How long to Transform?
I'm trying to get a guage on how long it will take for this team to grasp the new systems. Just the work Denard has ahead of him could be a Diary for one of the more educated posters, but really, the entire team has a lot to learn in a short time. Even before RR, we had a zone blocking scheme, how much different will Borges' assignments be?
edit-Since I can't reply to posts, thanks for the comments. I think I'll need a bottle of whiskey and a little blue pill to recover from the GIFs my mispelling of the title brought on though.
February 3rd, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
Optimus Prime...
February 3rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM ^
But seriously... they have all of spring practice, this summer, and fall practice. I don't think we'll see a TON of issues by the time the Western game rolls around... but I'm optimistic.
Also, Megan Fox is only the #15 image when you google image transformers... I find that surprisingly low
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
i've never seen the movies and know only that she's in them. she's still #1 in my book, i don't care what google says.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:03 PM ^
My first thought was Red Dragon actually
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
We'll move the ball, but I think you will see plenty of WTF moments throughout the season. Our second year should be very consistent as a lot of the players begin to grasp the adjustments that they need to make to defenses.
February 3rd, 2011 at 4:33 PM ^
The police car is Barricade and the jet is Starscream, both of which are Decepticons. If you are going to reference the Transformers in your posts, please do so in a way that respects the source material. Thanks!
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:00 PM ^
but the make-up can take a while
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:03 PM ^
Well, first of all, we ran some power plays last year, so it's not unfamiliar to the OL. I think the WR will have the hardest time adjusting. In a WCO, the WR and QB are supposed to both make the same reads on the defense and there are various routes that are chosen based on what they see. For example, if they determine it is man-to-man the slot's route might be a 5-yard out (because the LB will be lined up inside him, whereas the receiver might run a corner route if they determine the defense to be a cover 2 zone.
Denard will have to know all of the route combinations for each play and be able to read the defense before the play starts, but WRs will need to do this as well, which is something they won't be used to.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:12 PM ^
First off, you seem way more knowledgeable about actual football than most. My hat is off to you.
A question. It seems from your post that Denard, as the QB, will be responsible for making reads, both before the play and during. One of the criticisms that I have heard of Denard is that he had trouble making the proper reads last year. I saw this on many plays where we either lost yards or turned it over, where he could have picked up yards, had he made the correct read. Now Denard was a freshman, for all intents and purposes, last year, so his experience should help in this regard, but with a whole new offense, is this a concern for you?
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
I think that they are going to make things very simple the first year. I think they are going to basically tell Denard to look one way for 3 seconds, look another direction for 3 seconds, and if it isn't there, then take off. I think that will help him get in rhythm with this new offense. After the amount of effort he put in during the off season last year, I'd be surprised if Denard is the problem. I think the most common problem you will see is when Denard reads one defense and the receiver reads a different defense. At that point, Denard will throw when and where he is supposed to, but the receiver will take a different route. It'll be frustrating (and scary while the ball is in the air), but when it works, it'll be just as potent as the read option.
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
Fine...2 seconds in one direction and 2 seconds in the other. I was going by the 3-step drop, which is used for timing the routes. If the pocket collapses after 3 seconds, he'll move how he needs to.
Denard went from liability to POY in one off season because of his work ethic. I'm guessing that same work ethic will be there this year and he will not struggle like others think he will.
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
For a young kid, especially a freshman, a zone read can be hard to grasp. Denard often said he got excited so that caused him to miss a play or a read.
That being said, these coaches aren't dumb and they are going to make it easier for him to roll into the new offense. Al has already said his offense is going to be built around Denard and his strengths. I maybe a little struggle at first but its not going to be like when RR came and its was just totally different.
February 3rd, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
This is why specific game planning will be so important, so they can give Denard a single read to make for every play, which will pretty much determine his actions. It's harder to do that for the receivers, in part because they can't see the whole field as well and each of them necessarily has their own read. I think the comment above is spot on that Denard will make a read before the play, look to a primary, then a secondary, then fire off the dilithium.
