Cade on "holding back" offense no longer
Maybe there IS something to the whole "keeping the playcalling vanilla" in those OOC games that we get so frustrated about banging our heads into the wall and running into stacked boxes, not making reads in the run game, etc
I've always been skeptical that is a huge thing, but reading between the lines here I think you could make a case that Cade is basically saying that they played things close to the vest so far this year. Interesting nugget of info IMO
“I’ve mentioned this before, that everything we do we’re trying to win,” quarterback Cade McNamara said after Saturday’s win. “As we get into Big Ten play, there’s no reason to hold back now. We’re going to be aggressive on offense.”
October 5th, 2021 at 9:40 AM ^
I really want to hear either Harbaugh or Gattis address the second half of the Rutgers game after the season. Even a game later, it was still just such a weird anomaly in terms of play calling
October 5th, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
According to Devin Gardner, who knows a lot more than me. It was more do to execution, Cade's and the Oline as well as the limited number of plays rather than the play-calling that made the Rutgers 2nd half look so bad.
Cade was 1-4 for 6 yards and his mechanics were off. Not all runs are the same. The run blocking was bad we weren't picking up the stunts like we should have and normally do.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:29 AM ^
In that POD cast, Devin did a good job of explaining how the poor execution on the passes short circuited the drives (particularly in the 3rd quarter). And with the multiple 3 and outs, the offense was never able to get onto page 2 of the playbook.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
The problem with Gardner's take isn't his qualifications, but the altitude. (That's altitude, not attitude.) From the viewpoint of a QB-turned-analyst, everything can look like an issue of execution. He knows so much he can break down every player's assignment and the mistakes that doomed a particular play. But what he hasn't done, ever, is create a play at the college or pro level, and watch it get blown up in his face.
The difference is that a good playcall reduces the reliance on execution. On the extreme end, if you can get a defense flat-footed with a one-time-only trick play, you may only need 1-2 players to do something refined. Granted, Michigan didn't want to burn plays like that, but still, Michigan's plays against Rutgers were terrible. Forget deception; they didn't even apply basic constraint theory. Oh, it was quite possible for them to move the ball, as long as every assignment was executed perfectly. So yes, someone like Devin Gardner can watch it on a TV and, with his years of experience, pick apart how the plays were not executed well. But then, he apparently hasn't learned anything from his days playing for Hoke, who always clung to the notion that the offense could succeed if only all eleven players won their matchups and read everything flawlessly. In reality, that almost never happens.
Folks watching the game were screaming for Michigan to attack the edges not because we're idiots, nor does any of this imply Gardner's an idiot, either. He's right, in a technical sense -- Michigan didn't execute. But his expectation is unfeasible for a college offense. Attacking the edges would've still required execution, but far less of it. For example, getting Corum out in the boundary flat might've meant him dodging at least one defender, but that's a far more reliable gambit than asking the offensive line to do something about 8-9 defenders in the box.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:57 AM ^
Unleash the Henning!!
October 5th, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
Feels like the same quotes we hear players say every year and at every press conference...
October 5th, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
We've heard for years that plays are kept 'in the garage' because they weren't needed. The best examples are Pepcat (he's gonna throw the ball!!!) and some pass route designed to get Chris Evans in space (he's devastating out there!!). Nothing ever happened... So color me skeptical about running all the plays.
What do I think he means, you ask? Well, I suspect we'll see an offense more like what throttled Wisconsin, than what throttled the others. IE: a better balance between run/pass, a more diverse passing game (slants, bombs, wheels, occasional screens, seams, etc), and a steady diet of Haskins & Corum shoved in your face.
I don't see anything fancy, or Kiffin-esque, coming out. Maybe a few more RPO's - but don't get used to them. We'll cheer the RB's going between the tackles until a safety gets comfy moving up. That's when something exotic (for Michigan) will happen. It'll be a steady balance - so long as both are working. But fear not! When things aren't working so well, somewhere in the scheme, Haskins and Corum will be tasked with saving the day - even if they're the part that isn't working.
Michigan will establish it's running game, and then other things will help it stay on schedule. This is the Michigan Way...
October 5th, 2021 at 10:21 AM ^
I don't know what this means, but I like it.
"Aggressive" could mean a few different things, but I'd like to see a bit more variance. Somebody in the game thread pointed out how every time they go hurry up, it's followed by a run.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:31 AM ^
I feel like this is coach speak for why JJ will be getting more reps going forward and why they were not asking Cade to throw more in Rutgers game. Maybe a boost of confidence and also not be demoralized by JJ getting a few plays. Important thing is Cade believes it. It doesn't matter what MGoBlog thinks.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:18 AM ^
I read this more as going for it on 4th down than being vanilla on play calling.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^
I feel like this has more to do with being aggressive situationally and not with regard to play calling. Michigan was 4-7 on 4th downs through 4 weeks, but 4-5 against Wisconsin. I don't think we'll be seeing a different offense out there.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
This is either A) complete bullshit and we won't see the stuff we're "holding back" or B) Fucking stupid. You deliberately did nothing to combat what Rutgers was doing to shut off our run game? You don't think there's any value in getting live reps for some of the plays and concepts you're going to depend on to beat the tougher matchups on our schedule?
October 5th, 2021 at 1:49 PM ^
In light of our great performance at Wisconsin in which the coaches unveiled a passing game for the first time (essentially), I don't blame them for sticking with the gameplan in the second half against Rutgers because they did enough to win. And although it looked wobbly at times against Wisconsin, it was effective. We got the W, and we got it in resounding fashion.
Winning the game is all that matters. If we can do that by running the ball down opponents' throats, then that's fine with me.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
What u think of his opinion?
October 5th, 2021 at 1:41 PM ^
Whatever works. Just win, baby.
October 5th, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^
No reason to hold back. Everyone knows what Bamas gonna do no matter who they play. Still no one can stop it.
October 5th, 2021 at 2:38 PM ^
Like I said, the Rutgers second half with Jim being comfortable and prepping for OSU by getting his OL to break the will of their DL, running the same inside runs over and over. Was too close for comfort in the end but this was exactly what happened.
We are back to being Michigan, the regular season is essentially preparing for The Game. And we are winning it. Buy your tickets now. Don't let the OSU clowns buy the tickets. This will be the new first Bo victory all over again.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:35 PM ^