September 18th, 2016 at 9:40 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 10:32 PM ^
Why was calling a timeout Baxter's responsibility and not Harbaugh's? Seriously.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:34 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:41 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 9:42 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 11:20 PM ^
Just think where we'd have been yesterday with the Hoke coaching staff running special teams. Our ST unit kept us in the game for awhile there.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:27 PM ^
Not just IN the game, ST essentially won that game for us. Points and game-long field position. Offense better improve soon, better competition coming.
September 19th, 2016 at 7:54 AM ^
September 19th, 2016 at 7:54 AM ^
September 19th, 2016 at 8:28 AM ^
It looks like the staff was able to soak up a lot from Baxter's time here. Doesn't mean he was overrated, just that our staff is really good, and was able to pick up where Baxter left off.
That said, I am a bit wary of a few things on special teams... Mainly, Punts/Kicks should not be line drives, if at all possible, and I have seen far too much of that so far this season, which in turn is affecting our punt and kick coverage.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:42 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:43 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 9:45 PM ^
Baxter's had an impressive track record, so I doubt it. It could be simply that Partridge/Harbaugh learned enough from him last year to keep things going now.
Partridge at any rate seems like a rising star. He was a huge success at the high school ranks and his areas of responsibility (linebackers and ST) look great. And of course he's a top recruiter.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:31 PM ^
I suspect that Baxter set a high benchmark in terms of focus and preperation and that Partridge made it his business to pass the benchmark.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:56 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:44 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:45 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:46 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:48 PM ^
He set a good foundation. But one mistake is unforgivable. I could never get over that (and the multiple roughing the punter penalties with no blocks).
September 18th, 2016 at 9:49 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:59 PM ^
Was just about to say the same thing about punt coverage. Tons of space with mostly just 2 gunners. I get they probably have PTSD about not having punts blocked, but the weird pro-style punt formation they're using now is going give the other team lots of return yards and potentially a score or two. I hope they change it.
September 19th, 2016 at 4:43 AM ^
Find another Aussie punter for next year and go back to the spread formation..
September 18th, 2016 at 10:05 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 10:18 PM ^
Well when the punter isn't getting any sort of hang time on his punts, its gonna mean that the gunners have no time to get down the field. The line drive punts are not helping punt coverage at all.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:38 PM ^
That's because of Kenny Allen's lack of hang time, not scheme.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:49 PM ^
To be honest, I don't think so. There have certainly been great special teams plays to date, but I would guess that two very big parts of that are the disheveled special teams units we've faced to date and the increased aggressiveness that comes with increased expectations as a team. Baxter is undoubtedly a brilliant special teams mind, I think to say he was "overrated" is to seriously discredit what he instilled in this team. Remember, a lot of the special teams players we have learned a lot FROM Baxter. I wish we had him, personally.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:52 PM ^
3 games is too small of a sample size to determine how good this team is, especially since it's up against weak competition. Lets just be happy we have a head coach who puts his most skilled players out there on special teams.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:55 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:55 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:57 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:57 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:58 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 9:56 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 9:59 PM ^
This. Terrific coach and not just a coach.
Happy to see that things haven't reverted to pre-Baxter levels but current success in no way means that Baxter is overrated.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:01 PM ^
There is a whole lot of season left to play. Lets not get carried away just yet.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:04 PM ^
September 18th, 2016 at 10:10 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 10:11 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 10:05 PM ^
We returned our first punt for a TD in almost a decade.
Have blocked 3 punts in the last two games, one of them fully blocked and returned for a TD.
Two FG blocks.
Peppers is getting really good kickoff returns.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:17 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 10:18 PM ^
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September 19th, 2016 at 8:31 AM ^
The rusher is not coming in straight on, ready to plow into the punter. They are running past the punter and sticking their hands/forearms in the way of the ball. Impressive body control.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:06 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 10:07 PM ^
OTOH, I became a Michigan fan back in 2006. I feel like we've already blocked more kicks this year than in the last 9 seasons of my fandom combined
September 18th, 2016 at 10:07 PM ^
yes he was overrated, and the specials team seemed to get worst as the year went on!
September 18th, 2016 at 10:12 PM ^
Can we take this moment to once again appreciate the greatest nepotism hire ever?
September 18th, 2016 at 10:14 PM ^
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September 18th, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^
questioned how good a coach Jay could be, he seemed too young for the job. The guys position groups have been killing it right from the go last year. Based on the results I would have to say he is underpaid now.