Sunday Snowflakes
So, technically it is Sunday. I've been stuck working at the bar since the second I left my home after 4th and 2. I was late, but what the hell else was I supposed to do? Did anyone else see that Michigan game yesterday, what a comeback. So here is your official "Let's not push everything off the front page because I want to critique our punt return formation" thread.
As per usual, I will not post my opinions in the OP, as to not destroy the sanctity of the snowflake thread. I will, however, assume all you chuckleheads are asleep and be the first to post my thoughts in the replies...
Topics du jour of the day:
Denard vs. Devin
The QB rushing record
Mattison / Borges feelings for the week
Holy shit did you see that catch that Roundtree made?
Brunette girls (even sure thing brunettes, they still count too)
How good is Northwestern?
Do we even have a shot at Indy?
At what point(s) did you think we would win or had no hope?
Magnets, how do they work?
EDIT: I see BiSB has nuked a Denard vs. Devin thread already. Keep it civil in here guys, as I think that is a legitimate talking point, even though I think most of us desperately want to see Denard start and understand that there is a 0% chance otherwise. That doesn't mean some of us can't be extremely impressed and somewhat fickle. If nothing else, this topic points to the fact that we have two very solid options. Which is something. Also, it points to boo for the coaching staff in regards to letting us flounder against Nebraska.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:17 AM ^
November 11th, 2012 at 9:19 AM ^
That was the worst game the defense has played all season. Worse than Alabama or Air Force. Speaking of Air Force, Northwestern clearly watched that game tape and killed us with the option.
Borges is clearly more comfortable with Gardner at QB, his play calling is much better. I think he overreacted to the ND game with Denard. Watching Robinson flinch when he and Gardner celebrated after the first TD I fear we won't be seeing him soon.
Glad to see one of the Northwestern blogs call out Fitz for his celebrating the PF call. I like him, but he looked like a giant tool.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:25 AM ^
You mean like this blog that erupted in a chorus of "Why U No just run Denard and design offense to strengths?" This, of course, being days after this blog was all about how Borges/Denard would have to punish a weak ND secondary and open up the running game with the pass.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:20 AM ^
At least four times in the last two games, the UM QB has hard-counted the opposing defense, recognized the offsides, snapped the ball, and then aired it out on the free play. (none of the free plays have been successful, but one has generated a PI call) I can't recall four times this has happened in the last two years, even though it should with the way opposing defenses have played the snap count so aggresively.
Obviously Borges is not against audibles as they've been called more than a few times in the last two games.
In the last two games, snaps have regularly been at 10+ seconds left on the play clock, often the offense is at the line with 17+ seconds on the play clock. There's regularly been time for the QB to survey the defense, call an audible, hard count, etc. Getting the play off on time has been a consistent problem over the last two seasons.
Devin has very good pocket presence, knowing when to move, step up, and when to use his legs as his last checkdown. He's still not always on the money with tough throws and may be looking receivers down a little too much given how well safeties have come to his throws. He also waits a little too long, giving those safeties time to get over. These, however, are generally hallmarks of young QBs and will likely improve with experience.
Devin is the better QB, which is not the same as saying he's the better player. Nor is it the same as saying that he should start over a healthy Denard. And it certainly isn't saying that he was ready to play at the beginning of the season. It's a statement about executing the offense and the details of QB play. Some of the difference is related to Borges: Denard is a running/spread QB and Devin is a true, dual threat QB. Borges's offensive style is much better suited to the latter.
Before you moderate, know that if i was Hoke, Denard would start if he's healthy enough to do so.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:31 AM ^
The last two games are probably the UM offense of the future. The read option may be gone, but not necessarily if the QB can run. We're unlikely to see it much with Devin playing without a backup, but i could see Borges keeping it as a constraint. An improved offensive line will make the difference in the running game. Paired with stretching defenses vertically, we'll see holes to run through and open field at the second level.
As an aside, if you're a WR recruit, doesn't it look like UM would be a great place to come and make a name after the last two games? You're going to get your chances to be a star and put up giant numbers in Borges's preferred system. (which will probably leave the QB with lower completion percentages because of the number of times the ball gets aired out)
November 11th, 2012 at 10:25 AM ^
Two bad throws that I can recall (INT + floater over the middle on 3rd down). That's it. He played very well. As someone mentioned above, he was a tad late on a couple of throws, but I'm overall pleased and impressed. I especially loved the Funchess TD throw. He kept it high and away from the defender and put it in a spot where only a 6'5" dude with glue hands can catch it.
