Todd McShay: "I think it's mandatory for Shea Patterson to return to school"
“He has the physical tools,” McShay said. “The best thing that Shea Patterson could do is to go back to school and continue to learn pro-style offense and continue to develop. He has the potential to develop into an NFL quarterback. If I were advising Shea, I would say it’s mandatory to go back to school for another year, because he has a great opportunity that not many quarterbacks in the country have, to work under multiple coaches -- not just the head coach -- that have spent many years in the NFL. There’s experience there.
“He went from a system (at Ole Miss) that had nothing to do with what he’s going to do in the NFL to one that is very similar to what he’s going to do in the NFL, and I think it’s mandatory (to return), again, if I was advising him.”
November 30th, 2018 at 6:25 PM ^
Kind of dumb. It isn't mandatory, but Shea probably should come back.
November 30th, 2018 at 6:29 PM ^
What a coincidence, I think that too.
November 30th, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^
Because what college kids enjoy is the word "mandatory" when they know that something is their choice.
McShay meant "in his best interests".
I hope Patterson returns. And practices airing it out to our WRs.
November 30th, 2018 at 6:57 PM ^
I like where our offense is headed. Dylan of next year will be better than Shea of this year. But Shea of next year will be better still. He needs that time, and this offense needs for QBs to have a couple years to season before they're handed the reins.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:10 PM ^
Shea should, and will, return.
A word on our tight ends- never been impressed with McKeon much. Eubanks should be getting way more play time. He seems to always make a big play when on the field.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:10 PM ^
IMO Shea will return, along with almost the whole offense, and we’ll finally see the offense we have all been waiting for sense Jim’s return. Shea would at best be a mid to late round pick. After another year, his stock will improve.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:14 PM ^
It could be that a redshirt sophomore McCaffrey is a better QB than a senior Shea Patterson. It's unlikely but possible.
Did anyone read the recent ESPN article about Tua Tagovailoa's rise and how Saban's assistants tried for months to convince Saban that Bama should switch to a freshman Tua despite sophomore Jalen being 20-1 as a starter and the 2nd year QB of an undefeated 2017 Alabama team?
But inertial thinking prevailed...until the 2nd half of the CFB NC Game.
We've seen our very own Harbaugh make the switch from Alex Smith - who was completing 70% of his passes in his 2nd year under Harbaugh (2012 iirc) - to Colin Kaepernick who was a dynamic dual-threat the NFL was not yet fully equipped to handle. And Kaepernick outperformed and outclassed Aaron Rodgers in that season's playoff game. (There's the highlight of Kaepernick blowing past Charles Woodson in that game on a QB keep.)
My point: Seniority and experience will probably win out. But I wouldn't totally rule out McCaffrey winning the job or somehow becoming the starter next season.
Just last year, people on here were wondering why (redshirt) freshmen QBs in other programs could step right in and win (tough) games.
I submit that with McCaffrey as a redshirt freshman starter we would've finished no worse than 10-2 this season (if Patterson had not been eligible or had not transferred here).
November 30th, 2018 at 7:22 PM ^
Thank you for the most logical, well-reasoned response I've had yet. Programs across continue to start youth over experience and they continue to prove it can make you successful. I'm just saying Dylan should start over Shea, if all things are equal, not disparaging the guy at all. I think he's really talented, but youth sometimes is a great intangible to have on your side. Everyone's acting so emotional on this subject instead of logical.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:55 PM ^
You do realize that that two arguments starting from different premises can both be logical, don't you?
Many of us don't buy your premise. Pretty simple.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:07 PM ^
Yes, but I've been called "batsh*t crazy", moron and illogical and many other insulting names for having a differing opinion. Yet, you called me out for playing by the same rules as the others.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:26 PM ^
This is part of the reason I believe Saban will always be a better coach than Harbaugh ... Saban has always played the best players Harbaugh seems to play his players by seniority ...Like you said Dylan would have got us 10-2 with this team and he has the higher upside .. I’m not sure why Harbaugh didn’t trust the players he recruited and groomed them..
December 1st, 2018 at 12:01 AM ^
wait, didn't harbaugh start about 13 underclassmen last year?
