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 10:53 AM ^
hell would make you think we "should" win?
September 25th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
I hope your right. I think our kids are really feeling the pressure to win. Minnesota is coming in here with no expectations and confident they can win.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
Hey, remember last year when we started rotating starters on the O-Line because of disconcerting non-conference results? Yeah. This is that same process all over again. It will go about as well.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^
The coaches leave the impression that they're grasping at straws. That doesn't instill a lot of confidence. These issues (OL, QB.....) should primarily be worked out during spring and fall practice. Obviously, there are times when someone will rise to the top (Connor Cook did it at MSU last year). I don't think that's necessarily the case in this situation.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^
It just feels like reshuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
Okay, this I don't get. Gardner has struggled, the fanbase clambors for Shane Morris, they may or may not switch to him, but if they do we say that the coaching staff is grasping at straws?
What we have blasted Hoke for over the last few years (Borges mostly but it appears to be Hoke as well) is his unwillingness to make critical changes. Now, this may not be the right change. I think our personnel is much more suited to a spread-them-out pass to run kind of an offense. But if he's going to make a change, some attempt to get the team better, how can we say that's grasping at straws?
September 25th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
Grasping at straws might be a bit strong but it seems like there's no real strategy. What is the best thing to can be done to put Michigan in a position to win? Is it putting Gardner in the shotgun? Is it putting Gardner on a roll-out? Is it putting Morris under center to launch it downfield?
Personally, I'd rather make a few "tweaks" with my established starting QB than to get more of the same with my highly touted back-up QB.
I'll watch the game on Saturday and cheer for Michigan. I just don't think that swapping Morris for Gardner is going to produce the results that Hoke needs. It seems like a change for the sake of change.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
The problem I see is they have already been doing that. At this point, it seems unlikely that there is an easy fix to Gardner's problems. I doubt that he lacks the ability to execute any of the plays we're running. The stumbling block may be a lack of confidence or composure. Perhaps a good sports psychologist could help.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
Coaching moves based on poor performances can't instill confidence. Nor would not making moves.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
to bolster his case.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^
Careful. I started a thread about this possibility two days ago and it was roundly panned and deleted by mods. I wonder if any of them will be willing to eat a lemon if DG takes snaps at wide receiver by the end of the season.
EDIT: I am not necesarrily advocating for Devin's removal as quarterback. I actually think he gives us a marginally better chance to win (and I think he's gotten a raw deal over the past 5 years). But if the coaches are making a change, I think it's worth talking about whether or not they intend to use his services as a WR.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
If Shane starts, I would consider it a fireable offense to put DG in at wide receiver. If (god forbid) Shane gets hurt, are you telling me it's Bellomy time? I know this season hasn't gone as planned, but the B1G is weak -- I still want to at least go to a bowl game.
It's already clear DG has been affected by the constant switching of offense coordinators, offensive philosophies, OL shakiness (which has led to him possibly being injured), RB's not being as good as we thought and, finally, his own unsteady play.
He does NOT need to also be worrying about a freakin' position change and brush up on how to run out routes and his double moves.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
Has the offense scored a touchdown against a real opponent yet? The offense has been pitiful. If the coaches are unable to get production out of the lineup as it is, should we stick with it all season? How many humiliating losses are we willing to take before accepting that change might be necessary? DG has not been getting it done... and it's not even close. He is still making freshman mistakes and turning the ball over (Michigan is what, -10 already?!).
September 25th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ^
I don't agree with putting Shane as the starting QB, but if they do, fine. It's not like DG has been good this year.
But neither has Shane. So putting DG at WR when a) Shane could get hurt and b) Shane could perform poorly (as he unfortunately has so far, in limited time) are real possibilities, would be downright foolish.
