[LOCKED] Per Cornelius Johnson - Plans to "expand" offense

Submitted by bluepalooza on January 6th, 2019 at 10:16 AM

For all of those who thought Shea was "speaking out of turn", sounds like plans are in works to get ball more to playmakers. https://twitter.com/SamWebb77/status/1081927242236727296 [edit:mgowill] This thread is now locked because it has jumped the rails.

BlueUPer

January 6th, 2019 at 10:38 AM ^

As many have noted, the offense was much more diverse this season.  In the bowl game, there were many 5 wide sets and attempts at creativity, but..... nothing will work against good teams if the O-line cannot block.  

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northernmich

January 6th, 2019 at 10:46 AM ^

But we had coaches trying to install 5 wide spread that really isn’t their strong suit atall. They are multiple TE, drop back, pro style guys. We need coaches that know how to block and create passing schemes out of empty and 4 wide sets. Pep and Jim just aren’t enough up to date in that regard.

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Twitch

January 6th, 2019 at 1:54 PM ^

I wouldn't blame last year on the Pep hire nearly as much as I would blame it on the ridiculous "experiment" with Frey and Drevno.  I'm no Pep apologist but watching our line last year was excruciating.  It was even worse watching it in slow motion.

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KennyGfanLMAO

January 6th, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^

While that would be awesome, Sam also asked Dax Hill what position he’ll be playing at Michigan, and he said they’ve talked to him most about Viper. That would make me a different level of upset. 

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BlueUPer

January 6th, 2019 at 10:48 AM ^

Yes, I was going to post this as well.  In the early part of the season, it appeared UM attempted to spread things out.  But....when Black went down, returned to a more conservative approach with sprinkles of spread sets.  

But.....is there something we are all missing.  Are the WRs legitimately playmakers?   

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TD Billy Taylor

January 6th, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^

Feel like a lot of recent recruits have mentioned a similar sentiment. At this point, I'm going to assume our offense will be the exact same as last year's because I just can't trust this staff after leaking all that stuff about a more spread offense last season, only to revert to the same FB/HB runs right up the middle seemingly every down.

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Mongo

January 6th, 2019 at 10:44 AM ^

What he said is "there is talk of that happening, more passing on early downs" ... maybe Shea becomes the OC given he has the most experience in the spread?

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Well Jim

January 6th, 2019 at 10:45 AM ^

If you were Shea, I would think he would look to get assurances about these kinds of things for offensive scheme before agreeing to come back next year

Agree with the sentiment around believing it when we see it, though. At this point there are no excuses. We have three elite wideouts in their junior year, four returning offensive linemen, a quarterback returning who can sling it, and painfully obvious evidence against strong teams that we need to keep up with elite offenses

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Well Jim

January 6th, 2019 at 10:45 AM ^

If you were Shea, I would think he would look to get assurances about these kinds of things for offensive scheme before agreeing to come back next year

Agree with the sentiment around believing it when we see it, though. At this point there are no excuses. We have three elite wideouts in their junior year, four returning offensive linemen, a quarterback returning who can sling it, and painfully obvious evidence against strong teams that we need to keep up with elite offenses

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TD Billy Taylor

January 6th, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^

https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-Football-Recruiting-Greenwich-Conn-Brunswick-4-star-wide-receiver-Cornelius-Johnson-discusses-his-two-touchdowns-in-the-All-American-Bowl-and-plans-to-expand-Michigan-127404330/

Full article link for the board.

Reading his comments, they're honestly pretty vague. All he does is mention that there's "talk" of expanding the offense and throwing more on early downs. This sounds a lot like what we heard last offseason, and, frankly, nothing really changed on our offense.

I'll believe it once I see it, aka us actually win a few games with a spread offense.

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Dayton Blue

January 6th, 2019 at 10:50 AM ^

Just another bullshit insider tweet to throw fans off for 8 months.   

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Blau

January 6th, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^

As much as I appreciate the sentiment of these quotes, it’s really hard to validate this more than player-speak. Although I will say it’s encouraging to hear these things have a voice.

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chatster

January 6th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^

Maybe there's a business model for this when workers feel like management would benefit from their input.

Would it be helpful for Shea Patterson and the other team leaders on the offensive side of the ball to demonstrate their leadership skills by coming up with a list of no more than 20 plays, whether from Michigan’s playbook or from other college teams or NFL teams that they agree (a) they’re comfortable running, (b) they believe can succeed and (c) would benefit the overall offensive game plan?

They could speak with each of the four principal position groups (quarterbacks; running backs and fullbacks; receivers and tight ends; offensive linemen) and have each group come up with a list of their top five plays – a total of no more than 20.