November 30th, 2018 at 7:23 PM ^
Anyone who doesn't hope Shea comes back is not thinking clearly. Shea Patterson + Better Oline + DPJ + NC + TB + BELL + EVANS/Charbonnet/Turner + Eubanks/Gentry = Best Offense in B1G. Those men will be a machine. For most of the season Michigan's D was dominant in 2018. Next year, the Offense will be dominant if Shea comes back. Shea will be in the Heisman conversation if he comes back. Nico, DPJ, TB and Gentry will likely be NFL bound next year. Offensively, next year will be Michigan best since Harbaugh arrived.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:18 PM ^
Shea won’t be in the Heisman convo unless we get a different offense... Defensive coordinators will figure him out by next season he’s a short to intermediate passing QB he doesn’t have the arm strength to push it downfield
November 30th, 2018 at 7:32 PM ^
Whoever starts at QB next year, I just hope that the offense opens up more. With the exceptional talent at receiver coming back next year, there's no reason, between DPJ, Black and Collins, for at least two of them not to have thousand yards seasons along with a thousand yard rusher.
It seems every year the obsessive question is "what's the team identity?" It should be simple, we play football. If you stack the box, we'll throw it on you all day long and if you give us a base front, we'll run it down your throats! That's what talented teams do and there's plenty of talent and skill on this team to be a complete team that can adapt to whatever the opposition presents.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:34 PM ^
Anyone who says it's in our best interest interest for Shea to leave is a complete idiot. Dude carried the team at very important parts of games this season. We need him bad next year.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:49 PM ^
Agreed.
November 30th, 2018 at 7:58 PM ^
What important parts was that ?? We beat everyone by double digits pretty handily... The only game you might can say he carried us was NW . .. We could have won every game with Dylan he didn’t do anything special that would lead anyone to believe we need him back .. Dylan is just as athletic and has a better arm
November 30th, 2018 at 8:02 PM ^
I think anyone who is hung up on Shea is delusional.. Dylan is just as athletic, has a better arm and has a higher upside ... This team wins on defense ... Dylan should have started this year if it wasn’t Peters
November 30th, 2018 at 8:18 PM ^
Where has he shown this on a college level, against a quality defense? This is what is wrong this god damn program. It’s effing hype. That all Michigan football has been the last two decades is hype. Talk about how great we are and open our mouths and get blasted in the Game that really matters. “Oh our back up quarterback has so much potential and looks like he can do just as well as out starter so let’s bench him!!” It’s all HYPE and projection with McCaffery. No substance. We have a proven, NFL caliber QB who threw for 21 TDs and 5 INT and 2200 yards and all we want to do is get rid of him. We want the next best thing. Haven’t won a damn meaningful thing in two decades and people want to get rid of the best QB we have had since Henne. Oh Bama did it why can’t we? That decision will be talked about FOREVER as the gutsiest move maybe ever in CFB. But hey it worked once so it’s gotta work every time right? This is the crap we get mocked for by every other fan base. We mocked Dantonio for switching QBs all the time and look at the dumpster fire they are. Look at the QB crisis we had last year. “O’Korn has got to be better” is all I heard. Look at that shit show. Keep wanting the next best thing and we will continue the great disappointing cycle we have been on.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:28 PM ^
We are hype, but for more than just a QB. It's the fans that perpetuate the hype. McCaffery has years of substance in high school and at the college level in his few games. He's been proven when his number has been called. Shea has played the likes of Nebraska, SMU, Western Michigan and others who have terrible defenses, yet you place emphasis on Shea's stats over Dylan's like Shea's playing against the '85 Bears. Nick had the guts to make that move, it paid off. Dabo had the guts to replace Kelly Bryant who led them to the championship for a freshman, it paid off. Jake Fromm for Kirby Smart, led them to the national championship, it paid off. It's more than just a one time thing. Brock Purdy for Iowa State. Super successful Freshman year. It happens! Not at stale, stubborn programs, but it's happening all over the nation. MSU's issue are way past a QB issue. They are a dumpster fire because of off the field, institutional and on the field problems. You are wanting to keep the safe bet, when something better is probably on the bench. Don't ever compare McCaffery to O'Korn. My little brother in high school is better than O'Korn. He's literally the worst you could get. It's not a similar situation at all. You're letting your fear cripple you.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:33 PM ^
1st off Shea is not a NFL caliber QB I’m sorry .. All last year we heard about how Dylan was killing our defense in practice, how he was the best QB on the roster well if that was true why didn’t he get a chance to take the reigns ? Why doesn’t Harbaugh trust his recruits? Don Brown regularly raved about Dylan last year .. He would have took us to 10-2 just like Shea and he has the better arm and a higher upside ..
