Did Nuss make a mistake with Funk?

Submitted by massblue on

It is clear that in the absence of DR, we have had a pretty bad running game the last 3 1/4 years and very inconsistent offense.  The common thread has been the awful play by our offensive line. It is safe to say that Nuss made a mistake in not making change for the OL coach.  I would guess that if he had insisted on bringing his own OL coach, Hoke would have gone along.  He does not have a long history with Hoke.

BornSinner

September 25th, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^

It isn't, which is why I wish Hoke would have ended association with anyone responsible for that wreck of an OLine we had last year. (Funk) 

He did it with Borges who had asinine play calling. Makes me think Brandon forced the issue moreso. 

iawolve

September 25th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^

since he does not seem to have that knack for identifying talent. Mattison and Nuss were the big names that in strange ways fell into his lap. I will give him one for Manning, not so much anywhere else. Been pretty low to average.

Webber's Pimp

September 25th, 2014 at 6:42 PM ^

I would have gotten rid of Funk as well. Nothing against him but  these two past years we've seen the very worst O-Line in Michigan history or at least in my lifetime. For whatever the reason Funk is not developing these O-linemen. Lewan and Schofield may have been drafted but both underwhelmed last year and were a part of a disasterous line. This year doesn't appear to be any better although I do see signs of improvement on the inside. 

WolverineMac

September 25th, 2014 at 6:09 PM ^

Our Quarterback, has essentially been in four different offenses and a position switch in his time here.



Our young offensive line, after a year of getting their buts kicked, but learning an offense, now is learning a new offense and scheme.



Our young runningbacks and receivers, the same.



Our defense, I thought regressed last year but is clearly improving and very good this year.



It's the reverse of RR. We're not going to have consistency because nothing has been consistent. Our offensive problems were never with the plays or schemes it was Borges play calling during games that was the issue.



If we actually stay a course you will see something good next year, if not prepare for who knows what.



Uper73

September 25th, 2014 at 5:54 PM ^

I loved Denard, but he was THE running game during his tenure. None of the other backs did much, Fitz had a strong game or two.



And while Denard pulled a few games out of the fire with big throws, we never really had a consistent passing game that caused defenses to worry much about us passing on them when he was at QB.



I think we all(or most) felt Devin would be more versatile than Denard, and our offense would be much more multi dimensional and effective, but is just has not been so.



Denard's individual athleticism, dynamic playmaking, running ability and his pocket presence( whether we thought he was good at this or not) has yet to be matched by whatever five or six skill guys we put on the field.







PurpleStuff

September 25th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^

He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2011 alone.  He had 7 career 100-yard games rushing, all against BCS opponents.  If you throw in his receiving stats he had three more 100-yard games.  He's now on an NFL practice squad, after making the team as an undrafted free agent (not easy to do).  He gained 2,588 yards of offense in just over 3 years of playing time (despite missing a chunk of 2012 to injury) and scored 30 TD.

And that's with Borges trying to run a hodgepodge offense that didn't really use zone-read principles and forcing the team to run out of the I for no good reason on a regular basis.

jsquigg

September 25th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^

Uh, maybe I'm seeing things differently, but the O-line has been the least of the problem in my view.  Have they been great:  No.  But Michigan has a running game that exists outside of theory, and that's with backs who have done little to get any yards after contact.

With that said, I'm done being outraged about the small parts.  This season will take care of how the future unfolds.

WMUKirk

September 25th, 2014 at 6:13 PM ^

Funk isn't a bad OL coach. In film study, he doesn't care if you win or lose your battles if your technique and fundementals are wrong. I think he may have the OL thinking instead of just playing at their young age, but when they grow and mature we'll be fine. 

newtopos

September 25th, 2014 at 10:47 PM ^

Isn't this, by defintion, poor coaching?  Instead of instructing them in a way that allows them to perform on the field in games, he instructs in a way that has them thinking (and thus playing slowly and getting beat) on the field in games.  For linemen who have been under Funk for three years, that is not good.

BlueHills

September 25th, 2014 at 6:16 PM ^

In an alternate universe, Nuss has an opportunity: Michigan comes out flat against Minnesota, we lose the jug, Brandon immediately fires Hoke and gives Nuss the Interim Coach reins. Nuss somehow turns the team around, becomes the coach.

Hey, I made this up. I didn't say it was happening.

atom evolootion

September 25th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^

Maybe Funk is grinding or maybe Nuss's offense allows this, but the offensive line doesn't look "fire Funk" bad this year. It doesn't look good yet, but it doesn't look like five matadors in a row against incoming bulls this year like it did last year.

On that note, I've been tough on Jack Miller, but I'll back off, because he's showing some signs on the field. He's not the weak link anymore.

hennesbe

September 25th, 2014 at 7:00 PM ^

I don't follow NFL other than one team but aren't there 2 O-line from Michgan's team last year that are now playing in the NFL?

They couldn't block anyone last year but seem to be getting the job done at a higher level.

It isn't that the lineman can't block.  They look totaly confused to me.