Interesting interview on Speight and reason for transfer

Submitted by goblue12 on

Brad Galli with a nice piece over on ABC on why Speight decided to transfer. Although Speight denies any hard feelings towards the staff, he does seem a little slighted by the fact that he was splitting reps with the other QB's in spring practice.

“There are certain things that are maybe hard to put into words. I have always been in quarterback competitions. At the bus last year, Coach Harbaugh said I’m gonna be a top quarterback in all of college football this season. Then the first spring practice happened and I was splitting reps,” 

Interesting take and look into the program. Apparently a meritocracy indeed. Video in link. 

 

LINK: http://www.wxyz.com/sports/speight-speaks-out-on-decision-to-leave-mich…

MGoBoard

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^

Everyone’s best performances are against bad teams. At least he has had performances that can be considered good. Not true for Peters, who has not had what anyone could consider a good game. You talk about a critical eye — what has Peters done to indicate he is better than Speight? Is it his performance against weak teams? You said yourself Speight had that covered, and that those don’t matter very much. Was it his performance against Wisconsin, which was his worst game and one we lost largely due to bad/limited QB play? I hope Peters wins the Heisman. But he has not shown anything but promise. A nice looking ball, a good throw here, a ball turfed 5 yards short there, some good pocket awarenness on one play and completely not seeing a free rusher to his right on the next play. All told, he has looked like a guy with some tools but who has not thrown for more than 157 in a game and around 50% completions. If Peters were a 3* player, every Michigan fan would be applauding him for being a nice emergency stopgap this year and brushing him aside, salivating for McCafferey.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Year of Revenge II

November 28th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^

Not true about everyone's best perfomances being against inferior teams.  I could give you many specific examples of this, but I suspect you do not need them.  Let's just agree that every good player excels against inferior teams.

I certainly disagree about Wisconsin, who I think we probably beat if Peters does not get hurt, mostly due to average to poor offensive line play. 

I don't care about anyone's stars; they mean nothing once the whistle blows, if they ever did before it blew. Peters is a the real deal, and someone as talented as DM is going to have a difficult time displacing him as Peters's confidence grows with game experience.

 

 

Joined: 11/12/2013

MGoPoints: 9188

Year of Revenge II

November 28th, 2017 at 10:21 AM ^

Also disagree about Peters not yet having a good game. In his wins, he did exactly what the coaches wanted him to. We won the games. Happy? I was.

Accumulating game stats are for losers, not that any of our guys have ever done that.  But it's a team game, and Peters's contributions in the wins were consistent, and almost for that alone was an improvement over Speight.  The guy had some good games, notably for me against MSU last year, but he was consistently dreadfully inaccurate with 30% of his passes. Good in pocket, but very slow afoot, and not very athletic.  I grew to like him, but I look to the future with much higher hopes and expectations than his level of play.

Hope he does well wherever he ends up unless he's playing against us.

 

Joined: 11/12/2013

MGoPoints: 9188

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 10:53 AM ^

Happiness has nothing to do with it. He has not had a good game. He has played good enough to win in most of the games, which is nice. He did what the coaches wanted from him, which is nice. This doesn’t mean he has played well. The coaches designed game plans that asked him to not be bad, and he hasn’t been. But he has not been good in a single game. It is a team game, and Speight, even with his 30% inaccurate throws, has contributed to more wins than Peters, has contributed more to those wins than Peters. If you’re going on the record thing, Speight has been largely excellent. And if you go with stats, you admit Speight has been much better. You’re playing feelingsball and claiming it’s your discerning eye. You are not using any objective metrics. You are applying different standards (Speight beats bad team by throwing for 250, meh; Peters beats bad team by throwing for 100, good!) to the guys to fit your emotional state (happiness). And then you refer to a critical eye and make demonstrably false claims and stick to them with no evidence.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 1:36 PM ^

This is evidence. Good stuff. It’s better than asking if a viewer is happy or whether we won the game. But this does make me question the algorithm a bit — how is the Minnesota game ranked better than the Cincinnati game? Maybe not so good with small sample sizes?

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

pescadero

November 28th, 2017 at 2:14 PM ^

1) QBR looks at situational stats, not raw stats. It considers things like down/distance, and score. It also treats a 5 yard pass downfield differently than a screen pass that gains 5 yards.

 

2) Minnesota is the #43 S&P (#66 FEI) defense in the country. Cincinnati is the #85 S&P (#116 FEI) defense in the country.

