What do you want to see the Michigan offense do against Purdue?

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on

In part to move on from talking about Saturday's awfulness, I ask this:

What do you want to see Michigan's offense do against Purdue?  Let's take for granted that "score a lot" is the obvious answer. 

I'd like to see the following:

1. Short passes to help Denard's confidence, especially in the first quarter;

2. Multiple attempts to play manball - maybe Cox or Rawls get some carries;

3. Screens if Purdue is constantly blitzing - I'll take any kind of screen.

Thoughts?

JD_UofM_90

October 19th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^

the game film last night again and slow-mo'ed through the plays and the following things jumped out at me that I would like to see us change / address against Purdue:

1) Against MSU, the middle of the field was wide open.  We need to have our slots motion towards the line and run more crossing / curl routes to the middle of the field.  Motion the FB out and do the same thing.  We need more motion in the offense.  There is to much standing around.  We need to keep the defense off balance and guessing, not the other way around.

2) Molk's head bob thing is a legit issue.  The MSU front line tried to jump the snap a couple of times and mostly got caught.  It was the LB's and CB blitzing that got the advantage on this snap "tell".  One time they blitz two guys right over Molk while he was lifting his head/snapping.  He turned to one side and didn't even see the other MSU defender go right by him.  That long V. Smith run in the 1stQ was like this as well.  MSU guy just missed an easy tackle in the backfield for a loss.

3) There was a couple times when we ran the zone read where MSU had 3 lineman and a CB to one side of the center at the line of scrimmage and we ran the zone read right into them.  All Denard has to do is flip the RB to the other side of him and run the play the other way, and we have the potential for huge plays, instead of getting tackled in the backfield for a loss.

4) Our offense (linemen and back's) need to do more cut / chop blocking.  MSU schooled us quite a few times using this tactic while running thier offense.  Our guys keep try to run next to a blitzing CB and block him.  The CB were lining up next to the DE are getting a running start off the edge with no one blocking them.  If a RB or backside OL would just cut them down, they have to get up and get back up to full speed.  That is enough time for DRob to make a play.  We are letting guys get to much penetration into the backfield with too much momentum

 

ijohnb

October 19th, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^

on the short passes.  I thought that was going to be a staple this year and it has been almost completely absent except for portions of Minnesota and Northwestern.  It fits our receivers skill set and Denard has proven capable of making those pasees.

Also, though very debatable, I really want to see Devin Gardner mixed in for some entire series.  Not as a one play change of pace or garbage time, but just because he may be very effective.  I think it is imperative that the coaches just take a look in a game setting for an extended period. 

I Wrote a 4 Wo…

October 19th, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^

Won't happen according to Hoke. Unless it's a blowout. When asked if that was a possibility he essentially said, "No, Denard is our QB."

I think the big thing is doing this would fuel a QB controversy, and while having 2 QB's is good, having a QB controversy is never good.

 

NiMRODPi

October 19th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

I want to just run. Run all over them. I don't care if we win by just a touchdown or two. I want to see Toussaint get 20 touches at least and maybe some Rawls for change of pace. I want a 2003 Michigan vs. MSU grind out where Chris Perry slowly destroys the other team's spirit. Not because I have any particular grudge against Purdue. But I want to see a game where we get both hands around the throat of it from an offensive standpoint and continually squeeze until the game ends.

Erik_in_Dayton

October 19th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^

In the Tom Harmon days, you had backs that threw the ball as much as the quarterback in a given game.  The only reason I can see not to play out of the Fritz (or something like it) is that you might end up with Denard blocking on some plays, which just seems too dangerous. 

I'm with you too that I'd either like to see them both at the same time or just see one of them (Denard). 

HartAttack20

October 19th, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^

I'm not sure I like the whole QB switching/playing at the same time situation. Either make the two QB package a bigger part of the offense, or I'd like to see it scrapped completely. I don't think bringing Gardner is helping Denard in any way other than possibly limiting his injuries slightly. I'd rather see Gardner get playing time near the end of well-controlled games for entire drives.

