Hawaii Snowflakes - The Offense
September 11th, 2022 at 1:20 AM ^
But JJ has been here and will be here all year. That pressure was staying on Cade whether he was named QB1 out of camp or not. And if JJ has a game where the offense is sputtering, the pressure will be on him with Cade waiting on the sideline. But after seeing this competition, I feel better about JJ handling that pressure, as opposed to what Cade would have looked like as a starter while carrying that weight.
September 11th, 2022 at 9:52 AM ^
Mrs. McNamara?
September 11th, 2022 at 12:35 AM ^
Competing with JJ for a starting spot would rattle just about any QB
September 11th, 2022 at 12:41 AM ^
Cade looks shook.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
Cade is obviously tight as a drum and way too in his own head. His throws feel panicky and he seems immobile — markedly a downgrade from last year. This competition has gotten to him and that’s unfortunate to see. Honestly maybe some time as the number 2 will give him time to reset and feel less pressure. He’ll probably still get some run this year, and he’s one JJ injury away from returning. So he needs to stay ready.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:58 AM ^
Cade looks much worse than he did last year. Can’t help but feel for the guy.
Thanks for your service, Cade. We’ll always have 2021.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:22 AM ^
Davis Warren and Gash showing the absurd depth of this outstanding offense!
September 11th, 2022 at 12:22 AM ^
JJ looked crisp. Ball on time. Plenty of YAC. Quick decisions. He had excellent command of the offense. I don't see how he is not going to start.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:54 AM ^
Aside from the wild talent, JJ just seems so relaxed and effortless. It’s kind of amazing. It wi be interesting to see if things change when he faces adversity.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:05 AM ^
That play from our own end zone was amazing. He was calm, stood strong and delivered a great strike. I know it is one play but he showed a lot of poise. He did not bug out but stood tall. I think he is going to be fine when adversity comes.
September 11th, 2022 at 2:30 AM ^
JJ has the ability, and the CHARISMA, to win the Heisman trophy.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:23 AM ^
Well, we know who the better QB is.
I feel bad for Cade; he looks worse this year than he did for much of last year.
And there are still questions for JJ to answer against legit opponents.
But JJ could not have looked better out there today. Literally nothing you could do better than that; I expect a monster UFR score that rivals anything Brian has ever produced. Now, some of that is due to the competition, and the fact that he only played most of one half when things were clicking.
But it wasn't just the arm or the speed. It was making the right reads, executing the throws on time. There was *significant* improvement from what we saw from him last year.
Ceiling is sky-high.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:27 AM ^
He made it look easy too, looked like he was out there throwing casually at Elbel with his buddies, which is how it should look against an overmatched opponent. Cade looked like he was uncomfortable and trying super hard and struggling.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:29 AM ^
I'm fine with J.J. as the starter at this point, but I still think he has something to prove against legit Big Ten teams. Not to mention that it's entirely possible that J.J. could have a bad game, and we need to see how he will respond when some of the shine comes off.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:35 AM ^
Sure he does. He made a number of quick reads with on-time throws, perfect. What happens when a defense throws sophisticated disguised coverages at him? Can't tell yet, no way of knowing against Hawaii. What happens when a team gets real and consistent pressure? No way of knowing yet.
But last year he showed flashes of talent against overmatched opponents, but also tended to be slow to make progressions, broke the pocket and just kind of ran around too much, tried to make big plays that weren't always there. Today he operated the offense as it was designed, made quick reads and crisp throws at the right time to make them, and the one time he broke the pocket he threatened to run downfield but then made a quick and perfect throw to an open Cornelius Johnson without having to wait a lot.
Those are all good signs. Iowa, whose defense is just fine despite their significant problems, will be the real test.
September 11th, 2022 at 6:56 AM ^
He was a lot better last year than you’re remembering him.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:32 AM ^
It really got into Cade’s head he didn’t win the starting job. He hasn’t been right since.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
This is the only explanation I can give for his poor performance these past 2 games. We're beyond first game jitters now and its pretty clear Cade is shaken. On that INT he knew he had to make something happen after that first half and forced a really bad throw to a well-covered receiver. After that pass he didn't play again, which leads me to believe Harbaugh is now 100 percent for JJ starting.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:58 AM ^
Actually, he had Andrel Anthony in single coverage on the sideline after he looked off the safety. He didn't force a throw to a well-covered receiver; he had a receiver running with a step down the sideline for a big gain. It is a correct read that unfolded as the play designed.
He flat-out blew the throw.
Granted, maybe that's not his best throw given his physical tools. But JJ nails that throw and there's a chance Anthony scores. Cade *can* make long throws, but in this one he just completely biffed it.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:43 AM ^
Cade can’t make long throws. The only “long” throw he’s ever completed was to CJ against OSU.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:44 AM ^
and maybe Wisconsin off of a trick play.
September 11th, 2022 at 4:14 AM ^
Incorrect. Your memory is letting you down. (Yes, I saw the post you added below.)
As a coach, I consider 10 yards and less to be a short pass, 11-24 to be intermediate, and 25+ to be long. (Some see 30+yards to be long.)
Here's some more long non-flea flicker passes McNamara completed:
- WR Ronnie Bell against Western Michigan. (No, I'm not talking about the one that was negated by a questionable OPI.)
- WR Cornelius Johnson vs NIU
- WR Sainristil at Nebraska
- WR Roman Wilson against Georgia
But that's not nearly enough. We need to be able to make those throws at least 1 per drive and not 1 per game.
