Orji is a plus athlete that is going to put defenses in a bind trying to contain him. Unfortunately, he throws with a low arm slot like a baseball catcher. This is going to result in more blocked passes and flat trajectory throws that are more prone to being intercepted, both across the middle and as overthrows. Since there will be more QB runs, something many of us have clamored for, he will also be more likely to get dinged up. This will require some depth at the position. Best comparisonn is a slower version of Denard with added power. Probably more suited for a Rich Rod style offense, but we'll see. I also suspect Orji will not be the best option if we fall behind or end up in a shoot out game, so our defense and running game need to be dominant. At this point in his development, he is ready to start, but perhaps not lead a team to glory. Warren has shown he is talented enough in spring games. Needs to play well in a meaningful game for a better evaluation. Denegal isn't ready, nor is Davis. Tuttle has been unable to stay healthy. This is the #1 issue going into the season by far.
Not a lawyer, but it is interesting there is only one email released as part of the FOIA.
IMO that means the U is holding back others for personnel privacy reasons, that no other emails were sent/received, or that they are being withheld against FOIA regulations. I would think student athlete accounts could be released with names redacted. Certainly there has to be info from the other trainer and coaches that were present. Perhaps a FOIA specialist can comment on what is allowed to be withheld and why.
That said, if he charged Sanderson, then that is threatening violence in the workplace and JH should have been immediately suspended if corroborated, especially with two prior on-court instances.
Got a weather alert about it from the city so I surmise that this means it is outdoors. Gonna be a wet one for those that go. You would think that an insurance company would cover it. So to speak
Does anyone know if the (free if you have a CFB ticket) Allstate tailgate is covered and out of the weather? I see a golf dome to the south of NRG, but not sure if that is an extra practice field or a place for the tailgate. Thanks.
Totally agree. I watched this several times and commented a couple of days ago on a different thread. The umpire saw #55 from OSU grab and haul down Graham #55. I think he either told the head ref who then conflated the call and the ump was too chicken to correct him or somehow he is color blind. It is really clear from the end zone view that Mason was engaged with the center and the guard came over, wrapped his arm around the back of Mason and pulled him to the ground. This speaks to the need for better QA and full time officiating with all the money in college football.
Mason Graham getting called for an extremely suspect defensive holding.
Said this in a different thread, but Mason was being blocked by the center and the guard for OSU (#55) reached behind Mason and yanked him down. The ump threw the flag and then either miscommunicated with the head ref and decided against correcting him or conflated white jerseys with blue jerseys. Clearly there was holding and clearly it was #55 from OSU which is why Mason was demonstrative about it.
Not sure if this was discussed elsewhere, but re: Mason Graham's (#55) holding call, he was double teamed and #55 Jones for OSU reached his right arm behind Graham and pulled him down. Umpire properly threw the flag, but which #55 got lost in translation. Refs really need to be upgraded in the B1G if you can't get the colors right.
"It is interesting that the only reason in-person scouting was outlawed by the NCAA was “… to promote equity for programs that couldn’t afford to send scouts to other games” and it refers to coaches (but these same programs can afford to pay millions to coaches who no longer work for them). The bylaw is specific to student assistants and coaches, not staffers nor unaffiliated volunteers. The “scouts” appear to be attending voluntarily and without payment by or with the knowledge of Michigan. Filming is only outlawed through a rule for in-game use – i.e. in the game that is currently being played. So the violation stretch here is that a non employee, non-student assistant, non coach is considered an in-person employee of the University of Michigan football program and that the filming of the sidelines constitutes same day filming of the current game which will actually be played in the future. Yeah."
Re: the lack of a punt block penalty, I slo-mo'd it and the ball is facing point away from the kicker until it passes CJ's wrist at which time it turns into a wobbly sideways duck. It might have hit his wrist bone as he flew past. You'd have to ask him if he touched it. Anyone in the media ask that?
