Great article about Cade McNamara in Sports Illustrated
I love Cade's confidence and work ethic. Great article.
https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/06/cade-mcnamara-michigan-cfp-daily-cover
December 6th, 2021 at 10:23 AM ^
It’s a Rosenberg article just in case you don’t want to give that hack clicks. Fuck him.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
I know mgoblog has a list of writers and outlets that are "banned," for a lack of a better word. Out of curiosity, what was the transgression this guy committed to receive the ire of the mgobloggers? I'm in no way making light or fun of anyone. I'm being genuine when I say I'm curious and I'm genuine when I say that I'm ignorant to what he did.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
He's the guy that broke the story about extra long stretching sessions not long after Rich Rod was hired. He had interviewed some true freshmen (who'd first enrolled maybe a month earlier), and got quotes saying things like practice lasts forever and is really hard with coaches watching everything all the time. In short, he created the sensation that Michigan was cheating its ass off.
After all of the hand-wringing investigations, Michigan was guilty of unsupervised stretching.
Rosenberg has earned every bit of the vitriol that comes his way.
December 6th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
You mean Dr. Rosenpenis?
December 6th, 2021 at 11:18 PM ^
I didn’t want to click on a Rosenberg article but I was weak and caved. Maybe it is my bias but the tone of the article seemed off. On the surface, it seemed positive but it left me uneasy. I think that the undertone of the article conveys a feeling that things appear fine but trouble is just below the surface and inevitable.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:27 AM ^
Fuck Rosenberg
December 6th, 2021 at 10:31 AM ^
Good read. Interesting snippets from Cade on his relationship with JJ and splitting reps.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^
Wow, some big quotes in here. Milton being a great “practice” player and more. I said before the season that Cade has moxy. I think this season proved that was true in spades.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
Fair piece and well written. No signs of judgment or ulterior motives/bias. Worth a read if you can stomach the click.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:45 AM ^
interesting article - I can see it in Cade when watching his interviews or reading his comments. He definitely seems to be someone aware of the noise being said and feeling confident in what he brings to the team.
I think those are great qualities to have in someone leading your team.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
Fun to read. Thanks for sharing (even if it is Rosenberg).
December 6th, 2021 at 10:50 AM ^
"Great" and "Sports Illustrated" can’t be used in the same sentence anymore. This isn't 1993.
Kidding. Thanks for sharing. i want to read everything maize and blue now.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
I know this is an unpopular opinion around here, but I think as long as Cade has eligibility, he's our starting QB. If that leads to transfers, so be it.
People talk about JJ starting next year, and how there needs to be a competition, and the coaches are going to decide what they decide. But as a fan, I'm not particularly interested in practice competition unseating a guy who is a proven leader, and has been getting it done at QB all season.
Continue to think Cade is being wildly underestimated by people even in our own fanbase.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
I think Cade will be here for one more year and then it's off to the NFL via the 6th round.
As much as Cade is being lauded as an exceptional leader and teammate, you have to acknowledge at the same time the patience of JJ, who I'm sure is having plenty of others tell him just how amazing he is and what heights he'll undoubtedly ascend. Both have apparently bought into the koolaid for this year. It'll be interesting to see what happens next.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
Where the Patriots will select him, then he sits on the bench for a year before a Mac Jones injury and never sees the bench again?
December 6th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
I hope this isn't taken as a knock on JJ. I think he's handled the situation well.
I just feel like Cade is ahead of him, and should stay ahead of him, and it's through no fault of JJ's that the job isn't open.
Obviously I would like JJ to stay, but if he chooses to transfer I'd certainly understand and wish him well.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
I hope they both stay and that JJ gets more playing time next year. It's tough to have 2 QBs sharing the load, but when it works, as it has for us this year (aside from Michigan State), then you've an extra offensive dimension or two plus insurance in case of injury.