 

Joined: 03/28/2013

MGoPoints: 12138

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 3:13 PM ^

I was generally familiar with the methodology, but I don’t see how a 60 yard performance can be better than 270 yards, no matter the strength of the defense. 270 is nothing special against a bad defense, but 60 is awful against any defense. Especially when there were no INTs. Did Speight have a few fumbles or something? And does QBR take fumbles into account? Anyways, you’re always good for a comeback, and I appreciate it. I never would have thought Peters would look this good (knew Speight looked bad) in QBR. Edit: More broadly, I agree that Speight was bad this year. But Speight has shown some quality games, and Peters hasn’t. It’s easy to say Speight regressed, and I think he did to some degree, but I imagine he would have settled in and built some rapport with the young receivers, and would have benefitted from our running game getting going. It’s a counterfactual, sure, but it’s based on the fact that he has been good in the past and not on recruiting stars.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

WeimyWoodson

November 27th, 2017 at 7:16 PM ^

Wilton was an absolute warrior running out there for the OSU game last year.  I remember feeling really down all week leading into the OSU game last year and seeing Wilton go really made it seem like we had a true chance.  Yes he had some mistakes, but damn I will always remember that 4th down OT td and him yelling to go for two! 

Best of luck to him and I hope he ends up in the NFL.

Joined: 08/25/2015

MGoPoints: 14775

charblue.

November 27th, 2017 at 7:21 PM ^

Leaving. He has no other power or control over his situation other than choosing not to continue with the program. Which means he took Harbaugh's choice out of the decision.

This impacts the bowl game and the recruiting picture in the short run. It impacts the backup situation next year and any security Harbaugh thought he might have next year.

And, his decision may have also been motivated, at least, in part, by rumors regarding the Ole Miss qb considering a transfer to Michigan regardless of whether his eligigibility would have interfered with Speight's. It's just another body and player to overcome.

Let's be honest, this is the crucible that faced Tom Brady when he was at Michigan.

 

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11420

treetown

November 27th, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^

I believe Brady felt he was better than Griese but didn't get the nod. Then he had Drew Henson and very open popular fan support for Drew. He stuck it out - he talked with Greg Harden who pointed out that yes, he could transfer but if it was his ambition to be a pro player at some point he had to compete with someone and face competition each year potentially so he might as well get used to it. 

This might be an interesting topic for more detailed analysis - how often do QB transfers turn out well? (set a low bar - make it to a NFL roster)? I can think of a few high profile examples like Troy AIkman going from Oklahoma to UCLA, Russell Wilson from NC State to Wisconsin, ? others.

 

Joined: 11/10/2010

MGoPoints: 6339

gruden

November 27th, 2017 at 7:50 PM ^

He says it isn't about the competition, but what else is it?  He came out on top 2 years, he probably knew he wasn't going to be #1 going into next season with Peters having game experience.

He wants to play in the NFL.  He had 2 guys behind him that was going to make it tough to get playing time next year.  But if he (feared he) couldn't beat out 2 younger guys, how does he think he'll fare better in the NFL where competition is constant?

This is something impressive about O'Korn, how he never seemed to sulk when he wasn't #1 and when he was benched in favor of a younger QB.  He always gave it his best with a good attitude, despite other limitations.  I think Speight's chance at the NFL is as good here as anywhere.

Joined: 04/29/2016

MGoPoints: 6063

mastodon

November 28th, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^

Not saying JOK's not a selfless team player, but I think another reason he never sulked may be because he lacked self confidence to the point where he was relieved to not have to go out and fail.  That explains to me how someone with decent/adequate ability - as shown his FR year at Houston, and in the Purdue game - seemed hesitant and incapable of making on-field decisions.  QB is such a thinking position, and something was inhibiting his thought process.  He was just waiting for the game to unravel, and it would.

Perhaps as a FR he felt no heavy expectations because he was a FR?  In the Purdue game he came off the bench - didn't have a week of failure-think as the designated starter?  I don't buy the showing-up-the-former-coach motivation in that game, because if simply a matter of self-motivation, I have no doubt that he wanted to win - he would have been "on" for his other games, and especially OSU.

I was a play-JOK-instead-of-Speight guy early on.  Wanted him to have on-field success.  I think he's a high character guy, and I wish him the best.

Joined: 04/20/2011

MGoPoints: 2393

Carcajou

November 27th, 2017 at 7:54 PM ^

You can see why a young QB wouldn't like splitting reps in practice or in games, but this year shows exactly why it's absolutely necessary- can you imagine how much worse this season would have gone if Peters and JOK had even fewer reps?

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 5794

JBE

November 27th, 2017 at 7:59 PM ^

I have a feeling losing Speight is going to bite this team in the ass. I think he was still the best QB on the roster. 

Joined: 08/18/2008

MGoPoints: 19316

Jimmyisgod

November 27th, 2017 at 11:32 PM ^

If Speight had stayed healthy he would have been our starter all season and we likely beat MSU and OSU. And he'd be the starter next year regardless. Kid looked way better last year than Peters looked this year and it's not close. People are forgetting how great he looked when healthy last season. He was almost a Heisman candidate and made 3rd team All big. Anyone claiming were better off without him is kidding themselves.