They could prepare a video that shows each of those plays, whether they’re from the Michigan playbook, other college teams or NFL teams.  Then they could show the video to the coaches and make the case for incorporating those plays into the spring practice sessions and, if they work well during the spring, test them again during pre-season practices and incorporate each of the plays that work well into every game plan for the 2019 season.

This won’t limit the offensive coordinator’s ability to devise the game plan of his choosing, but it will give the players a sense that their voices are being heard when it comes to determining how well they will be able to perform.

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2morrow

January 6th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^

IMO it usually takes a few years or recruiting cycles to change personnel to fit a new strategy. However, it is already in place. We have 3+ receivers who can/would put up big numbers anywhere if they can get the ball in space. Most teams would die to get this pass catching group.

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Tom Snow

January 6th, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^

Until coaches are fired, expect more of the same. All bullshit at this point.

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SMart WolveFan

January 6th, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^

So, let me get this straight?

You spend a month whining for recognition that the staff is going to do the obvious.

But you won't believe it when that recognition happens?

So precious :)

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SMart WolveFan

January 6th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^

That is recognition. They realize what the perception is if they are recruiting to try and change it.

 

Most of you guys seem to be under the delusion that the staff doesn't want a dynamic passing game, of course they do; it was just more important to shore up the achilles' heal of an Oline first so the QBs stopped getting clobbered.

The Oline isn't elite and can't yet beat elite competition but it isn't a heel anymore and one two more pieces and it can reach elite. All hail Warrinner!

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FrozeMangoes

January 6th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^

OSU's Oline wasn't elite either, so they devised a game plan to get rid of the ball quickly.  UM's line isn't elite so they devised a game plan that requires the Oline to be elite.   Does it also require an elite Oline to get the play call in under 20 seconds?  Blaming the O line for all the problems at this point is the delusion. 

 

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SMart WolveFan

January 6th, 2019 at 12:52 PM ^

I didn't blame anyone. 

But if "blame" needed to be placed, it would firmly be with the coaches, since they did not trust the Oline.

My point was: Watching the QBs go down like bowling pins last year is probably the single most important reason they had vanilla play calling and were risk averse.

Was it too conservative in the end? Yes!

Was it understandable when you're talking about the health of the most important position? Yes.

Will it get better now that Warrinner has been here for a year and more of his recruits are coming in? Of course. 

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FrozeMangoes

January 6th, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^

How do you know they didn't trust the Oline? How do you know the reason they had vanilla play calling and were risk averse was the QB injuries last year? You don't.  They put more on the Oline than most teams.  Their run plays need to be executed by everyone to work, that indicates trust.  They utilize long developing pass routes which require difficult pass blocking.  That indicates trust.

I don't buy they were conservative to protect the QB.  If that was the case OSU was the time to unleash him as there was nothing to save the QB for if they lose that game. But they rolled out the same plays and JH even said "we ran our best plays"

At the end of the day we are both speculating and you could be correct, I just don't see it that way.  I think JH is just conservative by nature and it is something he would have to change philosophically to see any changes on the field despite who he hires underneath him. 

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SMart WolveFan

January 6th, 2019 at 3:07 PM ^

So you think it would have been just great to hang the QB out to dry out of desperation? Cool.

 

Harbaugh has proven he does what it takes to be successful at both the college and pro level; that is the best indicator of his ability to make the changes to be successful in the current state of college football.

And the fact that it's not happening quickly enough for the petulant reactionaries is meaningless.

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FrozeMangoes

January 6th, 2019 at 3:31 PM ^

No, I think the staff should have figured out how to get the ball out of Shea's hands quickly and used screens to offset the pass rush.  Instead of just giving up when they got behind and running the ball and huddling down 3 scores in the fourth. 

JH has also proven he will keep his friends around long after they've proven to be a liability.  You cite Qb injuries in '17 as a reason the staff turtled, but fail to mention it was coached by someone who was a friend and then let go and the line improved dramatically after his departure. 

Harbaugh has proven he will do what it takes to win at the pro level.  He has still won nothing at the college level.  Unless you count the tie with OSU this year for the divisional title after they historically beatdown his team.

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SMart WolveFan

January 6th, 2019 at 3:46 PM ^

Yup glad he got rid of Drev, have no problem if Pep moves on, although I do appreciate Nico, Cade, Milton, Ronnie Bell, OMartin and hope JD Johnson sticks.

But Jay Harbaugh is a great recruiter and is on the cusp of making the Cali pipeline flow so that take is just wussy.

 

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njvictor

January 6th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^

I mean if Shea AND incoming freshmen both are saying this, there has to be some sort of truth to it. To me, it's just a question of if they actually follow through and actually expand the offense. Remember when RPOs where supposed to be an increased part of our offense? I think we ran less than 5 RPOs all year. So I'm not getting my hopes up until I actually see it happen

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