Do the words "mobile quarterback" still give you ulcers?
I know Michigan realistically has a 98% chance of winning on Saturday, but my pessimism won't let me stop thinking about that 2%.
One thing that is causing me stress is the fact that sparty's rs-freshman QB is a pretty good runner, and immidiately I have flashbacks to McNabb, Kordell Stewert, Johnny Johnson, and any number of other "mobile quarterbacks" that would dance in the backfield for seemingly a half-hour before launching a pass more accurate than they'd ever thrown or would ever again while Carr's or Moeller's defenses helplessly fall at their feet.
Times have changed for sure, but I still can't shake that consternation. Anybody else in the ulcer boat with me on this?
October 25th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^
Still a bit concerning, especially since MSU will be pulling out all the stops for this game. However, I'm not too worried about it, I believe the score will be such that a few QB scrambles for decent yardage will not make much of a difference.
October 25th, 2016 at 10:50 AM ^
Can he pass? If not, he won't be able to run.
October 25th, 2016 at 11:00 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 11:03 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 11:13 AM ^
I'm still a little concerned but not as much as I was before and not by anything that MSU might do.
I'm looking ahead to OSU and hopefully Alabama, Clemson and maybe Louisville. Louisville and Clemson have mind blowing talent at QB that can run and throw. They present a problem for any team and we would be no different. Jalen Hurst at Alabama is probably someone most here don't know. The freshman QB is very talented and could find himself in New York if he keeps up this pace.
In his last three games he has thrown for 5 TD's while running for 6... But he has started to turn the ball over with 4 INT's over the same strech after only 1 in his first 5 games.
Out of the over top 6 teams QB's that can run and throw. We have to be ready for them. It starts with MSU.
October 25th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^
I keep waiting for Hurst to have a freshman QB moment/game, and lose a game or two for Bama. Hasn't happened yet. Not sure it will at this point. He looks solid. By the time they get to the title game, he won't be a freshman anymore.
Anyway, gotta prove we can beat MSU, Iowa on the road (not that they have a mobile QB by any sense of the word, other than he can stand on his own and walk), and JT Barrett and OSU first.
October 25th, 2016 at 11:15 AM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 11:38 AM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^
all my concerns and frustrations around the football program faded away. Am I a little nervous every game day?...Of Course. But the impending sense of doom hasn't existed since Jimmy came home.
October 25th, 2016 at 11:45 AM ^
of the Gary Nova's of the world.
October 25th, 2016 at 11:45 AM ^
They have all but figured out that other than a few rare exceptions the recipe is attack the box and make them pass to beat you. Its a rare(see above) beast that can do both well enough to make you pay. JT Barret can't, Denard couldn't, most simply don't have the eye discipline and poise to make it work. They panic when the first read is covered and it all falls apart.
This is why Harbaugh chooses the path he does. He's seen the upside & downside of both styles and through carefull analysis has determined the most effective method to secure victory and contrary to the once overwhelmingly popular opinion here on this blog, its NOT to use a running QB.
October 25th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
The run first QB is a gimmick that gets exposed when the talent on the defensive side of the ball is elite (Bama, Michigan). Manziel pulled it off in college, RG3 pulled it off in college and for a year in the pros, Michael Vick for a year or two in the pros, and Cam Newton and now Dak Prescott seem to have their time in the sun.
Eventually the toll it takes on the QB and makes him gunshy. Saban shut down the Meyer gimmick at Florida and Harbaugh will do the same to OSU with our top 5 classes.
The QB needs to be pass first, like Young or Wilson that you mention, and then be an effective, incredibly mobile guy to add that element to the offense. Run first or even RPO QB's that are not as accurate as the average NFL QB will get exposed. It's simply not a recipe for success against an elite, disciplined college defense, and definitely wont work in the NFL.
For those saying...but wait, Meyer beat Saban in the playoff...indeed he did. But with an incredibly accurate Cardale Jones catching fire and hitting everything 20 yards + downfield. His runs were essentially fullback 3 yard plows to move the chains. He was essentially a better Tebow in that run for them and thats why they won.
Defenses and schemes adjust quickly....just ask Rich Rod how his RPO attack is doing these days
October 25th, 2016 at 5:28 PM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^
Denard threw arm punts. Wasn't going to happen.
Gardner on the other hand had potential to be a pass first mobile QB - but another casualty of Hoke-Borges coaching disaster. It has been said many a time on this here blog, but man, Gardner was a contender and really would have been something to watch under the tutelage of Harbaugh.
In life, timing is everything.
October 25th, 2016 at 5:22 PM ^
You however will win...in a QB foot race.
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October 25th, 2016 at 12:09 PM ^
Donovan McNabb still gives folks PTSD but Vince Young in the Rose Bowl was more infuriating given the 1,000 missed tackles on him.
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October 25th, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^
I see or hear Donovan McNabb and number 10 from Texas.
October 25th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
October 25th, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^
As others have said, it isn't the fact that a QB is mobile - by itself - which would make me think twice about our chances on Saturday. Stellar mobile QB play probably would, and I don't think that's what you're going to get with Lewerke honestly, at least not the Lewerke that played, say, Maryland. That isn't to say that MSU won't try to give us the game of their season, but I have doubts that it would be enough at this juncture.
October 25th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^
Of course I do. Until Michigan proves it can go out and stop a good mobile QB, I'm always going to worry about it. And historically, we've been awful at stopping good mobile QBs.
I still have bad memories of watching Troy Smith and Terrelle Pryor skate circles around our defenses for what seemed like hours at a time, and then they'd somehow scramble for 25 yards to pick up a first down.
I know times have changed and we have a DC who builds his defenses around containing spread offenses, but I'm still taking the "believe it when I see it" approach.
October 25th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
If you're asking me if I still have residual flashbacks about Brad Banks running circles around the Michigan defense in 2002, the answer is "yes."
October 25th, 2016 at 2:57 PM ^
No, because I trust this defense to at least slow down mobile QBs enough and shut down the rest of their offense.
October 25th, 2016 at 3:33 PM ^
I mean, good ones still do. They terrify anyone. Lamar Jackson would terrify me. MSU's QB? Nope.
October 25th, 2016 at 5:34 PM ^
From what I've seen and read. The Michigan defense to this point in the season is historic. There's more speed at the linebacker and safety positions. The defense is prepared to handle mobile quarterbacks.
October 25th, 2016 at 5:50 PM ^
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October 25th, 2016 at 7:03 PM ^
but in that 1978 Rose Bowl aganst Michigan, he sure was
October 26th, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^
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