John O'Korn is Returning for the 2017 Season

Submitted by Wood_Chuckson on

According to Maize n Brew (but really according to a source that will go unnamed but sorta rhymes with Fart Biter) O'Korn is coming back to compete for the starting spot under center. For obvious reasons, most pundits are projecting Speight to lead the team again in 2017 but I'm really hoping the open QB competiton is just that and will sort itself out.

 

http://www.maizenbrew.com/2017/1/2/14145084/michigan-john-okorn-will-return-2017-season-brandon-peters-dylan-mccaffrey-wilton-speight-wolverines?utm_campaign=evanpetzold&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

 

 

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JonnyHintz

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^

It should be an open competition every year. What you did last season shouldn't matter in all honesty. I don't care if you complete 72% of your passes for 4,500 yards with 36 TDs and 0 picks. If you show up to spring/fall camp and another QB plays better than you, get used to holding that clipboard.

Joined: 01/11/2015

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South Bend Wolverine

January 3rd, 2017 at 2:40 AM ^

Your point is valid, but I think there's still room for competition.  Yes, if it's a case where one guy hits "a few more throws in practice", then stick with the proven quantity.  But sometimes you get a guy who rests on his laurels, doesn't put in the work in the off-season, slides back, and gets passed.  When that happens, you go with the up-and-coming go-getter.

Basically, it's not that past performance is *irrelevant*, it's just that it isn't an *absolute* guide.  Plus, having the "open competition" mentality is often good for helping the returning starter keep the pedal to the metal in terms of his preparation.  Yeah, there is (and should be) a bias in favor of a returning star, but no one's position is guaranteed.

Joined: 09/11/2009

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HAIL-YEA

January 2nd, 2017 at 3:41 PM ^

It was 9 games, Speight didn't play against Indiana. He was also 0-3 in his final 3 games and played poorly in each of those games. He was 9-3 overall and if he had played well in any of the losses we would have won. Overall Speight had 2-3 really good games against really bad competition, but most of the year he was on par with MSU's Oconner. The only reason I will give him a pass is because it was his first year as a starter but I don't know how much experience will help accuracy issues.

Joined: 07/15/2009

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 2nd, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^

pull Smith for Kapernick after Smith went 14-4 in 2011. JH made the switch to the understudy to "give his team the best chance to win a championship." JH will start Peters if it makes the team better - specifically the ability to deliver big wins against top competition. We know Speight's capabilities, but the real issue is Peters upside. Will he understand the playbook well enough? Is his better athleticism enough to give the O another dimension? Is his arm and timing noticeably better to deliver the deeper throws? Does he protect the ball? Is the O energized & confident in his ability to win close games?

Joined: 11/01/2012

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VectorVictor05

January 2nd, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^

JH didn't pull Smith. Smith was injured, Kaepernick came in and set the world on fire for several games while Smith was hurt, then JH stuck with that momentum leading into the playoffs. That's completely different than going with an unknown commodity in a RS frosh who hasn't played a single snap. If Speight starts and struggles or gets hurts, totally different story.

Joined: 03/30/2009

MGoPoints: 1594

chrisu

January 3rd, 2017 at 7:13 AM ^

Every position is a meritocracy. Speight won't necessarily be starting at ground zero in the QB competition, but if another player, such as Peters is outperforming Speight, he will earn it. JH also shows he is willing to stick with a leader through some struggles. The best part is that no matter who wins the job, it will be the best performer as adjudicated by JH. If we trust coach, we don't ever have to beg to see the backup.

Joined: 12/27/2014

MGoPoints: 3254

Gucci Mane

January 2nd, 2017 at 5:24 PM ^

I have watched Michigan football for only 15 years so not a huge sample size. But the only time I thought the back up should get a chance was denard Robinson, that turned out decent. speight was not very good this year, I wouldn't mind Peters or even McCaffrey winning the job.

Joined: 02/10/2014

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xtramelanin

January 2nd, 2017 at 7:13 PM ^

comes to mind.  others with better roster knowledge would be able to speak to other starting QB combos that might have collided, particularly in the '90's.   steve smith was our starter when i was graduating and i thought he was not the best choice - very good runner, not so much passing ability.  

Joined: 12/09/2014

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bamf16

January 2nd, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^

 

That's true, and inarguable.  But it hardly settles the debate.  It’s like me writing, “a top QB recruit vs. a mid tiered QB who lost his last 3 starts.”

 

I can see the merits for predicting that Speight returns as the starting QB next season.  When given time in the pocket to throw, he's a future NFL QB.  IMO, he's shown he can make EVERY. SINGLE. THROW. a QB could be asked to make.  If he improves even just slightly in some areas, he’s a sure NFL draft pick as a lot are intrigued by his size and arm strength.

 

Speight’s biggest shortcoming so far has been his accuracy under pressure when his footwork suffers.  Some guys (Brady, Rogers, Roethlisberger, etc.) are able to excel even under pressure, and with UM’s OL issues, this is a skill a QB is going to need to have, whether it be Peters who has this ability already or Speight who hopefully develops it in the coming months.

 

I think we all just want the player who gives UM the best chance to win to play.  Plain and simple.  We’re always going to be intrigued by the unknown, hence the love affair with backup QBs, especially highly touted kids coming out of high school.

Joined: 01/05/2014

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Mr. Yost

January 2nd, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^

You would be shocked that a returning starter in his first year starting, with the same coaches, would be the starter next year?

I think you're using shocked wrong.

 

...you can think it'll be Peters, you can hope it'll be Peters...but why in the world would you be shocked? No. You'd be shocked if WolverineDevotee was the starting QB next year...or would you? #Mysteries

Joined: 07/25/2011

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Muttley

January 2nd, 2017 at 1:40 PM ^

He wasn't exactly a physical specimen.  But he had brains and superb decision-making.  Those are Wilton's assets, not to the same degree, but they are there.

Maybe Peters shows himself to be a throw god in the Spring and in the Fall and beats out Wilton.  It's possible.  But I think that would happen because Peters is that good, not because Wilton is considered bad.

Remember, the #1 sack-leading FSU defensive line absolutely crushed our offensive line, forcing Wilton to throw before the designed timings. 

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

CalifExile

January 2nd, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^

That is the rule on transferring. For example, the center from Texas, Raulerson, transferred after graduating in 3 years and had 2 years of eligibility left. http://hookemheadlines.com/2015/12/10/texas-football-raulerson-moving-o…

A smart player can learn a lot from Harbaugh even if he doesn't get many snaps. (IIRC, he ran one series at the end of the Hawaii game). If he has his eyes on the NFL he can get game experience at another school without sitting out.

Joined: 03/02/2010

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MichiganMAN47

January 2nd, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^

It will be disconcerting to me if Peters or McCaffrey is not the backup next year. O'Korn has shown some potential, but he looks uncomfortable under modest pressure... that's not an easy skill to develop.

Joined: 02/24/2015

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