Even Buzzfeed Recognizes Michigan's Coaching Troubles

Submitted by IndyBlue on

Buzzfeed isn't really known for it's insightful analysis of anything, but even the writers over there can see the offensive woes and what Borges refuses to do (short passes where there is no defender, running into a stacked box, etc.).  There is even a link to MGoBlog.

"Michigan has been successful in the past few years when it takes advantage of its excellent receivers and running QBs in shotgun formations. But Hoke and Borges (below) treat the shotgun like a special dessert, to be enjoyed only as a delightful change-of-pace treat from one’s normal diet.  And that normal diet tastes a lot like being tackled in the backfield for a three-yard loss on 2nd and 11... It tastes like never, ever throwing short passes to the outside. Look at this! It’s from this weekend’s Penn State game when Michigan just needed to get a few yards to set up an easy field goal. There is actually, literally, no defender within nine yards of the slot receiver. They ran it into the line for one yard."

http://www.buzzfeed.com/bml/why-brady-hoke-is-both-the-greatest-and-most-frustrating-thi

EDIT: This wasn't really posted for a good reading of their great "analysis."  It's pretty obvious where the information came from.  It was more just weird/funny (or sad I guess) that a site like Buzzfeed would run something like this.  Not their typical article.

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blueblueblue

October 17th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^

You are creating a dangerous reciprocal feedback loop that could create a black hole. Buzzfeed recognized our coaching woes largely due to its hyperbolic discussion here and on a few other sites. They are not independent realizations. 

Joined: 12/28/2008

MGoPoints: 6630

buddha

October 17th, 2013 at 1:25 PM ^

Not to start a shit storm or anything, but will beating IU really cure anything? To me, the IU game is a lose-lose (like the arguments made for NOT playing teams like Boise State). We are supposed to win and - at least from perception - do it handily. If we don't, yikes.

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 5033

maineandblue

October 17th, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^

Nice summary, and good to see that Borges and/or Hoke's stubborn stupidity will get more attention outside of the diehard M fan community. I don't know how to tweet, but can someone (or many people) get this to Dave Brandon to apply some pressure/reason?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3085

maineandblue

October 18th, 2013 at 3:19 AM ^

Wow. Calmer than you are, dude. No need to make it personal. 

DB certainly communicates with Hoke on a regular basis. Given how much he cares about public opinion/the brand/the dollars and the fact that he oversees the program, he can certainly ask questions and give feedback (e.g., "Hey, why did Al seem so stubborn in that interview?" and "How are you guys gonna prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future?").

He has a vested interest in the reputation of the program and doesn't want it to become a national laughingstock, especially when most casual football fans can see that some basic playcalling adjustments might have a significant positive impact. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3085

Ben Mathis-Lilley

October 17th, 2013 at 1:18 PM ^

While there are plenty of goofy lists and a lot of general silliness on BuzzFeed, of which we are not ashamed in the slightest (http://www.buzzfeed.com/bml/most-famous-butt-in-nfl-set-to-retire), some people may not know that we also do a lot of longer articles with, like, big words and reporting and such. Here are some such pieces you may enjoy in the field of Sportz.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/joelanderson/college-footballs-top-pipeline-fri…

http://www.buzzfeed.com/samgf/remade-in-taiwan-manny-ramirezs-season-ab…

http://www.buzzfeed.com/stevekandell/the-ports-guy-the-making-of-darren…

http://www.buzzfeed.com/joeflood/how-the-redskins-debate-goes-over-on-a…

 

 

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 446

Wisconsin Wolverine

October 17th, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^

I liked the article. I feel like it essentially summarizes the sentiment and analytics forged in the pressurized chaos of mgoblog (and other places) in an organized, concise way that is easily palatable for the "outside" world. It takes a step back to put things in a bit of historical context, shows why we love our coach so much, then explains the present frustrations. I don't think it's meant to be original analysis by any means, but I do think it captures the current state of affairs nicely. Also, it has pictures!

