Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman...

Submitted by skegemogpoint on September 24th, 2019 at 4:00 PM

he's got the ultimate set of tools. I can fix it!

So here are 5 fixes:

1. Dylan starts the day he's healthy. Period. Leadership and ball security matter - a lot.

2. Mason returns to RB even if he never touches the ball again - pass pro requires it when ZC and Tru are out. Plus, he's ridiculously undersized for DL in Big Ten play. 

3. Hinton and Mazi play right now - limited roles to spell Kemp, Jeter, Dwomfour. 

4. Aidan never plays another down as an inside lineman. The kid is a natural beast of a DE, use his talents appropriately. We've lost containment on the edge way too often with him inside 

5. Dax replaces Hawkins immediately.  Ready or not - deal with it.

We won't face another team who can exploit our D-line weakness like Wisco did until 10/26. Plenty of time to get this ship in shape before it sinks.

Naked Bootlegger

September 24th, 2019 at 5:03 PM ^

My only nitpick:  I think Iowa might present similar, but obviously lesser, challenges to Wisconsin.  They don't possess an all-world RB, but their OL is still very good.   I know they'll probably be without Alaric Jackson and their interior OL is less experienced than Wisconin's.  But they're beefy.  And they're Iowa.    

My main agreement:  Hutchinson on the outside.   I hate it when stud players are forced to play out of position to cover deficiencies, but I want to see him on the edge all the time.   

Did Hinton or Smith see the field in mop up time in Madison?  I quit watching after Dylan got targeted (only the second Michigan game I haven't watched in its entirety in my middle school to adultish life - Rich Rod's last game was the other one). 

rob f

September 24th, 2019 at 6:46 PM ^

Did you watch the entire "concussiongate" Brown Jug game?  Were you actually able to stomach watching that entire game?

That's the last home game I missed, and though I could have watched it on TV,  by midway through the 2nd half I had had more than enough.

(Full disclosure: I did finish watching the rest of that game a few days later on my DVR.  Then immediately deleted it)

DrMantisToboggan

September 24th, 2019 at 5:08 PM ^

1. No

2. He should play TE actually

3. Yes

4. No, there are situations where I’d flex him inside. This is more about who becomes the edge player (should be Uche or Danna if they can get him on the field) than where Hutchinson is.

5. Maybe. Hawkins having mistakes doesn’t mean a freshman, who will also make mistakes, will be an improvement. Athletically? Yes. Assignment wise? Probably not, hard to say.

BasementDweller2018

September 24th, 2019 at 5:40 PM ^

With the freshmen that aren't playing yet, isn't it possible that they are trying to time their 4 game usage until later in the year? That's probably not a strategy that will work if they have NFL potential, but with the lack of depth on the DL I wouldn't be surprised if that's what they are doing.

Kevin13

September 24th, 2019 at 6:05 PM ^

Don’t see any problem with these suggestions. Dylan should be the starter the rest of the year. Let him continue to grow and the next two years will be fun to see what he can do. All other suggestions why not. We got destroyed with what was out there might as well try something different.  If nothing else sends a message to the whole team that anyone can be replaced so effort better always be there 

I'mTheStig

September 24th, 2019 at 9:49 PM ^

Nah.

Dylan needs reps that's all.

He's faster and has a better arm than Shea -- who under-throws 9 of his 10 deep balls since he's been here.  Dylan also doesn't stare down his one and only target.

Dylan was also a 4/5 star QB at a HS that kicks the shit out of everyone and wins championships every year a la 'Bama.  Valor is so dominant that other HS in the area are whining about not playing them anymore.

But if Dylan also doesn't learn to protect himself, you won't worry about having to bench him.

SMart WolveFan

September 24th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^

Problem is we had a great working TV last year, really reliable, one if those Zenith's with the clicker dealie, but we realized it will never beat OSU.

So we upgraded to one of these smart tablets and can't get it to work right.

You don't have another dad that's an "app developer" do you?

M-Dog

September 24th, 2019 at 8:55 PM ^

My grandmother had a Zenith with a remote clicker in the 1960's.

It was awesome.  It really was a "clicker."  It worked by audio sounds.  The TV picked up the "tings" it made and that would trigger a small motor that would literally turn the dial as if you were doing it by hand.

First time I ever saw a color TV. 

Watching the Wizard of Oz on that TV was my first actual drug trip. 

jmblue

September 24th, 2019 at 7:55 PM ^

 Dylan starts the day he's healthy. Period. Leadership and ball security matter - a lot.

How do we know that he brings leadership and ball security?

AlbanyBlue

September 24th, 2019 at 8:14 PM ^

1. Yep. Said this from the beginning and got castigated, but this is the correct call. Even if it;s a bit worse, get him ready for next year.

2. Eh, if they get Mazi and Hinton in there, yeah.

3. No reason not to -- but they might not be "practice warriors". This seems to be a thing. A bad thing, but a thing. Also, freshmen, so, you know, Bo says no.

4. I would like to see us emulate that other team and get our best pass rushers on the field for passing downs. If that means Aiden inside and Uche on his side, fine.

5. Dax should be playing as soon as possible. He's 3 years and out anyway.

 

NelzQ

September 24th, 2019 at 8:27 PM ^

Respect your opponent enough to choose to be the hammer. 

Or risk becoming the nail by default.

Attitude.

Play the best players. Now. Not the most consistent or the most disciplined; the most talented.

Play the most talented players every game. Find out who your gamers are.

You cannot discover this in practice.

Stop being scared. If OSU and Alabama can play freshmen or third string quarterbacks, give Milton a chance. He may be a gamer.

Nickel

September 24th, 2019 at 8:53 PM ^

I'm not as sold that McCaffrey is the answer everyone seems to think he is, I mean he was 3 of 8 on Saturday and there should have been an interception in there as well where Wisconsin dropped one right?

That said, with as bad as Shea has played, I get it from a 'might as well give it a shot' point of view.

M-Dog

September 24th, 2019 at 9:04 PM ^

Shea is a much better passer than Dylan.  Dylan throws a near-pick into traffic every single game.  He does not have the touch on the deep ball that Shea does.

Unfortunately . . . Shea is a 5-second pocket QB in a 3-second pocket world.  He gets the yips under pressure.  Then he folds.

So let Dylan have a shot.  He's got McSorely-esque moxie.  Mix in more runs and movement, which he is good at.  Keep him from having to win games purely on passing.   

Ezekiels Creatures

September 24th, 2019 at 10:46 PM ^

Dylan McCaffrey is not as ready as you think he is.

Moving Ben Mason to FB permanently is a selfish move. If he is going to make the pros he has to continue to put on weight, get trained by Ben Herbert, and stay at 3 Tech. It's about his future too, not just instant gratification for a few fans.

And Adain Hutchinson is ultimately gong to be an interior lineman.