The B1G needs to be careful, If the coach is responsible for the entirety of their program, then it logically applies that the B1G commissioner is responsible for the entirety of the behavior of league members. If it is shown that there are multiple violations of scouting etiquette by multiple schools, then that reflects on B1G leadership accordingly. The next week should be interesting,
In my one year as a HS offensive coordinator, even I used wrist bands and changed them up each week "just in case". I find this all very amusing. That said, I was able to pick out some signs from an opponent on exchanged game film and had a good idea about certain plays. Our D coach in the booth refused to use that info.
I feel bad for Llewellyn getting injured - never want to see that. That being said, from a roster perspective, I don't know what they saw in him as a starting B1G caliber point guard. He was right hand dominant while dribbling, predictable in his ball reversals and slow on his shot. He did not seem to have the quickness to guard the point. Yes we lost a needed ball handler, but that also speaks to suboptimal recruiting and/or use of the portal. From a game management perspective, I don't know how Hunter is always double-teamed yet we cannot free up Jett (unless he is also double teamed leaving one guy to cover our other three players, LOL).
As I pointed out on the podcast comments, Wilson was only going to be open in the corner because the cornerback read where Cade was throwing the ball and came off of Wilson.
Cade's initial reads were to the left - Bell in the corner (covered by the corner who had the deep 1/4 fade) and All's crossing pattern. The LB vacated to cover the flat in case Bell pulled up, so All would be open. All stumbled and therefore was not in position to catch the ball.
McCarthy may be better or he may not be. We'll find out if he's the starter in Columbus and maybe before. A few plays against an already beat up and depleted CSU defense (lost 3 players before his first run) do not make a savior.
Wilson was only going to be open in the corner because the cornerback read where Cade was throwing the ball and came off of Wilson.
Cade's initial reads were to the left - Bell in the corner (covered by the corner who had the deep 1/4 fade) and All's crossing pattern. The LB vacated to cover the flat in case Bell pulled up, so All would be open. All stumbled and therefore was not in position to catch the ball.
From purely an outsider perspective, it seems apparent that the staff focus was improving Houstan's defense first and foremost. Early on he was a huge liability and, combined with his inconsistent shooting, was nearly unplayable. By the end of the year, he was much improved on defense. Expectations were way too high for a freshman that also moved up a class. He has the potential to be a plus contributor if he can become the consistent 3 point threat we anticipated coming in and he will be a good defender. I trusted his defense at the end of the year more than BJJ.
Certainly the defense left something to be desired and Illinois is the better team, but it also is tough to cover guards that carry the ball constantly when changing directions. Cockburn gets the American Tourister traveller award. Would like to see Houstan continue to improve his drive. Eli seemed a bit off today offensively.
For the in stadium experience, I completely agree. Also, changing game times less than a week in advance and night games in November. Among the many reasons we gave up our small block of seats 3 or 4 years ago.
Unless he is in a hurry to leave, we might see Austin Davis return for a 6th year. esp. with the ability to serve as a quasi-coach helping Tschetter and HD on his post moves while being available for practice and game duty should the need arise.
TE coaches have to know all the blocking schemes. Not worried about knowledge. Can he motivate young men to learn the schemes and be consistent with their technique.
The other factors that are the wild card in this are:
the quality of players the opponents are putting on the floor. Is it 1s vs 1s or 1s vs 1s/2s or 1s vs 2s. Or as in the case of Williams 2s/3s vs. 1s/2s. Brooks plays against the best.
the length of time the player is on the floor which affects the proportion of time against the combinations above
Recent Comments
Orji is a plus athlete that is going to put defenses in a bind trying to contain him. Unfortunately, he throws with a low arm slot like a baseball catcher. This is going to result in more blocked passes and flat trajectory throws that are more prone to being intercepted, both across the middle and as overthrows. Since there will be more QB runs, something many of us have clamored for, he will also be more likely to get dinged up. This will require some depth at the position. Best comparisonn is a slower version of Denard with added power. Probably more suited for a Rich Rod style offense, but we'll see. I also suspect Orji will not be the best option if we fall behind or end up in a shoot out game, so our defense and running game need to be dominant. At this point in his development, he is ready to start, but perhaps not lead a team to glory. Warren has shown he is talented enough in spring games. Needs to play well in a meaningful game for a better evaluation. Denegal isn't ready, nor is Davis. Tuttle has been unable to stay healthy. This is the #1 issue going into the season by far.