Joined: 05/18/2011

MGoPoints: 2382

aiglick

October 17th, 2013 at 1:24 PM ^

I really liked the article. If one site tries making helpful suggestions or pointing out a few deficiencies in the team's operations the coaching staff may not notice. If a bunch of well known sites start to do this then the coaches may finally hear people which I think is some of the source of frustration of people. I'm not sure all the ideas that Brian and co have are gold but it is definitely at least worth trying especially when the power run game is literally the worst in the program's history. This coming shortly after the defense performing near the worst in program history (RR years) has led to people strangling puppies and being generally angry. At the very least you can bet Dave Brandon and his team notice when BuzzFeed says this and maybe he will get in Hoke's ear to suggest we just try a couple of different play calls. If they don't work fine but let's at least try not running into a brick wall roughly 30 times a game where it works only a couple of times. Anyway thanks for writing and here's to hopefully crushing Indiana this week.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 21521

aiglick

October 17th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^

I guess we'll see this weekend because it is clearly on film for the coaches to see that we should not have power run as our main strategy. The current personnel for whatever reason (coaching or youth or whatever) cannot run it right now. We should probably still practice it since eventually that should be the main identity for this team but if the team's goal is to win right now which it definitely is them let's try doing things that do work. If the coaches fail to see this then yes I hope somebody in a position to speak to them does so since I really want the bulk of this staff around for a long time since up until a few weeks ago the long term outlook for this team looked great.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 21521

lebriarj

October 17th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^

Borges and Funk's time is up, they both need to be FIRED!! Borges play calling is just plain stupid, we need to Cam in has the O coordinator. As far as Funk with all the talent we have on the O line UofM shouldn't be struggling like this. Hoke make the tough call and get some new coaches in or Brandon just might make you do it!!!

Joined: 02/08/2013

MGoPoints: 119

Prince Lover

October 17th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^

My buddy, former 3rd floor East Quad hall mate, and I text back and forth during games (he's in Seattle, I'm here in Ypsi) and right after the loss he texted me, asking if I had any puppies to kick. So no, don't generalize all us UM alum as strangling puppies, some of us kick them! He was joking of course. Didn't know if I needed to clarify....

Joined: 07/01/2013

MGoPoints: 13070

SalvatoreQuattro

October 17th, 2013 at 5:45 PM ^

who spends HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS watching film don't see the samething Brian and everyone else does?  Of course they do.They dont need Dave Brandon's advice.

 

They had a reason for running those seemngly insane plays. It probably had something to do with Gardner generously donating the football to the opposing defenses for the first 6 weeks of the season.

 

 

Joined: 11/30/2010

MGoPoints: 78894

LSAClassOf2000

October 17th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^

"This season’s team is lucky to only have one loss, and the second half’s schedule is a lot tougher than the Akrons and UConns they squeaked by in the last month. But none of the games are unwinnable, and Michigan gets to play Ohio State in Ann Arbor."

In a nutshell, this statement above - we are quite lucky, and there are even tougher challenges ahead. I am prefectly prepared to marinate in the implications of saying this, but yes, by the numbers anyway, none of the remaining games would be unmanageable, but they will likely require some alterations to the current strategy. Because we don't really know the extent of what is being considered or what the staff's learnings from the PSU game are (in their view), we can only speculate (have we ever done that this week...)

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130627

umbig11

October 17th, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^

and right it is deserving of the criticism. They need to right the ship. Al Borges is under fire and I can't reasonably defend him. People still haven't forgotten Nebraska and OSU from last year.

Joined: 07/21/2010

MGoPoints: 115573

SurfsUpBlue

October 17th, 2013 at 4:13 PM ^

Buzzfeed did not let the cat out of the bag about the PSU game.  The announcers during one of the Tigers ALCS games (Sunday I think) spoke at length about the PSU game.  Of course it was all over ESPN and it was a featured live broadcast, replete with announcers giddily repeating "white out" more times than I could count.  I wish the team's shortcomings was known only to our fanbase.  

Joined: 09/01/2011

MGoPoints: 1444

BayWolves

October 17th, 2013 at 5:34 PM ^

Incredulous is the feeling I have when I see the wide open slot and consistent runs into 8 or 9 men boxes.  Wow.  Aren't these situations where Devin has the luxury to audible?  if not that is a crime. If he has the luxury but is missing it then our problems are way bigger than I thought. Damn it!

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 11056