Several previous Harbaugh seasons as Michigan's coach were wasted by QB injuries. Also, I'd be leery of McCarthy running as much as he does if we didn't also have McNamara.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:24 AM ^
I don't like saying it, but I'm not sure Cade has an NFL arm. He can make throws, but I don't believe the velocity is up to par. Brady can throw with NFL velocity, even if it's not a more 'typical' flame-thrower speed. I'm just not sure Cade throws it that hard. Would love to see it, though!
December 6th, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
trent dilfer won more super bowls than all the 5* qbs that ohio state sent to the nfl.....
so there's that.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:44 AM ^
Cade is not a NFL talent. He has done a nice job at Michigan. This has been a team effort this year. JJ has NFL talent.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:59 AM ^
Yes-on your second paragraph for sure. The fact is that there is controversy here-it is real and warranted...and it reside within me-and likely very many others.
Just my personal POV-nothing more, nothing less: I like Cade a lot and believe Michigan can compete very well and win with him at the helm. Every player worth a damn want to play and believes they should be playing.
I was not sold on JJ's HS film-that his talent would transfer to the next/this level. We have not seen much of JJ but all indications are that I was wrong about him. With my coach's hat on...I just do not see how you can not play JJ next year. That is a kid that will play the game better than you can coach it. He successfully breaks and defies the "rules" of play. He showed it again on Saturday as he raced down the sideline to help get Blake into the end zone. Holy cow. He is both a chain mover and an assassin. As a coach, for the sake of the team, it is an egregious violation of principle not to play your best players. I think this is the most difficult and painful part of coaching-deciding who, plays.
This is the reality-and I cannot imagine that Coach and his staff are looking forward to telling either of these two outstanding players that the other guy gets to be the man...or maybe they try to, somehow, evenly split the play-for a while at least??? I wish they could both be the starter-but this cannot be so. Stay tuned.
December 6th, 2021 at 12:32 PM ^
I want Michigan to be elite every year. Players with talent like JJ can make that happen.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:39 PM ^
Michigan is elite this year, while JJ is the backup.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
I agree that Cade is being underestimated but still think the future is brighter with JJ.
That being said, I don't see JJ unseating Cade unless he is head and shoulders above Cade this summer. I think the most likely scenario is that Cade continues being an A+ game manager (not meant as a knock) and JJ transfers next season because he likely can start nearly anywhere.
While I think cade was EXACTLY what M needed this season, I don't think he's the answer long term. Either way, I think the QB situation for the next 2-3 years for Michigan is looking really, really good.
December 6th, 2021 at 12:09 PM ^
And this defines the conundrum here. Michigan cannot allow JJ to transfer out without giving him a real shot. Because, to add insult to injury, we also then very likely lose that next great QB who is coming-right there from Detroit-because you have demonstrated that you do not know what to do with talent. This is surely tricky territory to navigate successfully...but it is the difference between Michigan being a first or second tier team.
December 6th, 2021 at 12:14 PM ^
Not popular and definitely wasn't rooting it would happen but I thought best case scenario is that Cade did enough but lost a game due to being too conservative (I thought M would be 50/50 8-4 or 9-3) and JJ would surpass him around the MSU game but still lose to OSU.
Clearly i'm happy with the way things turned out and Cade is more than just a Speight (I was not a fan of Speight). And this is an embarrassing of riches at QB. Be interesting to see how the QB room shakes out. I'm not too worried about the Detroit freshman because Harbaugh and Gattis showed that they have an idea of how to use a more athletic QB and there is some space between him and Cade/JJ
December 6th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
What Cade lacks in physical ability, he makes up with his determination, leadership and love of this program and his teammates and his love of this program and his teammates is certainly infectious.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
It's a good story, if you can stomach the author.
Cade, however, has a top notch spear throwing game. Saying that Milton was a great practice player. That JJ has his play package, but the rest of the call sheet is his. Just top flight stuff! I wouldn't want to get into a battle of snark against him...
On the field - there is no way JJ starts either of the next two games, pending injury. And when Cade is the QB winning the National Championship, I don't think he'll lose his starting position next Fall. If he does, it will be because JJ had to bail out a bad game and just goes on from there.