Whether Shane does or does not start against Minn, it is quite possible we'll need to use the new backup QB at some point to win a game (or three). I'd much rather that be DG than Bellomy or Speight.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
benching Gardner and moving him to WR. The first move may or may not work out. Moving him to WR just seems like a terrible idea. It's too early to judge how Morris will work out as a starter. Even if he does well, we'll still need a backup ready to go. What kind of value can Devin bring as a WR at this point? I'm not optimistic he can just step in and surpass guys like Chesson and Darboh.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
In that scenario, if Morris got hurt I'd imagine that they'd just move Gardner over to QB.
I don't want them to do that, though. I'm not sold on our non-Funchess WRs yet, but I didn't see anything from Gardner at WR that makes me think that he's a big enough upgrade there to justify a switch.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
Denard's last year. If DG was the backup instead of a WR, then we still loose to Bama and the Irish, but we win Nebraska and end up in the BTCG.
No, just no.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
The team will still have the same problems unless those problems have been resolved in less than 7 days. Besides, we have seen Morris play. He has his issues he needs to resolve as well. I want who ever is most mentally tough to play.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^
Morris clearly has issues, as you stated, but at this point it seems he has a much better chance of resolving them than DG does. That last interception thrown by DG was an absolute killer and such a terrible read.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^
Playing Morris at QB and DG at WR makes the most sense now, both for the program and for DG's future. Given that neither QB is highly polished and both are prone to turnovers, going with the true Sophmore over the redshirt senior makes sense, as the Sophmore presumably has a lot more growth potential and the big reason for playing the redsirt senior - greater chance of winning - is probably not the case. Playing DG at WR (not sure Hoke is going there, but he should) and Morris at QB would help the team more than playing DG at QB with Morris on the bench. Pairing the Devons at WR would provide two large and formidable targets. If Funchess cannot play, DG provides a boost to the WR unit. Playing DG at WR at this point (if his ego will let him let go of the QB dream), is probably also best for his future in football. I have a hard time seeing DG as a viable NFL QB given his struggles and inconsistency. Therefore, his best chance of playing at the next level is at WR. That is hard discussion to have with him, but I think someone should have it.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
We don't need DG at WR. We have plenty of receiving options. He is a QB. If he doesn't start, he is still the backup QB which is important.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
You seem to have a solid understanding of how football works.
/s
September 25th, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^
I don't necessarily think it matters who they start. If Morris gets the nod, it doesn't mean he'll stay as QB the entire game; same with Gardner, as we saw last week. Neither option particularly thrills me at this point, though I do feel bad for Devin. Probably time to resurrect the "poor damn devin gardner" tag.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^
and if they think that Gardner isn't doing a good enough job, their concern has to be what's best for the team, not what's best for individual players.
Sam's major point about making the change is his view is that Gardner was rattled in the Utah game, and he said during the roundtable a few minutes ago that he doesn't think Devin is bothered by any physical injuries.
Sam has also taken pains to say multiple times the last few days that the offense's problems are NOT all Gardner's fault, and that anybody who's expecting that inserting Morris by itself will cure the issues will be sorely disappointed. As he's pointed out repeatedly, there are issues with the OL, with receivers, and with RBs. All of those will have to improve for Morris to have any success at all. Webb is 100% right.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
If I had to put percentages down, it would be:
10% OL don't pickup blitz DOUBLE TEAM TACKLE CAUSE LINEBACKER TOO QUICK
10% Receivers that are not Funch drop passes I CATCH NO MORRIS BALL
15% Backs don't pickup blitz WHO DAT RUN BY ME?
18% Coaches call same dumb plays that didn't work first 10 times WHAT 26 POWER WITH 9 GUYS IN BOX?!?
20% Backs don't run to hole LOL WHAT IS "VISION"
25% Gardner can't check off receivers takes sack or forces throws MALACHI CRUNCH DON'T NEED THOSE RIBS ANYHOW
2% Butterscotch Ripple
September 25th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^
Yeah, I love Sam but I hate red herrings like "Devin isn't 100% to blame and taking him out won't suddenly resolve all of our problems".
