Interesting observations by Nick from MLive

Submitted by massblue on

Nick Baumgardner has several interesting observations on the team.  Here are a few that just blew my mind;

Nussmeier says an "explosive play" is either a 12-yard run or a 16-yard pass, by the way.

By Nussmeier's definition, Michigan had as many explosive plays (8) as it did tackles for loss allowed (8) on Saturday.

 

Michigan faced 19 third downs on Saturday ... average chain reading was 3rd and 9.2 ... 0.0% chance this offense ever wins with #s like that

 

At this point, I'm wondering if there's something wrong with Devin Gardner's arm. Zero zip on any of these throws, underthrew people all day

I said it after App game that DG is just floating his passes. Is he hurt?

 

Michigan ranks No. 8 nationally in total defense, No. 81 nationally in total offense.

And most of that offense came against worst defenses.

 

10 men on a punt return TD, four turnovers, 0 offensive TDs, 0 trips to the red zone. ... This is a poorly-coached football team. Period.

 

The2nd_JEH

September 21st, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^

I don't think DG is "hurt" I just think he's banged up, mentally and physically. Every time in the past two seasons that he steps up in the pocket he gets hit.



I want him to succeed so bad he's such an awesome kid

Gandalf the White

September 21st, 2014 at 8:51 PM ^

the underlying reason that Hoke is shown the door. I want DG to succeed too; I wanted Denard to succeed too. They are both "good kids." Hoke stands on a pulpit and all but openly prays/prayed that these two succeed/succeeded. It did not happen, it is not happening. For several years we have watched teams dare us to throw the ball by stacking up against the run and our QBs have not and cannot handle it. DR is not a QB at the next level, DG will not be a QB at the next level. Nevertheless, Hoke stuck with both of them, his rationale being "their good kids... they work so hard..", etc. It is time, and has been time to move in a different direction- hence, WHY HE RECRUITED THEM. I can handle the growing pains of a freshman/sophomore; I can't take waiting for something that I know will never happen.

Year of Revenge II

September 22nd, 2014 at 6:31 AM ^

I can accept the fact you have no idea.

The poster's point is, I believe, that both DR and DG were recruited, and are best suited, to be dual-threat quarterbacks, runners as a threat of equal or greater importance than their passing threat to a defense.  

Not only is RR gone, so is our spread offense, which Hoke said would not be his preference anyway.  DR was a special, great quarterback for UM.  A great ambassador for the program too, and from all accounts, a great person also.  But he could not pass at this level, and as a quarterback, he was not the best decision-maker, arguably what separates good from average quarterbacks.  The reality is, though, that when we played a good defense, DR was woefully inadequate, because he was not a passing threat. DG is the same, now does not have a spread offense which would utitlize his best talents, and what's more, he looks to be something of a head case at present.

I like him. He's a great guy seemingly.  His move to wide receiver, and his support for the team has been all class.  The point is that DG's passing, like DR's, is not threatening anybody.  DR's decision-making is abysmal.  What's more, he locks in on receivers, telegraphing his intentions to every linebacker and db.

Yes, Hoke rode DR (who was RR's guy, not Hoke's) to a lot of Big Ten victories against the lesser teams who could not stop his running, but that was Hoke and Borges playing the hand they were dealt.

It is time for Hoke to be a coach at this level and start making the tough decisions, or be rode out of town due to the L's.  It's going to happen whether you or I like it or not.

If I was Hoke, I suspect my quarterback Sat would be Morris, who looks to have the talent and skills to take the team where it needs to go, in the direction it and their coach claim to be heading.  Tough blow for DG, but he'll survive, and has plenty of talent to play some still not only at quarterback, but elsewhere it he wants.

Year of Revenge II

September 22nd, 2014 at 6:31 AM ^

I can accept the fact you have no idea.

The poster's point is, I believe, that both DR and DG were recruited, and are best suited, to be dual-threat quarterbacks, runners as a threat of equal or greater importance than their passing threat to a defense.  

Not only is RR gone, so is our spread offense, which Hoke said would not be his preference anyway.  DR was a special, great quarterback for UM.  A great ambassador for the program too, and from all accounts, a great person also.  But he could not pass at this level, and as a quarterback, he was not the best decision-maker, arguably what separates good from average quarterbacks.  The reality is, though, that when we played a good defense, DR was woefully inadequate, because he was not a passing threat. DG is the same, now does not have a spread offense which would utitlize his best talents, and what's more, he looks to be something of a head case at present.

I like him. He's a great guy seemingly.  His move to wide receiver, and his support for the team has been all class.  The point is that DG's passing, like DR's, is not threatening anybody.  DR's decision-making is abysmal.  What's more, he locks in on receivers, telegraphing his intentions to every linebacker and db.