I might settle for just having 13 scholarship players on the roster /s.
Not a lawyer, but it is interesting there is only one email released as part of the FOIA.
IMO that means the U is holding back others for personnel privacy reasons, that no other emails were sent/received, or that they are being withheld against FOIA regulations. I would think student athlete accounts could be released with names redacted. Certainly there has to be info from the other trainer and coaches that were present. Perhaps a FOIA specialist can comment on what is allowed to be withheld and why.
That said, if he charged Sanderson, then that is threatening violence in the workplace and JH should have been immediately suspended if corroborated, especially with two prior on-court instances.
I see your plate and raise you one ...
.
Just Jay.
They were new yesterday.
But no Jim Harbaugh pic ...?
Proof ....
Got a weather alert about it from the city so I surmise that this means it is outdoors. Gonna be a wet one for those that go. You would think that an insurance company would cover it. So to speak
Does anyone know if the (free if you have a CFB ticket) Allstate tailgate is covered and out of the weather? I see a golf dome to the south of NRG, but not sure if that is an extra practice field or a place for the tailgate. Thanks.
Call him Deacon Blues
Totally agree. I watched this several times and commented a couple of days ago on a different thread. The umpire saw #55 from OSU grab and haul down Graham #55. I think he either told the head ref who then conflated the call and the ump was too chicken to correct him or somehow he is color blind. It is really clear from the end zone view that Mason was engaged with the center and the guard came over, wrapped his arm around the back of Mason and pulled him to the ground. This speaks to the need for better QA and full time officiating with all the money in college football.
Mason Graham getting…
Re:
Said this in a different thread, but Mason was being blocked by the center and the guard for OSU (#55) reached behind Mason and yanked him down. The ump threw the flag and then either miscommunicated with the head ref and decided against correcting him or conflated white jerseys with blue jerseys. Clearly there was holding and clearly it was #55 from OSU which is why Mason was demonstrative about it.
Not sure if this was discussed elsewhere, but re: Mason Graham's (#55) holding call, he was double teamed and #55 Jones for OSU reached his right arm behind Graham and pulled him down. Umpire properly threw the flag, but which #55 got lost in translation. Refs really need to be upgraded in the B1G if you can't get the colors right.
Not too bad, only 3 really bad official calls. Picking up the flag on the punt, PI on Will, and hold on Mason.
Don't think it was running into the kicker. Ball trajectory changed after it passed CJ's wrist.
A portion from a little newsletter I wrote....
"It is interesting that the only reason in-person scouting was outlawed by the NCAA was “… to promote equity for programs that couldn’t afford to send scouts to other games” and it refers to coaches (but these same programs can afford to pay millions to coaches who no longer work for them). The bylaw is specific to student assistants and coaches, not staffers nor unaffiliated volunteers. The “scouts” appear to be attending voluntarily and without payment by or with the knowledge of Michigan. Filming is only outlawed through a rule for in-game use – i.e. in the game that is currently being played. So the violation stretch here is that a non employee, non-student assistant, non coach is considered an in-person employee of the University of Michigan football program and that the filming of the sidelines constitutes same day filming of the current game which will actually be played in the future. Yeah."
Re: the lack of a punt block penalty, I slo-mo'd it and the ball is facing point away from the kicker until it passes CJ's wrist at which time it turns into a wobbly sideways duck. It might have hit his wrist bone as he flew past. You'd have to ask him if he touched it. Anyone in the media ask that?
"Food Fight!"
The B1G needs to be careful, If the coach is responsible for the entirety of their program, then it logically applies that the B1G commissioner is responsible for the entirety of the behavior of league members. If it is shown that there are multiple violations of scouting etiquette by multiple schools, then that reflects on B1G leadership accordingly. The next week should be interesting,
In my one year as a HS offensive coordinator, even I used wrist bands and changed them up each week "just in case". I find this all very amusing. That said, I was able to pick out some signs from an opponent on exchanged game film and had a good idea about certain plays. Our D coach in the booth refused to use that info.