MAgoBLUE

October 19th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^

Just go out there and play Michigan football.  When they struggled last week it's because they got away from Michigan football.  They need to play with toughness and stress the fundamentals and techniques.

Eye of the Tiger

October 19th, 2011 at 10:58 AM ^

1. Short passes, like quick outs, hitches, etc.

2. BUBBLE SCREENS

3. Real actual zone read plays, where the RB and QB both sell the run/fake at full speed no matter who has the ball

4. Some more HB counters from the gun

Amaizeinblue

October 19th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^

Since Rawls redshirt is burned to my understanding let's see more of him, he's shown flashes of the back he can be. I want to see more of Robinson in the Harvin role and more passing out of DG in that particular formation to keep defenses guessing, even maybe a few passes to Denard. Establish a power running game to instill some confidence that you can run the ball and force people to respect it. Denard has to nail down his drop back mechanics and stop throwing off his back foot.

switch26

October 19th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^

Cox really?  

 

How bout we let our best RB run the fucking ball..  Toussaint got it twice against MSU, what a joke.

 

Smith and Toussaint should continue carry the ball, cox will not play this year

Away Goal

October 19th, 2011 at 11:30 AM ^

Cox's playing time has shriveled up this year and they certainly won't be bringing him back for a 5th next year.  I can't imagine him getting anytime at RB but I'm surprised they haven't used his athleticism on special teams instead of risked a real contributor...unless he just isn't into it.

GOBLUE4EVR

October 19th, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^

cox has been the dog house since he got to AA. RR would through him a bone every now and then, either when the game was in hand or we were being blown out. he would show some flashes and then fumble or make a mistake... the rumor that i have heard from working at the staduim for the last 2 years with kids who hang out with football players is that cox doesn't put in the time to learn the offense and if he did he could be the best running back on the team.

snowcrash

October 19th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^

1. block

2. do something (most likely quick passes) to counteract Purdue's blitzes

3. QBs throw off the front foot, not the back

4. if the primary target is not open, check down or run with the ball instead of forcing it into coverage

Dr.Jay

October 19th, 2011 at 11:27 AM ^

I want to see a dominant performance on both side of the ball, Danny Hope is my 3rd most hated coach in the league behind Dantonio and Joe Pa, so I hope Roundtree goes off and it burn's his balls a little more.

Taps

October 19th, 2011 at 11:33 AM ^

No injuries.  No new wrinkles (if you only have one, don't waste it on Purdue, please).  

That's really about it.  The ability to score and rack up big numbers against garbage opponents has long since lost its ability to bring me any joy or engender the slightest modicum of  hope for future success against live teams.

And wishes like "Denard throws a football accurately," or "Hoke and Borges suddenly abandon 5 year plan for immediate success plan" are so unrealistic as to be non-starters.

Oh, and Roy gives Danny Hope the Sean Payton treatment.  THAT would be pretty great.

Todd Plate's n…

October 19th, 2011 at 11:38 AM ^

A sense of rythym with the playcalling, which I know is rather vague.  I think it means using Devin a little less and at different times than we saw last game and includes running Denard/zone reads on 1st and 2nd down with some quick slants or bubbles as well. 

Suppose that's the verbose way to say, put yourself in a lot of 3rd and shorts. 

I would also like to see:

- Cam Gordon get time at LB

- a noticeably healthier Woolfolk or if he isn't quite there yet, sit him

- Ricky Barnum back in the line-up

- Denard with a big gainer on a legit QB scramble vs. designed run

- Continue the trend on D of not giving up any homeruns

 

M-Dog

October 19th, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^

Run the F'ing ball down their throats with someone other than Denard.  Have Denard rest and recouperate the entire second half.

Getting the non-Denard running game some practice and confidence against a live opponent is even more important than getting Denard throwing practice.

There is a lot of criticism of Denard's passing, but the real key is a non-Denard running game.  If we can not get that going, we lose 3-4 of the next 5.

 

MgoBlueD

October 19th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Getting Cute can get you beat. This team needs to Win and put the MSU game behind them. focus on the things that got you to 6-0.   I was amazed on the lack of a screen call during the MSU game to slow down all of the blitzing.