No #$%@. Nobody ever said it would. Some people just think Shane is better and the offense will perform better with him.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
That ain't a red herring, it's a common-sense response to the widespread—I.E., wider than MGoBlog—fan perception that Gardner is singularly responsible for the offensive woes. That it's not all Devin's fault may seem obvious to you and me, but Sam has contact with a much wider and less informed portion of the fanbase than MGoBlog represents, and Gardner has been the recipient of a huge amount of abuse, from what Webb has reported since the ND game.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
I've literally never seen anyone on this site say that Gardner is singularly responsible for the offensive woes, so if that's what the non-MGoBlog types are saying they have a perspective that really different from the MGoBlog types (which is possible). Sure, Gardner gets blame, but some combination of Hoke, Borges, Funk, the offensive line, the RBs, the WRs other than Funchess, and now Nussmeier all have gotten their share of the blame from just about everyone here.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
Have you never subjected yourself to reading comments on MLive? Or on Det News or the Freep? Or the free boards on Rivals or Scout? It's unbelievable the idiocy that's out there. Sam is exposed to all that on a daily basis, plus he gets a shit-ton of comments each day via Twitter and email. How he can keep from unloading on the idiot callers to the radio station is a testament to his professional restraint. I wouldn't be able to do it.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
I haven't really subjected myself to those places, and it sounds like Sam is a much better, more forgiving person than I am.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^
The worst thread in history on MGoBlog is brilliant, incisive commentary compared to MLive or the free board at Rivals or Scout.
As for Sam being a better, more forgiving person: he's had to deal with comments stating (paraphrasing) that UM needs a smart white quarterback instead of Gardner. I'd lose my shit over that, and I'm white.
FWIW, I also think that Gardner isn't 100% healthy. He doesn't seem to have any arm strength—he was shotputting the ball for much of the Utah game that I saw—and he doesn't have the speed afoot that he used to have.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^
There’s one other option. Shane Morris starts at quarterback AND Devin Gardner (now wearing number 12, with permission from the Harmon family to allow him to return to wearing one of his old numbers -- after having changed his jersey in the locker room after warmups) starts at wide receiver; so Minnesota can experience another variation of the Steve Breaston to John Navarre touchdown play (scroll to 3:33 of the video)
September 25th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
I had forgotten the thrill of well-executed plays, competitive games against ranked opponents on the road, and Keith Jackson.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
I agree if Morris is the Starter then DG should be set out wide opposite of Funchess, that gives him another proven weapon at the position even if he has not played it in a year!
September 25th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
That isn't how a D1 college football team functions. You don't just slide over from fricking quarterback to WR in a week. You have to practice, know the routes, blocking assignments etc. It just doesn't work that way.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^
He was ok. Pretty much an athlete running around on the field who was only pressed into service there because we didn't really have any other receiving options. Wasn't it him, Gallon, and Jeremy Jackson mostly starting vs Alabama?
DG cannot possibly have the hands, speed, or route running abilities of the other wideouts on the 2-deep. No way
September 25th, 2014 at 3:06 PM ^
In 2012, Gardner caught 16 passes for 266 yards (16.6 avg.) and 4 TDs in half a season - not too shabby. That's not to say that he'd be able to pull off the switch just like that, in midseason, but he could have been an excellent receiver if he'd stayed there.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:32 AM ^
It will be interesting to see if Shane can get into a rhythm and get some momentum going. Play calling can go a long way towards helping that.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:33 AM ^
So when we lose to Minnesota after starting Morris, how many people will actually admit their stupidity?
The over/under is 2, and I'm taking the under.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
Do you remember the "bench Denard" movement in 2012? It was starting to get a bit rough. Then Nebraska happened. After that, the "bench Denard" folks didn't admit shit, but went all "nothing to see here." I find that frustrating.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
I think if we lose to Minn at home, the QB controversy will be a distant second to FIRE COACH / AD talk
September 25th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
Didn't admit shit? Who are you - Joseph McCarthy?