Spring Practice Starts Today
March 18th, 2024 at 12:19 PM ^
I'm still amazed at the star watchers who failed to watch a UCLA game last year. I'd be twice as concerned about quarterbacks. Moore looked very bad last year, and based on the tape available, we have at least 3 QBs already on the roster that could do far better than what I saw from him last season. Do you want the guy who lost the quarterback battle to him?
March 18th, 2024 at 12:55 PM ^
Considering that Dillon Gabriel was an All Big-12 first-team QB, I think I would assume that Moore improved greatly under a better coaching staff and beat out a high floor type guy, the type of guy who might be perfect for Michigan next year.
Calling Dillon Gabriel just a high floor QB is weird. The guy has 15,000 passing yards, 125 TDs and 26 picks at 8.9 YPA. He’s an electric QB with a ton of talent.
Dante Moore isn’t improving enough in one offseason to surpass that.
Regarding Dante Moore.
He may have been way better off career wise taking a year to get developed in Michigan’s offense as an understudy to JJ.
Then again we may have a better QBs than Moore on our roster right now.
March 18th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^
Having fast MLBs is very important in modern football...having MLBs that consistently run in the right direction is more important. If Hausman and/or Rolder can do that, they'll be just fine.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:00 AM ^
Hausmann is a scary fast linebacker with great size. I love that kid based on pure athletic traits.
Once he cleans up the mental part of the game he will be an awesome player for us. Made a few too many missed reads here and there (because linebacking is hard in this defense).
Good point. Scheme, adjustment, and communication. The defense is complex in a wonderful way - and, Teams 142, 143, and 144 were fantastic to watch.
Of the comments others have made throughout the past season - one that stuck with me was from MHJ after the game - "We hadn't seen those coverages before and didn't expect them." Which really complements how the D changed - from the Rose Bowl to the NC game - specifically, in the NC the game plan for the DL was - "You need to get pressure with four." My view is that breadth reflects the flexibility of the scheme and talent of the young men on the field. The D's game plans were a pleasure to watch throughout hte season.
Hoping the trend continues.
Go Blue!
March 18th, 2024 at 11:55 AM ^
For the offense, playing complementary football by maintaining drives and having a strong run game will continue to be the 12th man for the defense. It will be interesting to see how Moore and company mold the team.
An important point is Michigan doesn’t have to change their philosophy all that much.
March 18th, 2024 at 12:44 PM ^
Isn't Barham a freak athlete? Haussman is more of an inside thumper if you ask me.
Finback and watch hausman’s tape he gets into the flats very quickly. People calling him a thumper is just going off his stature. He might not be Devin bush fast(who is) but he’s definitely athletic. Also Barham is in that same mood big athletic he has some pass rush ability too.
Jimmy Rolder, if healthy, looked great a few years ago. If he's progressed, he should get a chance to start or be in the two deep.
I'm on the Hayden Moore train instead, seems more athletic
Jimmy Rolder, if healthy, looked great a few years ago. If he's progressed, he should get a chance to start or be in the two deep.
March 18th, 2024 at 10:05 AM ^
And by the way, there are …
166 days until Fresno State comes to the Big House to meet your defending national champions.
March 18th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
JJ and Sainristil left some big shoes to fill. Definitely will be watching to see who emerges at those positions. The Defense is gonna be nasty again!
March 18th, 2024 at 10:46 AM ^
Sainristil is a loss for sure. That said, the difference between the holes that Sainristil leaves behind and the one JJ leaves behind is that at least with Sainristil's spot, there are viable options, and options with experience. It may require moving some pieces around in the secondary, but there are plenty of guys back there with experience. Quinten Johnson coming back allows you to be flexible in that regard.
QB is a big question mark in every sense of the word. None of the guys on the roster have viable experience in meaningful playing time. At least not as a passer. I know Orji has built in packages for specific moments in a game so he's seen the field. But certainly not as a passer, and I don't think we can just "wishbone" our way through the season, despite what Brian might have to say on the subject.
Its entirely possible that next year's starting QB isn't even on the roster right now. I have to believe Sherrone will be monitoring the portal very closely after the end of spring practice. Who knows who will hit the portal at that time, and you might have a lot of guys out there who would jump at the opportunity to be a starting QB for the defending national champions. There's probably guys out there who are even thinking about it right now, telling themselves "Let's see how my spring practice shakes out, but if it doesn't go the way I want, I'm entering the portal and giving Michigan a call."
All you need is a one year (two tops) bridge guy to get you to Jadyn being ready.
March 18th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
I think, as mentioned on the last MGoPod, how the nickel and safety spots shake out is a really interesting thing to watch. The good news there is it's all good options.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
QB will not be settled in the spring, but we will at least have a good guess if it is a 2 or 3 man race.
Tuttle offers the steadiest hand of the group but his floor and ceiling basically are the same: that's 2021 Cade with probably a little bit more mobility.
Denegal probably offers similar, but if he shows the same or a bit more as a passer, I think he could jump Tuttle.
