Northwestern = Not Death
Rodriguez announced today that Nick Sheridan will start against Northwestern. Look, here's the header to a Rivals article($):
Redshirt sophomore Nick Sheridan will get another opportunity to add to his second chance, head coach Rich Rodriguez reported today. Sheridan led the Wolverines to a win over Minnesota and will start again Saturday against Northwestern.
Okay, so not death. Still, I'd rather have Threet out there, I think.
Threet still gives us the best chance to win. He played reasonably well against Purdue -- it was the defense that gave up 48 points. Sheridan's throws past the line of scrimmage could have been timed with a sundial.
The Minnesota defense for all of its hype was not very good against us. While Threet have been having some problems with the WR screens and swings (especially to Minor), not all of the problems with those routes have been Threet's. Brian did a picture pages (I think against Ill.) that showed some of the schematic and execution problems that had nothing to do wiht the throw. For whatever reason, Minnesota was not defending those well (I am sure UFR will show us why).
While Sheridan did manage the game way better than expected, and he was fortunate on some of his long looping passes (Matthews and McGuffie), his wet noodle arm is not going to stretch defenses enough. I think Threet's elbow (which has had two weeks to heal) has been a factor with his passing the past few weeks and the limited amount of keepers on the zone read option. We'll see on Saturday, but I still think Threet gives us the best chance to win.
We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now. - Bruce Coslet
I'm still a bigger fan of Threet than Sheridan, but Nick's big advantage over Threet is that he's competent at throwing the WR screen. Threet is terrible at these throws (takes too much time and is inaccurate) while Sheridan is at least getting the ball out quick and hitting his man. The WR screen is obviously a huge part of our offense and our success at Minnesota with this play was very helpful.
Very good point on the screens, also Sheridan seems to know the offense a little bit better, like where recievers are supposed to be and when they are going to be there, he just has little to no arm strength, which is a big problem.
Go Blue
F%ck the Bucks
i thought this was pretty much a no-brainer, really. he played the most complete game at QB for us so far. he's earned the start this week, imo. it's not like the guy he filled in for is clearly far superior. now, if he struggles mightily, by all means bring in threet. but the kid earned his shot (and i never thought i'd be writing that).
Sheridan had one decent game. I think this Saturday you'll all remember why you hated him two weeks ago.
Unless the defense holds NW to 6 points, then he'll be great.
IMHE
This.
Sheridan's poise in the pocket against Minnesota. After a couple quarters I actually felt comfortable with him in there. He made excellent decisions and it seems like he knew when to get the heck out of the pocket. Threet has more game experience this season but he has been making an increasing number of bad decisions throwing the ball, starting with MSU. I like the rotation idea as a case can be made for both QB's. If one guy gets hot, just stick with him.
I'm gonna take two weeks off, and then quit.
You do realize that Brian made fun of Notre Dame fans last year because they fawned over Jimmah's "poise" throwing bubble screens, right?
No question, Jim.
but you have to give the kid some credit for making some heads-up downfield throws while getting out of the pocket. I think Threet would have taken a couple sacks in that game.
I'm gonna take two weeks off, and then quit.
Unlike Jimmah, nobody ever predicted Sheridan would win four Heismans.
good point
No question, Jim.
True, true (here it comes) BUT:
That is nd, and Jimmah just had to be made fun of (supposedly the best QB evah!!).
It is the sacred responsibility of every M fan to make fun of nd as often as possible (as sometimes more often).
Yeah, that is my license plate.
The "poise" that Brian made fun of was Jimmah's ability to stand in the pocket despite the line's inability to block, and, if he hadn't already been sacked, make a dump off to a running back for a very minimal gain.
Sheridan was making bubble screen throws on time to create a 5+ yard gain, and completing passes for first downs when he rolled out of the pocket.
