Harbaugh is “back” with some quote evidence
This has nothing to do with record or team projections but I’m subscribed to the narrative that he has some mojo back.
Some quotes from his talk with media:
Jim Harbaugh says he’s heard people ask him why Michigan ran so much. Notes that some, like George Patton, get their job done on the ground. Others, like Neil Armstrong, get it done in the air. Harbaugh said, on Saturday, they chose the ground: “Mission accomplished.”
That is nearly peak harbaugh and almost on the same level as him telling speight not to eat chickens because they are nervous birds.
Other tidbit: Jim Harbaugh reiterates that Michigan would like someone else to be at punt return so Kolesar can be a rusher instead. Said AJ Henning is “really close” to taking over the job. Said Andrel Anthony, Donovan Edwards and DJ Turner have also been taking reps at punt returner.
Trevor Keegan said Michigan renamed its 9-on-7 period, which is a physical, downhill, inside run sequence, the “Beat Ohio” drill. Said that Jim Harbaugh spearheaded that change.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Quirky and confident Harbaugh = winning Harbaugh
September 13th, 2021 at 2:51 PM ^
We also need to add the slightest bit of insanity to that recipe.
A not-quite-cackling-but-definitely-supressing-some-chortles Harbaugh does stuff like make the fullback the centerpiece of the offense, use pulling guards to fuck with the defense's keys, and keeps his QB throwing at the end of blowouts to pad his season's passing yardage.
September 13th, 2021 at 6:36 PM ^
He was so close to going off on a ref during a bad call on Saturday...I could see it in his eyes.
He's also dipping again, so that's good.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
If he beats ohio state and makes it to Indy i will be the first to admit i was wrong and will completely support Harbaugh for at least 2 more seasons. Anything less than that and i still stand by my opinion that he needs to go. I really really hope im wrong. This team has some bright spots. The potential is there. Show some improvement and make it happen!! GO BLUE!!
September 13th, 2021 at 12:44 PM ^
Have you not seen improvement already? This team is light years ahead of last years version - both in on-field play and in attitude! The coaching staff also seems to have some more fire in the belly this season. It's a far more disciplined, smart, and energetic bunch than anything we saw last year.
I'm happy with the results, so far...
September 13th, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
Yes, aside from the actual execution which has obviously resulted in two blowout wins, the team is just way more organized, up-tempo, and disciplined. They're attacking as opposed to reacting.
September 13th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
Bingo - the biggest improvement I have seen these last two weeks is in the attitudes. They are playing energized, having fun, and bringing the physicality. All three of those were missing last season. That plus talent and coaching = winning football.
September 13th, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
The last few years I watched how Indiana fielded a team that seemed genuinely excited for the game. That spark was missing from Michigan, last year especially. Talent and execution matters but I'm most excited for the change in tone and temperature. There's an obvious difference through two games.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:54 PM ^
so, 11-0, then a loss to ohio state is 'fire harbaugh' territory.
ow, sorry. my eyes just rolled out of my damned head.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
Hey Matty - Logged in to ask the same question! WTF!? I mean even 10-1 going into OSU game would be a fantastic improvement. WTF are people smoking?
September 13th, 2021 at 1:11 PM ^
So with a completely overhauled coaching staff, young team, and already obvious improvement in almost every facet of the game, you think anything short of beating OSU and winning the division is "Fire Harbaugh" territory? Good grief. Some people just cannot be happy for even a moment.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
Just two games in and I feel like I am already eating crow. And I couldn't be happier to be very honest.
I expressed a lot of doubt last season and through this summer. I pined for Matt Campbell after the MSU loss. Yeah, it's still way early but the way this team has played thus far has impressed me quite a bit. I didn't think JH had anything left in the tank but the data so far suggests quite the opposite. Win on the road at Wisconsin or at PSU and keep the OSU game respectable and it's a good season and the future looks a lot brighter.
September 13th, 2021 at 2:35 PM ^
When served with the right side dish (e.g., flattened Husky), crow can be pretty tasty!
September 13th, 2021 at 7:43 PM ^
The Germans call it huskyschnitzel.
September 13th, 2021 at 7:43 PM ^
[Edit]
Could I make that two orders of huskyschnitzel?
September 13th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
When i said improvement i meant continue to improve you know like elite teams do. I wasnt criticizing the team. Ive been fairly pleased so far. Good god the negs are out in full force!
September 13th, 2021 at 2:12 PM ^
“I can’t believe you guys took me saying that anything less than beating OSU and making the B10 championship should get Harbaugh fired to mean that I thought anything less than beating OSU and making the B10 championship should get Harbaugh fired.”
-RX
September 13th, 2021 at 2:23 PM ^
Most fans are at this point. Your in the minority if you dont agree with that. Boos were raining down during the game due to the playcalling. The only reason it didnt get worse is because washington is bad and we were rolling over them. We have to beat ohio state this season. IT is the only thing that can save his job.
September 13th, 2021 at 2:31 PM ^
Holy shit, guys, Warde is on the board!
September 13th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
If we get 9 or 10 wins (not saying when, only if) - you’re absolutely kidding yourself if you think Harbaugh gets canned. Maybe, if we get killed by state that could be the final straw, but a competitive loss to the most or second-most talented team in the country will not get him fired.
September 13th, 2021 at 3:23 PM ^
Most fans???? What evidence do you have that reinforces this statement??? I seem to recall the predicted rosy upside for this team on this board (which represents a lot of serious fans) was 9-3. Fortunately, our AD will make this decision and not “most” fans.
September 13th, 2021 at 3:34 PM ^
It appears that "your in the minority" here.
September 13th, 2021 at 3:59 PM ^
What color is the sky in your world, I was there and the only boos I hears were directed at the kid that transferred to Washington.
