Offensive Issues
Here is a summary of what I see as the key issues with offense/execution/coaching. It’s hard to separate out which of those is the cause of each one. Or maybe it isn’t that simple since they are all Synergistic.
1) we run a lot of QB read plays that seem to not actually be QB reads. Why is that our base play if we don’t make it a true threat? Who is making the call not to run the QB?
POSSIBLE explanation: these are traditional run plays that could just as easily be (and in many cases are) run with no read or mesh at all. So even though they rarely do it it gives the option to run the an when needed without doing it all the time.
2) in some games (not all) it seems like we are unable to adjust. E.g against Rutgers we didn’t run much down G or edge runs, a topic of discussion in today’s podcast. Why?
POSSIBLE explanation: they have installed only certain portion of the offense at this point. Or even if more is installed practices a certain subset and therefore wouldn’t want to or be able to ‘panic’ and switch to plays that weren’t prepped for prior to the game.
There are a lot of people on here that have strong opinions on what should or shouldn’t happen with the coaching staff. In order for me to know what should or shouldn’t happen I feel like I would need to know the answers to these questions at least. What are your thoughts on these answers and how this is the case? Am I missing something? Anyone with college coaching experience or any ex players that can speak to this?
I suspect this is something that insiders can’t even really question for fear of ‘stirring the pot’ too much right?
September 27th, 2021 at 12:02 AM ^
Probably should put JJ in the 2nd half, the targeting apparently affected Cade more than it appeared.
September 27th, 2021 at 12:23 AM ^
Harbaugh doesn't want his quarterbacks taking hits or throwing picks.
He's willing to strangle his own offense in the crib in order to avoid those two outcomes.
Gattis doesn't have enough schematic knowledge to overcome those handicaps.
September 27th, 2021 at 12:32 AM ^
Harbaugh has decided that he wants his personal UM passing records to last forever and can’t have anyone topping him so he’s sandbagging his qbs so they put up shitty numbers.
Gattis is executing an insider PSU coup by dragging the program down from the inside. Joe Moorhead really is that much of a genius that he planted Gattis at Bama so he could get the job here. Joe Pas revenge.
The marching band is spelling out secret messages to Q-anon supporters.
Mike Hart is a terminator sent back in time to stop Skynet from becoming fully operational.
September 27th, 2021 at 12:59 AM ^
Finally a post that makes some sense.
September 27th, 2021 at 3:21 AM ^
Cade just can’t make the reads to pull, and had a bad half after taking a hit. I think we’ll find out next week that JJ wasn’t ready to go.
As for why they didn’t run outside, no idea.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
Would be nice for somebody covering the team to ask why they didn't run outside.
September 27th, 2021 at 5:57 AM ^
#3: execution. There were plays that were there to be made that the players didn’t make - especially in the passing game after Cade got hit. Now, that doesn’t excuse the “run up the middle because we can even though we can’t”. But if we hit on those opportunities that were there, they would have been more first downs and also a TD. Could have caused the safeties to play differently.
Honestly, this game made me count the minutes until JJ could take the field - as I don’t think Cades arm strength is enough to win the big time games.
September 27th, 2021 at 6:27 AM ^
Possible explanation: Josh Gattis is not good
We don’t scheme plays to put the ball in the hands of any playmaker who isn’t a running back.
Possible explanation: Josh Gattis spilled coffee on his PlayZ napkin
September 27th, 2021 at 8:37 AM ^
I'm torn between thinking Gattis is a fraud, and that the game plan from the getgo was to break Rutgers' will by running inside over and over, especially with Corum and not Haskins, in order to bring the safeties up and then pass, and with a 20-3 lead, they decided at halftime to roll with the latter.
The entire second half I'm yelling at tv to run outside with Corum. And at very least have them both in and send Corum out in motion only then run Haskins inside, if needed... missing were jet sweeps, some bubble passes, and 20 outside runs. But hey, #speedinspace
September 27th, 2021 at 8:55 AM ^
The sample size says Gattis is a fraud.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:23 AM ^
I will never understand the love for him on this blog. This is the first job he's had where he's the OC all by himself, and the results have not been great.
September 27th, 2021 at 6:44 AM ^
Yes, we have them.
Was that your question?
September 27th, 2021 at 8:34 AM ^
The irony of it all is that the same people who want to send out Gattis on a rail, are the same ones who paraded his #speedinspace marketing while sending out Pep.
September 27th, 2021 at 9:04 AM ^
What I would love to know from the offensive coaches? (I realize we would never get real answers)
1. What happens in practice that limits your belief in Cade
2. Do you stick with the game plan no matter what or do you make changes on the fly,if so provide an example
3. What percent of the playbook does the offense know and that you trust
4. You appear rather vanilla and predictable, what are your thoughts
5. why would a top speed in space talent or receiver come to Michigan when your top receiver has less catches than 300 other D1 receivers
6. Do you think coaching is actually the biggest problem and holding the team back the most
7. Would you rather win ugly with more rushing yards or win big with a balanced attack
September 27th, 2021 at 9:16 AM ^
I've also wondered why Cade doesn't keep more on read option plays. Usually it's the QB not making the read when that happens. Is he nursing an injury, and thus afraid to take the hits? That would explain the lack of keepers, and why he got so erratic after the late hit.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:10 AM ^
The thing is, we've seen this movie before. These questions are almost exactly the ones we asked about Patterson. And making reads isn't like understanding quantum physics. It's seems like pretty much every other qb on balance does fine with them. Only at Michigan does the qb miss nearly every read. So either we by coincidence recruit guys that can't make reads, or they're being instructed just to handoff. The latter conclusion seems to make the most sense to me.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:42 AM ^
I'm guessing that these aren't really read options. They are simply handoffs.
