has been all class. The point is that DG's passing, like DR's, is not threatening anybody. DR's decision-making is abysmal. What's more, he locks in on receivers, telegraphing his intentions to every linebacker and db.
Yes, Hoke rode DR (who was RR's guy, not Hoke's) to a lot of Big Ten victories against the lesser teams who could not stop his running, but that was Hoke and Borges playing the hand they were dealt.
It is time for Hoke to be a coach at this level and start making the tough decisions, or be rode out of town due to the L's. It's going to happen whether you or I like it or not.
If I was Hoke, I suspect my quarterback Sat would be Morris, who looks to have the talent and skills to take the team where it needs to go, in the direction it and their coach claim to be heading. Tough blow for DG, but he'll survive, and has plenty of talent to play some still not only at quarterback, but elsewhere it he wants.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:52 AM ^
TL DR both times. Sorry.
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:07 AM ^
I disagree with your historic assessment of Denard and Devin, but do agree that Devin doesn't look like the same quarterback this season. That said, I could accept a quarterback change if Morris had shown anything whatsoever. And you haven't seen anything either. Zero TDs and 7 personal TOs--zero touch to date. Morris may still end up fine, but he hasn't shown anything to suggest he'd be an improvement on DG (unless DG is hurt).
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^
Gardner has Iowa 2012, S. Carolina 2012, ND 2013, Minny 2013, Indiana 2013, and Ohio State 2013 under his belt.
Shane has been an interception generator when he throws downfield.
Hoke won't last the Shane growing pains if he goes full time w/ Morris now.
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^
for Morris, the pro-style that Hoke prefers may be irrelevant because he won't be here. Hoke has no time for any learning curve. It may be ironic, but Hoke is now wedded to DG.
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:30 AM ^
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
This is an eloquent post... good job Gandalf... but let me add.... it should be mentioned that the ceilings we hit were low due to the fact that we're trying pro-style with two very good spread QBs... it sucks. Sucks. This was the same thing having Threet try to run the spread... the low ceiling was hit.
Morris' ceiling should be alot higher due for the reasons you state. His would be alot lower if we ran the spread.
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
I disagree with your comment about
"the only rational reason for keeping DG in is because of the "good kid" philosophy.".
What if DG currently is better at making audibles, reading the defense, and leading the team than Shane is? You wouldn't know unless you were attending practices.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:23 AM ^
Technically it was; they went from 3-9 to 7-6 in 3 years. RR was run out because he didn't win the way (and to the degree) some in the media thought. Also, his defenses were trainwrecks.
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
RR blew an opportunity... by not having any perspective on things.... he was far too concerned with the heat from WVa, than he was showing the due respect, to the most stroried program... I mean, here he is, gonna bring in a radical offense to a program thats the complete opposite... he should have known that it'll take alot more effort getting the group to go his way... and he burned so much of it, by blowing up the M club or whatever, by pissing on the 1 wr tradition.. by not embracing the biggest rivarly in sports (no longer).... but most of all, not sacrificing some of his monster salary, to bring Casteel... what, was it $ 15,000 ?
Had he done that, he may have made it... and didn't... as much as Carr and cronies, undermined him, he made every wrong move... almost as if the WestVa uproar in the media really affected him... then pos Rosenberg made it worse....
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Who cares whether or not DG is--many of the greatest teams ever in college football had guys QB'ing them who were not pro QB's later
September 21st, 2014 at 9:08 PM ^
If Tate Forcier had kept it together and finished his career here I'd be pretty upset if they hadn't moved Denard to running back and let Tate handle the quarterbacking. Denard was deadly from the I-back position against South Carolina. But, Tate wasn't here, and Denard was as good as it got at the QB position. Same holds true for Gardner. If you want to blame Hoke for anything QB wise, do it because he whiffed on Bellomy and didn't take a QB the next year.
September 22nd, 2014 at 4:15 AM ^
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
It looks to me like he's aiming the ball now instead of throwing it. It feels like a mental thing more than a physical thing. It seems like he's trying to be so careful to avoid an interception he's overthinking every throw, leading to poor mechanics.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
I'm so confused and conflicted. At times, it feels like this offense is better than last year because we have some semblance of a running game and have eliminated the incessant poor damn <insert RB name> TFL running plays. But the scoreboard doesn't reflect this fact at all. I want to believe this offense is better. But the scoreboard says otherwise.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:57 PM ^
September 21st, 2014 at 8:59 PM ^
until we get to midfield to opposing team's 30 yard line, then we stall, turn the ball over, miss the field goal, pooch punt into the endzone. Last year we'd move back ward, this year we move the ball, then hit an Eastern Michigan-like cement wall.
September 21st, 2014 at 9:13 PM ^
+ 1 for "Eastern Michigan-like cement wall"
September 21st, 2014 at 9:02 PM ^
September 22nd, 2014 at 1:56 AM ^
the bail out option for these qbs is gone.
