Ferrara starting: Twisted joke of an evil genius, or just a mistake?

Submitted by brad on

I think people are underestimating one major adjustment that RR made at halftime yesterday, switching Ferrara out of LG and inserting McAvoy.  In the first half, when our running game was getting summarily stuffed, there was a DT in the backfield almost every play.  I'm not a tactical wizard, but I do believe that when the same O-lineman is standing over his tackled teammate in the backfield as much as #94 was, it means that #94 is the problem.

When they put McAvoy in for the second half, the O-line disappeared in a good way, and the skill players emerged and started making plays.  Coincidence?  Its possible, but I think not.  Its unfair to Threet to give all of the credit to someone else for his second half turnaround, but O-line aptitude has a lot to do with QB performance.  The offensive UFR will probably shed a lot of light there.

I only wonder why a guy with a month and a half of college level O-line experience would get a start over a guy with three years.  Regardless, I hope McAvoy and the coaches are on the same page from here on out, because Ferrara, God bless him, is not ready for prime time.

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Offensive line
John Ferrara
Tim McAvoy

PattyMax64

September 29th, 2008 at 12:26 AM ^

While he may not be very good right now, I think he will be good for us in a little bit.  He is VERY raw and probably has little technique, but he has the body and the talent needed to be great.  It seems that if he did start, he performed well in practice and they opted to take size over experience to combat their big DLine.  I could see him either starting or playing an expanded role next year.

Joined: 07/21/2008

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goody

September 29th, 2008 at 7:12 AM ^

Wasn't he coming off an injury?  If so, Ferrera porbably got the start and McAvoy was only to be used if Ferrera was sucking it up.  He was so, insert McAvoy.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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kgh10

September 29th, 2008 at 9:06 AM ^

"We thought John obviously had practiced well enough," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. "I'll have to watch the film to see how they graded out. He's a tough guy, a bigger guy, and we knew we were going to need some size up there."

This is strange to me b/c McAvoy is clearly a bigger guy than Ferrara. I'm guessing he just practiced well enough to start over McAvoy but it just didn't translate as well once gametime approached.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Chrisgocomment

September 29th, 2008 at 9:13 AM ^

HMMMMMMMMM not sure I totally agree.  The change might of made some difference but I think the major differences are:

  1. Michigan going away from the run in the 2nd half (they had to to get back in the game)
  2. Michigan going 4 or 5 wide on every play in the 2nd half
  3. Wisconsin playing a more conservative zone defense in the 2nd half (less blitzing)

Joined: 06/30/2008

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gater

September 29th, 2008 at 9:32 AM ^

it happened when they put three receivers out wide to one side and one to the other.  It really opened up the field for the offense.  It seems they need to pass to set up the run instead of the other way around.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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