September 11th, 2022 at 5:06 AM ^
His accuracy on deep balls is usually pretty good (seriously, watch any other team and see how many open deep shots get missed by college QBs). Problem has always been he doesn’t take enough of those shots. JJ does.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:56 AM ^
Crazy thing is how that defense looked vs last years Big Ten Champ starting QB.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:23 AM ^
Offense looked as sharp as I’ve seen it. Though expected, today the good guys made it look easy.
side note - Did Andrel Anthony play today?
September 11th, 2022 at 12:26 AM ^
Yes. I think he made a nice edit: block It seems he was there during that INT
September 11th, 2022 at 12:28 AM ^
Yes. Cade underthrew him on that interception.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:28 AM ^
Cade’s INT was on a throw to him. I think? It’s late.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:31 AM ^
He was the intended receiver on Cade's INT.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:31 AM ^
Yes he played. Nothing I recall of note, except for being the closest target on Cade's pick.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:24 AM ^
To quote Tenacious D, “Dio has rocked for a long, long time. Now it’s time for him to pass the torch.”
September 11th, 2022 at 12:25 AM ^
To be real for a minute, I really hope Cade doesn’t beat himself up too much. I think most all of us have been in that situation where we work hard, try our best, but still fail. Sometimes, that can fuck you up in ways that take you on a really negative and ugly spiral downwards. I’ve fallen victim to it myself before. I believe Cade can rise up and find himself a situation where he can again demonstrate that he’s a good QB who can lead a successful football team. Thank you for 2021 Cade, you’re a Michigan football hero for that.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
For Cade to make up for his athletic deficiencies compared to JJ, he has to be able to read defenses at the line, make quick reads and throw on time. He hasn't shown the ability to do that in either game this year. Just the way it is.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:58 AM ^
I’m aware of Cade’s shortcomings in the games so far this season. I’ve been a critic of many of his performances even going back to last year. I think a lot of the criticism by people like Gardner, Borges, and even Seth and Brian have been valid and fair.
I’m simply talking about the human in there that is going to be feeling dejected and downtrodden. Feeling like he’s alone, castoff, and that he didn’t do enough. That’s a terrible feeling and one that a lot of people should empathize with. That’s all I’m getting at. People should recognize that while also being able to deliver honest critiques. But at this point, the QB question is solved and so now I think it’s the jobs of the coaches, and even the fans, to just support Cade McNamara and make him feel appreciated. He does deserve that at the least.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:06 AM ^
He got a NIL deal with Tom Brady. He's fine.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:13 AM ^
Money doesn’t heal mental and emotional wounds. Grow up.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:26 AM ^
Dude, at the end of the day, it’s a game. 99% of college starters don’t play pro. He’s got a UM degree, is starting on another, and if he transfers he’ll have two, zero cost degrees. That’s hardly “wounds”.
September 11th, 2022 at 7:40 AM ^
And you’re talking about something completely unrelated to my point. You’re right it’s a game, but it’s really a job that McNamara has been working towards doing at the highest level for nearly his whole life. And it’s a dream he got to realize last year. Now all that hard work, for him, seems lost. That can be a wounding experience. Surely you get my point.
September 11th, 2022 at 2:11 AM ^
Excellent points, JD
For Cade's part, he needs to build his confidence back up. He can still be a hugely important part of this team, whether through playing or assuming a mentorship role for JJ. He was voted a team captain, and this is where he has to show his strength of character, as is required for solid leaders to do. I would love for him to come out in his next interview and state, "I'm here to do whatever this team needs to win another conference championship."
The team, though, needs to rally around their captain who is clearly dealing with a lot right now. Dude gave us our best season in 25 years -- the team owes him whatever support he needs. This is a great example of what "the team, the team, the team" means.
And fuck those people booing Cade.....C'MON MAN!!!
September 11th, 2022 at 12:25 AM ^
Honestly, I'm not sure there's much to complain about. The production that we had in thr first half speaks for itself. It would have been great to see things get rolling more efficiently in the second half, and it would have been great if Cade had better blocking- it looked like Zinter hung him out to dry on that first drive, at least. (that INT looked like it was definitely on him, though). I would have been fun to see some crazier numbers in the second half, for sure, but I don't see the need to stick it to a rebuilding team that flew 4,500 miles to play us.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:36 AM ^
The INT was for sure on Cade. Thrown way too far to the inside. That said, I really felt bad for him tonight, because he didn't even have a chance to show much. First two dropbacks and a guy in his face immediately both times.
His challenge will be building his confidence back up so that he can continue to be a solid leader on this team. He will be needed in some capacity this season.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:26 AM ^
It is not just how JJ plays, it's how he makes the opposing defense play. He speeds them up. They chase ghosts. He makes them uncomfortable.
That's worth extra points. Many extra points.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:59 AM ^
After watching Donavan Mcnabb tear us up Michigan has finally decided to get our own version. Just in time.
September 11th, 2022 at 5:05 AM ^
Wait....are we.....are we the Internet Explorer of college football?
September 11th, 2022 at 12:27 AM ^
Warren needs more reps. Very serviceable.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:28 AM ^
I would argue very good vs just serviceable
September 11th, 2022 at 12:33 AM ^
No doubt, just don't want to put the cart before the horse. Would love to see that same performance from him next week.
September 11th, 2022 at 1:21 AM ^
More than serviceable. He can legit run an offense.
September 11th, 2022 at 5:07 AM ^
That dude's got a little swagger. I dig it.
September 11th, 2022 at 12:27 AM ^
JJ gave a spike albrecht vibe in the post game interview with that lady. Confidence is quite high right now 😆