Devin Gardner talking about Cade/Rutgers
Just listened to "Monday Morning Quarterback" with Devin Gardner and Same Webb. Was extremely impressed with Devin's insights. He seems to have a greater depth of understanding, understandably so, than many others analyzing Michigan football.
One of the most interesting insights was his observation that Cade's mechanics have been deteriorating the last couple of weeks. Also, he discussed how being hit can affect a player mentally and emotionally (e.g. ND 2013). I also paid close attention to his comments about the second-half play calling. He walks through those drives in detail and has convinced me that this is not necessarily a coaching/playcalling issue. We had players out there who didn't make plays. Also, Rutgers might be a decent team.
Suggest you take a listen.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
Sorry, but I'm already convinced that UMxWolverines, TheCube, and others on this site have more in-depth knowledge of the program, playcalls, and player performance than a former multi-year starter does.
Do not try to convince me otherwise.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:16 PM ^
Amen to that brother. They know all.
And dont let the 3-0 start distract you from the knowledge that we're about to embark on a nine game losing streak said those posters you mentioned (probably).
God it must SUCK to hate the team you root for.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
4-0...or did Rutgers not count?
September 28th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
This is why we listen to The Cube and friends, instead of guys like MGrowOld... He doesn't even know the team's record!!!
September 28th, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
Well he's old so.......
September 28th, 2021 at 12:47 PM ^
To a lot of people here, it seems like they feel that game didn't count. Or at least the first half never happened apparently
September 28th, 2021 at 6:23 PM ^
I'm not sure who installed the Goal Posts, but they did a poor job. They sure do move a lot.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:11 PM ^
Well said.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
Or, we could use our brains and see that it's just passionate fans who have sat through 2 decades of shit and are rightfully pessimistic. Not all of us got to experience the good ole roaring 1920s, MGO.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
Do not confuse emotion and anger for passion.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^
Well then, most fans at most schools are unhappy. There are only a few schools that are on top and the rest of them are scrambling
September 28th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
It's possible to be a passionate fan without mewling about how outraged you are every time something remotely negative occurs. We're 4-0 with 7 dominant halves and one crappy one. If you are currently pissed about the state of things, ask yourself if you should continue watching sports. They don't actually matter in any material way to your life and they're supposed to be viewed for entertainment purposes.
September 29th, 2021 at 9:06 PM ^
It’s funny reading be happy or leave from a guy who has bitched more than anyone about this blog and it’s contributors and yet is still here.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
What if I told you DG posts on here as well?
September 28th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
I already knew that, Vlad.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
He does?
I didn't know that.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:32 PM ^
What's his handle, HP?
September 28th, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
Ssssh, it's a secret. A few figured out that MK was Shea. Once Shea graduated, you never heard from MK again. The last I heard, Shea was playing for the Lions, not those losers but the BC Lions.
September 28th, 2021 at 10:54 PM ^
I'm still not quite fully convinced Shea is/was 'Mineral King'. Yes, it's entirely possible but MK proved himself to be pretty idiotic at times. I *hope* Shea was more intelligent than the person behind the MK facade.
I looked his account up just now on my mod page and can see that while Mineral King was still lurking earlier this year, he hasn't posted since spring of 2020 when he went "full stupid" and got called out by numerous posters.
September 28th, 2021 at 6:52 PM ^
Thanks for outing me !
September 28th, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
I'd certainly hope he started posting after he was done with football at Michigan (for a variety of reasons). Which would have been late 2014, right?
I can't think of any prolific posters (I can't image Devin as a lurker) with a start date in late 2014. Certainly none that are affiliated with the Kremlin!
September 28th, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^
Is DG Smooth Jimmy? I believe the Smooth Jimmy lock of the week is undefeated this year.
I picture Smooth Jimmy as an internet troll in Russia but maybe it’s DG.
September 28th, 2021 at 9:07 PM ^
j'accuse!
September 29th, 2021 at 12:25 AM ^
Putin is trying to sow FUD and make us think that DG is a Russian agent.
Don't fall for it. It is classic Soviet agitprop.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:11 PM ^
Devin Gardner played for Hoke.. while he probably does have more football knowledge than us as a result, to pretend he has some inside view on a brand new coaching staff that is unmatched by anyone else is.. odd at best?
September 28th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
It's not about insider knowledge - it's about watching the game with a more critical eye and with a deeper understanding of the game.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:30 PM ^
To pretend that a former UM player who has ran workouts with members of the team over the past few years doesn't have a better inside view of the program than use message board goobers is...odd at best
September 28th, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^
Username checks out.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^
This is a really dumb take lol. If you're around ball in a serious/professional manner you can breakdown film and understand the concepts that Michigan is running on a critical level. You don't have to be apart of the staff to understand the plays, schemes and the context of it all.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
All I can say is that this is a terrible comment and you should feel bad you didn't stop to think for one fraction of a second before you posted that.
