In an effort to drink while walking campus in college, we’d put Busch light in apple juice containers(as if this would hide anything) and it would have a moderate fruit hint. We’d call ‘em BL smoothies. And no, I didn’t work. And yes, I am/was pretty dumb.
Although I'll say that one of the few "constants" has been Drevno, and the O-Line has been the biggest downfall of all three teams. They didn't show a ton of progression until later this year when Frey was in the fold.
As a victimless crime, a "venting" that they are somehow entitled to do. The crap trickles over to all the different medias and players, coaches, families have to deal with it. Not at all victimless...
Social media is what it is, and it isn't going anywhere, but people would be way better off if they spoke on social media the way they would if someone was right in front of them.
As for the game, JOK played the best his abilities would allow him to do, and he was Michigan's best QB choice for the game. Recognize that and move on. Better days are ahead.
It’s horrifying how often they fold in big situations and/or after offensive adjustments are made. They didn’t lose the game for the team, but they had chances to win it for them and didn’t do that either.
Admittedly, I have been leaning more 'concerned' than 'optimistic'. I apreciate the in-depth analysis. Also this tid-bit, which will bode INCREDIBLY WELL for next year and beyond:
Harbaugh's decision was to move forward with Operation Stanfordization, and that was in good shape until Peters went down.
This is dead on. I am NOT a “fire everyone!” Guy, but regardless of some very valid reasons, the offensive performance is alarming. Especially when you factor in how we faired offensively compared to the average performance of other offenses against our competition. Yeeesh.
This season wasn’t a disaster due to a darn good defense and a favorable schedule. If this offense was coupled with an average or only “decent” defense, man this coulda been bad. On the flip side, if the offense could have just been “average”, we’d be staring at 10-1 right now.
Stating the obvious: regardless of his status for the game, I'm jazzed to here he is feeling okay. He took more than one heavy hit in the game, ecstatic to hear the positive info!
Youth limits your options. With that said, Michigan has some really incredible athletes. DPJ and Evans to name two obvious ones. It seems the best thing to do with those incredible athletes is to make a concerted effort to get them out in space. Screens, quick and short passing game, jet sweeps, etc. Anything to create open space with them, and that really hasn't happened much at all, which is perplexing.
I know I shouldn’t pay attention to this given the state of the team during this run, but 3 of the last 4 Michigan - Northwestern games have been incredibly close. Right, wrong or indifferent, I can’t get myself to wipe those games from my memory.
Agreed on both counts. The 8-3 makes sense given the roster, but the 'bottom of the barrel' offense doesn't make sense. We still have good athletes that, even with an average game plan, should be able to move the ball pretty easily against most of the teams on the schedule. Something just seems amiss...
Would actually be nice to bring in a hotshot, young offensive mind. Somebody who can bring in some fresh ideas of what works IN COLLEGE, with youthful players.
I’m not sure how, given his returns over 3 years and the suspect play calling and game planning, one could think Drevno is going to take this offense to the next level. There has to be better ones out there.
How is it that everyone should get time to “make a team with their guys”, etc, yet Frey should be fired? Especially when that someone doesn’t affect the awful play calling?
Drevno, in varying capacities, has not seemed to have much positive influence. He would be the obvious choice to get the boot. Pep just got here too, but I don’t know that he was a good hire to start with.
It really is scary and not acceptable. When a young QB gets drilled play after play, their growth will be stifled as wel. Constantly looking over your shoulder and fearing the inevitable shots is not a recipe for growth.
My only quip is that I don’t think Drevno and Pep have done any favors for this young offense at all. I know Harbaugh is a fantastic coach, but I don’t think those two are the right guys based on all available evidence. If anything needs course corrected, that is it.
They would likely have a very similar record, in my opinion. Clemson, Bama, ranked Nc state, Miami (YTM), Louisville, much improved Wake Forest. Not that it matters, but FSU had a terrible injury and a generally rough schedule.
Probably why Coach really didn’t want to play him. A young QB will have shoddy pocket presence and awareness. When you combine that with a terrible line and RBs bad in pass pro, he is going to take some serious hits.
Was one of the worst in NCAA through the first four games also, before injuries struck, against REALLY bad opposition. Being in the bottom of every offensive category, against mostly bad competition, is what makes this season feel so rough. Even with new blood out there, uou should be able to move the ball at-will against the likes of Cincinnati and much of the rest of the schedule.
