Why Did Odoms Slow Down?
On our last offensive play in the OT, I was trying to figure out what Tate saw when he threw the ball. But, on the replay, Odoms has his man beat coming across the end zone, Tate see it, and throws the bullet.
But, at the same time it appears that Odoms slows down (perhaps to head in the other direction?) and the defender keeps going and ends up tipping the ball.
So, why did Odoms slow down?
October 6th, 2009 at 5:59 PM ^
My guess is that it had to do with the other 2 Sparty players in the end zone. He could have kept going but would have run right into them, so maybe he decided by stopping (or cutting back), he would have a better chance of being open. Who knows, though.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:01 PM ^
According to Tate, there was some miscommunication in their interpretation of the play. Odoms thought he was supposed to stop but Tate thought he was going to keep running so he threw it ahead.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:07 PM ^
I think Odoms has really came through so far. I think we will be a great player for us.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:25 PM ^
Notice his scoops on a few low throws this year, and Tate is starting to understand the slot as he is going to them more. I really like his block, he gets a lil more physical and he will be pretty dang good.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:32 PM ^
much much improved this year. last year it seemed that he dropped about half the balls that hit his hands. very few drops this year. plus, he's made some tough catches. i hope all the young ones improve like he has.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:37 PM ^
....don't forget about his blocking which has been awesome this year (see: D Rob's first TD run and Carlos' long TD against IU to name just a few).
October 6th, 2009 at 8:12 PM ^
Improvement in the season, and from season to season seems to me to be a mark of a coaching staff that knows what it is doing.
OT: In Chicago this weekend and looking for a good place to watch the UM/Iowa game. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:34 PM ^
Don't let people fool you: if you want the most Michigan fans, the loudest place, the rowdiest place, and about 100 tv's on the game, with the sound, then go to Duffy's. It's on Diversey, and is one of the official bars sponsored by the Alumni Association. If you want something more chill, well, then I don't know- watch at the hotel bar. There was a looong thread about this a few weeks ago, with people drawing lines in the sand about which bar to watch at, etc. Also, get there early- like at least an hour before game time- whichever M bar you go to: Mad River, Duffy's, Moe's, which is terrible for M game, Rockit, which also will be bad bc it's in River North and it's a night game, etc...yeah, really- Duffy's or Mad River. But Duffy's is my preference of the two.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:41 PM ^
I recall the thread now that you mention it, but at the time I wasn't planning on being there on Saturday, so I didn't read it.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:14 AM ^
Great story a few years ago on the proliferation of Big Ten-themed bars in the Wall Street Journal from a few years ago: http://www.bryangruley.com/_downloads/big_ten_bars.pdf
"Astroturf" at it's finest.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:05 AM ^
Mad River blows, blows, blows. Seriously, it's one of the lamest bars I went to in four years in Chicago. First, it markets itself as both a Michigan bar and a USC bar - if you have two teams you have none. It's always overcrowded on weekend nights because they give away birthday packages to roughly 25 groups every Friday and Saturday. The bouncers have delusions of grandeur. I've said this before on the blog, but it's sort of like if Scorekeepers started thinking it was a chic, exclusive nightclub and acted like an establishment of the highest douchbaggishness.
And I've heard them play Hang On Sloopy - at night on football weekends - two different times. Fuck you, Mad River.
Duffy's is cool, but there's no public transit to take you there and you gotta get there really early to get a table. Once you're in and seated it's pretty great(caveat: at night ... not so much.) Another alternative might be the Newport Bar and Grill right off Southport (fairly close to Wrigley.) There was a different Michigan bar on Southport that was great for TVs, playing the fight song, giveaways, density of M fans, etc., but it closed, and Newport is the attempt by loyal fans to relocate. I've never been there, so current Chicago denizens might have to fill you in on the TV situation, etc.
Whatever you do, please don't give your money to Mad River.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:22 AM ^
The walk from the Diversey Brown Line stop is only about 3/4 of a mile. The walk from the Clark/Diversey Bus Stop is less than a half mile, and the walk from the Sheridan/Diversey Bus stop is just a few steps. The Diversey bus runs all day Saturday also and there is a stop right in front of Duffy's.
So as long as you are coming from the city transportation shouldn't really stop you, I can understand how it could be tricky from the suburbs though. I don't always go anymore because I started to outgrow the need to go to the bar at 9am to watch the Eastern game when I can go to a buddy's house instead.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^
The fact is Tate is a freshman, and Odoms a sophomore. Out of such combinations you can expect mistakes once in a while. It sucks that the interception happened but I am very excited about the future of these two players.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:54 PM ^
as one who was critical of his dropped balls last year (esp the punts) he has really come along this year. i think his best assets are the intangible things, that dont show up in the stat line, specifically blocking down field. i love seeing WRs that do this
October 6th, 2009 at 7:24 PM ^
After last year, did anyone think that we'd ever be saying that about our receivers? It's nice how big a difference a year can make. I'm enjoying this year (a lot) but I'm looking forward to getting pumped for next year.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^
Good post. They will get their timing down better as time passes. We've seen it a few times this year where the WR and Tate have not been on the same page. Maybe after last year, they are not used to a QB who can actually get the ball within 10 yds of them ;)
but seriously, you can see Tate directing the WRs on the field towards where he wants them to be...when he scrambles he wants them to be looking at him and either coming back to the play, or going deep as we saw him waive to Hemingway in the first game....
it will get better, the skys the limit
October 6th, 2009 at 10:50 PM ^
Deadly accurate, can get it off in an instant from anywhere, with an athleticism that's far better than his measurables.
Fran Tarkenton was a rather successful QB at about Tate's size or smaller. Through for about, oh, 40,000 yards in the NFL.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:53 AM ^
Through what?
October 7th, 2009 at 1:33 AM ^
To get to the other side?
October 7th, 2009 at 8:10 AM ^
I was a little sceptical of Odoms after last year and his drops. I wasn't really critical as I never spoke about it, but didn't have the confidence in him that many did. This year has proved me wrong in a big way. He has been a great receiver and his blocking has been outstanding IME. Well done Odoms, keep it up!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:51 AM ^
Odoms looks like our only reliable receiver this year. Hemmingway has completely vanished since the Western Michigan game and Matthews is MIA since the TD catch against Notre Dame. Every time you think Stonum is ready to break out as a receiver he becomes invisible.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^
Hemmingway has pulled that vanishing act thingy that usually comes with being INJURED. He made a hell of a catch against Sparty on a pass that Tate threw up for grabs (was it on the tying drive?).
Mathews? Who knows--does Tate look for him? Does Mathews scramble to get open when Tate rolls out of the pocket?
Stonum: uh, well, uh, 60 yard TD catch against Sparty, has made other catches this season in big spots--and again--Tate the freshman and Stonum the sophomore--give this connection some time.
And we have to consider what plays are being called by the staff as well.
I'll tell ya something: this team has a long way to go. These guys are all just learning to play together. There are a TON of weapons on the offense--even Savoy has contributed this year, and we saw Roundtree make an impact as well.
I can't really find much room for criticism at this point--unless I turn my expectations up to "perfection."
October 7th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
Lest we forget, Stonum just had a five catch, 97-yard performance.