MnB: Cade McNamara is backup QB; McCaffrey evaluating options
Interesting article by Maize N Brew.
Says Milton has for sure won the QB battle and CADE McNAMARA is the backup.
Dylan McCaffrey is evaluating his options that could either be transferring or opting out. He is not in the transfer portal currently.
The wheels are turning.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:46 PM ^
That's actually not what the article says and it also isn't new intel. This is what the article actually says:
"Cade McNamara has made a 'serious push' for the No. 2 job, according to a source"
That doesn't mean he's the back up. Just means he and McCaffrey are battling for the back up spot
People have apparently been so deprived of football news that they've forgotten how to interpret offseason info
September 16th, 2020 at 2:02 PM ^
Agree... And on this subject, in the comments of yesterday's offensive primer, Seth clearly stated that all of the hype is coming from practice time that isn't even using pads. There are several weeks of practice left that will include full speed defensive players, split second decision making, and reading defenses. I simply refuse to believe that there is any 'named #1' QB today that has no shot at losing that #1 spot.
I'm inclined to believe that Milton looks darn good, but all this talk of DCaff at #3 screams at me like Zordich was complaining about his DB's again...
September 16th, 2020 at 2:10 PM ^
Screams to me of subscription sites not liking their top line numbers
September 16th, 2020 at 2:15 PM ^
Well to be fair to the OP. I’ve forgotten how to interpret being in a social situation. I’m gonna be like that coked up cousin at Xmas when I actually find myself in one.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:53 PM ^
TO BE FAAAAAAIR.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^
I've been checked out--when did the Milton is #1 happen??
September 16th, 2020 at 1:46 PM ^
Cade McNamara "has made a serious push" =! "has won the backup job"
Let's just calm down a bit and see how things shake out a bit with the starting job before talking about who's 3rd string or transfer portal bound. JFC
September 16th, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
I'll say this. I've been pulling for Joe Milton to win the job because I think he has the highest ceiling. But if you're asking me to count out John Wick, well, I'm just not going to count out John Wick, OKAY!?
September 16th, 2020 at 2:10 PM ^
Especially not if there's a pencil within reach.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:18 PM ^
Any thoughts on McCaffrey converting to a WR or TE, ala Braxton Miller? He's obviously got the skill and athleticism (his family is swimming with NFL athletes and skill players). Injury and willingness would be the main concerns.
Especially if Nico is leaving and our WR room is thinner. I could see him splitting time with Cornelius Johnson opposite Ronnie Bell on the outside.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:47 PM ^
He'd need a year of 'roids and raw steaks (a.k.a. the Nebraska nutrition plan for its offensive linemen for many years) to get his upper body in TE shape.
WR? I can at least imagine that.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:31 PM ^
I am excited for Big JOE! Seems he has had the right attitude and work ethic and looks like Cam Newton.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:57 PM ^
This is absolutely nothing that we didn't already know in regard to the situation and your headline is misleading. Lately, you're becoming as annoying as TPC.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:03 PM ^
"...you're becoming as annoying as TPC."
That's hurtful, man...
September 16th, 2020 at 2:16 PM ^
I am not going to lie, TPC cracks me up sometimes
September 16th, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
Tournament Players Club?
September 16th, 2020 at 1:57 PM ^
The article at least answered my Jalen Mayfield question in that he is sticking with his decision to leave and prep for the draft. A shortened season seemed perfect for him to get some more game experience for which he has little of.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:00 PM ^
His last 2 games on film are of him handling Chase Young and showing well vs Alabama. He dealt himself 2 aces in his last two games, him standing pat it no surprise.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:53 PM ^
He didn't have a good game against OSU and Michigan gave Runyan and Mayfield plenty of help if Young lined up on their side. Mayfield was awful against OSU. Only Bama is his good game.
September 16th, 2020 at 5:35 PM ^
As a redshirt freshman, he didn't die against Chase F'n Young.
That, in and of itself, is a hugh, hugh W.
September 16th, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^
"October 24th is a long way from the heart"
September 16th, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^
I wonder if McCaffery's health is an issue.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:03 PM ^
Being reported now Nico Collins signed with an agent, so he's officially gone. It's never good to lose senior leadership but I gotta admit, with him gone there's more "Speed in Space" at wide out.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:06 PM ^
I boo your news...
This hurts my heart, but I don't blame him at all. Wish he would have done it earlier, to ease the pain on us, but I hope he finds a great draft spot and a successful career in the NFL.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:10 PM ^
I don't get that. Shortened season, and then play nfl next year. Why sign with agent now. Sorry to see him go..though funchess left too soon too . So be it. Godspeed to collins.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:02 PM ^
And so leaves the last main member of the overhyped 2017 WR class
September 16th, 2020 at 3:58 PM ^
Black seems to be doing well at Texas
My $$ says Nico & DPJ will both be stars at the next level.
This all leads back to the same question. Who is the QB whisperer and wtf is he doing?