The QB play has been bad, but it ridiculous to just point to the QB play as the problem. If you can’t pass pro, your receivers aren’t getting open and, until the last 4 games, you can’t run the ball, how in the hell can the QB be successful? I’m no apologist, the QB play has been bad, but that is as much of a symptom as it is a “cause” for the offensive ineptitude. If my houses’ foundation is cracked, I’m not worried about getting new siding. Right now, the offensive foundation is cracked, the QB is like the siding that everyone sees being “wrong” and wants to replace.
Yup, had year 1 not gone so well people wouldn’t be so “up in arms”. The expectations are/were out of hand.
But for gosh sakes, the offense has to be better, even in down years. Maybe modernize/simplify the schemes so young dudes can be more successful early on. I hate OSU as
Much as anyone, but their offense can still operate well with one or more first year starters in the offensive line.
They are coming along in many ways. Harbaugh is a victim of his own shadow and contract. If you put nearly anyone else at M as coach, people would be more than satisfied with the last 3 years. Between unreal expectations, the huge contract, the media buzz, etc, fans just thought titles were predestined. Alas, things don’t happen overnight.
There needs to be a middle ground. The sky isn’t falling, but let’s not pretend that this season (primarily on the offensive side of the ball) hasn’t been anything but ugly. A lot of talent coming back, but that talent also needs to improve.
The o-line needs to take a BIG leap, and with it hopefully comes more creative and consistent play calling. If this doesn’t happen, the offense will still be a huge weakness.
Issues are abound. On top of the RB pass pro, line problems, and the QBs reads/recognition, the wide receivers are getting no separation. They are young, sure, but this leads the QBs to hold the ball too long. This just goes to show how much is wrong with this offense.
But the way they accomplished the (likely) 8-4 is the discouraging part. The schedule was incredibly favorable this year, but M never beat a team that wasn’t complete shit. Furthermore, the offense has shown ZERO reason to be optimistic about next year, even.
Until they fix the rest of the offensive issues (bad line, blown assignments, no receiver separation), how can you say there are no good QBs on the roster?
It’s like the Browns (exaggerating a bit obviously), not even a great QB would have been successful with this offense this year.
Recent Comments
I suck. Didn't even realize that was there.
For your daughter's tests
Remember, as I tell myself every year, nobody gets promoted at the Company Christmas party. Only fired. Stay thirsty my friends!
Although I'll say that one of the few "constants" has been Drevno, and the O-Line has been the biggest downfall of all three teams. They didn't show a ton of progression until later this year when Frey was in the fold.
As a victimless crime, a "venting" that they are somehow entitled to do. The crap trickles over to all the different medias and players, coaches, families have to deal with it. Not at all victimless...
Social media is what it is, and it isn't going anywhere, but people would be way better off if they spoke on social media the way they would if someone was right in front of them.
As for the game, JOK played the best his abilities would allow him to do, and he was Michigan's best QB choice for the game. Recognize that and move on. Better days are ahead.
Admittedly, I have been leaning more 'concerned' than 'optimistic'. I apreciate the in-depth analysis. Also this tid-bit, which will bode INCREDIBLY WELL for next year and beyond:
Harbaugh's decision was to move forward with Operation Stanfordization, and that was in good shape until Peters went down.
Stating the obvious: regardless of his status for the game, I'm jazzed to here he is feeling okay. He took more than one heavy hit in the game, ecstatic to hear the positive info!
Youth limits your options. With that said, Michigan has some really incredible athletes. DPJ and Evans to name two obvious ones. It seems the best thing to do with those incredible athletes is to make a concerted effort to get them out in space. Screens, quick and short passing game, jet sweeps, etc. Anything to create open space with them, and that really hasn't happened much at all, which is perplexing.
If you are going to be an A-hole online, people should certainly be allowed to call you out for it. He certainly has it coming in this instance.
Life is fragile. Many prayers for him and his family.
Agreed on both counts. The 8-3 makes sense given the roster, but the 'bottom of the barrel' offense doesn't make sense. We still have good athletes that, even with an average game plan, should be able to move the ball pretty easily against most of the teams on the schedule. Something just seems amiss...