Aquaman on QB Competition
We'll obviously know more after we get spring practice updates and see how they do in the spring game, but who do you think will win the starting job? Steve Lorenz likes Speight:
http://mgovideo.com/2015-qb-competition/
I'm kind of leaning toward Malzone if it's not Morris. The kid wins at everything he does and has the mobility Harbaugh is looking for. Harbaugh said at the signing day presser that he doesn't seem like a freshman and I don't think he'll play like one either. Gentry is probably too raw to start, but I could see him being used even this year as a short yardage/goal line Tebow-type. Everyone's written off Morris, but I won't be surprised if he looks the most polished in the spring game. I can see him being #2 if he doesn't win the job.
February 7th, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^
It was actually after the 7th game (Illinois) that Carr finally junked the platoon. Lloyd let that go on way too long and it probably cost us the MSU game. I like Lloyd but that was a big mistake on his part. It was pretty clear Brady was the guy within a couple of weeks of the season.
February 7th, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^
What? That's only true if by everyone you mean Henson's family.
February 6th, 2015 at 9:32 PM ^
February 6th, 2015 at 9:43 PM ^
I have no preference for who starts (my guess is it will be Morris), but Morris has serious questions surrounding his game stemming back to high school. For one, he's never proven to be a good decision maker as a passer, which is far and away more important than having a cannon. His early 5-star status was based entirely on arm strength, but a lot of worrying comments arose from evaluators about everything else once people saw him in camps. There are reasons to worry that go beyond the Minnesota game.
With all that said, I wouldn't be surprised if Harbaugh turned him into a really good QB.
February 6th, 2015 at 10:09 PM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 9:17 AM ^
I question how much of a competitor Morris is when in the Minnesota game, after an inaccurate throw on 3rd down killed a drive, he ran to the sidelines with a smile on his face acting like he'd just thrown for a TD. He didn't give a shit. It was pathetic.
February 7th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
Come on. I don't like when fans overanalyze body language. You've never seen a guy smile in exasperation?
February 7th, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^
he's never proven to be a good decision maker as a passer
That's what coaching is for.
February 6th, 2015 at 9:56 PM ^
I hope Shane wins the job and does well. He went from great promise to concussion kid, would like to see that turned around.
February 6th, 2015 at 10:04 PM ^
February 6th, 2015 at 10:38 PM ^
#1 - Speight
#2 - Sugar Shane backup
If we need a #3 to play make it Malzone. The early enrollment should make it easier for him.
Hopefully Redshirt - Malzone & Gentry
February 6th, 2015 at 10:39 PM ^
February 6th, 2015 at 10:58 PM ^
Shane really has to improve his accuracy. Otherwise, I think it's going to be Speight or one of the freshmen. Wish all of them luck. May the best QB get the job.
February 7th, 2015 at 8:29 AM ^
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February 6th, 2015 at 11:11 PM ^
Speight (6'6") and Gentry (6'7") both have the physical size to be TE's. I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both of them converting to TE if they are not in the running to be the #1, #2, or #3 QB.
Jay Riemersma (6'5") came to U-M as a QB and converted to TE after a rotator cuff injury. He went on to have an nine year career in the NFL with Buffalo and Pittsburgh.
February 6th, 2015 at 11:43 PM ^
I'm not sure Speight would have the athleticism for that. Gentry looks like he definitely would.
February 6th, 2015 at 11:45 PM ^
February 6th, 2015 at 11:19 PM ^
I think he's at a disadvantage as he hasn't RS. He has all the potential/ceiling you could ask for. Needs to work on the touch and I think that comes with confidence in himself as much as his teammates to get comfortable in his reads. Timing wasn't a given in the last few years - don't know if any of you noticed.
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February 6th, 2015 at 11:43 PM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 1:58 AM ^
I hope it all works out and he is great. I hope he fits into whatever plans the new coach has. After spring practice the writing will be on the wall. He could transfer and still have 2 years after a Red Shirt. Not trying to run him out but if it isn't going to work out here I hope he finds the place it will.
February 6th, 2015 at 11:35 PM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 8:54 AM ^
I have no favorites other than the best. I'm also very excited to see the Spring game for some reason.
February 7th, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^
My guess is that we still won't know much after the Spring game. It's going to take through fall camp to weed out the starter for Utah
February 7th, 2015 at 12:18 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 1:31 AM ^
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February 7th, 2015 at 2:30 AM ^
We please can haz nice (QB) things now.
February 7th, 2015 at 4:14 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 7:43 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 7:44 AM ^
Lorenz made "it says alot about how they feel about the rest of the roster" that they are willing to give up a scholarship slot to another quarterback (transfer in O'Korn) to have even more quarterback competition.
February 7th, 2015 at 9:20 AM ^
It's just smart business in my mind...you want a QB in every class.
In 2016...
Morris - Senior
O'Korn - Junior
Speight - Sophomore
Malzone/Gentry - Freshman or Sophomore
...plus (1) QB in 2016 to come in and redshirt.
That's just smart business, IMO. I'd always try to keep 1 in each class plus a redshirt. And it wouldn't shock me if one of the 5 guys on scholarship now isn't around next year...thus keeping that "5 scholarship QBs" idea (you have to add the incoming freshman - whoever that is) alive.
This is big boy football. Too many people think Morris should just be given the ball because of the hype and because Harbaugh's a good coach who can make him better. Well what if he can also make Speight better or turn Gentry into a great QB? If he can do it with Morris, why can he also do the same with someone else?
I hope the majority of you join me and just sit back and watch this spring knowing we're in good hands. Let's just see how it plays out. Who cares who wins the job as long as it's the best player for Michigan?
February 7th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 10:16 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^
Nobody is going to win it in the Spring after only 15 practices in a new system.
We won't know who the starter is against Utah until August. As it should be.
February 7th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
The only thing Morris has demonstrated thus far is being the reciptient of bad coaching. Anyone picking a true freshman to beat out a junior with a high ceiling and game experience is on crack.
That doesnt mean it wont happen of course. But predicting it now is silly.
February 7th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 1:21 PM ^
But Chad Henne did do it...
Matt Gutierrez was a RS Sophomore and a 5/4* kid, top 5 QB out of California...similar hype to Shane Morris
Clayton Richard was a RS Freshman and a 5/4*, top 3 QB and future MLB pitcher
Sigh...all that QB talent in one year. If only we could've spread their 12 years of eligibility out over the next 12 years.
And by the way, Morris' "game experience" means nothing. All it means is he can get to the line and run a play...because it's not like he did much else.
His experience handling school and football, or his experience getting to know his teammates, or his experience learning a D1 offense are ALL more valuable than any game experience he's had thus far.
February 7th, 2015 at 1:44 PM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 5:39 PM ^
February 7th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
Smart man. I am definitely in the Wilton camp for starting QB. I will be actually mildly surised if he does not win the starting job. While i never rule out a true freshmen, There is less than a 2 percent chance of a non Speight/Morris starter IMO.