Derrick Green and the running game.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
Miami took last year's ideas of how to beat Michigan, used them this year, and played Michigan even for one half of the game. I hardly take comfort in the knowledge that the Michigan coaching staff learned little from last year.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
Miami had four first downs in the first half (eight for the game). They didn't so much play us even as they managed to capitalize on some Michigan mistakes.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^
But you just said up the thread that score is all that matters.
September 14th, 2014 at 1:46 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^
Michigan was also without its difference-maker in the form of Devin Funchess. A couple years ago, it was Denard Robinson. Last year it was Jeremy Gallon. This year it appears to be Funchess. If you're missing your best player, things are bound to be a little rougher than you want them to be.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
Any idea why we weren't throwing up over the top earlier to counter the 8 in the box? Ultimately, I think that's what allowed Jake Butt to get so wide open for the TD but it makes me think the coaches don't trust the QB or receivers or O-line or something...
September 14th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^
box. A lot of times, Miami had nine in the box, I believe (Edit: oops Space already confirmed 9 at times).
If you can create a team that can run against a good team that is stacking the box the sky is the limit. Michigan is far from that, currently.
Michigan, however, is now a team that can run the ball when a bad opponent stacks 8 to 9 in the box. That's new (at least it feels new).
I'm even going to go out on a limb here and say, I'm pretty sure we can now impose our will on mediocre to average teams that know we are going to run.
We will see because we will play a few. Hopefully I'm right.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
Green made some cuts in yesterdays game that I've never seen him make before. He made a couple jump cuts and showed some patience on other runs. I genuinely believe our O-line and running game are showing a lot more cohesiveness this season. We couldn't run against anyone last year. That being said, I am really worried about Gardner. I think teams are going to dare us to throw and blitz constantly which leads to those negative yard gains that just kill our offense. The Big Ten is so bad we easily could do some damage if we just improve a little bit.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
Agree on Gardner. Just seems off. Was watching one play yesterday he literally stared down Hill the entire route and was almost (should've been) picked off. All the tools are there, but seems to be a disconnect in the mental aspect somewhere.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:38 PM ^
I agree. We all have been watching and hoping the OL would imporve, and it is getting better. But I think we all assumed Gardner would be fine but he seems extremely unsettled. I'm not sure what is going on with him. His mechanics seem off, he stares down receivers, doesn't seem comfortable in the pocket at all. We really need his experience and leadership out there, let alone his athletic ability. I hope Nuss can get him straightened out. If Gardner gets rolling, no more eight in the box.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
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September 14th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
We did pretty well against Miami considering that Devin Funchess was out and three key defensive players were out. If we have Funchess back next week as well as a couple of the DBs, we should be much stronger, especially with Jake Butt rounding back into form.
Although the competition does make a difference, yesterday Green looked decisive when he made some cuts that were terrific. I thought his ability to pick holes was quite good, not just average. He is starting to show why he was the number 1 ranked RB coming out of high school, and I just hope he continues to improve. When Gardner has his favorite target back, along with a fully functional Jake Butt and a rapidly improving Darboh, I think the offense will be fine.
We all need a little patience, as Brown Bear said above. One thing I love about Hoke is the family atmosphere described quite well by Jack Dunaway. Another thing I love about Hoke is that his players graduate. Sometimes you have to make choices between "great" coaching like you may get from a Saban where players are treated as if they were completely disposable and coaching that involves a genuine concern for the growth of the individual, and I am completely convinced we get that with Hoke. For me, if I had to choose one or the other, the choice would be pretty easy. So, I will be patient and wait until at least after next year to see how things go.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
Short yardage plays against weak defenses, but we seem to have reduced TFLs somewhat, which is a good sign.
Pass protection is still a very big problem. Gardner was running for his life all day yesterday, even against a weak MAC defensive front. Big ten teams will kill us there.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
Devin doesn't release the ball very quickly. And when Devin sees his receivers covered, instead of just tossing it out of bounds, his tendency is to try to buy some time to see if he can make a play with his legs or force a throw. Thus the turnovers happen.
He's such a good all-around athlete that it actually hurts him sometimes.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
Also I noted the seeming fatigue factor setting in on Miami in the 4th Q. That's where having Smith and Green is a huge advantage. Bring in Smith when its time to burn out the clock and he's dragging already tired guys around down the field.
