Sam Webb Believes Morris Starts Saturday?
Listening to WTKA during their MGoBlog roundtable segement, and unless I didn't hear him correctly, but Sam stated he believes UM goes with Morris (well, I believe he said 'the backup' I think) to start on Saturday. Anybody else hear that, or am I just hearing things? We all know Webb is really plugged into the program, so I somehow think this is unlikely to be a guess unless he's purposefully sandbagging or something. Anyway, passing along some info for those not listening; the future is now I suppose. And the future better start winning or the next few months are going to be, ah, trying.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
Wecome to the internet, I will be your guide.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:58 PM ^
... is that it assumes Gardner would have played better. In the only two teams with a pulse this year, he has not. So Morris playing bad does not equal Gardner would have been a better option.
I don't know the right answer, I'm just bummed this is a legitimate conversation with people on both sides having fair points.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
doesn't kind of depend on how he plays? if he plays ok and we lose, does it make it a bad decision?
September 25th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
About as many as would if we started DG and lost.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:33 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
Michigan football is old school, as we all know, and would NEVER consider a dual-QB system. Nuss said so as much in his last presser. But hell, it's not like MLB where if a pitcher comes out of the game, he cannot return.
If Devin starts and has some trouble, don't wait til the goddamn half -- bring in Morris -- and then, gee, you CAN bring Devin back in the game later. This could be useful: in a third and long, where you need an accurate big pass, Morris is your guy. If the situation dictates that Gardner is better off in a particular spot, bring him in.
Sure, it's not ideal to have a 2-QB system, in my opinion, but hey, at this point, forget what's ideal, and just WIN THE GAME.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
and then subsequently return to pitch again (but he'd only be allow 5 warmup pitches instead of 8 if it occurred in the middle of an inning).
Once any baseball player leaves the game, he is done. There is nothing special about it being a pitcher.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
I only used a pitcher as an example. But yeah, you're absolutely right.
Anyway...
My point being, it'd be stupid for Hoke/Nuss to watch his starter (be it Morris or Gardner) struggle for three full quarters and not make a change at QB. But hey, we saw that last weekend, so...
September 26th, 2014 at 6:53 AM ^
which absolutely still stands.
Just thought I'd put a little rules knowledge out there.
YES.
RULES KNOWLEDGE.
(Or however he does it.)
September 25th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
There's logic to what you're saying, but I think the leash needs to be pretty short. I'll admit that my thinking is colored by the fact that I'll be pretty disappointed if the coaches start Morris on Saturday. DG has been shaky, to be sure. But I think he gives the team a better chance to win than SM. SM hasn't exactly blown us away with his in-game performances, even against lesser competition.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
Gardner has to be hurt then. I know people keep wanting the new guy, but nothing Morris has done in his tenure at UM makes me think he'll be able to start and succeed right now. Hoke may expect to be gone at the end of the year, but I don't see the logic in speeding that along with this move.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
You've been one of my favorite posters for most of my time here, bronxblue. Just thought you should know.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:39 AM ^
Thanks. I try to stay off the ledge as much as possible.
I do think that people talking about Gardner at WR (as an alternative) need to remember just how hard it is to be a WR, and especially for a guy who hasn't lined up there in nearly 2 years. Gardner is a good athlete, but he isn't a good WR, and unless everyone thinks Morris is staying healthy you better believe Hoke will need Gardner out there.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
How much has Morris played? I mean, I'm firmly on the fence here, but is it really fair to demand a proven track record from a guy just starting his second season and gets on the field so rarely?
September 25th, 2014 at 4:25 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
If it's an injury, it is what it is.
Otherwise, IME, Hoke is putting the nails on the coffin.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:50 PM ^
I agree with you here for the most part. The only caveot I can see possible is that maybe Morris has shown in practice that he is better than Gardner. Maybe Gardner is performing similarily in practice to what he does in games. I don't think it's likely, but it is possible.
For the record, I'm on the play Gardner team (though I am getting less confident in that) and I think that playing Morris is a last second desperation hail mary.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:39 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
TheWolverine essentially saying the same - probably going to see Morris.
