Hoke is not the one to take anything public regarding his concerns, and I thought Rich Rod's willingness to throw specific help at least near the bus if not completely under it was his worst quality and not the way to go about business. That being said, Borges has to be a concern at this point. His seat may not be hot yet, but it needs to be warm at a minimum. Regardless of who you have running your offense, and regardless of if he isn't your dream come true, your schemes at least need to make sense, to somebody, anybody. I have taken Brian's concerns with Borges a little sarcasticly to date, but I have to say I am concerned that portions of what I am seeing border on incompetence, and they are being accepted as the status quo.
I am not going to debate that Borges has impressed me from time to time with specific calls, but the number of times that his offensive philosophy against specific defenses has been outright baffling is too many to count on one hand now, and I think it is more than just a side note at this point. I understand that Denard going down was a blow, but backup quarterbacks can be remotely effective, and at least not outright humiliating as was the case last night. Bellomy was never rumored to be John Elway, but at the same time I don't think anybody took him for a fish out of water when he came in. True, our offensive line is not record breaking, but we are not converting defensive lineman for god's sake, this line is nobody's leftovers, they are a pretty solid group.
Hoke hired Borges in 08, and Borges' offenses at SDSU were solid enough, but I don't know if Hoke is married enough to Borges that he is in untouchable territory. Shane, along with the best offensive lineman class in the history of the world are certainly reason for optimism, but I have to say that Borges should be answering for something right now. I am not expecting the best show on turf here, I am just asking for a little rhyme and reason, and perhaps that there is a Plan B available in the case Denard cannot go. An injury to your starting quarterback is tough, but not tough enough to look like a fairly competitive high school team in the aftermath. I have been a Borges supporter, but last night was alarming even before Denard's injury.
Here's to hoping that this offense can get right before it ventures to Horseshoe, because the cat is out of the bag, this offense in ineffective right now, and I think it is acheiving beneath its personnel. Am I seeing this clearly, or is this misplaced? I would love to know.
MOAR KITTENS!
"the Spirit of Michigan...is based on a deathless loyalty to Michigan and all her ways....and a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours" - Fielding Yost