U-M has attempted just one pass over 30 yards in each of the last 4 games
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:23 PM ^
I’d much rather take shots and be aggressive. That’s my whole point. We didn’t need to against Maryland obviously my concern is if we don’t do it all year how will we flip a switch against OSU.
Eh, guess there isn’t much football left should enjoy it while I can.
November 3rd, 2019 at 1:29 PM ^
What's the normal number of pass attempts over 30 yards for any given team?
November 3rd, 2019 at 1:31 PM ^
It’s a combination of our WR not getting good separation, and our QB’s not able to get the ball to them when they do get open. That’s a bad combo to have, I’m just disappointed that we haven’t moved on from Patterson, there’s no way, when McCaffrey is given the reps and some games under his belt can’t be just as good a Patterson throwing the ball, he’s already a better runner.
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:07 PM ^
He got opportunities yesterday and looked real shaky. He started to panic when he couldn't make a quick decision, almost threw a pick-6 and his deep ball to a double-covered Collins was an absolute duck that was way overthrown. To his credit he did hit his receivers in stride (Patterson throws behind on these) on slants (Sainristrill dropped one that was perfectly thrown and is probably a 15 yard gain) which allowed for yards after catch. He hit Black behind the sticks but because Black was in stride he was able to get a couple of extra yards with his legs and was able to get a first down.
November 3rd, 2019 at 7:54 PM ^
On the rewatch, it was clear that Dylan was making the wrong read in the run game at times, too. Probably due to lack of reps, but he's not the answer either. we don't have an answer at QB right now.
MSU will be tough sledding. Stacked boxes all day with decent players.
November 3rd, 2019 at 1:44 PM ^
If we are running plenty of deep routes then the problem is either, A) the receivers aren't open. Or B) Patterson won't throw it downfield.
It's probably a combination of A and B.
In '17 and '19 our starters showed regression.
I don't think Patterson is comfortable being a pocket passer, although to his credit and his coaches, he's improved throughout the season is it pertains to bailing out of a clean pocket. We've seen less and less of it as the season has progressed.
We'd better get this figured out quick. Sparty has an excellent run D and you can bet Dantonio will stack the box and force us to throw.
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:02 PM ^
Passing that far is allowed?
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:20 PM ^
This is Harbaugh....gotta accept it. He doesn't want to put his team in a situation to make a mistake so he runs the ball it's a simple as that
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:53 PM ^
You’re delusional, JT ... you gotta accept that, and it’s as simple as that.
Play after play they’re calling “deep routes” and Shea isn’t throwing them. My suspicion is that he’s not confident in his and has a hard time stepping up and driving the ball downfield. Time and again we’ve seen “perfect” coverage from Michigan’s secondary and the opposing QB drops a dime in for a beautiful reception. I’ve watched every snap of every game Shea has played for Michigan, gone of over every After Further Review and I’ve NEVER seen one similar “dime” thrown. Not one!
He’s got moxie, he’s the best we’ve got right now, but he simply is not very good at throwing deep, accurate passes. His passes are late, often short, and thus he throws his WR’s covered, as opposed to throwing them open like the top QB’s do. This is not “on Harbaugh” or something schematic that Gattis is doing. If your QB won’t/can’t make the throw what should the OC do?
The best throw Shea has made his entire career here was the TD to DPJ vs MSU last year. He stepped up into the pocket and threw DPJ open with a beautiful arc on the throw. That pass, while great, is nothing special for even a good D1 QB. Do you watch CFB? Do you see all the QB’s around the nation that make throws? Fer fuck sake, Illinois 2nd string freshman QB was dropping dimes when he wasn’t running for his life and getting sacked. Shea just isn’t good, DCaf can’t stay healthy, and Milton is still developing. It is what it is, but is isn’t “just Harbaugh”!
November 3rd, 2019 at 6:21 PM ^
Careful Sten lest ye be branded a "Shae Hater."
I agree 100% with your analysis of Patterson, kids got some grit, but cannot consistently make those throws. Lots of people mention his arm strength, but i also agree it's more a matter of timing (usually late) rather than strength.
The thing I will bag on Harbaugh for however is that if this flawed former 5* star QB transfer is the best thing Jim Harbaugh can offer Michigan football in his 5th year of coaching then there is a problem.
I don't know if it's bad recruiting, development, transfer evaluation, something!?
McCafrey, Milton, McNamara, and the QBs last year were ALL worse than Patterson?
We see younger, lower rated QBs from lesser teams all the time that either start better, or progress faster.
That is coaching.
November 3rd, 2019 at 7:10 PM ^
Sten's right, Jabberwock is right.
Our QB room is about as exciting as a wet fart. Not much development at all for Michigan QBs during their careers. Whether that's on JH or a dedicated QB coach, who knows? I've talked about why it is in several posts. M QBs become so risk-averse that they don't develop the talent they have.