Joined: 01/24/2012

MGoPoints: 10342

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 7:54 AM ^

Agree. Speight is twice the QB Peters is today. But, Peters has looked very promising, meaning they would probably be very close in quality by next season and theoretically, Peters could end up being the better QB by he time he is done. Peters has worked with a very limited playbook, has never thrown more than 18 times, and his highest yardage total is 157. He has not been good by any stretch of the imagination, whereas Speight has been at times. People are just so starved for good QB play this year that they are confusing promise with quality.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Year of Revenge II

November 28th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^

If you invert the fraction, only then might I agree with you.  Speight is about half the qb Peters is.

Peters is much quicker, much more athletic, makes  better decisions, is far more consistent, has a much better arm, sees the field better, and is far more accurate with his balls.  He knows when to use touch, and when to apply the mustard. Other than those things, Speight has it all over Peters I guess.

I suggest to you that nobody knows these things better than Speight himself. It's why he's leaving.  It's also why Brady stayed.

 

Joined: 11/12/2013

MGoPoints: 9188

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^

All of those things can be true (I don’t think they are), but how does that explain Peters’ career high of 157 passing yards in a game and a 57% completion percentage? If he’s so accurate and good at making decisions, why has he never reached John O’Korn vs Purdue levels? You are wrong, and all observable reality proves this. I hope Peters end up the better player. But as of right now, he’s not close to being as good as Speight has shown and is right about the level of bad Speight from early this season that had everyone calling for his job. You also bring up foot speed, which is fine, while mentioning Brady, who proves foot speed is not a requirement. You’re confusing promise (he threw some very nice balls) with performance (57% accuracy on balls averaging 8.8 yards per attempt).

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Year of Revenge II

November 28th, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^

Let's agree to disagree then.

I believe stat-wise things will improve to your liking, but the only stat I am concerned about is the final score, and he was doing just swimmingly there.

He's going to prove it to you, all he needs is some PT.  If he plays against OSU, we win. I assume he'll be ready for the bowl game, which I hope is in San Diego, a short drive from Phoenix for me. We will win that game I bet to finish 9-4, with a monster defense coming back.  The OL has to improve, markedly, which they can I believe.

Joined: 11/12/2013

MGoPoints: 9188

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^

You misunderstand. I’m not saying Peters won’t improve or that his stats won’t pick up. I’m saying that as of now, Peters is about half the QB Speight is. I thought you were arguing against that, but it seems like you’re arguing that Peters will eventually be better than Speight, which is a different issue entirely. And I don’t even disagree. He not only doesn’t have to prove anything to me (I was satisfied with his performance; we needed QB play just above bad and that’s what he gave us) but he literally cannot prove to me that he is currently better than Speight, because that judgment is based on current performance. If he comes out and blows Speight’s performance out of the water next season, all that will show is that he has become better. We’re all hoping for that.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 3:18 PM ^

I dunno, and I don’t care about 7 on 7 passball. That’s a weird question, in my opinion. But I’d rather have a healthy Speight than a healthy Peters in a bowl game, if only because Speight has shown good games on film, so I wouldn’t be expecting him to play his best game ever, and he allows you to call a real offensive game, not one designed to minimize the QB having to make decisions. In a few years, I might go with Peters. But not now.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

mastodon

November 28th, 2017 at 11:57 AM ^

Since you brought it up...what about bad Speight at the beginning of the year, and how does that chapter of his UM career fit in with your argument?  Peters' sample size was small, and didn't overwhelm statistically, but I think he won the eye test on the season.  If both were healthy for the OSU game, I'd like to have Peters start, and I think he would have.

Joined: 04/20/2011

MGoPoints: 2393

Reader71

November 28th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^

It fits in where it fits in. He was playing poorly. He was playing about as bad as Peters has played, which is the thrust of my argument. So how do people hate Speight for that level of play and love Peters for the same level of play? This is especially strange when you consider the commenter’s talking about winning being the most important measure. Michigan won all games Speight started, while we lost to Wisconsin with Peters. I don’t solely blame Peters for that loss, because I live in reality. But the type who says winning is all that matters even if the QB throws for 60 yards is the type to think in that type of black and white. I’m not even arguing for the greatness of Speight. I’m arguing for the need to be realistic about what Peters has shown. He’s looked promising, he has not, in any game, looked good.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Reader71

November 29th, 2017 at 8:17 AM ^

No, but DPJ was much better later in the year than earlier, McKeon developed into a good target sometime during the middle of the season, the offensive line (not in pass pro) and running game improved. And there’s the chance Speight could have improved along with them — even if he didn’t, his performance could have improved just by virtue of the others picking up some slack.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968