Also fun that Gemon's twin Germon Green got the last defensive tackle following up on the prior defensive play by McBurrows.
Get all the J. Smiths
Risk 1.0 bot
I'm sure his twitter feed is littered with cat videos.
I feel bad for Llewellyn getting injured - never want to see that. That being said, from a roster perspective, I don't know what they saw in him as a starting B1G caliber point guard. He was right hand dominant while dribbling, predictable in his ball reversals and slow on his shot. He did not seem to have the quickness to guard the point. Yes we lost a needed ball handler, but that also speaks to suboptimal recruiting and/or use of the portal. From a game management perspective, I don't know how Hunter is always double-teamed yet we cannot free up Jett (unless he is also double teamed leaving one guy to cover our other three players, LOL).
Perfect for the Michigan fan base.
Looks like Rod Moore has man coverage on the running back and Will Johnson got caught pursuing his man using a difficult angle on the long pass play.
A possible future Donovan Edwards comparison would be Marcus Allen. Smooth runner with great vision and acceleration.
As I pointed out on the podcast comments, Wilson was only going to be open in the corner because the cornerback read where Cade was throwing the ball and came off of Wilson.
Cade's initial reads were to the left - Bell in the corner (covered by the corner who had the deep 1/4 fade) and All's crossing pattern. The LB vacated to cover the flat in case Bell pulled up, so All would be open. All stumbled and therefore was not in position to catch the ball.
McCarthy may be better or he may not be. We'll find out if he's the starter in Columbus and maybe before. A few plays against an already beat up and depleted CSU defense (lost 3 players before his first run) do not make a savior.
Wilson was only going to be open in the corner because the cornerback read where Cade was throwing the ball and came off of Wilson.
Cade's initial reads were to the left - Bell in the corner (covered by the corner who had the deep 1/4 fade) and All's crossing pattern. The LB vacated to cover the flat in case Bell pulled up, so All would be open. All stumbled and therefore was not in position to catch the ball.
Richrod's D played like a 2-2-4.
Crawford's talent was very apparent to observers of his game. Houstan is a project.
You get one crown for this post.
From purely an outsider perspective, it seems apparent that the staff focus was improving Houstan's defense first and foremost. Early on he was a huge liability and, combined with his inconsistent shooting, was nearly unplayable. By the end of the year, he was much improved on defense. Expectations were way too high for a freshman that also moved up a class. He has the potential to be a plus contributor if he can become the consistent 3 point threat we anticipated coming in and he will be a good defender. I trusted his defense at the end of the year more than BJJ.
Yeah, me and a friend were texting at the 8 minute timeout knowing we needed a spark and both of us came up with T Will for the win.
Certainly the defense left something to be desired and Illinois is the better team, but it also is tough to cover guards that carry the ball constantly when changing directions. Cockburn gets the American Tourister traveller award. Would like to see Houstan continue to improve his drive. Eli seemed a bit off today offensively.
Beat Georgia and then beat Bama, and the SEC will have to shut up forever.
Last natty in '97, best player on this team #97. Hmmm.
Sync'ed up the two punt returns - fun watching them in parallel.
For the in stadium experience, I completely agree. Also, changing game times less than a week in advance and night games in November. Among the many reasons we gave up our small block of seats 3 or 4 years ago.
Unless he is in a hurry to leave, we might see Austin Davis return for a 6th year. esp. with the ability to serve as a quasi-coach helping Tschetter and HD on his post moves while being available for practice and game duty should the need arise.
The Morgan missed tip was actually a block by Yogi Ferrell. He pushed the ball from behind Morgan's hand to cause it to rim out.
TE coaches have to know all the blocking schemes. Not worried about knowledge. Can he motivate young men to learn the schemes and be consistent with their technique.
Tate Martell is available. Or better yet, Luke McCaffrey. LOL.
The other factors that are the wild card in this are:
The helmets were awesome and the first professional football game I went to was the Panthers home opener. Still have the poster they gave out.
I have a plastic drink cup sold to me at Michigan stadium that reads "Mighigan". I guess we were a contraction of Mighty Michigan then.