One-on-One: Jake Butt Comment Count

Adam Schnepp

22669697750_4a159fa928_z

[Fuller/MGoBlog]

I know you’ve been talking about Ohio State a lot today, so I wanted to do something different and go in-depth on one play. So, let’s talk about your touchdown catch in the first quarter against Penn State. First of all, you guys line up and it’s a double tight end set. What do you then see from the defense?

“So, I saw a safety. They’d been rolling a safety down in the box. I saw some linebackers clouded over me. I knew I was going to have to get open on the corner route, but to be honest it was so loud early on in that stadium I was just staring at the ball because I couldn’t hear Jake. I was staring at the ball but thinking in my mind mind what I would have to do. That’s kind of what I was doing early on in that game, and once the ball was snapped I just kind of fired out and diagnosed what I had. I think I had a safety squaring me up maybe 10 yards off. I tried to push up on his grass, sell the post, threw my eyes inside and he really bit on it and popped open on the corner route.”

As far as the routes were designed there, as you said you were running the corner route. It looked like Amara was running to the inside to pull a safety away from you. Is that what happened?

“Yeah. I think- I don’t know what exactly- yeah, it was a post on the outside and corner combination. I don’t know if he was trying to pull a safety out or what but he ended up pulling the corner out of there, which left a big hole in there that Jake kind of just dropped it into.”

How much of that kind of defense did you see from them throughout the game, where they had, as you said, a safety shaded over you who you knew you’d have to work your way around?

“A lot of the times I did notice there’d be a safety or I’d be kind of boxed in by linebackers in a lot of my routes, so it’s kind of tough getting open like that but if they’re putting two or three guys on you that means someone else is left one-on-one or left open, so I don’t mind it when they’re double teaming me. But yeah, it’s a good respect thing when they’re throwing a safety down on you or they’re throwing a couple guys on you. I think that shows they respect your ability to run routes and catch the ball.”

What was the most common coverage you saw from them?

“We saw they ran like a Cover 6 on one side of the field and Cover 4. That was a big coverage for them. A lot of middle field open. That’s what I noticed.”

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest]

Switching gears a little bit, where would you say you’ve made the biggest strides in your game this year?

“I think since the beginning of the year it’s been my blocking. I didn’t have my best week last week, but I think in recent weeks I’ve been taking big strides trying to become a better blocker because that’s something I really wasn’t doing very well early on. But I think yeah, that’s just a testament- coach Jay has made that a point that I need to become a better blocker to help this offense, so I just practice it, practicing trying to strike with violence, taking violent steps, coming out of my stance versus our scout team. Going against guys like Reuben [Jones] and Shelton [Johnson] really helps because they’re going to be really good players some day.”

What can you tell us about those guys? What do you see in their games?

“I don’t want to single anyone out on that defense, but going up against them I can speak about. Reuben goes- those are two guys that are talented, but they don’t take their talent for granted. They go so hard on every single play, and it’s not always easy when you’re on the scout team getting beat up by the starters just about every single day. You’ve got to just kind of throw your body out there recklessly, but they take on that role. They’ve been a huge part of our success, the scout teams have. In years past it wasn’t always a big competition, but they’re competing. They’re going as hard as they can trying to earn a spot on that travel roster.”

Which coach would you say has helped you the most overall this year, and then who has helped you with your blocking?

“To be honest, I can’t single out a single one of the coaches. It’s been a combination. Coach Fisch is working on helping me with my routes. Coach Drevno’s always pushing me to become a better blocker. Of course Jay does both of those and he does a lot of fine tuning, and coach Harbaugh’s just been a big-time motivator for me. Just talking about where my ceiling is…you know, it’s pretty high. You know, I think I can be a really good player and I want to be known as one of the best tight ends ever to come through Michigan, so I think between those four guys they’ve really pushed my game a lot.”

Comments

Jack Be Nimble

November 25th, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^

Shelton Johnson is listed at 212 pounds.  Now, I suppose it is possible that he can gain 70 pounds over the course of his career and be a SDE (Frank Clark gained about that much over his career), but that is very rare.  Gaining 30 or 40 pounds is done somewhat regularly but gaining 70 is a bit much.  Then the scouting report on Johnson projected him as a great edge rusher, which is really more descriptive of the Buck position than the 5-tech (who often deals with double teams and doesn't regularly play on the edge).  Johnson looks like a Buck to me.

DonAZ

November 25th, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^

I'm fascinated by these one-on-ones ... they offer a great insight into the game from a player's perspective.

I'm curious: do you (Adam) have to work through the athletic department to get access?  Or is this something you arrange directly with the players?

 

gwkrlghl

November 25th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^

I love hearing the players go through what they're thinking and doing versus what they see on the field. Fascinating stuff you don't get from typical pressers where guys are just digging for sexy quotes

pfholland

November 25th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

I notice that he calls them Coach Drevno and Coach Fisch, but that his position coach is just Jay. It's probably just indicative of a more informal relationship with someone near his age, but the difference jumped out at me.

kstevens26

November 25th, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^

Huge fan of this one on one post. Shows how cerebral a player can be in the moment of the game. You can tell Jake really understands route running as he is using his eyes to get himself open. One more year, hopefully, to fine tune and then he'll make a good pro TE. The league is clamoring for TE's with his skill set.

As a Bengals fan, I see a lot of similarity between Butt and Eifert. Same body style/skill set, a WR trapped in a TE's body. The ceiling is definitely high for Jake Butt. To further add, what more deserving of a kid. Always well spoken and directing credit to his coaching/teammates. One of my favorite players.

rharvey

November 25th, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^

I like how Jake shares the reality of the moment....he really doesn't know what Darboh is doing.  All he is focused on is his assignment which is to find an opening around that safety and linebacker.  I love how they are focused on their assignment.

ndhillon

November 25th, 2015 at 2:44 PM ^

These are always informative and it's really cool to read the players in game perspective.

I didn't know Fisch worked on TE routes. And it serves as confirmation that AJ Willuams' increase in blocking skill is probably thanks in large part to Drevno.

Great stuff all around

Princetonwolverine

November 25th, 2015 at 2:21 PM ^

I wish more of our players "stared at the ball". Maybe it would prevent some of the offsides and false start penalties. 

HarbaughToKolesar85

November 25th, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^

It is always cool to get additional insight into the responsibilities of the individual coaches. I have always been leery of any sort of Co-Coordinator setups but Coach Harbaugh and his staff have done a great job with it this year. This interview gives some clarity as to why since there seem to be very clear expectations about the roles and responsibilities for each coach. 

Sidenote: It is great to read Jake praise Johnson and Jones without being prompted.

MBloGlue

November 26th, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^

So many player interviews are kinda lame, but this interview demonstrates a big part of it is the lack of intelligent questions. These guys really know their shit when you ask the right questions.