November 30th, 2018 at 10:50 PM ^
Shea can play in the league and it's obvious to all knowledgeable observers.He does need another year though.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:43 PM ^
Who gives a shit who the QB is if all we do is hand off the goddamn ball?
November 30th, 2018 at 8:50 PM ^
Lol well you have a point
November 30th, 2018 at 10:34 PM ^
McCaffery does not have a stronger arm than Shea.
You are wrong but please tell me where you get this ridiculous take from?
December 1st, 2018 at 7:38 AM ^
You clearly are on the Shea hype .. Anyone who watches football can tell Shea doesn’t have a strong arm he can’t make all the throws .. Far to many times he underthrew players on deep passes or he wouldn’t even attempt to throw the ball because he knew he couldn’t get it there ... This is obvious to anyone who watched a game
November 30th, 2018 at 8:13 PM ^
I have no problem with what shea does either way. Buy seriously fuck todd mcshay! Doesn't know shit and is annoying during games as a side line reporter.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
Would the clowns on this board please listen because I'm tired of saying it -
If the draft were tomorrow Patterson would NOT BE SELECTED.
UNLESS - Tonight he grows 3" and gets a right arm transplant.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:49 PM ^
Lol looks like we agree ... He doesn’t have a NFL caliber arm is my main thing .. He can’t sling it 50-60 yards downfield he maxes out at maybe 40 because that’s probably the farthest I’ve seen him throw all year
November 30th, 2018 at 9:23 PM ^
Maybe I didn't make myself clear enough since I said "tomorrow" and obviously the draft now extends over several days and board idiot clowns could imply that I think he might get drafted on one of the ensuing days of the draft.
SHEA PATTERSON WOULD NOT BE DRAFTED ON ANY DAY THAT ENDS WITH A "Y".
November 30th, 2018 at 9:36 PM ^
This is wrong. His TD throw to Tarik against PSU that was called back was over 50 yards (probably more because it was to the corner)
November 30th, 2018 at 10:06 PM ^
Congratulations on pointing out the one (AND ONLY ONE) deep pass that Shea threw on time and on target all season. Too bad it was called back.
ALL other deep balls were thrown late and short (even if many were completed). If you think NFL scouts and GM's don't see that and are lining up to draft him you are out yo damned mind.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:44 PM ^
I don’t recall saying NFL scouts and GM’s didn’t see him short arm some throws. But that’s also different from saying he can’t throw the ball over 40 yards, which he can. You’re conflating multiple issues. Just because he shortarmed some deep passes doesn’t mean he can’t throw the deep ball.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:58 PM ^
You're conflating me with a poster that said he can't throw the ball over 40 yards.
December 1st, 2018 at 5:59 AM ^
The point is Shea can throw the deep ball. Also, one more year in system will show HUGE dividends. Getting timing down takes repetition. These chuck and duck offenses, (like OSU/Oklahoma) are not predicated on long ball but get the ball to playmaker in space on short quick passes. With almost everyone coming back on offense, Michigan's offense could be scary efficient and dominant.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:47 PM ^
August as soon as you can.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
I agree on Patterson. And frankly, he has some physical thinks he needs to work on, too. He's fine on short and intermediate throws, but his deep ball accuracy, zip, and mechanics are highly questionable at this point.
November 30th, 2018 at 8:56 PM ^
Shea does not seem to see the field well, and still needs work on his decision-making. He's gotten better, but is nowhere near NFL-ready.
November 30th, 2018 at 9:17 PM ^
I like how when you make a stupid statement and continue to dig your heels in and get blasted for it, you can just accuse everyone of "group think". Like yeah buddy, you're right and everyone else is crazy, mgoblog is out to get you. Hope you got youve got your tinfoil hat ready.
Anyways, this has become a conversation of Shea vs Dylan and as Harbaugh often says when you start comparing players you often end up disparaging one. Shea is good, hes a gamer and can win us games. Dylan is also very good and he will get his shot but Shea is the starter. And he should be.
November 30th, 2018 at 9:38 PM ^
He shouldn’t be if we want to expand the passing game and take shots down field .. If we want to run the same offense we had this year that left much to be desired then yea keep Shea in ..