September 28th, 2021 at 6:03 PM ^
This is a great point. Playing for hoke, and not harbaugh means the multi year starter, professional football analyst and quarterback coach who was incredibly well liked and respected by all couldn't possible have connections to the current staff, or irrespective of said connections, simply have valuable insights into the program or play of our current QB. Nailed it.
September 28th, 2021 at 4:31 PM ^
Rent-free.
September 29th, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^
The Cube doesn't pay any rent, that is true
September 28th, 2021 at 5:15 PM ^
Sorry but DG is better because he’s authentic and unfiltered. He’ll go much farther than any cube.
September 29th, 2021 at 9:28 PM ^
I mean, if your going that route, why bother with DG. Harbaugh himself was a a way more successful quarterback than DG, and a very successful coach as well, and he seems to think the play calling was fine. So case closed, everything is great. Just like last year and the year before that, we’ve got at least one former quarterback with excellent knowledge of football who thinks the play calling is totally fine.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:09 PM ^
Gardner is always worth a listen. Great analyst (and person to boot).
September 28th, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
It won't get flowers except for here since it was ultimately for a losing cause, but Gardner's 2013 performance against OSU on only one foot was just one of the most surreal throw-out-the-stats feats of heroism I have ever seen in a game.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Yep, that should be remembered up there with Biakabutuka's 313 yards. It's not his fault we played no defense.
September 28th, 2021 at 4:16 PM ^
Ah ha! Found Devin's account!!!
s/ maybe???
September 28th, 2021 at 12:09 PM ^
The Rutgers game may have not been a coaching/playcalling issue (waiting for UFR), but Gardner was sacrificed to the Gods when here.
Poor Damn Devin Gardner.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:52 PM ^
Nowadays that would probably be an ejection and rightfully so in my mind. #10 would probably whine his tail off if a TE blindsided him like that. Fuck that guy.
September 28th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Agreed. Not only did he blindside him (which I'm pretty sure has been made illegal in most circumstances) he launched up at his head.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
Thanks for posting this. I listened yesterday and was curious why no discussion on this was taking place. Devin is awesome. Smart, funny and raw. He is tough on the players but I think really fair.
Not sure how you felt, but I felt that he was strongly hinting at getting McCarthy more involved in the games. He did not say bench Cade but he is not happy.
Once again, he did not say anything specific about Cade being benched, it is just my opinion.
Curious what other's think
September 28th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
I felt the same about Devin's comments. He has explained for the past few weeks various things Cade needs to improve on. I felt like this week he really went a step further when listing all of the plays Cade missed in the 2nd half. I think it's fair to say in Gardner's eyes, Cade is not performing well and making throws he is capable of making.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:26 PM ^
Devin's comments about the throwing mechanics were fascinating. I hadn't seen that change myself and will now be looking for this in the future. The most damning comment was how the vast majority of qbs don't have the bandwidth to work on mechanics during the season. That comment makes sense but its implications are fairly dire. If we have a qb that is developing a problem that is close to unsolvable in the short-term and that problem is leading to catastrophic failure (RU 2nd half) for the offense... maybe we need to make a change?
And I think ripping on Cade is a bad idea. Seems like a good guy and I believe he can really play. But when fundamental mechanics are off - you can't play. And when your qb can't play - you can't win.
#celebrateallwins
September 28th, 2021 at 12:44 PM ^
Agreed on benching Cade. Not the time. He has actually looked good for extended periods of time and the hit he took appeared to be in the chin. Getting hit in the chin sucks.
Having no real evidence to back up. I really think the hit might have shook him up. Maybe even concussion. However if that is the case why was McCarthy not put in? The coaches are not idiots they can see what we see. So that negates the hit being the cause of poor second half, or points to worse things.
My only concern is that if he can't get out of the funk, putting JJ in at Madison this weekend is gonna be really tough
September 28th, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
I think the concussion comments, and specifically the "COACHES BAD FOR HURTING PLAYERS" comment that usually follows them, are a bit of a stretch (not saying that's what you're saying but I've certainly heard it from others). Mild concussions are really difficult to diagnose and almost impossible when you've got a tough SOB, and I'm guessing Cade's a pretty tough guy, who doesn't want to come out of the game and knows how to game the system. Hard to blame the coaches here from the info available. He seemed to be hesitant after the hit, not incoherent.
Totally agree about the funk and Madison. Really tough spot. Wish the best for Cade and hope he can go out there and sling it on Saturday.
September 28th, 2021 at 2:32 PM ^
I'd like to argue that most of the time Harbaugh seems to be an idiot
September 28th, 2021 at 4:26 PM ^
Cade may not have known he was as off as he was, it is up to the grownups in the room to pull a kid aside when he gets hit in the jaw like that and make sure he is OK.
was a hard spot to pull him but when he missed most of his attempts in the second half and wasn't close on most of them MAYBE give the kid a shot.
at least the THREAT of that big arm and running ability McCarthy has shown may have back them off the run game.