November 15th, 2016 at 9:49 AM ^
This quote stuck out to me:
And when Speight is getting pressured, his accuracy wanes considerably.
The narrative I was hearing all season was that Speight does well under pressure, side-steping blitzers, generally navigating the pocket well, etc.? This game, of course, his accuracy was just off in general.
November 15th, 2016 at 10:17 AM ^
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November 15th, 2016 at 11:18 AM ^
Even (sometimes) Tom Brady
November 15th, 2016 at 11:26 AM ^
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November 15th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^
the elite QBs do well against blitz and pressure. See Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, etc.
November 15th, 2016 at 12:44 PM ^
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November 15th, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^
Speight is good at dodging one errant blind-rushing blitzer. He's not so good in a collapsing pocket with minimal time to read and throw.
This may be more an indictment of the O-Line than Speight, but it's where we are. Pressure makes our passing game go south. Speight (and the O-Line) were 1-11 on third downs against Wisconsin. We won that game on defense. This has been an issue for a while.
O'Korn brings a different dynamic, but the O-Line is still the same.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:32 AM ^
missed a lot of throws. He went deep 4 times, 2 times he over threw the receiver and 2 times he under threw him. He forced a lot of throws and just didn't seem in rythym the entire game. When the QB is struggling it gives the defense more confidence and the ability to stack the box and stop the running game also which they did.
We were just a couple of plays away from winning this game easily, yet mistakes just kept killing us.
November 15th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^
on just two or 3 of those throws, we're looking at a 24-14 or 27-14 game and a relatively easy Michigan victory.
It is amazing to think how different the outcome would be, and how different the national narrative of the team would be, had 4 plays gone . . . 2 of the long bombs, not giving up the back to back roughing the kicker, and the phantom face mask.
November 15th, 2016 at 2:17 PM ^
but I was there for all pre-game, and he was missing receivers in warm ups. Very unusual, as I have watched him warm up all season. I thought it was just the cold temps and gripping the ball .... bit all the other QB's weren't missing receivers in warm ups. Anyway - fuck it that's done, time to move on. C'mon JO'K ... your time !!!
Go Blue!
November 15th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^
I haven't looked at all the stats, and I probably won't, but pressure didn't seem to be his issue in this game. He missed guys when he wasn't pressured, and when he was, passes were just dropped.
November 15th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^
Uhh, It's Tuesday big fella
November 15th, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^
When I take Monday's off it always screws me up, Damn!
November 15th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
If you took Monday off, today would be your first day back to work, which should make it feel like a Monday, right? Which makes you thinking its Wednesday even more confusing!
I think we both need another cup of coffee after this. Or alcohol.
November 15th, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^
This is how I feel every morning no matter which day it is.
November 15th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^
It can be pretty simple, michigan played like ass. If they play like that again OSU wil win by 20+. That is all you can say about this game and as a Michigan fan just fucking pray this lit a fire and the team plays smart and well again for the rest of the year.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:28 AM ^
Agreed, but the same could be said for how OSU played against Northwestern or Penn State.
The Game will be a big one this year; I'm excited for its stakes to be back to usual.
November 15th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^
I trust Harbaugh, but the incessant use of Smith is very concerning. I don't know if it's like indicated here "I know what I get" or if it's honor and loyalty (Ask Spartan fans their opinion on Dantoni keeping TOC in the game ever), but Smith seems like more of a FB/short yardage runner than anything else but he continues to get the calls when that's not the case.
November 15th, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^
smith at RB allows them to run more of its overall O than other RBs, more of the playbook from which to work. he may not be the most talented runner (though he breaks some tackles and gets solid YAC) but smith is currently the most complete RB on roster in terms of running, blocking, pass pro, catching the ball, etc - his seeing majority of snaps could be as simple as that. smith allows the staff to comfortably run greater % of the playbook, the O can check to wider variety of pass plays or even runs with smith in the game. the staff obviously tries to work in other RBs based on skill set and get them carries in situations where they might be more favorable than others backs. i like higdon and evans (and even isaac) in plenty of situations but they havent yet proven they can stone a LB or slow down DL in pass pro and thats a huge part of the game. teams must be able to check out of bad plays and into plus plays at the line
November 15th, 2016 at 10:16 AM ^
A running back that is better in pass protection but really hasn't shown any ability other than getting a few tough yards, or a running back who may struggle in that blocking area but provides a ton more burst.
