Sam Webb Believes Morris Starts Saturday?
Listening to WTKA during their MGoBlog roundtable segement, and unless I didn't hear him correctly, but Sam stated he believes UM goes with Morris (well, I believe he said 'the backup' I think) to start on Saturday. Anybody else hear that, or am I just hearing things? We all know Webb is really plugged into the program, so I somehow think this is unlikely to be a guess unless he's purposefully sandbagging or something. Anyway, passing along some info for those not listening; the future is now I suppose. And the future better start winning or the next few months are going to be, ah, trying.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^
I guess Utah's QB threw the ball in different weather.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^
Actually he did. The rain went from a little drizzle to a downpour the last couple of minutes before the game was suspended - which is right when Morris came in.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
Don't seem to agree with much you have written in the past week or two; however, this comment sums up what we know as to the quarterback state of things quite concisely.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
the payoff is well worth the risk.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
on par with Utah and Notre Dame
maybe worse since we actually did move the ball a little better in those games (as measured by yardage and 1st downs)
September 25th, 2014 at 2:57 PM ^
We drove into the red zone three times against KSU and scored 14 points - a TD and two FGs. We didn't reach the red zone once in the latter two games.
September 25th, 2014 at 3:29 PM ^
We drove into FG range multiple times against ND and Utah too. Wile missing kicks is not the QBs fault. The only TD against KSU came in garbage time.
Objectively, our offense was more effective in those two games than against KSU. And KSU came with a month of prep time to draw up a bunch of quirky gimmick plays on the first couple drives. Once those dried up it was doom on par with Nebraska and MSU games.
September 25th, 2014 at 3:50 PM ^
We drove inside KSU's 10-yard line three times in that game, punched one in, and made the other two chip shots. I'm not sure how you could objectively say that was worse than ND or Utah, when we never drove any closer than the 23-yard-line in the two games combined, and could do no more than attempt three long field goals.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
I mean if you actually watched him, you saw two bad interceptions.. BUT you also saw at least 4-5 of his throws dropped. One being a beauty to Chesson in the endzone. When he comes in he makes passes Gardner wouldn't make. He has the zip to fit it into tight winows. He seems like he's gonna be prone to turnovers, early on especially, but he will be able to open up the offense. So if both qbs turn it over, go with the one who can at least make things happen and open up the offense. Gardner has been very conservative, by design maybe, by offensive line maybe, BUT if Morris can zip it in there when Gardner can't it will help to negate some of the pass blocking woes and allow for some downfield passing.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:24 PM ^
everyone knows that Morris can "zip it" harder than DG. The problem is that he always zips it--even when a touch would be the better approach--and his release point often results in the pass sailing--which almost always leads to a pick when it occurs over the middle--as we saw last week.
I agree that we may well not have seen enough of Morris yet to determine what he may become, but he does have 7 turnovers and zero TDs, which is not a good snapshot as yet.
Unless DG is hurt, I agree with those who believe this is a desperation move. And given Minny's limitations, we likely won't learn much this week.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^
He might make some passes that Devin wouldn't make, but Devin also makes some passes that the majority of quarterbacks in college couldn't make, at least when he isn't injured and his passes aren't fluttering around everywhere. So whatever Shane might give you on a couple of passes, he's also not going to give you a couple of others that Devin could. I'm not sure you're going to see much difference with whoever they decide to start back there.
September 25th, 2014 at 4:55 PM ^
run the ball and avoid sacks. THAT helps negate some of the passs blocking woes.
Gardner does not lack for arm strength. Zip is not the problem. Zip was not the problem when Ryan Mallet replaced Chad Henne either.
You can point to highlights for Morris at his best, but they are not nearly up to the same for Gardner.
The difference you HOPE Morris has is better decision-making, faster decision-making, and more accuracy. The problem is he has exhibited none of those.
