Suggested Presser Questions You'd Like Asked:

Submitted by Fort Wayne Blue on

Let's start a thread with a collection of questions you'd like to ask the coaching staff this week in their pressers. Here are mine:

1.] Is there a reason that Derrik Green is not getting snaps?
2.] Why has that "Go route" to the far side of the field kept burning the DB's?
3.] Do you feel that certain players or formation are tipping off the play call?

 

TenThousandThings

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^

on both sides of the ball.

[1] Did you see improvement in the fundamental pass rush? 

WHY: I thought I saw some improvement in the fundamentals. Not overwhelming, but it wasn't like last week -- they no longer seemed like they were waiting for a blitz to bail them out. They worked to generate a pass rush without outside help. Not always successful, but not always struggling, either.

It's less clear to me what to ask about the O line. This has to be the top issue for UFR. I had no problem writing last week off to failed leadership and the like, but this week it boiled down to execution. Probably last week, too. In retrospect. I guess I would try to phrase it thus:

[2] What do you think opposing B1G defensive coordinators will see as Michigan's weakest points in terms of fundamentals on the O line?

UofM626

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:15 AM ^

1. Is there a reason the offense has not integrated Green into the game plan more. Seems as if he is what would be needed on 2nd/ 3rd and two yards to go. The kid is 220 lbs.

2. Have you spoke w Gardner to tell him there are 10 other guys out there and to tell him to relax.

3. The DB's seem to be off the line of scrimmage when it's 2nd/3rd and short and seem to be pressing the WR when it's 2nd/3rd and Long. Most would say its supposed to be the opposite in those situations.

4. When are you going to release the Backers more to fill the gaps and blitz. IE Dogs, Fire type plays.

5. Is PIPKINS hurt?

6. Why not use the quick Toss and the counter play more on offense to help the RB get into space seeing as the O Line seems to h e trouble blocking straight up.

Thanks
Frank

readyourguard

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:16 AM ^

Can we burn every page of the playbook that contains zone blocking? Is Al Borges allergic to counter plays, in the same manner as bubble screens? is a force player designated on every defensive play? Is that player made aware of his assignment? Are Green, Rawls, Hayes, Smith all that bad? Do you think NOT playing them in the game will help them in practice?

JD_UofM_90

September 22nd, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^

Where we run parrallel to the line of scrimmage, is just awful and results in many negative yardage plays. When the linemen push downfield using zone concepts (see option play for TD) we dictate to the defense our will, instead of trying to stop downhill running defenders from picking us apart.

TSimpson77

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:20 AM ^

Will the offensive line be the same in 2 weeks, if so will they block anyone? Will Jack Miller continue to miss blocks completely or get shoved back into the the play a lot? Can a legacy jersey be taken back?

EnoughAlready

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^

I wonder if Hoke and Borges lack trust in their players on offense.  It took three games before Chesson had a pass thrown to him.  On O-line, they clearly don't trust younger guys (Braden at guard, for example); I almost wonder if they shouldn't give a 300 lb+ Kyle Bosch a chance.  And they burned the redshirts of Green and Smith against WMU; but since then, they've gotten 3 carries between the two of them.  Surely they're good enough to spot Toussaint.  And as others have noted, what's wrong with bringing in Morris for a series to let DG clear his head?  Okay, maybe you're terrified he'll turn the ball over (huh???).  But he can hand the ball off or make simple quick passes.

Simple question: does it seem like this staff is inordinately protective of (distrustful of) youth on the field?  (I might add, on the defensive side, not playing Dymonte Thomas.  Unless he's just not good right now.)

sidthekid

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^

Getting outplayed by teams like Akron and Connecticut when the level of talent of those teams recruits are not even close to the level of talent of Michigan's recruits? Are we flat out being outcoached?????

Reader71

September 22nd, 2013 at 5:01 PM ^

Do you really think we are being outplayed? Or are you just unhappy with how we've played? Because both of our opponents have lost games when dominating the turnover battle and have blown late leads. UConn did this at home. If we were in their shoes, this board would be on fire. I think we've played poorly, but I don't think we've been outplayed.

FormerlyBigBlue71

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:28 AM ^

If our goal is to become a physical pro style offense why are we running so many outside zone stretch running plays that are getting negative yardage when ISO's and power are looking much more effective?

