Past U of M QBs who'd fit RR system
With all these "what if" posts regarding the QB situation, I figured I'd add a little question. I was wondering of all the QBs in our rich, rich history, which QB would fit best in RR current system?
I must admit my Michigan history doesn't go as deep as some of you, so initially I was leaning toward Griese. But I remember seeing some youtube videos on Rick Leach. I'd say he might be the best fit. (See video below for an example--especially at 1:05 and 2:07)
The worst fit? I'd have to say Johnny "TD Machine" Navarre. Who else is out there?
February 17th, 2009 at 9:52 PM ^
Definitely Rick Leach, who also happens to be my favorite Wolverine.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:09 AM ^
You watch that montage and you can't help but respect the guy's relevance as a triple-threat (run, pass, option). His footwork was top-flight. Every Michigan QB should be forced (forciered?) to watch Rick Leach tape every morning with breakfast and every night before bed.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:55 PM ^
Dennis Franklin
Jim Harbaugh
Michael Taylor
Demetrius Brown
Drew Henson
Dennis Brown
and of course "The guts and glue of the Maize & Blue"
February 18th, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
except Henson would be a stretch trying to run the offense... he had decent straight line speed but very little elusiveness...he would be more like Threet with a little better accuracy.
Add Rick Leach and maybe Steve Smith and John Wangler (before his knee injury) to this list as they were option oriented QBs who learned to pass at UM.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:12 PM ^
Possibly also Scott Driesbach. He had some running ability, although we didn't really make use of it.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^
Tom Harmon
February 17th, 2009 at 10:12 PM ^
Did Harmon even play QB? I thought he was a halfback.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^
Apparently, he was a well rounded individual. He played primarily at RB but played QB as well. According to wikipedia, he also earned a purple heart. Man, what have I done with my life?
February 17th, 2009 at 11:32 PM ^
Also a punter
Got the Purple Heart in WWII as a fighter pilot for getting shot down over Japanese-occupied China. Survived for 32 days behind enemy lines. Showed up to the US base in friendly China wearing a Chinese soldier uniform. Details are as of yet classified.
He also married a hot actress. And would fit in with RR's offense, I vouch.
Ultimate badass
February 18th, 2009 at 4:41 AM ^
He also played defensive back.
And his son, actor Tom Harmon, went on to quarterback UCLA.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:26 PM ^
(1988 version.)
February 17th, 2009 at 10:35 PM ^
Nick Sheridan comes to mind...
February 17th, 2009 at 10:48 PM ^
Pretty much every QB before Elvis Grbac.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:43 AM ^
Too true. Some people like to rewrite history into Carr and Moeller == Bo, but Bo was fond of the option.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:25 AM ^
Nice new avatar, son!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^
Rick Leach was good. Don't forget about Steve Breaston. He was a QB in high school and could have been similar to Pat White if he was a QB under RR. Dont forget he took a few snaps in the 03 season. Antonio Bass is another player real similar to Breaston. Drew Henson would have been good too.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:50 PM ^
came in in the early 90s, was a big, strong guy with a gun and some terrific wheels. i remember him making the only play of consequence in a spring game...he bugged out under a heavy rush and went for a 50-yd touchdown. or something. it's been a while.
ironically, i think he transferred to west virginia after one or two seasons, ended up splitting time as a starter there for a year or two...
February 18th, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
Jermaine Gonzalez. (sp?)
February 18th, 2009 at 12:20 AM ^
Must ... resist... Antonio ...bass... joke
February 18th, 2009 at 1:30 AM ^
My first thought was Dennis Franklin, but Leach is certainly a mobility upgrade from our more recent QBs.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:37 AM ^
Steve Smith
February 18th, 2009 at 8:24 AM ^
Someone above said any QB prior to Elvis. That is very true.
The entire 1980s and 1970s had QBs who could run RR's system to a T. Leach, Smith, Harbaugh and Taylor all won big 10 honors due to their play. They would be dangerous with this offense. And, its worth pointing out that really none of them would have been considered 5-star recruits either.
Of course, I am going by memory on the statement.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:07 AM ^
I don't know... Rivals.com and Scout.com in the late 70s were really fond of Leach.... wait you mean they didn't have websites back then? What the hell was the world like without the internets? What would we be doing with our free time?
February 18th, 2009 at 10:53 AM ^
Before his shoulder injury that messed up his throwing motion, Smith was a very good QB. His HS stats pretty much stacked up with anyone's at the time, IIRC.
As for Brown, I thought he was going to be the next great UM QB, but it didn't happen. He didn't like to study and just didn't seem to have what it takes between the ears.
But this leads me to my next post...
February 18th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
Like many "old school" UM fans, there will always be a place at the top of my memory shelf for Leach and Franklin. They were the QB's during Bo's most dominant time period at UM. They both had the tools to run the option: speed, great decision-making, and the ability to throw the ball if needed.
Most of all, though, both were winners. They had the "it factor," and were great in the most important facet of all: the space between the ears.
Hopefully, we will see this kind of performance from Tate Forcier or Denard Robinson. And Terelle Pryor will prove that all of the physical tools in the world don't do a lot of good if you aren't truly a winner.