You have to let your talented players play.
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:34 PM ^
The staff said they were trying to have more explosion plays this year... for whatever reason, this doesn't seem to have come to fruition unfortunately.
it would be interesting to see how Michigan is doing nationally with respect to explosion plays... i know this is a stat that is tracked, but i haven't found a source for this yet.
This was one of the reasons they hired Gattis; to have the ability to put up points if they fell behind in games... as it stands i'd be curious to see if this has improved since last year.
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:40 PM ^
Vs. MsU. They will likely shut down our run, and deep throws have been their Achilles heel for years. Our weakness plays right into their hands
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:45 PM ^
It's definitely a concern. We'll see how they handle up-the-middle runs without Bachie. Lovie Smith is a smart coach. I'm sure he'll try attacking the middle to see how MSU manages without their star LBer.
November 4th, 2019 at 12:04 AM ^
Why will they shut down the run? Their run defense isn't THAT good.
NW and Penn St ran of over 100. Wisconsin ran for over 200. And Ohio St ran for over 300. With the way Michigan has started running the ball, they can probably get around 200 on them.
November 3rd, 2019 at 2:57 PM ^
A few possible factors:
1. Patterson was excellent at the long ball last year. Perhaps the emphasis has been on stopping turnovers?
2. There has been obvious emphasis on developing the run game, something that was a big concern (and may still be a point of emphasis).
3. There’s a new offensive philosophy, and clearly players have needed to become acclimated to it; the proof is in how much better they’ve looked since early in the year when they appeared to be very disorganized, not knowing what to do or where to be.
Personally, I don’t care how they win. Just win. The last two games have been blowouts. That’s not a bad thing. Do what you need to do to win, not pile up stats.
November 3rd, 2019 at 3:49 PM ^
1. How many times has UM turned it over throwing it deep vs how many times have they had a big play or a PI?
2. Throwing deep helps the running games, unless you want 11 guys within 10 yards of the LOS
3. UM went back to the offense they used last year after the Wisconsin and Iowa offensive debacles
November 3rd, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
Michigan had a different WRs coach last year. This is a factor.
November 3rd, 2019 at 5:42 PM ^
Hello ezekiel. Why are you and your other troll names still here. Leave.
November 3rd, 2019 at 11:48 PM ^
huh? I have no troll names. You having a bad day?
And how is what I'm saying trolling? Jim McElwain is an excellent offensive coach. Ask Alabama fans. They really didn't want him to leave. He got the offense over the hump when Nick Saban was new at Alabama.
November 3rd, 2019 at 3:03 PM ^
Not sure why it just has to be Nico, if we mixed it up and threw three bombs a game, one each to Nico, DPJ and Tarik then that wouldn't allow the defense to be ready for it. If Nico is always the deep guy just like a guy who is only in for reverses or wildcat then the defense game plans for it. All 3 of those guys are great at the deep ball
November 3rd, 2019 at 4:49 PM ^
Yeah, I wish there was more deep ones too.
November 3rd, 2019 at 4:18 PM ^
It becomes a problem in game 12.
November 3rd, 2019 at 4:47 PM ^
Is there a link to where all teams are listed for this?
November 3rd, 2019 at 5:15 PM ^
Not all in the QB
it seems to be more the the play calling. Do we have receivers 30 yards deep or more on many plays?
November 3rd, 2019 at 5:20 PM ^
It is stupid that we don’t use our big recievers downfield more. They will be gone after this year. Can’t see why they would want to stay.
November 3rd, 2019 at 5:45 PM ^
Hello bluegary. You can leave too. Find a site for your actual school.
November 3rd, 2019 at 11:50 PM ^
I kinda agree. I am wondering if AJ Henning will stay committed. I fear he will see he will get a lot more targets somewhere else, and go there.
November 3rd, 2019 at 10:07 PM ^
Does Nico Collins ever not catch a downfield jump ball? He does every time I see him play. This should be a mandatory playcall multiple times per game. How do you not target your best offensive player.
Collins is a beast. Wish we had him.
November 3rd, 2019 at 11:52 PM ^
You are meaning you wish Ohio St had him?
I think he may have the best hands all of college football. I wish he would be thrown to like he does.Throw to him 10+ times a game until his play proves it shouldn't happen. It will suck if he's gone next year.
November 4th, 2019 at 9:03 AM ^
Yes, OSU. The only OSU WR I would choose over Collins is Chris Olave.
Having Olave and Collins together with KJ Hill at the slot would be extremely hard to defend. My guess is Olave, due to his speed and quickness would draw the most of the double teams (free safety help) when opposing defenses are in man. That singles up Collins. Who would be able to defend the guy one on one?