I think Smith had to play a lot because while Speight is shifty, he's not very mobile. O'Korn may be able to mask the guys that don't block as well because he moves better.
If the plan is to go with O'Korn ultimately, I say roll the dice and open up the offense by giving Higdon/Evans the lion's share. The backfield suddenly goes from a somewhat plodding one to a more elusive one.
November 15th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^
November 15th, 2016 at 11:33 AM ^
We have a very PA-heavy offense, so Smith's pass blocking is a big deal.
But, yeah, O'Korn brings a different dynamic now . . .
November 15th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^
So JH and Drevno will need to figure out if they want to maintain the heavy formations and try to pound for those yards, or spread it out a bit now that the backfield is going to be faster with O'Korn.
They definitely have the pieces on the perimeter to do it. And it would definitely throw OSU for a big time loop. It doesn't have to be every play, but giving those 4, 5 wide looks and having a mobile QB is going to cause danger to any defense.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:07 AM ^
November 15th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^
Smith always gets his carries (unless it's such a huge blowout we don't need him). The "hot hand" is more about deciding which of the other three backs complements him. Or rather, which of Evans/Higdon, because Isaac seems to see only spot duty, regardless.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^
is also a trust thing. Smith is solid, but not flashy by any means. He will grind out some tough yards and secures the ball very well. He's also our best pass blocker, but I too feel we need some other looks as Smith just isn't a threat to really hit a big play.
I scratch my head why Issac isn't getting more run and more touches. He has looked decent in pass pro and and has both size and speed and a lot more wiggle then Smith. His one carry for a TD was a very nice run, then he disappears for the rest of the game. Karan didn't look good, IMO, but gave him a few carries. I don't know I'm not at practice every day so not sure what is happening there, but game situations I think Issac has played well enough to get more touches.
November 15th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^
well if i recall correctly, higdon only saw 3-4 carries, 2 of which were weak calls (outside runs that were dead on arrival). tough to say higdon didnt look good based on several carries where defenders quickly leveraged him several yards deep in the backfield
November 15th, 2016 at 9:58 AM ^
This analysis of Harbaugh's use of Smith at RB in favor of other options is spot-on:
You're not going to get a guy [with Smith at RB] who can make two guys miss in the box like Evans can, but you are going to get a guy that can get you two yards on first and 10, and then another yard on second and eight.
That has been a frustration with Smith. It's great that he's almost Hart-like in is ability to secure the ball, pass-protect, and do other blocky-things. I get why Harbaugh's doing it. However, nights like Saturday are brutal to watch. In Harbaugh I trust - seriously. It's still hard to watch.
Thanks to the OP for posting. Always a good read.
(The comments, though. Wow - Speight as "just a game manager"? That's certainly not what I've been seeing this season.)
November 15th, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^
November 15th, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^
I don't get your point... The "loose" play calling, is that throwing deep, running a lot sweeps and jets, play action? I mean, how many deep shots does he need, coupled with fancy triple-option looking stuff in the backfield, do you need before you think its loose play calling? I thought it was too loose - too many deep shots and fancy, slow developing plays when they clearly weren't working. The two scoring drives consisted of runs up the middle (most by Evans) and quick passes inside - you know, more controlled manball type stuff. The quick hitting stuff worked on those two drives. The other drives (term used loosely) were filled with a bunch of fancy fake handoffs and pitches in the backfield, or Speight waiting for the downfield plays to develop. The slow developing stuff (ie: fancier - read: loose) didn't work all night, yet it kept being called.