In this respect, Al Borges' comparison of Denard to Michael Vick may be instructive. The 1 read, 2 looks, then run approach was long used by Vick's coaches. It's only recently that Vick started to read the field like a Tom Brady (worked pretty well, too). My guess that is in Denard's senior year he will be able to do more reads, but it's pretty hard when you just start out.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
to tie this together with the Michigan FoxSports Robot. I choose not to directly go there.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
At a minimum he should get 3 years what RR got, it may take 3-4 however to win a Big 10 title
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
We need to put the phrase "How long to tranform?"* to work immediately.
***The original (and much more intriguing) headline for this post was "How long to Tranform". Typo fixed, fun over.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^
I'd say a few decades based on the best scientific evidence available...
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:00 PM ^
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^
Anything that we want to know
From just a beginner to a pro,
You need a montage
Ooh it takes a montage
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
as the year goes on. Get in a groove early with less complex systems, slowly implement more plays each game, and by the time OSU comes around we'll be throwing more complex stuff in there that they haven't seen on tape, yet. Sometimes simple works better, especially with some of the raw talent we have on O.
I foresee lots of running the ball and TE passes early on with the occasional "go deep" ball to throw the D off.
I'm actually looking forward to a new offense that will mix it up more. RR's offense was getting too predictable and a one-man show. Even the most talented guys (a la DRob) can be stopped if the D isn't scared of anyone else. How many times did the offense start out strong and then get "adjusted to" by the better defenses after a quarter or half.
February 3rd, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^
A WCO can take several years for NFL QBs to grasp it. What you will see is a very toned down version to suit DRobs game. This is the same approach RR should have used instead of forcing it on Threatt. Concerns with DRob reading defenses correctly are real. He is not a mobile QB he is a RB that can throw. What advantage they have on offense is the OL is familiar with blocking power formations anx they have numerous playmakers. Happy as hell to hear the defense will line up 4 with their hand in the dirt. They do have a very good DL that surprisingly got decent pressure with 3 guys. What killed the defense last season was not just the secondary but all to often they only rushed 3 and tried to use umbrella coverage but QBs given a lot of time can kill you. No reason they cant qualify for a bowl from year 1 but I'll give it 3 years before they are competing for the Big 10 title. Without a doubt you'll see improvement on the defensive side as the conference schedule unfolds next year.
February 3rd, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
Lesson #1:
This is the same approach RR should have used instead of forcing it on Threatt. Concerns with DRob reading defenses correctly are real. He is not a mobile QB he is a RB that can throw.Don't be a dumbass.
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
That you call him a dumbass says more
<br>about you. The point he's making is a demonstrably correct one. RR absolutely disregarded the talent in order to force his scheme. The smart coach adjusts. He made a slow pro-style QB run a spread. It was a joke.
February 3rd, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
You're kidding right? When you're cooking with shitty ingredients, it doesn't matter if you make a roast or a pie. It's gonna be shitty.
RR figured "We suck this year, I might as well teach what I know so we have a base for next year when I get some talent"
February 3rd, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
February 3rd, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^
Is that you? How on earth did you escape Florence? Get back in the cage.
February 3rd, 2011 at 3:53 PM ^
Shut your goddamn trap.
February 3rd, 2011 at 5:59 PM ^
Neither Threet nor Sheridan were given the entire playbook. IIRC, it was estimated that they were using only about fifty percent of the offense. Vince Lombardi couldn't have come back from the grave and won more than maybe four with the talent on that team. When you don't have a bona fide BCS starting QB and you are playing bona fide BCS competition, the results usually aren't going to be pretty.
Threet was the starter at ASU as a RS JR, but was pushed pretty hard by a sophomore last season. He is a barely-servicable QB at this point. As a freshman, he was terrible. If he had simply been able to hit open recievers, Michigan would have won at least six that year.
Dead horse beaten! Selective memory engaged!
284720
February 3rd, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^
we see after the spring game. That should give us at least a vague measurement of playbook implementation.
February 3rd, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^
Auburn went undefeated in Borges's first season on the job. At UCLA, McNown struggled in year one as a sophomore and in year two they had one of the best offenses in the country and went 10-2. At SDSU, Lindley was productive (3,000+ yards, 23 TD) but struggled with his accuracy (16 picks and completions at 54%) as a sophomore in year one with Borges. As a junior this past year he was much better on all fronts.