I feel like the OL has made a medium leap from last year and I have the gut feeling that they will continue to study film and improve their play. With obvious asterisk for competition level of Miami, but I also feel like they were serviceable in run blocking vs Notre Dame. The tests are going to get much larger. I scouted Rutgers and they look more dangerous than Penn State from a defensive standpoint.
I also like what I've seen from Amara Darboh. Despite his foot issue I can see he hasn't missed many strength training sessions. I think he has the body of an NFL guy from this vantage point. Really nice to see him step in and fill the hole where Funchess would be as I think he's nearly the size & strength mismatch in blocking CBs.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
After next game see if you feel the same. Believe me, I sure hope so.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
Akron was 64th nationally in rushing defense last year. Miami(NTM) was 113th. We probably rushed better yesterday because Miami is miserable at stopping the rush. Akron is actually somewhat decent. So basically yesterday tells us nothing, except that we can rush pretty okay against the (almost) worst team in the nation versus the rush.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
Through the first two games of this season, Miami-Oh was improved, at least on paper. Entering yesterday's game, they ranked 55th nationally in run defense, giving up 126.5 yards per game and 3.7 per carry.
We rushed for 276 yards at 6.1 per carry, so we greatly outperformed their first two opponents. That's something, at least.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
I also thought Justice looked pretty good. I would like to see him get some more carries. With his speed, he could really do some damage when our line opens up a hole.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 12:58 PM ^
I'm liking what I see from Green, much improved and o-line seems to be improving their zone assignments each week. I hope Green is watching Alfred Morris on sundays. No better zone running back in America right now. He could learn from guys like him. (Shameless Redskins fan plug)
September 14th, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
You're spot on about Alfred - great running back.
/Go Skins
September 14th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
September 14th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^
The running game is improved over last year. Last year we couldn't run the ball at all - against anyone on the schedule. Most plays were rushes for -1/-2 yards. At least this year, it seems even poor running plays are +1/+2 yards. Yeah, we haven't played anyone great yet, but still we seem to be falling forward instead of getting knocked backward. Considering how young the OL is I think its positive improvement. Green improved yesterday as well. Vision improved - he saw and hit holes. And a few times, he had some YAC which was non-existant before. Overall, I felt some positive mojo coming from the running game and we're going to need it to continue improving this season.
September 14th, 2014 at 5:57 PM ^
Last year our backs weren't getting knocked backwards, they had guys in our base killing our doods. Agree that this year looks much better, even when the ground game isn't necessarily great (see: ND).
September 14th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
Go Blue!
September 14th, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
Hayes looked fast against a tired Miami defense. He is probably the quickest back on the team, but he's not fast or particularly effective. I think Michigan is using him nicely as a third down back. He's not as good of a blocker as Vincent Smith, but he can be used similarly.
September 14th, 2014 at 4:11 PM ^
You don't think Hayes is faster than Green?
Qualifier: in no way whatsoever am I saying he should play in place of Green, just asking a general question.
September 14th, 2014 at 5:34 PM ^
Didn't I say that Hayes is the quickest back on the team?
September 14th, 2014 at 7:33 PM ^
But you also said he isn't fast. I wanted to quantify just how fast, or not fast you think he is.
September 14th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^
Well, he's no Carlos Brown. But our group of running backs isn't particularly speedy right now. Green and Smith are both somewhat ponderous, Hayes has some decent quicks, and Drake Johnson is supposedly fast...on a track.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
Then we agree.
September 14th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
D line is playing at a Michigan level. Helps the LBs stay "clean" and JMFR is starting to figure his play out, so the front seven is looking like the elite of the BIG along with Ohio and MSU.
O line has improved.
RB's are starting to find the gaps so also improving.
Receivers are so/so, but not bad yesterday with Funch out and a less than 100% Butt.
Weak link is the last one we'd expect - the secondary, but we missed Wilson and Taylor, and Peppers will only improve, so have to figure it won't get worse, and hopefully Manning will learn how teach these kids to take away inside slants.
X factors are:
1. DG. He just doesn't look normal back there. I smell many more fumbles/picks from him unless the DG from last year's ND game somehow warps back into existence. I liked Nuss finally bringing some read option to actually take advantage of why DG was so highly rated out high school - his legs. With M's new power running game this is a great time to use that as a suprise. Speaking of...
2. RPS. Just seems like our offense is still very predictable, which will make for tons of negative yard rushes and sacks in coming weeks when teams load the box and blitz and DG has no check to a hot read. Hope I'm wrong..