Northern Illinois Snowflakes: The Offense
September 18th, 2021 at 11:54 PM ^
I specifically said I think McNamara can give us what we need this year. That's not "abandoning the season." If by "abandon the season" you mean "admit we're unlikely to go undefeated or beat OSU," fine, but you're only going to make yourself miserable. It's been a nice few games. I've enjoyed them thoroughly. I haven't seen any evidence we're elite this year, and I'm also determined not to immiserate myself pretending we are.
And I'd like to see McCarthy play when he's ready, not before. He's a special player and I don't want to see him ruined like so many other talented young QBs.
September 18th, 2021 at 3:59 PM ^
I’d consider starting McCarthy. We’ll see how Cade does over the next 2-3 weeks
September 18th, 2021 at 4:33 PM ^
Why would you start JJ?
September 18th, 2021 at 5:15 PM ^
I just don't get this. Cade looked very good. Even that deep ball off the WR finger tips (where had had a least a 5 yard lead) should of been a catch. I felt when the WR saw the ball in the air he slowed up just a step and then tried to catch back up to it. Probably initially saw it high and thought the QB lofted the ball instead of leading him.
Cade McNamara 8-11, 191 YDS, 1 Pass TD 1 Rush TD (played 1/2 the game)
Didn't play the whole game and if he did (with the starting offense) we probably would of scored 80+.
JJ looks good (very crisp and very quick running) for sure but Cade looks great to me and my guess is he knows the plays better overall. Not every pass will be perfect but I didn't see anything close to him being pulled for any reason at all. Yes, I would agree though the next 2 weeks will really tell us what we have and where we are at. I think today was a really good warm up for whats coming up.
September 18th, 2021 at 6:36 PM ^
I'd really love to hear the reasoning behind wanting to start JJ right now, or if its just typical "the backup QB is the most popular guy in the state" syndrome.
JJ is certainly talented and has looked very promising. Cade has done his job pretty well. They are being asked to do different things when on the field, and are playing different talent levels. There is not much evidence right now that says JJ should be the starter at the moment, anything saying he should be is just expectation.
September 18th, 2021 at 8:03 PM ^
Uh, no you do not want to hear any of this "reasoning". He was the back-up QB on his pee wee football team and for the past 50 years still believes he should have been the starter. Nothing more.
September 18th, 2021 at 4:09 PM ^
I really don't get the people crapping on Cade after this game. He was basically perfect. I thought he slightly underthrew the first bomb to CJ, but it was still a 50/50 ball. Everything else was money.
I came in to this season with a different outlook than I have in the past. I'm really focusing on just enjoying the week-to-week. This team has been super fun to watch these first three weeks. I hope they continue to build on this momentum.
September 18th, 2021 at 5:11 PM ^
The second bomb to Johnson should have been a walk-in TD. Johnson let off the jets. Was not an overthrow. The ball to Baldwin on the PI wasn’t a bad throw either.
September 18th, 2021 at 10:00 PM ^
100% yes. I thought the same live, and replayed that down 3-4x. He slowed down early in the route, and then seemed to get his step timing off a tick as he adjusted to the ball as it arced down. Definitely a good throw.
September 18th, 2021 at 10:55 PM ^
Cade is fine. The only thing I thought could've been better was on the flat routes, the ball needs to get there quicker. Those routes worked better with JJ. But so far, it looks like Cade throws a good enough ball everywhere else.
September 19th, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
Yeah, I didn't state it well (alcohol was involved) but it does seem like the time is just a touch off with CJ. I think that comfort level will increase throughout the year with the guys out there. Those misses that were juuuuust off I think would've been completions with Bell.
Long story short, I'm not overly concerned with Cade's deep ball. I think it is the best deep ball we've seen from a Michigan QB since Rudock.
September 18th, 2021 at 9:23 PM ^
I’m not going to crap on him. He’s fine. But when the ball comes off JJ’s hands it’s just different. He can get the ball to the sidelines in a way Cade can’t. Not saying JJ should start, but his throws are next level.
September 18th, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
Only 3 games played, but sure looks like the most dynamic RB group I've ever seen at Michigan - kudos to Coach Hart and some fantastic talent. Haskins and Corum are special, man.
Offensive line just obliterated poor Northern. That group has to be brimming with confidence.
Didn't need to pass, and Cade had all day to throw - but still some positive, nice pass plays.
End-arounds very effective, nice to see those plays work so well this week.
