Hoke: "In the Notre Dame game the cornerbacks were a little bit embarrassed"

Submitted by massblue on

Apparently, during a radio interview Hoke has indicated that Lewis and Peppers were going to stick at CB position partly because our CBs were embarrassed during the ND game.  I, for one, have not seen much from Peppers so far, but Lewis was really aggressive during the last game and a half and seems to have the speed and the quickness to recover from his mistakes.  Peppers, by all accounts, is supposed to be faster so this looks very promising.

 

Link

Blue in Yarmouth

September 18th, 2014 at 8:29 AM ^

but I really think other teams are going primarily with short drops to nullify that. When watching the games it sure seems like the passes are getting out awfully quick and when that happens it's just tough to get pressure. When guys are playing man and can't get a jam at the line with the receiver running a slant it's pretty much just pitch and catch. I don't know anyone who could get pressure in these circumstances. The corners need to interrupt the routes a little IMHE. 

Michigan Arrogance

September 18th, 2014 at 7:12 AM ^

2 things come to mind:

1) well, the CBs scored as many TDs in the ND games as the  offense

2) hindisght is always 20/20, eh coach? I mean, I'm glad they are willing to make a change, but, much like the OL last year, I wish these coaches would be able to avoid mistakes like these by knowing their personnel and how they fit into the scheme. If countess is such a good nickle, play him there. either way (at nickle or boundry) peppers will have a learning curve.

Cold War

September 18th, 2014 at 7:28 AM ^

Folks really need to make up their minds. When he claps and encourages after a tough play, he ought to be openly ripping into someone. But a passing comment in an interview is just being too mean and passing blame to the players.

Magnum P.I.

September 18th, 2014 at 8:03 AM ^

Curious what happens to Taylor once he comes back. If Peppers and Lewis play well this next game, I don't see them being displaced. Has Taylor played safety before? Might be of better service at one of those spots.

Space Coyote

September 18th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^

After the App St game, Hoke really praised Taylor about his practice leading up to the game and then the actual game. For the limited time he played against ND, he made some nice plays.

I still think Mattison and Hoke want a guy like Peppers at the NB spot, because of all the things he brings to that position. I don't see them completely leaving Taylor off regardless, but it makes sense at least to slide Peppers over to NB in certain situations (they can switch up Peppers and Countess at NB depending on situation, scheme, etc).

Magnum P.I.

September 18th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

I've secretly wanted Lewis and Peppers to rise up and snatch the CB spots this season. Partly because they have so much potential and insidery hype and partly because I was pretty unimpressed with Countess and Taylor last season. I think this next game will go a long way in determining Taylor's future role. If Lewis and Peppers kill it against Utah, Mattison will have a very tough time not moving forward with those two as the primary options. I think Taylor's a good player, though, and am curious whether a safety/3rd CB role might be good for him.
Countess seems like he's headed for full-time nickleback, so if Taylor took Peppers's spot out wide, there'd be a logjam at nickle.

MinWhisky

September 18th, 2014 at 10:06 AM ^

Probably too early and too many injuries to evaluate how the coaching changes made last year are working out, but it is a concern.  I liked the idea of Uof M DB players being more aggressive in their coverage, but I'm sure it takes more time to do that as opposed to "soft" or "zone" schemes.  Unfortunately, MSU has a several year head start over other BIG teams who are now copying their style of DB play.  Sure wish UofM's staff would come up with something original, creative, and effective.  

Ty Butterfield

September 18th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^

Need to see it on the field. Tired of all the talk. Utah is a team that could easily put up a ton of points. If the D gets abused and Michigan loses, this will be the beginning of the end for Hoke.

UofM Die Hard …

September 18th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^

this makes me happy to hear. Yes they got embarassed, that part sucks, but he called a spade a spade.  You have to do that to light a fire under some butts.  You dont perform next man up.  Hoke needs to do a bit more of this.  

JimBobFreedom

September 18th, 2014 at 6:58 PM ^

All games are important to me as a lifelong fan however this game is huge for peppers and Lewis. If they can lock mofos down that would give me a lot more confidence in the team. I said this before the nd game not having peppers in that game was a lot bigger than people realize.