We're getting carried away here. Sheridan threw at least 2 picks that Minnesota didn't feel like catching. He was much better than ANYONE, including myself, thought he'd be - we assumed that he erased any chance of winning a football game, which clearly isn't true. That said, you could see "Evil Sheridan" peeking around the corner. Like anything else - he's not nearly as bad as we thought, and he's not nearly as good as us fickle idiots are making him out to be now.
he was doing so well that they started giving it to Feagin whenever they got in the red zone
IMHE
run. With Sheridan at qb, the run can set up the pass. Michigan's freshmen are growing up quickly and I feel like last week was the turning point for many of these young players. I believe Michael Shaw will have a break-out game and Sam gets a few wows out of the NW crowd. Sheridan is better than most thought and sets up a qb rotation that Coach Rod wanted early in the season. With OSU recently playing NW, this should give us a good idea of how Michigan will compete with OSU.
I mean this in the best possible way, but a good number of us thought the turning point was the Wisconsin game. Then came Toledo...
I think what the Minnie game showed was that if we can get a solid team effort from the defense, plus one standout (or much-better-than-expected) performance on offense, we can win -- and win convincingly at that.
What's the hallmark of freshmen at critical positions? In a word: inconsistency. They've got the raw tools, but not the experience or discipline. I don't look for the inconsistency to go away in the remaining two games this year.
Yup, Minnesota was just the setup. NW will be the turning point if (when) we put 2 good wins together.
Yeah, that is my license plate.
Let's not get carried away. Threet is averaging 2.6 yards per rush, and Sheridan is averaging 2.8. Sheridan has rushed for all of 67 yards on the season. Does he really improve our run game that much?
I do think Sheridan is better at making quick decisions and finding secondary receivers, though.
i think (numbers aside) that sheridan opens the pass more with his run because sheridan seems much more inclined to run on a given play than threet. and sheridan is shiftier too. plus sheridan can throw accurately on the run apparently. combine all of those and he can open up the play because he actually makes the defense consider whether he will run or throw when he escapes. or at least they have to consider it much more than they do with threet
and i like sheridan more (for now) because he can actually hit people on those bubble screens and make them effective
Remember, the coaches thought Sheridan was better and deserved the start on opening day.
As we now know, Utah is a damn good team. Sheridan struggled and Threet came in and did well. The next week we played Miami and squeaked out a win with Threet. The rest, as they say, is history.
My main concern with Sheridan was that he had not had any actual game experience for a couple of years (missed his senior year in HS due to injury). Now that he has played an entire game, his timing should be significantly better.
He also looks faster than Threet (not sure if that is true).
Yeah, that is my license plate.
but you can't forget that Threet's got that huge 40+ yard run against Wisconsin that brings his yards per carry way up.
But on the other hand, Threet's taken a bunch of sacks that drag his average down. Threet's recorded 346 positive rushing yards and 157 negative rush yards. Take away that one run and he's still racked up almost 300 positive yards. Sheridan has recorded 91 positive rush yards and 24 negative rush yards. Sheridan's long run of the season is 10 yards. I'm not sure where the evidence for him being a serious running threat is. He might be a tiny bit quicker in the pocket than Threet, but it's hardly enough to cause opposing DCs to change their gameplans.
On the read options Sheridan holds onto the ball longer which holds the DE longer and allows for bigger running holes. That is Sheridans only advantage over Threet.
Patience is the key to success
And that he effectively scrambles out of the pocket.
And he can throw bubble screens.
I lost the bet. Something (Adrian) witty will end up here as soon as I think of it.
I forgot to consider sacks--you're certainly right. All that should really be considered is yards per attempt on positive rushing plays, I guess.
I swear we are talking about Dan Orlovsky, Dante Culpepper, and Jeff Smoker's replacement.
Step back for a second and remember: WE PLAYED MINNESOTA.
I don't mean to be a wet blanket but man, I don't think last week's game proved anything.
Remember why State is, well......State: they are convinced this year is the beginning of the "shift in power." One decent year in a horrendous Big 10 doesn't make State legitimate or good. On the same token, one game against Minne-haha doesn't make us a potential winner against OSU.