Fitz dump-off TD pass. Great check-down by Gardner.
Heitzman keeps showing up when he's in there. I notice him. I'm feeling good about our future DL rotation.
Two 3rd and 12 conversions in our own territory that eventually led to TD's were not pleasing. Colter made plays, though.
November 11th, 2012 at 10:32 AM ^
Devin does seem closer to a finished product. He has a laundry list of mistakes but as others have said he does well in the pocket, hard counts well, and he can make some tough throws. The only concern I still have is the interior of the line is pretty bad.
With Denard if you attack the interior, he's extremely fast twitch and can easily avoid the bullrushing DT when they attack via the interior. Devin is more of a glider sometimes gets run down from behind or at least tripped up.
We seem to compensate for this buy moving the pocket or bootlegging a lot when Gardner is in. My worry is that this someone's D-Line is going to figure out how to make us pay and exploit the fact we can't establish a pocket.
November 11th, 2012 at 11:07 AM ^
When asked if he should play when Denard is healthy, Devin's response:
"This is Denard's team and it's always going to be Denard's team until he's gone. He's done way too much for two games to change that. I feel like I'll do what I have to do to help the team."
November 11th, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^
People need to stop with the bandwagon shit. It's beneath us.
I was in the "in game" thread all day yesterday and it made me sick. First Devin was so much better than Denard, then midway through the 3rd people were calling for Denard as a "spark" and then Gardner through the INT and they wanted his head. All before naming his God in maize and blue by the time the game was over.
So let's just stop. Let's look at the big picture.
Devin has played TWO games vs. Minnesota and Northwestern. Who on this board wants to tell me Denard couldn't have had good games vs. those teams? Devin wasn't going against Alabama, ND, MSU, etc. So stop comparing. The opponents are vastly different.
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Regarding the game. The offense needs a playmaker going into next year if Gardner is at QB. Treadwell? Green? Maybe some of these younger guys develop? We need something. Toussaint and Rawls will also be back. We need something. We have no Braylon, we have no Chris Perry or A-Train. We have no "go-to."
Also, this offensive line is very average. BUT part of it is that Borges REFUSED to call a north-south running play until late in the game. We're TERRIBLE at getting to the edge and turning it up. We're pretty damn good (see a lot of Denard's runs and Fitz's 6-7 yard gainers on Sat) at going straight up the gut.
Defensively, Mattison coaches his worst game of his 2nd term Michigan career. No biggie, he's still the best assistant coaches in CFB. We had no answer for NW and they weren't doing anything too special.
November 11th, 2012 at 1:29 PM ^
Devin Gardner does a lot of things well and is very effective in Al Borges' offense. He will improve as he plays more, but it will be a big factor once teams have film on him and gameplan against him. If you watch him closely, on almost every play he looks at his primary read and if it's not open he runs the ball, typically for decent yardage.
It looked like on the interception to Funchess, the corner/safety covering Roundtree left his man to go to Funchess because Gardner was staring him down. We're going to see more of this as teams gameplan for Devin. This isn't unusual for a QB in their first couple starts.
He'll be good enough to keep us in all games next year along with our awesome defense. A playmaker at WR/RB will be even better, but there were plenty of open WRs with the current crop. Gallon, Darboh, Chesson and Funchess will get open and make plays.
November 11th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^
November 11th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
Topics du jour of the day:
This is a redundancy. Du jour literally means "of the day."
November 11th, 2012 at 1:50 PM ^
touche that is a very clever argument.
November 12th, 2012 at 7:32 AM ^
Lloyd: Uh, what is the Soup Du Jour?
Flo: It's the Soup of the Day.
Lloyd: Mmmm. That sounds good. I'll have that.
November 11th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^
I'd rather see Denard finish up this season at QB than stick Devin in there. Devin has said that this is Denard's team, even when DG is starting at QB. I think that Denard is the more dangerous option, and I'd like for him to start his last 3(maybe 4) games in a Michigan uniform. It is comforting to know that we have a competent backup, and probable starter for next season. At the end of the day, Denard is more dangerous, and the better option in my mind.
November 11th, 2012 at 4:32 PM ^