November 30th, 2018 at 10:43 PM ^
For some reason, you seem to be associating groupthink with paranoia. Groupthink is "a psychological phenomenon whereby pressure within a group to agree results in failures to think critically about an issue, situation or decision." There is certainly groupthink going on within the Michigan fanbase (especially on MGoBlog). We (fans opposing the mainstream) don't feel like everyone is out to get us; we just recognize that you guys are living in your little echo chamber where you repeat the same thoughts without actually considering that there could be a conflicting idea that (shocker) could be just as good, if not better, for the team. And the worst part of it is that you try to keep these opposing ideas out of your precious echo chamber (and deter any additional dissent) by negging any contentious posts to death.
Also, everyone keeps talking about how Dylan is a very good player, yet the majority of fans agree that his best shot of earning the starting job would be in 2020 as a RS-Junior. Almost an entire fanbase believing that a QB needs four whole years of development before becoming the QB1 is not exactly a ringing endorsement of his talent.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:29 PM ^
Thanks for the definitions but I was absolutely not conflating group think with paranoia. I'll try to be more clear: there's a group of posters in this thread who when confronted are accusing everyone of group think. Someone says Dylan should start because "high school" and then anyone who disagrees is guilty of group think. When your counterpoint in an argument is "group think", you're paranoid. Because you're essentially saying that everyone else is crazy and you're the only person who knows the real truth.
I'm did not use paranoid and group think to describe the same person or people. Hope that clears it up.
November 30th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
Does this message board have an ignore function? Just curious.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:13 PM ^
In the article McShay also opined the following:
Rashan Gary - agreed with his decision to declare. Likely a first round pick. "Some scouts think think he might be a little overrated and don’t know if they would use a pick until later in the first round, and that’s fine. But I think the lowest you’re going to hear from anybody in the league who’s done their homework is early second round but that probably won't happen."
Winovich definitely improved his draft stock by staying. Entering this season McShay considered him a fifth- or sixth-round pick but now is probably a second day pick.
Devin Bush is ready. He’s just so instinctive, he’s so fast, he’s today’s NFL game and everyone in the league knows it. McShay considers him a top 20 (or earlier) pick.
McShay believes cornerbacks David Long and Lavert Hill would be better served staying at Michigan. If they leave now they are looking like 3rd - 4th round picks and would probably end up as a No. 3 corner on most teams. Thinks they could use an extra year to develop with DB's defense.
Higdon has a future in the league as a rotation RB. Looking like a 3rd/4th round pick.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:31 PM ^
McShay looking out for Michigan's best interests. I like it.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^
I tend to agree with McShay. Patterson had some really good moments this season. And there were some bad ones. He is a solid game manager and did really well limiting interceptions, but I wouldn't classify him as NFL ready. I think part of that was a conservative offensive game plan from a passing standpoint. Seems like if Shea could've gotten more passes per game then he would stand out more. But OTOH the coaches may have intentionally limited him.
Yes, come back, Shea. Shea, McCaffrey and Milton, the latter two with some experience now, will be one heck of a QB depth chart.
November 30th, 2018 at 10:50 PM ^
"Dylan is just as good...., better and younger" fharajli?
You have determined that Dylan is just as good as Shea? Or is he better than Shea? Which is it? And you base this upon Dylan's 15 career pass attempts?
And you also prefer Dylan because he's "younger"? Dylan's 19 years of age is demonstrably preferable than that old man Shea's "advanced" age of 21?
Nothing against Dylan - love the kid. But if we are fortunate enough to have Shea back for another season, he is without question the starter - he should be and has to be, barring injury*. This is as big a no-brainer as there is in connection with our 2019 roster.
(* Unless Coach decides otherwise of course, for as brilliant as I am in all things football related, like everyone else on Mgoblog is, I tend to suspect that Harbaugh may know a tad more than I do).
December 1st, 2018 at 12:07 AM ^
That's why Saban is in every playoff. He doesn't put a player back on the field that isn't getting it done.
Multiple M players should have been benched last Sat.
Saban doesn't tolerate coaches not getting it done either.
December 1st, 2018 at 9:42 AM ^
I agree that this is a factor. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Saban has built a true meritocracy...at every level of his football program. Some may think that a meritocracy is too harsh...I do not. Loyalty is not all good.
The best players deserve to be playing...in the game-end of story. And, here again, it is not as easy as it sounds...there are good "practice players" who cannot perform under the bright lights. Play the players who can stare down the bright lights. "We're talkin' 'bout PRACTICE!!!"...Iverson was correct.