September 25th, 2014 at 5:17 PM ^
Why does everyone assume Shane can't run? So far he has 11 career carries for 76 yards.
September 25th, 2014 at 5:48 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 6:11 PM ^
Shane looks pretty fast when he runs. He's no John Navarre. I don't think you're being fair to him by saying he only capitalizes on defenses not expecting it.
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of stereotyping in recruiting profiles. The "white + big arm" combo probably gets you ruled a pocket passer reflexively.
September 25th, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^
He has had in-game shots and has not shown anything of significance. I will admit that DG has been disappointing, but this move reeks of desperation to me. Oh well, I hope I'm wrong
September 25th, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^
We passed desperation a long time ago.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:15 AM ^
around 6pm last Saturday "a long time ago" then I agree.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
I'm not, so I'll just assume you disagree.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
is that I don't think we were desparate after the ND game. I think we reached that point when we saw how the team responded with the Utah game, because I think the Miami (NTM) game was rather underwhelming.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
But following the ND game I knew that if they didn't fix things mighty fast, desperation, the future wouldn't look bright. Well, they didn't fix anything after the ND game, stumbled through Miami, and then fell flat on their face against Utah.
We'll see what happens now that they are really desperate. If they do go with Morris it has to be 100%, no equivocating allowed. However, I don't believe that will be the case, Brady Hoke has never seemed to be terribly decisive, I shouldn't think he would start now.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
but a lot of the write ups and opinions (starting with the UFRs) from ND seemed to say that 'things weren't quite as bad as the score indicated.' Whether that's true or not, the feeling I got from reading this blog (the 'we' I'm referring to is us'ns in these here parts) was that desparation hadn't set in until after Utah. Others may have different feelings from what they perceived...and I'm sorry the snark that came across when I repsonded to Kermits, I was only indicating my own opinion on where desparation set in.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^
3 total offensive points in 2 games. Purdue (Purdue!!!) scored 14 points on two offensive TDs against Notre Dame. One game on a sustained 70 yard drive, they had another decent drive to the ND 9 before fumbling. In the 4th they went over 60 yards on a drive to the red zone before getting sacked out and throwing a pick on 3rd and long. Purdue's offense did better than we did against Notre Dame. Rice scored 17 on ND. Utah gave up more points Fresno State and Idaho State than they did to Michigan.
Every one knows what Devin has done, and the incredible commitment to the program he's made; and Shane hasn't shown a whole lot in his 1 game and then getting thrown out there late in others that didn't matter, but it's unfortunately not like a change would really hurt much.
And yes, 3 points from your offense in 2 games would make most coaches desperate for something.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
Devin's been better every step of the way. There is literally zero evidence, not only that shane is better, but that shane is nearly as capable as Devin.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^
If there are 4 games left in the season and we're out of contention for everything, then by all means start Morris and build for next year. But at this point switching QBs, unless Morris is clearly outplaying Gardner in practice, reeks of a desperation by a coaching staff knowing they will get fired at the end of the year.
Not to mention, you risk losing the support of the few upperclassmen on the team. Didn't Kansas or somebody do this a couple of years ago and the seniors essentially quit the team over it?
September 25th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^
This is your hypothesis and far from true. Devin has shown he can make plays and win games. Shane has not. Devin has beaten out Shane at every step of the way and the team has done better with him than with Shane.
Playing vs cupcakes is not critical for development. It certainly didnt help Bellomy.
At least we agree the decision is a no brainer!
September 25th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
He started a game! He sucked. This was immediately after Gardner's brilliant game against OSU.
This year he has come in and been worse than Gardner in each game.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^
This to me feels like a chance to let DG know he really needs to step it up. Not that we are desperate for Morris to be better than DG. I feel like they may not be that far apart, but going with Morris let's DG know he needs to change his approach or he could lose his job.