September 27th, 2021 at 9:20 AM ^
Didn’t read post. That said, the only offensive issues I have were communicated to me by my boss. “Jonathon, you say ‘fuck’ way too often during the workday. An acceptable number, as determined by the Harvard Business Review, is four. At last count you were averaging twenty-two. Also, describing someone as ‘three M&Ms short of good goddamn’, while technically accurate, is bad for morale.
September 27th, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
The funny thing is that this has been the offense under fairly benign circumstances. Michigan is one of two teams in the country that hasn't suffered a turnover yet. Of course that's partially because Michigan doesn't really throw the ball in a meaningful way and hasn't yet chased a game late, but there's only about a dozen teams that haven't lost a fumble yet either.
Now every student of this sport knows that turnovers are pretty much inevitable, and have an element of chance in them, so they will come. I think it's quite likely that this offense will spectacularly implode when the fumbles come. There will almost certainly be a game where you'll see a worse version of the 2nd half vs Rutgers with far worse outcomes thanks to turnovers.
September 27th, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
My take is that they are not saving the playbook as much as the QB. If we don't have to run the QB to win a game, then we will not run him. In the second half against Rutgers, we left several easy points off the board and had several bad wide-open passes that would have kept drives alive. Enough to win the game comfortably.
Maybe Harbaugh is trying to keep our number 1 QB healthy this time around until we play the big games. I can't blame him if he's being protective after all the past seasons of injured QBs.
Edit: That doesn't explain the lack of sideways action using other players.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
They may very well be doing that but if so I disagree with that line of thinking. If they aren't doing it in games where the stakes are lower, or chances of success are higher, how will it prepare the players to pull off those plays with confidence when the stakes are high say against OSU? When will they take the training wheels off the offense? When will they trust their QB? We keep hearing these things year after year, they're just excuses.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:16 AM ^
For the first few games I thought they were holding back their playbook until they hit Big 10 play. Then the 2nd half came around and I think the coaching staff lacks confidence in the QB.
I really have no clue whats going on, but I doubt Gattis is playing 4D chess...and I think Cade feels the pressure. This defense has been decent, but they cannot carry the team.
Michigan is now 4-0 and have not trailed their opponent yet this year. This weeks game will show us all what this team/staff is.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
Playcalling.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:34 AM ^
For the camp of thinking that we don't install all the offense, or we don't install all the QB reads my question is WHY? Other teams seem to be able to do so and with at least some success. If we aren't because it takes too long to learn then it needs simplified and the flip side of that is how long does it take for someone to learn it all? Cade has been in the program the same length of time as Gattis has been here, if he doesn't know this offense in year 3 then how long should we expect and everytime we get a new QB does the process start over? That does not bode well for success.
As to the topic at hand. I understand preparing for the opponent and what they do or don't do well. But there also needs to be flexibility to change mid-game to take what the opponent is giving you, especially when what you want to do ISN'T WORKING! To be honest though, it doesn't appear that this staff prepared to play Rutgers at all, but that they took them for granted.
September 28th, 2021 at 12:07 AM ^
Based on prior years, it seems they have often taken the option to keep away from the starting QB. This year, Cade doesn't keep because he's the starter. JJ gets to keep because he's the backup. I assume it's because they don't want the starter injured.
I say it seems that way -- but then Cade keeps and gets blown up. I really don't get it.
The more concerning thing is the fake read thing that draws an unblocked defender right to the point of attack. It seems like the worst possible thing you could do.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:54 AM ^
Michigan has not had a QB anywhere near the skill set of a Justin Fields, or Haskins who were deadly in the passing game and could use their legs in the RPO plays. (yes TOSU had great receivers as well- but the ball got down the field that were catchable)
Until they do, which may or may be be JJ or maybe Alan Bowman, these offensive issues will remain.
If anyone can name a former Michigan QB in the past 20 years who could do that, I'd like to know.
September 27th, 2021 at 10:54 AM ^
Coaching malpractice. Plain and simple.
September 27th, 2021 at 11:08 AM ^
My main concern/issue is what can we do when the run is taken away? Did a great job of establishing the run early, but once taken away, looked like we had no idea what to do to counter it. Fix it and show that we can make teams pay for stuffing the LOS and the run game and offense will be just fine.
September 27th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
We have played 8 halves of football. The offense has looked anywhere from good to unstoppable in 7 of those.
McNamara has looked composed and accurate in every game when called upon until the second half vs. Rutgers. He also didn't get much help from Sainristill or All on two of those throws.
Let's slow the whole offense is terrible thing. I know sports fans have short memories, but come on.
September 27th, 2021 at 1:41 PM ^
You missed the Washington game.. 44yds passing, total.
McNamara was off the 2nd half and missed the last throw of the 1st half. Many are spotting from the targeting hit in the 1st half as the changing point and that would be fair. That said, the 2nd half he was off target. He wasn't seeing open receivers and didn't have good ball placement on his throws.
Still seems tough though to put it all on Cade when you throw 5 passes in the 2nd half and total of 16 or so for the game. Can't get into rhythm or timing doing that. Just a note one is a drop by sainristil, one was part a bad route by henning, ie last throw of the game, 5yd out, Henning rounds the route and drifts out rather than just a precise cut. Throw to the endzone should have been a touch pass, throw to All just after the Sainristil drop was just led him a bit to far, All got a hand on it but I don't see many making that catch.