Western beat Pitt - makes our blowout seem more impressive. Happy day in Ann Arbor!
September 18th, 2021 at 4:11 PM ^
We know about Blake Corum being Mike Hart but faster, but is Donovan Edwards Chris Perry but faster?
September 18th, 2021 at 5:12 PM ^
And Haskins is quite literally: De’Veon Smith but faster
September 18th, 2021 at 5:17 PM ^
All good things.
September 18th, 2021 at 10:41 PM ^
Is it possible that all three play on Sundays ? Haskins is Matt Forte lite...not as fast or tough but far better balance.
Corum is NFL all the way.
Edwards looks like CJ Spiller to me.
September 19th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Haskins isn’t as tough as Matt Forte? Haskins is as tough as they come.
September 18th, 2021 at 4:33 PM ^
They good.
Ready to steamroll the bonjovi nights and then light them up over the top when they are sufficiently exhausted.
You get to play...you get to play...EVERYBODY GETS TO PLAY!
Viper Villari.
Activate the fully operational Derugtertronizer.
GO BLUE.
September 18th, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^
A fun game to watch, and lots of players got in the game. Yay for scheduling tomato cans.
I feel better about the passing game.
The Rutger game will tell us more about this team. Wisconsin on the road will tell us how the season will go.
September 18th, 2021 at 9:27 PM ^
The Rutger game will tell us more about this team.
Hopefully we've gotten back to the point where Rutgers doesn't tell us anything about the team.
September 18th, 2021 at 9:37 PM ^
Hear, hear to that.
September 18th, 2021 at 11:52 PM ^
Rutger's is a decent team at this point. We should win, but they are not the Rutger's of 2016 anymore.
September 19th, 2021 at 2:35 AM ^
Did Clemson play a tomato can team today? How about Pittsburgh?
September 18th, 2021 at 5:06 PM ^
Last week no one liked us running the ball constantly of course but I think this puts to rest that Cade can throw the ball (especially a good deep ball) just fine (which I think most of us knew already). Even the one where it went off the WR's finger tips deep should of been a catch (as he slowed up slightly when he saw the ball in the air). Last week it just boiled down to they wanted to run the ball (which keeps a QB untouched and safe) and eat up the clock and impose their will if it was working well which it was
I knew we would win this game but I did not expect this at all. Like many said though if we are going to be a good team we absolutely should win like this against a team like NIU. I appreciated that many players got a chance to play and gain valuable experience to learn from.
A great game to watch for sure and a really nice win with lots of offensive chances to get better.
September 18th, 2021 at 5:26 PM ^
I like it. It makes me happy.
September 18th, 2021 at 6:26 PM ^
This is easily the fastest team Michigan has ever had Corum’s 3rd quarter run was insanely fast, and the WRs and other RBs are fast as well. NIU was barely tripping up guys before 10-15 yard plays turned into 50+ yard plays.
Even though the running game was great, and the passing was solid and efficient, I would have seeing more passes in the second half just to get more passing situation reps in for the offense. However, I understand not passing much in such a Cupcake blowout.
September 18th, 2021 at 10:35 PM ^
Corum is a weeble wobble with jets. Great balance. And Haskins in a equally good way too. Hat tip to Jay for finding these guys.
September 18th, 2021 at 6:31 PM ^
Corum Mike Hart but fast. I’ve seen enough
September 18th, 2021 at 6:48 PM ^
Complete domination. It’s hard to make many complaints from a day like today. I actually thought Cade made some pretty good throws today. Keep improving and onward!
September 19th, 2021 at 7:53 AM ^
"I actually thought Cade made some pretty good throws today."
Seriously?!? The guy went 8-11 for 197 and it probably have been 9-11 for 260 and you're damning him with faint praise?
I swear, if McCarthy had been the 4-star and McNamara the 5-star, most of the takes in this thread would be completely different.
September 18th, 2021 at 8:43 PM ^
We didn’t score enough
September 18th, 2021 at 9:46 PM ^
This here blog said NIU's defense would be bad.
They were bad.
September 18th, 2021 at 11:47 PM ^
Corum will be a Heisman finalist in his career and be compared to Barry Sanders. Change my mind. Or don't haha, HAIL!
September 19th, 2021 at 12:20 AM ^
There’s always a game where the defense struggles and the offense needs to win a shoot out. After three games, I think we’ve got enough offensive fire power to handle a shoot out. Lots of speed, power, and enough of a passing game to pair with it.
Next up…the slaying of 3-0 Rutger.