Yes, Hoke rode DR (who was RR's guy, not Hoke's) to a lot of Big Ten victories against the lesser teams who could not stop his running, but that was Hoke and Borges playing the hand they were dealt.

It is time for Hoke to be a coach at this level and start making the tough decisions, or be rode out of town due to the L's.  It's going to happen whether you or I like it or not.

If I was Hoke, I suspect my quarterback Sat would be Morris, who looks to have the talent and skills to take the team where it needs to go, in the direction it and their coach claim to be heading.  Tough blow for DG, but he'll survive, and has plenty of talent to play some still not only at quarterback, but elsewhere it he wants.

umumum

September 22nd, 2014 at 8:07 AM ^

I disagree with your historic assessment of Denard and Devin, but do agree that Devin doesn't look like the same quarterback this season.  That said, I could accept a quarterback change if Morris had shown anything whatsoever.  And you haven't seen anything either.  Zero TDs and 7 personal TOs--zero touch to date.  Morris may still end up fine, but he hasn't shown anything to suggest he'd be an improvement on DG (unless DG is hurt).

Gandalf the White

September 22nd, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^

an immediate improvement over DG. The point is an offense only goes so far as it's QB can take them; both DR and DG had/have the ability to take an offense so far. Again, they cannot/will not play in a "pro style" offense at the next level. Hoke wants to run a "pro style" offense at Michigan. That's why he recruited Morris. It would be a lot less painful to watch a young QB struggle when we know at the very least he has the potential to achieve the coach's proposed direction.

Gandalf the White

September 22nd, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^

is why I say that Hoke has been loyal to a fault. Sometimes, when u run a program, business, etc., you have to make decisions that make u a bit uncomfortable. "I really like you, you're a nice guy, but you're not getting the job done. You're fired." Hoke likely missed that opportunity. The irony now lies in the likelihood that it will be Hoke that gets the speech: "Brady, you're a really good guy, but..."

Gandalf the White

September 22nd, 2014 at 8:30 AM ^

DR had a ceiling- we hit it. DG has a ceiling- we hit it. Everyone who follows the team knows this; hence, why either playing QB at the next level is out of the question. Therefore, the only rational reason for keeping DG in is because of the "good kid" philosophy. We all agree that Hoke is a "good guy," but few of us have qualms about running him off. Why is DG no different?
Presumably, Morris was brought in because he has the tools to exceed the ceiling we've been bumping our heads against for several years now. There will be frustrations and growing pains, but I fear we've wasted two years of his development waiting for something that everyone knows isn't going to happen.

Miles was right

September 22nd, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^

This is an eloquent post... good job Gandalf...  but let me add.... it should be mentioned that the ceilings we hit were low due to the fact that we're trying pro-style with two very good spread QBs...  it sucks.  Sucks.    This was the same thing having Threet try to run the spread... the low ceiling was hit.

Morris' ceiling should be alot higher due for the reasons you state. His would be alot lower if we ran the spread.

trueblueintexas

September 22nd, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^

I disagree with your comment about

"the only rational reason for keeping DG in is because of the "good kid" philosophy.". 

What if DG currently is better at making audibles, reading the defense, and leading the team than Shane is? You wouldn't know unless you were attending practices. 

Miles was right

September 22nd, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^

RR blew an opportunity... by not having any perspective on things.... he was far too concerned with the heat from WVa, than he was showing the due respect, to the most stroried program... I mean, here he is, gonna bring in a radical offense to a program thats the complete opposite... he should have known that it'll take alot more effort getting the group to go his way... and he burned so much of it, by blowing up the M club or whatever,  by pissing on the 1 wr tradition.. by not embracing the biggest rivarly in sports (no longer)....  but most of all, not sacrificing some of his monster salary, to bring Casteel... what, was it $ 15,000 ?   

Had he done that, he may have made it... and didn't...  as much as Carr and cronies, undermined him, he made every wrong move... almost as if the WestVa uproar in the media really affected him... then pos Rosenberg made it worse....  

 

Nardudeski

September 21st, 2014 at 9:08 PM ^

If Tate Forcier had kept it together and finished his career here I'd be pretty upset if they hadn't moved Denard to running back and let Tate handle the quarterbacking. Denard was deadly from the I-back position against South Carolina. But, Tate wasn't here, and Denard was as good as it got at the QB position. Same holds true for Gardner. If you want to blame Hoke for anything QB wise, do it because he whiffed on Bellomy and didn't take a QB the next year. 

gwrock

September 22nd, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^

It looks to me like he's aiming the ball now instead of throwing it.  It feels like a mental thing more than a physical thing.  It seems like he's trying to be so careful to avoid an interception he's overthinking every throw, leading to poor mechanics.