We need to take a look our route designs and determine where we will find separation.
That being said, DG needs to learn how to not stare down his go to route
That being said, the OL needs to improve pass blockkng
that being siad, we probably should not play action DG as often as we do. This dude needs all the time in the world to feel the rush and select the right reciever.
there are so many chances to improve and they all are wildly intermingled.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:38 AM ^
I'm not sure how much the offense misses Gallon. Devin had open receivers all day, but he was just so inaccuarate that even Funchess struggled to catch some of the passes. And any pass 6' 5" Funchess is going to struggle with Gallon really would have struggled to catch.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
"Michigan ranks No. 8 nationally in total defense, No. 81 nationally in total offense."
Hoke is the anti - Rich Rod.
Also if anyone complains about the defense again they need to be reminded of these rankings.
Defense aint the problem
September 21st, 2014 at 8:52 PM ^
September 21st, 2014 at 9:07 PM ^
September 22nd, 2014 at 1:49 AM ^
Well you have to adjust for opponents. Last year the Big 10 had 3 of the nations top 7 defenses based on stats. Only MSU was truly elite. No one would have said "Iowa's defense is top 5 in the nation" - but it was by stats. Meanwhile, the Big 10 had only 3 of the top 50 offenses in the country last year. So yes it matters if you live by stats who your opponents are. Currently the Big 10 has #8, #9, #10, #13, #14 in the country - does anyone really think we are rolling out 5 of the top 14 defenses in the country?
The Big 10 plays each others offenses - most of which arent great, and then fill their fluff schedule with MAC teams mostly. So their defenses look better than they are. Having to play 4 SEC West teams or Oklahoma, OK State, Baylor in the Big 12 would change the stats for Big 10 defenses significantly. They avoid that.
That doesnt mean UM's defense is not solid and I think the run defense has been quite good and shall remain good. The pass defense is an open question - I dont think its bad but I cant put it anywhere above average for now.
If this defense shuts down MSU's offense in 5 weeks or whatever I will come back to you with a different opinion. And Indiana. And that doesnt mean 13 pts... if its like 23-28 pts it will be a very good defense outcome IMO vs those 2 teams. Top 5 type defenses stifle good offenses - see what Stanford did to Oregon for 2 years, and their defense was not top 5 even, usually a top 15ish outfit. (and yes part of Stanford;s success is simply keeping the ball away from Oregon)
Of course nothing is in a vacuum - a horrid offense that puts the defense in bad positions hurts the defense stats as well.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:33 AM ^
September 21st, 2014 at 9:11 PM ^
that this defense is pretty good. We are getting zero stops from tunovers - they have to win the down and distance. The fact is there is WAY too much pressure on the defense, since we have shown no ability to finish drives for points.
Go Blue!
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:49 AM ^
The competition isn't great...you do realize that other schools are playing cupcakes the majoritiy of the time...Is MSUs defense not good bc it destroyed Eastern....your point is stupid
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^
is probably solid and not the concern the offense is, these defensive numbers don't really tell a true story. Two games against horrible teams. Gave up 31 against ND who shut its offense down when the game was over. And Utah put up well over 200 yards in just over a half (includes last drive of first half)--once Utah made halftime adjustments (we didn't make) and got its QB back.
The defense remains largely unproven.
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
shouldnt be much, if any, complaining about the D. Ya they will make their occasional mistakes but its a solid solid squad. They are just on the field way too much. By 4th qtr they are gassed.
Love the D though, Love it.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
It is quite strange that nobody asked Hoke about the 10-man punt team during the presser.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:47 PM ^
might not have been aware of it yet. There's a wednesday presser, right? I'm sure, er, hope it'll be brought up during that one.
September 21st, 2014 at 9:11 PM ^
the lack of execution by not having 11 men on the field will be the way he redirects the question.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:41 AM ^
"Well, its all about toughness. Playing special teams with 11 players is what weak teams do. This team is about toughness. And making plays. If we put 10 men out there, they need to be able to execute our plan."
September 21st, 2014 at 8:32 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 21st, 2014 at 8:38 PM ^
So not only were they using what is undeniably the absolute worst formation by which to punt and cover from, kicking to a guy who was one of the best return men in the country, but they were playing short a man too. Wow. I just... I don't even. Wow. The derpitude just doesn't go away, somehow manages to manifest itself in new ways with this staff.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:38 PM ^
I posted the screen shot in on a forum topic last night. Not only is there 10 men but there are only 2 guys within 30 yards of him catching the ball.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:48 PM ^
What handle were you using when you posted it? I still haven't seen it.
September 21st, 2014 at 8:53 PM ^
It's posted on the second page of the MGOBOARD topics.