Orji is the highest ceiling by a long shot but also the lowest floor. I would imagine the staff is hoping for him to be the guy, but what worries me is the same thing that worried me with Milton: accuracy. We haven't had the chance to see it at the college level aside from spring games, so there is hope. I just am always wary of a QB who was not a super accurate passer in HS suddenly "getting it" in college.
The starter most likely won't be announced until probably the week of the Fresno St game. I do think they need to be sold on a guy by then. With Texas being Week 2, they can't have a 2022-style in-season competition.
The safe bet right now is Tuttle. The sleeper is Denegal. And the hope is Orji. I wouldn't put any real stock/hope in a transfer coming in after Spring Ball. The only plausible possibilities would be a high level guy like Milroe or Manning which I put the chances of that at <1%.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
I think Tuttle as Cade but mobile is a bit of an optimistic take. If I recall correctly, Seth was reviewing some of Tuttle's tape and was coming out as "meh." Which is fine for a second string, but not ideal for a starter. I assume they'll be more analysis of his coming out, so I will hold off any strong opinions for more of that data.
I agree with everything else you said, though I wouldn't be so sure to write of Millroe - based on nothing but wishcasting and the fact that I think DeBoer's offense isn't well-suited to Millroe's strengths.
I am firmly in the camp that Michigan is a Qb away from competing for another national championship. The window closes pretty hard next year, though, so let's go out and get one.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:35 AM ^
i am not nearly as optimistic on tuttle as some folks around here. i see him as a serviceable qb2 if the main guy gets hurt. i could be wrong but i doubt he's in contention for qb1
If Orji passes for 55 percent completion rate but adds like 800 yards on the ground I’d take that trad off. People on here want to be Ohio state with the win stats. Unfortunately we aren’t that but there’s another ways to win football games. Tyron Taylor never met the 60 percent completion percentage threshold but was very effective for VaTech.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:46 AM ^
If our QB1 is on the roster, it's Tuttle or maybe Denegal. Those are the only two QBs that looked decent throwing the ball last season when JJ was done for each game. Campbell's presser indicates pretty strongly that he'll be looking for a portal QB, but failing that, we'll probably start the season with Tuttle and see how that goes. If he (or anyone) can provide 2021-level QB play, then the offense will be reasonable this season.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:50 AM ^
Here's the thing I don't get. Most college football teams have serviceable QBs. Yes QB is the most important player on the field and yes, we need a QB that can beat OSU, but we should be able to put someone out there who isn't a complete liability. I don't understand how we had so many years with either a bad QB or a suspect O-line or both.
Our O-line should be very good this year with a lot of guys who have been on campus for a few years. Pre-spring ball I have a lot of warm fuzzies for the potential of Tuttle, Denegal, Orji, Davis Warren and even Jayden Davis. Most of those guys have been here 2 years as well.
That depends on what you mean by 'serviceable'...because...
looks across the B1G....
last year, I think there were maybe 3 or 4 of what i'd consider serviceable QBs across the conference.
QB'ing at the major CFB level is hard...we've been spoilt with JJ for the last two years..and a 'good, not great..but doesnt make mistakes' Cade the year before.
March 18th, 2024 at 11:54 AM ^
Well, in a run centric offense as developed by a run centric Offensive coordinator now coach I would imagine the Urban Meyer approach of first, second read and run decision tree may come Moore into play. You have two spares serviceable and Tuttle at times has been JJ-esque. All while likely having a 60% run rate. Still ball control and minimizing opponent TOP. Defense also will help with this. Alabama got pretty far with Milroe.
Faith in Kirk's development of his own Qb's as now coordinator and commitment to guys brought along likely will bolster future recruit interest at the position and support team culture. Qb's that will occasionally keep the ball on read options versus the Cade approach keep defense on their toes as well.
March 18th, 2024 at 12:50 PM ^
With the current roster, this is a playoff level team- but with Texas, Oregon, and OSU on the schedule, it may be tough sledding.
If UM makes the playoff, could very well be the proverbial “team nobody wants to play” as the defense and running game should be stellar, and QB should improve over the course of the year.
Had JJ come back, UM would probably have been one of the 4-5 favorites to win it all, along with UGA followed by Texas, OSU, Bama, Oregon.
Without JJ, I can’t see this team running a 3 game playoff gauntlet of say Oregon, Bama, UGA. Despite the relatively light workload in the passing game, the efficiency, completion rate, and clutch passes and runs JJ made were the difference in games against OSU and the Bama 4th quarter drive.
UGA with all that talent and a quality returning QB is the clear favorite imo.
JJ threw for 716 yds in 5 games versus top 20 teams. That number was not as important as 15-0. Hoping Orji has a similar stat line.
We're due for some QB learning curve this season, no matter who ends up playing. But I expect Sherrone & Kirk will scheme for a run-heavy attack, and devise a playbook with short passing game. Our main playmaker as a receiver is Loveland, who will get great looks out of PA - when the defense keys in on the run. And those should be short-to-intermediate throws only. Moving one of the receivers into the backfield is another wrinkle to utilize the run-heavy scheme & get open passes in the flat. I'm excited about the new looks in this offense, and feel like we'll have some obvious bumps - but I love the run game. So am confident that I'll be happy next season.