However, next Fall is a Spring time problem. Lets just enjoy what we have going on right now!
December 6th, 2021 at 11:38 AM ^
It's going to be real interesting to see Cade evolve. He's a great leader, a great command of the offense. You can only imagine his passing will improve more; it's not bad right now, really. Next year is going to be a challenge because we aren't going to have the 'O' line that we have right now.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
It’s worth mentioning again: this is Cade’s 1st year as a full time starter. As good as he’s been, he can still get even better.
I hope JJ stays, I want them both on the team. But just look at how our fortunes have changed: from “why can’t Harbaugh develop a QB?” to “damn, we’ve got two really good QB’s, we probably can’t keep them both…”
This is an Alabama or Ohio State type of problem to have
December 6th, 2021 at 11:49 AM ^
13/20 104 0 1. End of 3rd quarter stats.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:35 PM ^
4th quarter stats. 3-4, 65 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT.
December 6th, 2021 at 8:58 PM ^
Will need better. Georgia run defense is better than OSU. We will need plays in the passing game to beat them.
December 7th, 2021 at 8:30 AM ^
Yes, so let’s turn to the guy whose stat line was:
1/3, 6yd, 0 TD, 1 INT.
Listen, we know that our fancy yourself a scout. But you’re the one who cited the stat line (and cut out a nearly perfect 4th quarter). Did you not know someone was going to do this to you?
December 6th, 2021 at 11:49 AM ^
Doesn't sound like the sharing QB reps situation is going to be tenable in the long run. He/they accept the situation for now, but not entirely happy with it.
Oh well. That's for another day.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Love Cade and wish the eligibility roulette had timed up better with JJ. JJ takes the ceiling off this offense next year though, I think; Cade understands his limitations and doesn't force throws he can't make, but pointing to the interception against Iowa as an example, Cornelius Johnson was running wide open down the field on a post route (and I bet JJ uncorks that throw for a TD). Totally agree that Cade should have been the starter all year as he isn't making the mistakes that will doom this offense, but between run game help and vertical passing, this could be one of the most explosive offenses in the country next year with JJ.
With that said, JJ seems to truly love Michigan so I wonder if there's a scenario where his package expands next year while Cade remains the starter.
December 6th, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
Can we not talk about JJ's package expanding, please?
December 6th, 2021 at 12:35 PM ^
So many points left on the field. Many don't see or understand how many points Cade leaves on the field by not throwing to open receivers downfield. Either because he doesn't see them or isn't confident in his abilities to make the throw.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:38 PM ^
Imagine all the bonus wins Michigan will have when they beat opponents by more than one point.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:56 AM ^
I did enjoy reading this. Thanks for posting. Brought me more understanding about Cade. I like him even more! I'm not sure a comparison to Tom Brady is a fair one, but only time will tell. Go Blue!
December 6th, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^
You're right. It's a great article. Thanks for posting.
December 6th, 2021 at 12:48 PM ^
Kind of a (stir up controversy) that may not be there piece. What a crock of shit.
December 6th, 2021 at 1:02 PM ^
This only ends one way. Cade will transfer out, and it will be bittersweet when that day comes. To me this is a Tua and Jalen Hurts type of scenario. Tua had his package of plays and would get mop up time throughout the year. We all remember the national title game and what happened... I could see possibly something like that happening here in our case
December 6th, 2021 at 1:03 PM ^
For Friday Night Lights fans (I never watched FNL before this summer, when I was couch-bound while recovering from surgery), does anyone else think of Matt Saracen when considering Cade?
December 6th, 2021 at 2:10 PM ^
I somehow ended up in the Iowa hotel bar on Saturday (where the team was staying). There was one other lady in Michigan gear near me so I said "Go Blue" while we were waiting for our drinks. She goes, "Go Blue -- but we know Cade so we're just here from Reno to support him".
Cool story, bro.
That's my consolation in case y'all don't want to click a Rosenberg article.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
Respect to Cade. He's done so much for this team and has gotten better every week.