DCs take on DG and Dilithium in the huddle
I am rewatching the Ohio game again because why not? While watching, I had to listen to Speilman whine about putting DG in as the QB. While it was annoying, it did bring about an idea. That idea:
What will bringing DG into the huddle (along with Robinson) do to DCs this year? Last year, we used DG for gimmick plays: end-arounds, screens, etc. However, this upcoming year we might bring him into the huddle as a WR which means we're just running our normal plays.
What do you guys think this'll do to DCs? When they send in the play after seeing the huddle, do they call different plays for our screens-and-such or does this not really matter? Does this play games with the DC's head which could lead to holes in the defense which D-Rob could exploit?
I never really thought about it that way, but TBH, we could bring him into the huddle as a QB again. So what do you guys think?
August 30th, 2012 at 12:42 AM ^
It would be lots of fun to see DG go in under center and see Denard in the slot running a deep route. That would mess with the safeties in a major way!
August 30th, 2012 at 12:46 AM ^
and you sire for this important public service announcement, as I didn't realize it was Thursday now.
August 30th, 2012 at 1:05 AM ^
Putting your most talented players on the field is always a good move. So, Devin will inevitably provide some new challenges to opposing Defensive Coordinators, but as we saw last year, having Denard and Devin on the field at the same time is not a recipe for assured success. With the switch to wide out, I don't expect there to be too many gimmicky packages, instead it should be more traditional. If anything, he'll probably get more attention in red zone situations. Devin will be a real asset this season, and while I don't know if opposing DC's will prepare for it, you gotta imagine Borges has some clever trick plays drawn up to utilize all of his skills.
August 30th, 2012 at 10:11 AM ^
I agree with you, but I think the point is just that DG taking snaps last year WILL be in the back of DCs' minds. All you have to do is take one snap and they will have to prepare for it.
August 30th, 2012 at 1:10 AM ^
I guess kind of the same thing teams did with NW last year when they had Persa and Colter on the field at the same time.
August 30th, 2012 at 1:21 AM ^
You can't stop the Persa and Colter combo...you can only hope to contain them.
August 30th, 2012 at 4:23 AM ^
Yeah, this isn't a Nebraska blog.
August 30th, 2012 at 7:38 AM ^
August 30th, 2012 at 1:23 AM ^
but we have the ability to put Denard and Devin on the field and then run up the middle with Toussaint.... it's not merely basketball on grass. If Devin still has the hands he flashed in 7on7 play, there will be no apparent weakness to our offensive attack (assuming the one-two punch of Moore and Kwiatkowski OR Funchess and Williams pans out). In contrast, when Persa and Colter were on the field, one of the two was the most likely candidate to carry the ball. Defenses could key in on them.
August 30th, 2012 at 2:16 AM ^
August 30th, 2012 at 2:17 AM ^
at the thought of a well-timed end around to Devin...."oh wait!! He's gonna throw!! And Denard catches it for a touchdown! MEEEECHIGAN LEADS BAMA WITH SECONDS LEFT!!!!"
The season. needs. to start.
August 30th, 2012 at 3:49 AM ^
idear
August 30th, 2012 at 9:04 AM ^
It's definitely not a bad thing. However taking into account how protective the coaches seem of Denard, I think the odds are slim that we see Gardner floating a ball over the middle of the field to Denard running a post.
August 30th, 2012 at 9:19 AM ^
With Denard and Gardner in the huddle, there needs to be creative use of both. And while you may fault Borges for many things, I wouldn't fault him for creativity.
- Denard passes laterally to Devin, Devin either passes to an open man downfield or to a screen just in front of him.
- Denard passes laterally to Devin, Devin passes back to Denard, Denard runs.
- Denard passes laterally to Devin, Devin passes back to Denard, Denard passes downfield (or to Smith on the other side of the field.)
- Devin takes the snap and passes a screen to Denard.
- Devin goes in motion, Denard takes the snap and hands off to Devin, Devin passes downfield.
- Devin goes in motion, Denard takes the snap and hands off to Devin, Devin runs down the sideline.
I don't know what Borges will dial up, but with his crazy affinity for all kinds of plays, and knowing what he has now in Denard and Devin, I'm pretty sure he'll cook up some wizardry to befuddle Alabama.
Alabama is fast, and is not stupid. They won't be flummoxed with the same play all game long, and will certainly make second half adjustments. That's why we've got to have multiple plays for Denard and Devin, plays that are different enough they can't defense them the same way. But let's face it, Alabama has a lot going for them. Having two mobile QB's is one clear advantage for Michigan. Having both of them on the field at the same time doing something besides the deuce/diamond formation is a new wrinkle there is no tape of, something they really can't prepare for. This in itself is a clear reason for the "Fort Hoke" lockdown on media watching practice. In addition, Bama's scout team can't begin to replicate having Denard and Devin on the field simultaneously.
I believe that Alabama typically wins because they overwhelm their opponent with sheer speed, size, and athleticism. To be honest, that's how Michigan and Ohio have often won over the years. In the opening game of the year, before their new guys get acclimnated and learn all their assignments very well, Michigan has a chance to beat Alabama by out-coaching Saban and by exploiting what few areas we out-match them.
To some degree, Virginia Tech is the template for the Alabama game. I loved the Sugar Bowl and that win. But let's be honest: there is no way we should have beat VT. I just watched a good part of the game last week, and remember how astounded the announcers were in the last few minutes of the first half, going from way down to up on VT. Our red zone defense, some trickeration, turnovers, and a lot of luck with jump balls made the difference. If we again have a great red zone defense, some trickeration, favorable turnovers, but substitute a better Denard and Devin as WR for the lucky jump balls, we can win this game.
August 30th, 2012 at 9:27 AM ^
But how many trick plays did we actually run?
Vince Smith had a HB pass to Dileo. We tried a double pass with Denard and Gardner that Devin wisely ate and took a 2 yard gain.
Everyone thinks because we'll have 2 QBs on the field that we're going to be tossing the ball all over the place.
That's not football and there is NOTHING about Brady Hoke that says he'll do this on any consistent basis.
This is Devin's first year at WR...I suggest everyone calm down and let him learn that position before we start with the schoolyard ball.
Really this is probably the most you'll get...
August 30th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
From all of the double lateral "pass" plays shown in the clips from Mr. Yost, it looks like that play has been in the Michigan playbook for many years, even if it hasn't been used too often.
Wasn't Jeremy Gallon a QB in high school? If so, then maybe having Gallon in the slot and Devin Gardner out wide, but close to Gallon, would allow for a variation on the double lateral where either player could take the lateral pass from Denard Robinson before lateraling back to Denard.