Does anyone really believe there was a QB competition in practice?

Submitted by Absorbine Sr. on November 21st, 2020 at 9:03 PM

I’m sorry but there is no way Cade could look so bad in practice that he couldn’t start over this.
 

There wasn’t a serious QB competition in practice this week. Harbaugh’s ego just refuses to acknowledge the reality that his pet QB project for this season is an utter failure. 

Hail to the Vi…

November 21st, 2020 at 9:15 PM ^

I'm starting to believe there definitely was, and that should tell you everything you need to know about this coaching staff. I truly cannot make sense of what I am seeing.

Jim Harbaugh has been the head football coach at 4 organizations spanning over two decades, and achieved a level of success with each of them. How can this be the team he fields in year 6 at his alma mater that can barely keep pace with fucking Rutgers? There has to be some kind of explanation for what we are seeing. How is it that this team is far and away the worst team in the B1G?

RandallFlagg

November 21st, 2020 at 9:25 PM ^

I don't think there was a competition before the season either.  There is no way in hell Milton is better than McCaffrey.   I just wish Harbaugh would explain how Milton won the job.  

Nemesis

November 22nd, 2020 at 10:19 PM ^

It is possible that Milton did not lose to McCaffrey.  McCaffrey might have left because he did not like what he saw.  Nico left, the O-Line is down, Shea went undrafted, etc.. 

 

You don't lose a year of eligibility with a 2020 transfer.

 

I have no proof.  This is just a possibility.  I also cannot believe that Milton was better than McCaffrey.  McCaffrey was better in every way except for arm strength.

MRunner73

November 21st, 2020 at 9:31 PM ^

Joe Milton is overrated. So what if he does better in practice. McNamara has a better touch on the ball and is much more accurate.

Good luck to Cade in the 2nd half-Go Blue!

DairyQueen

November 21st, 2020 at 9:32 PM ^

Don't forget the horrible drops from the WRs/TEs

And key fumbles/penalties at key momentum-swinging moments in the game.

So far Milton is higher-risk/higher-reward (he's made some great throws, he's made some god awful throws), Cade is still in pre-2020 MacCaffrey area, fine in limited action (hope he gets more), but it's still too early to tell with McNamara, he needs to win this game on his shoulders first.

Also, lol, so many people on this board hated Shea, but he single-handedly won us at least 2-3 maybe 4 game both years (he had already hit his ceiling, which was never that high), now you see what he was able to bring, no?

Also: The defense seems to play with an edge when McNamara is at QB, could just be coincidence

Also, Also: Wisconsin dropped to Northwestern 7-14, this board would be on MELTDOWN if we had been in Wisky's position, so, temperence is a virtue--even for this Rutgers performance halfway through.

Also, Also, Also: Penn State is 0-5, so, should they also fire Franklin as so many want Harbaugh canned? Not so easy, right?

tigerd

November 21st, 2020 at 9:44 PM ^

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell when a quarterback just doesn't have what it takes. You can watch football all day long and be hard pressed to find somebody that just has an inability to ever move his team. To think that this staff watches what goes on in practice all week and then makes the decision to march Milton out there tells you all you need to know about just how bad this staff really is. I don't blame Milton, I blame Harbaugh and Gattis.

atticusb

November 21st, 2020 at 9:35 PM ^

My big takeaway is that I don't see the staff giving Milton any read-options, nor do I see him successfully moving through his progressions.  McNamara comes in and does both immediately. Milton definitely has a better arm, but who gives a shit how far/hard/well you can throw it if you have no idea where it should be going....

Michrider41

November 21st, 2020 at 9:38 PM ^

ESPN just said Michigan down 10 to Rutgers, next week they face off with Penn State, somebody’s got to win.  ????

nine and three

November 21st, 2020 at 9:41 PM ^

I seen Cade in one series last week and said he should of started this week! He doesn't Milton puts us in a 17 point whole. Cade comes in and immediately drives us down the field! I don't know what the hell harbaugh and the staff see,but I'm not even getting paid millions!

KentuckianaWolverine

November 21st, 2020 at 9:45 PM ^

I'm starting to think that the "competition" is oooooohhhhh he throws far....winner!  ?

 

Seriously, anyone with eyes and common sense can see that McNamara is CLEARLY the better QB, at this point.  McCaffrey was better than both, but alas.....

Milton can't accurately throw a crossing pattern, with consistency.  Let alone a post or seam.  Hell....he struggles with hitches and tunnel screens.  Yes, he makes the occasional good throw, but it's not consistent.  McNamara has shown poise and (more) consistent accuracy than Milton has.

I'm watching the play calls, and Gattis is scheming people open.....it's the execution that's the problem.

Having 3 of your 5 starting offensive linemen out definitely hurts.....especially when everyone is a new starter, to begin with.

QB play is the difference between a good team and a crap team.  Look at the Patriots and Tampa Bay, right now.  Brady isn't nearly as physically "gifted" as Cam Newton or James Winston, but he wins with the teams that lose with the other guys.

McNamara might not be Brady, but he's certainly more of a difference maker than Milton.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 21st, 2020 at 10:27 PM ^

Nope. Cade is really good. He needs a few guys who actually catch the ball and an OL that blocks.

[I’m just catching the 2nd half after not watching the first. Geez, UM has fallen fast - many of these guys were on the field last year when they crushed RU. What went wrong so fast?]

brad

November 22nd, 2020 at 2:18 AM ^

Nope.  Milton can't tell what he's looking at and McNamara can, it's as simple as that.  Milton's arm strength causing a bunch of drops and his accuracy issues didn't help him any, but you could see it working down the road if he could process what's happening.

 

Maybe Milton can improve, but this decision this year is an all time head scratcher.

JimmyHardballs

November 22nd, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^

I posted this in the QB1 thread about the competition last week as well. 
 

My co-workers son plays on the team and she said that Milton was QB1 all week at practice and that by Wednesday it was announced to the team that Joe would get the start. 

So no, there wasn’t a competition, just lip service. Frustrating as a fan, because unless Joe Milton is just terrible during games there is no way he should be ahead of Cade. 
 

I actually feel bad for Milton, the coaches hyped him up so much that he has to feel like shit right now. 

Panther72

November 23rd, 2020 at 7:45 AM ^

I do believe Milton performed well in practice but thats not the final test of a QB.   He had an inferior secondary to throw at. Add to that the big factor of the pressure the big stage brings. The guy is a deer in the headlights when his nerves are up. His instinct to gun the ball on every throw is a wasteded down on repeat if the guys can't be exactly in the right spot with iron hands.

Cade may have a lower ceiling in arm strength, but not enough to matter. He mans up with vision and touch on the ball. Nice to see a wide open receiver get a rainbow now and then.  He passes the eye test so far. At least there is a foundation in which to build upon.