Jack MIller seems to be getting blown off the ball a lot, are we going to see any changes?

Is Devins poor play a direct reflectment of the Offensive coordinator and QB coach?

EnoughAlready

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:34 AM ^

I think this is a good question:

What can be done to convince your QB to throw the ball away on occasion, rather than constantly trying to scramble or force passes?  How can you make the QB understand the value of throwing the ball out of bounds instead of forcing a pass or taking a sack?

MGlobules

September 22nd, 2013 at 11:32 AM ^

leaves this team vulnerable to lazy play, contributing to the desire of many schools to knock the institution off of its pedestal? Is Michigan destined to spend the rest of the season playing scared? 

snarling wolverine

September 22nd, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^

Seriously, what kind of playcalls did you want from him yesterday when our OL was a sieve and our QB a bundle of nerves? Did you want Devin to carry it 35 times?

Gorgeous Al isn't a miracle worker, but when he gets a decent level of execution, he can do really good things.  The 41 points we dropped on ND is looking pretty good right now.  Their other three opponents have scored a combined total of 43.

 

BlueCore

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^

Should we seriously look at replacing these coaches.

mallory-his defenses at illinois before this were terrible and we really cant contain a decent passing attack

funk- SERIOUSLY? What has this guy done? I really felt our oline has gotten worse since brady took over. We have had recruits pour into here. To have this...less than mediocrity on the field is hard to watch. This is the first head I would axe. Spend some money and bring in someone who can run a michigan o-line.

Borges- I dont mind his play calling as much as some. Its the game preperation like some people have mentioned. Being Devins quarterback coach and not coaching fundamentals like ball security, when to run, when not to run. o yea...STOP RUNNING 20 YARDS IN THE BACKFIELD TRYING TO SCRAMLE AWAY FROM PRESSURE. 

 

 

This season is going to be rough, because if we truly have the best players on the field, then it would be alot worse if we have Bryant in there or Green for that matter.

 

Btw for all of you that want Green to play...You can tell he isnt in game shape, fitz is the clear #1 back by far, and if it was up to me. Id give fitz a break occasionally with rawls or hayes.

 

just angry after watching that game.....that is all

Tkriz

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^

During the last 2 weeks is "you do realize you're getting your asses kicked by flippin Akron/Uconn," part of the halftime talk? As I'm watching the games it's certainly part of my outbursts. Embarrassing has been said several times too....I thought we were past that with rr being gone.

mGrowOld

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^

Are we the worst 4-0 in college football today, the worst 4-0 team in Michigan football history or actually the worst 4-0 team in the history of sport?

Good Lord we are overreacting right now to a road WIN.  As evidenced from my name I am older than most of you but trust me, 4-0 playing poorly is WAY, WAY better than, lets say, 0-2 and playing great.  Go back to 1988 and look at the start of our season.  We lost a heartbreaker to Notre Dame in the opener and then followed that game up with an even more mind-crushing defeat at home to #1 ranked Miami - a game we led by 17 midway through the fourth quarter and a game where we totally outplayed them.  

I remember exactly how I felt in 1988 two games in.  Team played well - lost both times.  This year the team played poorly - won both games.  This is exponentially better.

San Diego Mick

September 22nd, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^

is the way Devin holds the ball, one little bump from his O-Lineman's butt created a fumble for a TD, someone please address this with him.

And also as others have asked, what's the policy of changing up players who are not performing at a high level, why aren't we putting in other guys to see what they can do?

BluePants

September 22nd, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^

Well, besides the fact that Pelini was bitching about his home crowd leaving early in the game against OSU, wherein Nebraska staged a huge comeback, yeah. I would say fans complaining about being taken to the wire by winless cellar-dwellers is CERTAINLY the same as Pelini.

Facts matter. Stupidity abounds. If you're not troubled by how this team is playing right now, I don't know what the hell you've been watching.

EGD

September 22nd, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^

Am I concerned about the way the team has been playing?  Sure.  But I don't see that as a reason to declare that our coaches all need to be fired, our starting linemen need to be replaced by backups, our QB needs to be benched, and the head coach needs to be asked how bad we suck.  

rsmojr

September 22nd, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^

What will make Devin think....taking the Legend Jesey away or if he continues with turnovers should we throw Shane in and how long before we start looking for another Offense coordinator.