I suspect Morris starts, plays conservatively, but DG is back for Penn State.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
Yeah, now he knows he has to start really trying.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
Sorry, I forgot the
/s.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
and is better without it
September 25th, 2014 at 11:30 AM ^
I think he's a combination of shell-shocked from being hit, confused about the offense, and afraid to make mistakes. The last int he threw was a terrible decision, but the ball he bounced on 3rd and 15 out to Funchess was descriptive: wide open with a clear alley to throw the ball through, he didn't trust what he saw and the indecision led to a poor throw.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
he was shell shocked on their first possession against ND? I ask because that drive was going extremely well both running and throwing the ball. Then inexplicably, 3rd and 5 Gardner in the shotgun, he receives the snap and before you could say Two Mississippi he was bailing out of the pocket and making a run for it. It was almost like a pass action run except he had no blockers and of course he was stopped three yards short of the 1st down. Did I mention that two receivers came open just as he took his first step away from the pocket?
September 25th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
Reader71, I agree with you on Gardner being injured. There are two plays in particular that make me think this.
1) Against Miami or Utah he had a run where he had picked up the first down, he didn't have time to slide, he basically turned his back, stopped, and let the defender wrap him up from behind while cushioning his shoulder. No player would approach a tackle like this unless they were protecting a shoulder.
2) Against Utah, he had a pocket all day because Utah only rushed three. He decided to heave it deep against double coverage to the short side of the field to Chesson or Funchess (I've tried to forget this game). No one was in his face, he stepped into the throw, and he was tyring to put everything he had into it. I don't think the ball traveled more than 40-45 yards. Compare that to Morris who heaved it from the endzone to the oposing 35 yard line on the fly late in the game.
Something is wrong with Gardner's throwing shoulder.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
I seriously think it was the cheap shot at the end of the ND game.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
If he is hurt and this is why he has been playing poorly then the coaches should never have put him on the field for Utah. I really hope it's not that he's hurting physically. It may very well be a confidence thing but if the coaches put somebody out there that is hurt and it is affecting their performance to this degree that is an indictment on the staff.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
In game shots? You mean mop up duty with the game result already in hand. Not a start where he gets 1st team reps during the week and gameplanning built around him. His only start was the bowl last year. Devin has looked horrible - consistent killer mistakes and missed opportunities. Time for the 5 star sophmore to get a shot. If nothing else it can give Devin some focus and an opportunity to reassess what he's doing, in the event Shane isn't at all ready for the spot light.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
"a start where he gets 1st team reps during the week and gameplanning built around him. " and actually it was a lot more than 3 weeks.
This is the dumbest meme Mgoblog commentators have had in a while... or at least since the Nussmeir is a panacea meme.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:46 PM ^
The bowl was also nine months ago, and in those nine months there's been spring camp, fall camp and 1/3 of a season under an OC who is known for developing QBs...
September 25th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
Because Shane has had more time than Devin under the same coordinator known for developing QBs? If Devin hasn't taken off with the "magic of Nussmeier", what makes you think Shane is suddenly going to be leaps and bounds better than January?
Seems like any real affect Nussmeier has on the quarterbacks probably won't be seen until next season, when they've all had a full year in the system.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
uhhhh...we have some evidence he might not be that good at that thing
September 25th, 2014 at 2:47 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 3:30 PM ^
is some evidence.
I didn't say it was conclusive. The point was that Nussmeir hasn't yet developed Gardner and so assuming he is doing so for Morris is a huge leap.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
Yep, a snort of Jack Daniels while I'm watching the game takes the edge off things.
September 26th, 2014 at 1:25 AM ^
Bulliet Rye. On ice....
September 25th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
I don't see it as desperation, but more a practical response. The current player in that position has performed well below expectations and has hurt the team this year with consistent huge mistakes against both good and bad competition. Morris is no guarantee to be an upgrade but a move has to be made. After four games it's hard to see Devin suddenly pulling a 180 and becoming spectacular again. Hope he does though. I hope this jolts DG back into beast mode.