Just like three years ago, people are making way too big a deal about offensive philosophy and system. When Borges has had a veteran QB and talent around him, there hasn't been any trouble hitting the ground running. Talent will carry the day and this is a very talented offense Borges has to work with. I don't expect them to have any problem putting points on the board.
February 3rd, 2011 at 2:42 PM ^
The O goes into the season with talent and experience. A transition from spread to hybrid/west coast simply isn't as complicated, abrupt or personnel-dependent as a pro-to-spread transition.
<br>The Hokes have basically promised that the transition will be gradual -- not anything like the 180 we saw w RR.There will be bumps, sure. But I wouldn't expect anything even close to 2008 redux, when Steve Threet was forced to run a spread. Both Denard and Devin seem to be good matches for the new offense.
February 3rd, 2011 at 5:11 PM ^
February 3rd, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
I know there is plenty of time to iron this out, but Denard hasn't taken many snaps under center. (high school or college) I am wondering two things:
<br>First, how many snap mishaps we will have early in the season. And,
<br>Second, how will Denard react to making reads while taking a drop back, this is much different from shot gun. This was a major concern for guys like Sam Bradford coming out of college so think it's something we could have to watch for.
February 3rd, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
I may be wrong, but from what I remember from his HS highlights is that the majority (like all) of his snaps came from under center. In fact that offense may look a lot like ours next year. Lots of roll outs.
February 3rd, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^
It would be cool if we could keep that fake QB draw with the quick slant over the middle to the slot receiver. Man that play to Roundtree seemed to work BIG every time it was called.
February 3rd, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
(edit: that's a link but the CSS doesn't make it painfully obvious until you hover)
February 3rd, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^
repeat.
<br>With our OL, WR, and Denard, that's enough for a good chunk of the schedule. Clever/complex is needed on a select basis, with much of it coming via running the same play in different formations.
<br>Fix scheme issues on D
February 3rd, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Football terminology for the most part is very similar with most coaches. As far as feeling comfortable within the new systems it is going to take a handful of plays here and there during actual game play to gain confidence and begin playing without having to think.
February 3rd, 2011 at 4:45 PM ^
The transition will probably be easiest on Denard, since he has the ball every play....IE much easier when you are in the drivers seat and touch the ball every play then when playing off the ball.
Probably a lot fewer designed runs, and a lot more scrambles...as they will definitely put an emphasis on how he hasn't exploited that opportunity enough. I expect mostly ins and slants on the timing routes, and some WR screens and middle to deep outs which Denard throw with strength and accuracy when in rhythm. The key will be for him to not hold on to the ball too long or try to make something out of nothing with his arm, as that is when he seems to panic and has bad turnovers. Just tuck it and run will probably be the message. If denard can get more touch/loft and accuracy on the deep throws, it will be a huge factor on how successful this offense can be. If safeties need to respect the vertical passing game, the run game and denard's scramble ability will be deadly.
The toughest transition will be for the running back in going from the spread to power blocking/running and play action schemes. In the run spread the blitz is often accounted for by the qb making the read to run himself or to hand off, or to hold and pass. In a more traditional offense, it is on the running backs and TEs to pick up blitzers, as the qb's options upon the snap of the ball are more limited. The backs will also need to be more decisive in their cuts and north south in their running as the gaps in the defense will obviously not be as spread out.
Incorporating the TE more should not be too difficult a challenge as they are used to run blocking as well as catching off the line of scrimmage. Again, how they pick up the blitz will be a big issue.
The O-lineman may have to put on a few pounds, but technique should not be an issue. Conditioning will be fine, considering what they went through under the spread attack.
The real issue here, I believe, is not about points or yards, but game control. While the defense sucked historically last year, it is hard to guage just how bad they were, given how quickly the offense would score, or go 3 and out. The hardest part may be teaching these guys how to "grind out" drives, instead of flying down the field.
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^
IMO, Borges WILL mold his offence to fit Denard. I agree with BILG on the plays he suggested, along with a solid running game and some play action. Also a lot of roll out and plays for the TE. Don't forget what a really mobile QB can do for your offence when he drops back. One player comes to mind Vince Young. He single handedly won a national championship over USC. Young had 200 yards rushing and 3 TDs. I think Denard won't rush for nearly as many yards as last year. His yards per carry will be a lot higher though.