On the one hand, yay for trying anything new. On the other, Gardner vs OSU. Where's that player? That happened. Grrrr.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
| Opponent | C/ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | QBR | Boxscore |
| ________ | _____ | ___ | ___ | __ | ___ | ___ | ________ |
| Iowa 2012 | 18/23 | 314 | 13.7 | 3 | 1 | 98.4 | link |
| SCar 2012* | 18/36 | 214 | 5.9 | 3 | 1 | 66.6 | link |
| ND 2013 | 21/33 | 294 | 8.9 | 4 | 1** | 86.2 | link |
| Minny 2013 | 13/17 | 235 | 13.8 | 1 | 0 | 96.5 | link |
| Ind 2013 | 21/29 | 503 | 17.3 | 2 | 0 | na | link |
| Ohio 2013 | 32/45 | 451 | 10.0 | 4 | 0 | na | link |
* Played Jan 1, 2013 **The Worst Play in the History of College Football
September 25th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
If this is the case I wouldn't be surprised if Gardner isn't even in pads Saturday because he's hurt. Morris has been as much of a turnover machine when he's played as Gardner in the two losses has, but with less of a playmaking ability with the QB run.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
Get him in there and see what he can do.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
was kind of like superman against illinois coming in off the bench. but he obviously had played a lot already in the past.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
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September 25th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
/s
September 25th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
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September 25th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^
SM is better or not but Hoke has to appear to be making changes. The fan base has clearly bailed on DG there is no arguing that.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
does anyone feel comfortable with Ben Braden protecting the blind side after watching his multiple "ole!" performance last weekend? I thought he spent half the game turning and running back towards Gardner after whiffing. Will be interested in seeing the UFR this week.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
Yeah I feel a good chuck of the problems are OL and backs not picking up blitzes. If this is still the case, Morris better bubblewrap his ribs.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
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September 25th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
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September 25th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
I'm not so sure about that. I think if you start Morris this week, you're going down the road of no return. If you pull Gardner, put Morris in, and then have to go back to Gardner at some point, I'm guessing his confidence at that point is essentially gone. Starting Morris, to me, signifies you're already thinking about next year. A situation and time in which Gardner will not be involved one way or the other. Call me crazy, but if we go with Morris this week, I think we've seen maybe our last snaps for Gardner.
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September 25th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
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September 25th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
IME, Hoke needs to win or to compete strongly for a B1G champtionship to get another year.
If we lose to either Minny or Rutgers, w/ PSU, @MSU, and @OSU remaining, competing strongly for the B1G goes from a minor miracle to almost impossible.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
who has been paying attention. No reason to hold off on making an announcement if it's not to keep Morris starting from being a story.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
This is a no brainer at this point. Morris' performance in Utah was in a massive rainstorm and mid game. He should be far more polished after a week of prep and semi-normal weather. DG just looks awful to be perfectly honest. Even when he scrambles he just looks slow. His throws are off the mark, he just locks onto Funchess and rarely looks at options 2 or 3. He's just not the right guy for a pro offense. He would have excelled in RichRod's schemes, but here he's lost. Shane should end up being a nice upgrade. Still love DG though, great kid.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
It would be extremely interesting to listen to Hoke and Nussmeier discussing the pros and cons of Gardner vs Morris. Any chance we mike them up during their after practice meetings?
September 25th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
move DG back to WR, put Morris as our QB.. and with our Oline.. close your eyes and grit your teeth.
If we lose saturday, Hoke needs to go. My season tickets my not get renewed. I am so pissed and upset at the state of the program. Thank goodness basketball is right around the corner.
Edit: DG needs to give the 98 jearsey back.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^
I don't understand anyone who doesn't want to see Morris start.
We all know what Gardner can do but at this point, 4 games into his redshirt SENIOR year, do you really think the quarterback we saw against OSU and Notre Dame last year is coming back? Look, Gardner by all accounts is a great person but at this point he looks broken as a quarterback. He can't handle pressure, he can't go through his progressions, and his mechanics are a mess.
Morris may come in and prove to be just as bad. However, the difference is that he is most likely going to be our quarterback the next two seasons and there is still time to develop him. He has potential and a cannon for an arm. He is a prostyle quarterback, something Michigan is desperate to get back to. No matter what happens, he will gain such valuable experience playing out the remainder of this year and hopefully go into 2015 without the excuses of "He's never been the starter before, he needs time to gel."
Count me in as someone who believes it's time to look towards the future. Don't kid yourselves into thinking Gardner gives us the best chance to win the Big Ten. Be honest with yourself and admit that this team is not even going to come close to accomplishing that.
It's time to turn over the reins to Morris.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
braden is the guy covering his back. yikes.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^