Naked Bootlegger

September 21st, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^

I'm so confused and conflicted.   At times, it feels like this offense is better than last year because we have some semblance of a running game and have eliminated the incessant poor damn <insert RB name> TFL running plays.   But the scoreboard doesn't reflect this fact at all.   I want to believe this offense is better.   But the scoreboard says otherwise.

atom evolootion

September 21st, 2014 at 9:02 PM ^

This offense runs better and the offensive line run blocks better. The line pass blocks worse. Funchess...is not indestructable, sure-handed Gallon. 98 is still 98. He makes the same decisions with his throws, but there is no Gallon to bail him out and turn nothing into a long run after the catch. Funchess is good and a physical specimen, don't get me wrong, but Gallon, this team misses him.

jigsmcgee

September 22nd, 2014 at 1:56 AM ^

the bail out option for these qbs is gone.

We need to take a look our route designs and determine where we will find separation.

That being said, DG needs to learn how to not stare down his go to route

That being said, the OL needs to improve pass blockkng

that being siad, we probably should not play action DG as often as we do.  This dude needs all the time in the world to feel the rush and select the right reciever.

there are so many chances to improve and they all are wildly intermingled.

I Like Burgers

September 22nd, 2014 at 7:38 AM ^

I'm not sure how much the offense misses Gallon.  Devin had open receivers all day, but he was just so inaccuarate that even Funchess struggled to catch some of the passes.  And any pass 6' 5" Funchess is going to struggle with Gallon really would have struggled to catch.

BlueGoM

September 21st, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^

"Michigan ranks No. 8 nationally in total defense, No. 81 nationally in total offense."

Hoke is the anti - Rich Rod.

Also if anyone complains about the defense again they need to be reminded of these rankings.

Defense aint the problem

atom evolootion

September 21st, 2014 at 9:07 PM ^

The defense can't help who's on the schedule. The pundits agree that this defense is mean. It's in the numbers, even if there aren't many turnovers and sacks. Keeping teams under 300 yards says they're a good defense. Nobody doubts the Spartans when they do it in the same conference. You only doubt it because the coaching, the offense and special teams make the squad as a whole look bad.

alum96

September 22nd, 2014 at 1:49 AM ^

Well you have to adjust for opponents.  Last year the Big 10 had 3 of the nations top 7 defenses based on stats. Only MSU was truly elite.  No one would have said "Iowa's defense is top 5 in the nation" - but it was by stats.  Meanwhile, the Big 10 had only 3 of the top 50 offenses in the country last year.  So yes it matters if you live by stats who your opponents are.  Currently the Big 10 has #8, #9, #10, #13, #14 in the country - does anyone really think we are rolling out 5 of the top 14 defenses in the country?

The Big 10 plays each others offenses - most of which arent great, and then fill their fluff schedule with MAC teams mostly.  So their defenses look better than they are.  Having to play 4 SEC West teams or Oklahoma, OK State, Baylor in the Big 12 would change the stats for Big 10 defenses significantly.  They avoid that. 

That doesnt mean UM's defense is not solid and I think the run defense has been quite good and shall remain good.  The pass defense is an open question - I dont think its bad but I cant put it anywhere above average for now. 

If this defense shuts down MSU's offense in 5 weeks or whatever I will come back to you with a different opinion.  And Indiana.  And that doesnt mean 13 pts... if its like 23-28 pts it will be a very good defense outcome IMO vs those 2 teams.  Top 5 type defenses stifle good offenses - see what Stanford did to Oregon for 2 years, and their defense was not top 5 even, usually a top 15ish outfit.  (and yes part of Stanford;s success is simply keeping the ball away from Oregon)

Of course nothing is in a vacuum - a horrid offense that puts the defense in bad positions hurts the defense stats as well.

UMForLife

September 22nd, 2014 at 7:33 AM ^

I am not calling this last year's MSU defense, as we have some holes in CB. And MSU is not the same this year.

But even great defenses will break if they only rest for 2 minutes between series.

If we can sustain and finish the series on offense, I bet you this defense will be even better.

They probably won't shut down MSU simply because the offense will go 3 and out or turn the ball over so much.

Not saying M def is the best, but they need some help from offense.

umumum

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^

is probably solid and not the concern the offense is, these defensive numbers don't really tell a true story.  Two games against horrible teams.  Gave up 31 against ND who shut its offense down when the game was over.  And Utah put up well over 200 yards in just over a half (includes last drive of first half)--once Utah made halftime adjustments (we didn't make) and got its QB back.  

The defense remains largely unproven.

RockinLoud

September 21st, 2014 at 8:38 PM ^

So not only were they using what is undeniably the absolute worst formation by which to punt and cover from, kicking to a guy who was one of the best return men in the country, but they were playing short a man too. Wow. I just... I don't even. Wow. The derpitude just doesn't go away, somehow manages to manifest itself in new ways with this staff.