Random Thoughts

Submitted by Blue in EL on

#1 - The absolutely most frustrating thing about this team has been the pass "defense".  Any team that can make Hoyer look above average must be pretty bad.  I have no idea if it's the scheme or the execution, but it's probably both.  The 1st half of the Utah game was no aberration.  When opponents have 3rd and 8, 10, or 16 (16!!!), conversions have looked easy unless there is a sack or intense pressure on the QB.  My hats off to teams if they make heroic plays to move the chains, but taking 15-20 yards at will is ridiculous.

#2 - I'd recommend that when opponents have 3rd and long that UM fans remember the Seinfeld phrase "SERENITY NOW!!"

#3  - I expected the offense to be pretty rough this year, and Threet's elbow problems don't help, but I never expected UM's defense to be ranked 10th in the conference.

#4 - The zone stretch play hasn't really worked since the Notre Dame game.  I looks like UM runs the ball better out of the good old-fashioned I formation.  Minor doesn't seem suited for the zone stretch - he's more of a north-south runner.

#5 - While criticism is warranted, the flaming and booing of the players is disgusting.  These are just kids after all, and most of them won't be going on to NFL riches.  They are playing hard, so give them a break. 

 

 

Comments

Maximinus Thrax

October 26th, 2008 at 10:46 AM ^

Hows this for suck. I have to go on a four and a half hour drive tomorrow morning with a die-hard Spartan. Thankfully he doesn't know much about the football history or football in general so I can pretty much have my way with him in the arguments/words department.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 5177

tbliggins

October 26th, 2008 at 11:42 AM ^

I believe that it is poor scheme and execution on 3rd-and-long. I don't ever remember a UM team that is this poor in zone coverage. I think the coaches may be snake bit by the big plays and are playing zone to limit them. Well, yielding several 3rd downs can be just as deflating as giving up a big play. At this point, on obvious passing 3rd downs I would prefer the DBs to be Trent/Warren/Cissoko/Harrison all in man coverage, 1 safety deep, and blitz the other 6. It is sad when the only time you feel like you can get a stop on 3rd-and-long is w/ a sack.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 30

hat

October 26th, 2008 at 12:41 PM ^

We could probably have more success just rushing four if we would play man coverage on 3rd and long. That would presumably force the WRs to take more time to get open than right now, when all they have to do is run to an open space in the zone. There have been a LOT of plays this season where our DL was about a half-second too slow getting to the QB.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15

SpartanDan

October 26th, 2008 at 11:32 PM ^

If it's the same one I'm thinking of, the ball was only uncatchable because the corner was essentially boxing out instead of trying to make a play on the ball. If the CB runs toward the ball, then stops to try to bat the ball down or pick it off, it's clean even if he impedes the WR, but if he's just trying to keep the WR away from where the ball is going, they're probably going to call it even if it's doubtful that the guy could have gotten there.

Besides, after the phantom TD you knew the refs were going to throw in a make-up call somewhere.

Joined: 08/20/2008

MGoPoints: 594

GNM

October 26th, 2008 at 7:27 PM ^

The third down scheming is troublesome, but BGraham is really coming into his own as a pass rusher. I remember one play where Michigan rushed two, dropping a DT and DE into shallow zones, and Graham absolutely beasted the upperclassman RT to bring down Hoyer. Martin also had a sack from the nose position. The more pressure they can get with the three man rush, the better off they'll be. The zone read looked pretty effective to me in the first half against Penn State. In fact, it didn't really shut down until Threet's health prevented him from being able to keep. I love the triple option they run with Minor and Guff as splitbacks.

Joined: 09/15/2008

MGoPoints: 43