Speight sucked Saturday night, he had an off game. People are allowed off games, and the coaches have to recognize that and go with whatever works. I don't think the coaches did a good job of recognizing that, or going with what worked.
November 15th, 2016 at 4:28 PM ^
I'd love to see one of those QB charts that shows how the QB did on throws 1-5 yds beyond the line of scrimmage to the right, center and left, 6-20 yds and 20+.
20+ Speight was way off - hate to say but agree with the term sucked.
I'm guessing if you look at the other 6 places on the chart, Speight wasn't that bad especially factoring in the drops. Not that he was great but his misses on the deep throws were so off I think it might skew what was an ok performance on the shorter routes.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:28 AM ^
I think the play calling was very loose (or basically the same) last game. Passing on 1st down, flea flickers, Peppers at QB. What was different than other games, other than passes being dropped, blocking assignments being missed, and passes being over thrown or under thrown? There was a little less rotation at the TB position, but I think he tends to look at the offense and attack what they have on the field. They played better than us. Simple as that.
November 15th, 2016 at 10:11 AM ^
Gerde voted for Jill Stein.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^
Karan Higdon carried it three times for a loss of three yards. Two of his carries went for fewer yards than you just sitting there reading this right now.
You have to admit, that was funny.
November 15th, 2016 at 11:31 AM ^
who cares what their crap show of a site says about us
November 15th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^
His analysis has been consistently very fair and lucid. He throws in a line of snark here and there to feed the mouth-breathing OSU homers, but if you look at the analysis parts they are always dead on.
He knows more about Michigan than most Michigan fans.
November 15th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^
i actually enjoy his insight. he's fair and provides a unique perspective. I would actually like Brian to do something similar for osu games...
November 15th, 2016 at 12:20 PM ^
Of the outside analyses that you can find, I have always found Gerdeman's to be typically pretty fair and reasonable. It's actually pretty illuminating to hear your team broken down by someone with no real skin in the game save for one of the games, and I am actually glad it gets posted so we don't have such an insular perspective around here.
November 15th, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^
November 15th, 2016 at 12:22 PM ^
the chances of us winning in ohio and beyond have deminished considerably
November 15th, 2016 at 12:40 PM ^
All of the team's warts were exposed. If the team wins, it's going to be based on defense and the offensive skill positions. Speight's been a very steady hand, but let's be honest, a vast majority of his numbers have been built on soft home competition. In the two big road games against MSU and Iowa, he was below average and very poor.
November 15th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
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November 15th, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^
16/25, 244, 0 td/1 INT. That's pretty below average to me. And he was bailed out multiple times in that game with some pretty bad throws (Darboh with two, Butt had one. You are selling it like he was exceptional in the game. He was average to below average.
9 dominant games? He was OK against Colorado, Wisconsin. He's had a few games that really helped skew the numbers in his favor.
Look man, he's been good all year. Solid, steady hand. Not asked to do too much, made some quality throws. But his deep ball leaves a TON to be desired. And let's not pretend he's just been on the warpath all season.
November 15th, 2016 at 4:09 PM ^
Wait, 16/25 (64%) for 244 yards (9.8 YPA) is below average to you?
November 15th, 2016 at 4:54 PM ^
The INT goes away in that little stat line. Eye test dude. He got bailed out multiple times in that game. Saying he's been dominant in 9/10 games is so out of touch.
November 15th, 2016 at 5:44 PM ^
He threw one INT - that's not that big of a deal.
If his receivers caught his passes, he did his job. You're setting the bar awfully high if nearly 10 YPA is somehow below average.
November 15th, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^
16/25, 244, 0 td/1 INT. That's pretty below average to me.
I assumed this was sarcasm, but it turns out you're . . . . serious? Wha?
November 15th, 2016 at 12:43 PM ^
I'll wait to see what O'Korn provides, but maybe that's just me being silly.
November 15th, 2016 at 1:52 PM ^