BTW, if I was a 5* wideout at this point it makes no sense NOT to play in the big 12
September 16th, 2020 at 11:08 PM ^
I’ll take that wager sir P, DPJ is on healthy inactive list. Rare to become a star after going 5th round
September 16th, 2020 at 2:09 PM ^
I'll believe it when I see it. Until we see quarterbacks taking actual snaps in an actual game, I'm assuming McCaffrey is QB1, Milton is the backup, and McNamara is #3, simply because that's what the pecking order was last year.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^
I am also skeptical. Every year we hear rumors about QB competition and someone surprising in the QB room stepping up but by the time of the first snap its the same order as at the end of last year.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:33 PM ^
Well... That didn't age well.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:15 PM ^
I will take this opportunity to reinforce something I've been hearing.
Where have I been hearing it, you ask? Well, from my own mouth. But there it is.
And it is this: JOE MILTON IS COMING YOU BUCKEYE MOTHERF**KERS AND HELL'S COMING WITH HIM
September 16th, 2020 at 2:53 PM ^
Milton is QB#1.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:31 PM ^
This I trust.
Cheers.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:38 PM ^
Great flick.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
cool thread dude
September 16th, 2020 at 2:18 PM ^
You don't say?
September 16th, 2020 at 2:20 PM ^
Worried about who's coming, now we also get to worry about who's going.
September 16th, 2020 at 2:27 PM ^
THE PLAYERS WANT TO PLAY!!
(except the ones who don't)
September 16th, 2020 at 2:48 PM ^
In a season where a positive tests mean you are disqualified for at least a third of the season, I hope McCaffrey sticks around
September 16th, 2020 at 2:52 PM ^
All these Milton is the starter stories contradict the messaging from every other Harbaugh year where QB battles go down to the wire (even if they don’t really) and QB rumors are usually not true come game day.
Also, isn't it true they didn’t usually let Milton throw the ball when they put him in last year
And this:
Joe Milton: 6 of 11 with 1 TD and 2 INT
Dylan McCaffery: 18 of 25 with 3 TD and 0 INT
Half of Milton’s receptions (3) were against Rutgers. 25% of his “completions” were to the other team.
Finally all I hear is how Joe has the stronger arm and is getting more accurate, but Dylan is more accurate and a better runner. It was my understanding that RPOs, short accurate passing, and speed in space is our winning strategy and not high risk fly routes.
I am probably completely wrong given the railroad train going to Milton land. I’m not trying to criticize Milton either but rather point out there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical about all of these rumors. I’ll remain skeptical until Coach says it. I’d rather see a healthy competition to game day. May the best man win.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:02 PM ^
I did a couple posts breaking down the play of McCaffrey/Milton and the bottom line is this:
Milton looked terrible in the passing game and solid running the ball.
McCaffrey looked mediocre in the passing game and solid running the ball.
If Milton looks good throwing the ball (and I don't mean THROWING it, but actually reading defenses and making good decisions), that will be something that we have not even seen an inkling of during his first two seasons, other than a single corner route to Giles Jackson.
It's also extremely rare for the #3 quarterback to jump to #1 by the next season. The only guy to do it organically in the past twenty years is Devin Gardner, who was #3 behind Russell Bellomy in 2012 and ended up the starter in 2013. (I don't really count whatever happened in 2008, because there was a mass exodus of players - particularly Ryan Mallett - when Rich Rodriguez was hired.)
September 16th, 2020 at 3:08 PM ^
Ahh, thanks. I appreciate your game breakdown insights. I also like the point and agree that it comes down to who can read defenses and make good decisions under pressure. In other words leadership. None of that has been evaluated yet.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:13 PM ^
Regarding leadership, I actually get the vibe that McCaffrey and Milton are BOTH well liked by their teammates. I think there's better leadership at the quarterback position than at any point since Devin Gardner in 2014. (FWIW, I think Jake Rudock had some good leadership skills, but it hurt that he was only in Ann Arbor starting in the summer of 2015.)
September 16th, 2020 at 4:31 PM ^
I don't think I'm connected as you, Magnus.....but the one report I received is that Joe is much more likeable. With Dylan's NFL pedigree, you could sort of see him being a bit of a "big-timer". This came from someone without contacts on the offensive side of the ball, so take it FWIW.
September 16th, 2020 at 8:22 PM ^
What's your take with the news of McCaffery opting out and allegedly transferring? Is Joe Milton Devin Gardner 2.0 (please say yes) or is it just general bad news and we have to hope Milton isn't too bad?
I'd give almost anything for Devin Gardner 2.0, but it's been so hard to be optimistic about our QB situation.
September 16th, 2020 at 8:27 PM ^
Milton has been terrible in year 1 and year 2, so I don't know. He has a ton of talent, but it hasn't shown on the field.
He might have taken some giant leaps with workouts, film study, etc. in the off-season, but based on what we saw on the field in 2018 and 2019, this is not a great development.
September 18th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
Yeah, definitely not ideal. Thanks for your take.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:07 PM ^
This is barely an article; it's the usual "here's an anonymous source that is likely the same message board posters on 247 we see elsewhere" and Michael Spath at SI regurgitating those same points again as confirmation.
September 16th, 2020 at 3:08 PM ^
Am I the only one excited that we have a quarter back room that is hot without talk of transfers? I'm stoked to know we have potential behind the center! We need all three guys to continue to develop. However, it appears Mcafs injury really hurt him last year. I think he is in the seat of the lesser stock for the future IMO