Jim Harbaugh Illinois Post Game Press Conference

I would agree that it is bizarre he is making note of Shea's throwing ability. It suggests Jim is aware of the criticism Shea has received from us fans. It is strange that he would feel the need to rebut that specific criticism. He could have just said that Shea made some good throws and led a few nice drives. Still, I like that he talks up his guys in public, even if he does so kind of strangely. 

It seems that the message is "this is our guy." I think the ceiling of the team is really limited if that's the case, but maybe Jim thinks that the chemistry of the team is dependent on not disrupting the established depth chart. I have no idea, but I do enjoy the positive spin.

I'm glad he doesn't shit talk his players and coaches in public. An effective leader keeps that shit private.

If my boss went on TV and criticized my performance I'd be looking for a different job that day.

But Shea's weaknesses aren't his arm strength and accuracy it's his timing/anticipation, pocket presence and reading defenses. So, why is this coach speak or responding to criticisms from fans? 

Harbaugh just mispronounced "wounded duck" somehow it came out sounding like "tight spiral"

Yeah, well there was the fact that Patterson came up huge in the 4th quarter, when the game was hanging in the balance and Michigan needed to do something change the momentum of Illinois’ 25 unanswered points, but let’s not let that get in the way of complaining about how much he sucks.

If not for the context of the last few games (excluding Rutgers), I don't think people would be too upset. It's just that the bad parts played right into the same narrative of what's been wrong with this offense. Still, we looked like a decent offense that played sloppy, which I guess is a big improvement from some previous games. 

Good thing Harbaugh didnt explain to their freshman QB the impossibility of throwing in that wind or he may have been too discouraged to complete 60% of his passes.

If the wind was such a factor on throwing why would we run so many comeback and out routes which require the most drive on the ball? But an offensive genius like Coach knows best, what with his track record of producing great offenses. 

Oh wait, now I remember he usually has marginal offenses while he gravy trains off a great defense.

But again, almost no one (outside of the morons) are wanting him to be critical of any particular coach or player. I get him not wanting to throw any particular person under the bus but there's a way that you can nuance it. I'd much prefer something like 'Hey, we're always happy to get the win but with the stretch of games coming up, we need to play better on all sides of the ball". Something like that. All of this sunshine and rainbows from him just makes him appear delusional. 

Hear hear! The 4th quarter righting of the ship yesterday feels kind of important for this squad. At the very least it confirms a baseline of competence. This team might be only kind of decent, but they're not terrible, and they can play with poise and pride.

For what it's worth though, Brandon Peters is much better than John O'Korn (the injury history of the former notwithstanding). 

I mean yeah, Illinois sucks. This Michigan team is somewhere between mediocre and good. But Illinois is a Division 1 team, and they gave us a good shot after a slow start. These are twenty year old kids, and football is an emotional game. We all know from experience that a team without a baseline of collective toughness can melt down when a game swings like it did yesterday, even against a bad opponent. We almost did that, but then did not. That was kind of cool to see. 

It was a rivalry game, fergodsakes!

/

I agree about that touchdown throw to DPJ. That was probably his best throw of the season (not to mention a great route and catch from DPJ -- give that guy the damn ball). And that play came after Shea was late on an out-route(?) to DPJ (that was still completed), and then over-threw him in the end-zone. Third time was the charm.