September 13th, 2021 at 4:14 PM ^
No, there WAS one other point when the fans booed after a possession of poor play calling that resulted in a punt - I think near the end of the first half.
September 13th, 2021 at 4:28 PM ^
There were some boos, but to say they were ‘raining down’ (not your words, but RXW’s) is a gross mischaracterization. ‘Smattering’ would probably even be overstating it.
September 13th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
RX - Damn I would wager THOUSANDS of dollars that a 11-1 or 10-2 Harbaugh doesn’t get fired. Would you really bet he would?
September 13th, 2021 at 2:15 PM ^
I'll never understand the "fans" that shit on the program with some big long rant and then say "GO BLUE" at the end.
It's like calling your wife a huge money-sucking whore that you wish would die and then at the end saying, "I love you."
September 13th, 2021 at 2:21 PM ^
whos shitting on the program? are you sure you can read correctly
September 13th, 2021 at 2:25 PM ^
Some women are into that.
September 13th, 2021 at 2:50 PM ^
German women…
September 19th, 2021 at 9:55 PM ^
2 Germans, 2 women, 1 cup. Don’t watch it. It will ruin you. JK, I know you watched it.
September 13th, 2021 at 3:28 PM ^
God bless them!
September 13th, 2021 at 2:26 PM ^
I bet JH will be happy to hear it.
September 13th, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^
you should stick to medicine
September 13th, 2021 at 4:25 PM ^
I mean, I'm not married because I'm holding out for Kate Upton to divorce Justin Verlander and fall in love with me, so I get this train of thinking.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
Henning would be a perfect punt returner.
I hope we have the flexibility to choose the air when needed. Hasn't been encouraging in that direction thus far.
Got a link to the actual audio?
September 13th, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
Henning would be a perfect punt returner.
He certainly has the athleticism and speed for it. But keep in mind that a big part of being a "perfect punt returner" involves catching the ball EVERY time, while also preventing the ball from rolling after landing.
The fact that Henning isn't already in that role tells me he has work to do with consistently fielding the ball. All it takes is one muff for us to disregard Henning's athleticism and speed.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:20 PM ^
Yeah, I wasn't saying that they've made a mistake in gauging his readiness. I figure that as a receiver by position, catching/fielding punts should be something easy to adapt to. And we all love the lightning once the ball is in his hands.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:38 PM ^
Put me in the camp of can't be much worse. Kolesar has let far too many hit the ground already and people forget that he did muff one against UW on Saturday - just happened to get back on it before it was an issue. Throw Henning or Anthony back there and you might get a similar performance for their first week back there, but you will also see flashes of speed / athleticism.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:57 PM ^
It wasn't too long ago when we were begging our punt receivers to "catch the damn ball" and it wasn't because they got out of the way.
September 13th, 2021 at 2:14 PM ^
Remember Martavious Odoms. One of the worst part of early RichRod years was letting him field punts after he kept messing up. He turned out to be decent as an upperclassman, but those first years he sucked.
Kolesar is too slow to be back there and mess up as he has already.
I said it in the snowflakes—the WRs (and DBs) with speed need reps at PR in practice that were likely hard to come by with WRs in the two deep in the immediate week after Bell injury.
Would love to see A2 get a shot. Seems like he has the Stevie Breaston build and, according tonJH, big play potential.
September 13th, 2021 at 6:23 PM ^
AJ caught one punt in halftime warmups, making me think he might have returned in 2nd half but W didn't punt. I bet AJ returns this week.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
As much as i love big punt returns that swing field position and games... its the one area where id say... be conservative. dont underestimate just catching it and not turning it over. So many games turn on that and since our D doesnt seem equipped yet to give us 3-4 possessions back.. lets just be safe.
But if Henning can do all that, then he's the dude for sure! Kolesar had some adventures, and even the one he returned with lots of space.. looks like he was running in mud.
We miss you Ronnie!
September 13th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
Michigan has been consistently conservative in that regard. It just so happens that guys like Peppers, DPJ, and Bell also had big return upside.
The problem is that since Bell went down, everyone left is unreliable. As long as you're in that fix, might as well pick a guy with some return upside.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
As much as i love big punt returns that swing field position and games... its the one area where id say... be conservative. dont underestimate just catching it and not turning it over. So many games turn on that and since our D doesnt seem equipped yet to give us 3-4 possessions back.. lets just be safe.
But if Henning can do all that, then he's the dude for sure! Kolesar had some adventures, and even the one he returned with lots of space.. looks like he was running in mud.
We miss you Ronnie!
September 13th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
I hear you. I hear you.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:22 PM ^
The problem is that being conservative often means shying away from bouncing balls and gives up yards, which add up. It's important to have a receiver on punts who you trust to stand in and catch the ball in traffic and save some field position, without dropping it or taking unnecessary risk in returns. It's a tough job, and we've seen it done well (Peppers and DPJ) and poorly.
FWIW, Michigan is top 5 in the SP+ special teams rankings. They're now magnitude and volatile due to low-sample size issues, but directionally it's good to note.
September 13th, 2021 at 12:58 PM ^
Beat Ohio
September 13th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
I don't believe him. I'm one of the people in the camp that argues they ran the ball so much because they're scared to pass and be a modern offense. Glad they won, but unless we start to see an actual passing attack that isn't vanilla and they switch up the calls on 1st down, I think this offense will struggle against good to great teams.
September 13th, 2021 at 1:14 PM ^
BS....Harbaugh isn't AFRAID to throw the ball. That is just dumb.
I mean Shea threw for 300+ in 3 consecutive games...that's not 'Afraid' to throw the ball.
Team just was dominate in the run game and destroyed what should be at least a decent Defense as a result. Period.