Now, if we put together a complete offensive and defensive day against NW, I might change my tune a little.
Sorry for the downer. Flame away.
Those Who Stay Will Be Champions
"Step back for a second and remember: WE PLAYED MINNESOTA."
Who was 7-2.
Do you think all 7 - 2 records are equal?
Obviously I'd swap our crappy record for Minnesota's but....
Do teams like Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Montana State, Florida Atlantic, and Indiana diminsh that record at all, in your mind?
Those Who Stay Will Be Champions
It is hard to claim that Minnesota is "bad". I don't think they're the top-25 team they were ranked at the start of the year, but I don't think they are bad.
I agree. Plus, if Minnesota is "bad", what adjective would describe us?
Abominable, atrocious, beastly, defective, diddly, dreadful, godawful, grungy, icky, inadequate, raunchy, rough, the pits?
Naw, I prefer to think of Minnie as relatively good.
Yeah, that is my license plate.
Drew Stanton
No question, Jim.
Is he starting over Threet because he did so well last week or because Threet is still injured? If Threet is still injured then I think that Sheridan will have a good game, but if there is a chance that he gets yanked, then I think he will gamble again to try to make the big play and revert to death.
I lost the bet. Something (Adrian) witty will end up here as soon as I think of it.
Agreed that Sheridan deserves to start Saturday.
I'm scared that the mildcats defensive line is going to eat us alive. I think we may see a lot of Sheridan rolling out of the pocket and sweeps and stuff (technical term).
I would like to see Feagin run some option with Shaw. He looked really good pitching the ball on the practice video.
I NEED QUESO! QUESOOOOO!!
here is the audio if anyone cares
http://www.mgoblue.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?categoryId=81876...
IMHE
plays like he did against Minnesota and we can get a little sprinkle of Feagin ISQBDs - I think UM should fine.
Sheridan still scares me, but not in the haunting my dreams way like the Sheridan of old.
Just a hunch - but I bet Minor is out for the game and Shaw starts with him and McGuff splitting time.
I wouldn't be shocked to see a little Grady, based on how terrible NW was at "tackling" Beanie.
Due to "popular" demand:
http://jimharbaughscramble.blogspot.com/
vs. NWU RRod made the right choice. He was the driver behind the best performance all year and earned the start. Threet has shown spots, but has yet to put together a full game. I think Sheridan made some great reads as well, and is more of a threat running the ball.
nobody tackles beanie..his stiffarms are sick man
Michigan Wolverines: 874 wins, .740 winning percentage, 42 Big Ten Titles, 11 National Titles, 3 Heisman winners, and 150 consensus All-Americans
Am I nuts for thinking Stevie Brown could get one in on Beanie? When he's had his wits about him, he's looked pretty determined.
I've liked what I've seen in many of his tackles and think he may evolve into a pretty solid player. Too optimistic?
is indeed sick. But Northwestern refused to even attempt to wrap him up. On his long touchdown run it seemed like he just ran into wildcats and the tried to arm tackle him to no avail.
Shaw and Mcguff are not gonna break tackles with power, so I would like to see a little Grady as a power back.
Due to "popular" demand:
http://jimharbaughscramble.blogspot.com/
made by a RB with first round talent doesn't tell me much about UM's chances. Watching the replay, one guy had an arm on Wells and NW's defense kind of held up while trying to keep him bottled up inside. When Beanie regained his balance there was a big seam up the middle and 0 purple jerseys between him and the end zone.
Outside of that one great run, Northwestern held Wells to 3 ypc on 27 runs. That, along with the 6 TFLs they racked up impressed me. I think their DL is underrated and that the UM OL is going to have a tough game on saturday.
and scared of Sheridan
Michigan Wolverines: 874 wins, .740 winning percentage, 42 Big Ten Titles, 11 National Titles, 3 Heisman winners, and 150 consensus All-Americans