Potential press conference questions
One of the best advancements of our beloved MGoBlog has been the regular interaction with the coach and coordinators in press conferences. As we've seen the past couple of years, Heiko has been able to get some incredible answers to pressing questions from this blog. Of course, we've also seen how creative the wording of these questions may have to be to get a legit answer (cough-bubble screen-cough).
I thought I would start a thread where people could post potential questions for Heiko to ask....even if he completely ignores everything we type. Funny ones are always welcome, though the intent (both in content and word choice) is to get an answer to an interesting question about the team.
Here are a few obvious ones to get it started:
- Hoke or Mattison - "Do you expect MSU to introduce a hurry-up component to their offense based on the success PSU and IU had against the defense and their tendency to game plan for their biggest rival?"
- Borges or Hoke - "Given the success your opponents have had with the hurry-up offense have you considered implementing something similar?"
- Borges - "With Dileo injured, what does Norfleet have to show in practice in order to get reps at slot receiver?"
October 21st, 2013 at 2:48 PM ^
Given the instability on the interior OL how do you plan on neutralizing MSU's double A gap blitz?
October 21st, 2013 at 2:53 PM ^
Yes, give us the details of your game plan. We won't tell... promise.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:18 PM ^
Because knowing how he plans on dealing with pressure up the middle (MSU staple) really tips his entire game plan.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:25 PM ^
It may not tip the whole gameplan, but it would give away some. Why would you want him to go public with his blocking schemes?
October 21st, 2013 at 4:35 PM ^
October 22nd, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
Maybe it is our duty as advanced MGoBloggers to ask questions that make Borges think "oh yeah, I need to address that." We watch every Saturday with a keen objective eye that we cannot expect Borges to watch with b/c he is the coordinator and around the team all the time. It is really our way of influencing the game.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:25 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 2:50 PM ^
I'd like to know about getting to the LOS slowly on plays. Not just what's going on with the delay of game penalties, but if the coaches have looked at getting to the line with more time left so we can audible.
Defensively, similarly, I'd like to know if there's a procedure to check out of calls, specifically blitzs.
I think both of those are clearly hurting the team and helping the other team.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^
Heiko already asked your first question at the presser following the PSU loss and all but got slapped up side the head (if I read the tone properly from the post). Al isn't going to answer that question because he views it as a personal attack for some reason.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:51 PM ^
again. Good reporters are persistent.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:27 PM ^
This isn't Watergate. It's not that important to the world at large why a football coach calls a certain play.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:15 PM ^
Taking it a step back, I'd like to know if he even believes in the concept of an audible. I mean, I'm sure he believes in their existence, but does he believe that they can be of benefit if it's clear the D knows what we're about to do.
It may come down to the concept that in manball, offense does not adjust to defense, offense always dictates. I think that's outdated and dumb, but I've heard him (and others at Michigan past) espouse some version of that theory.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:29 PM ^
We've audibled in every game. We scored a TD against ND on one.
October 21st, 2013 at 6:12 PM ^
My bad, good call. I guess I'd be curious to know his overall take on the concept, and why we use it so infrequently compared to so many other teams.
October 21st, 2013 at 7:40 PM ^
That we only have four audibles available to Devin, which is probably good. You can hear him call "A2", or "A4" on those calls. I'd guess there's probably a rolling number for each call depending on quarter of the game or something, otherwise it'd be way too easy to scout that.
October 21st, 2013 at 2:54 PM ^
timeouts and do you plan ahead of time when you will take or not take one?
Along the same lines, at what point do you squib kick before the half in a close game and have you actually seen if that is beneficial for some reason? It seems like we've done it three times and all three have resulted in field goals that probably would not have happened with a regular kickoff.
October 21st, 2013 at 2:58 PM ^
Does that mean they will snap the ball with only 10 seconds left on the play clock?
October 21st, 2013 at 3:09 PM ^
I was under the impression that the Spartan hurry up offense meant you could still have tea just no scones, but I could be wrong.
As for a question generally, at least on defense, I would be interested to know how they plan to adjust to the Indianas of the world going forward. No real complaints per se, just curiosity on what the plan for uptempo offenses are in the future.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:45 PM ^
I hurry up and change the channel when I see Sparty on offense.
October 21st, 2013 at 2:58 PM ^
Borges: "It would seem that you are more comfortable calling an aggressive gameplan at home than on the road. Do you feel this is true and if so why? "
And.....
"Statistically the offense is much stronger from the Shotgun or Pistol than when Devin is under center. Can you explain why you think this is the case?"
October 21st, 2013 at 3:03 PM ^
Your first question would be rightfully subjected to helpful heapings of scorn and sarcasm.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:24 PM ^
Not sure about your wording. But yeah, something along the lines of, "You tend to shit your pants and turtle during road games. For examples, recall every significant road game since you've been our OC. Should we prepare for more of the same in two weeks?"
October 21st, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^
I like your wording better than mine. Let's go with that one.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:15 PM ^
that will probably be asked in one form or another:
"Do you enjoy good things happening?"
" Did it make you feel bad when player X got injured, or are you a real bastard?"
"Player X had a bad game. Have you thought about flaying him?"
"Will you please give me a quote about player x? Something pithy and almost insightful?"
" Even though you are concentrated on coaching and improving your team, did you notice the criticism/ crowd noise/ player picking his nose/ some other non-sense?"
"Some players are injured. Please tell me exactly the Day/Game/Hour they will be healthy enough to return."
"Michigan state is next. Even though I know you'll say nothing beyond coach speak, please give me a detailed scouting report of all MSU players availible, starting with the Punter."
"Michigan State is next. Is it nightmares of spartans waking you up, or simply the uncomfortably moist feeling of your freshly pissed-on sheets as you contemplate your inevitable doom?"
"Bubble screen?"
October 21st, 2013 at 3:31 PM ^
Your forgot to mention footwork
October 21st, 2013 at 3:24 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^
I would love to hear Mattison answer a question asking about the balance between sending more pressure with the chance of getting beat over the top vs. sending less pressure and still getting beat over the top. So far our limited use of blitzing has not kept the over 20 yard plays from happening.
Then I would ask all three coaches a bunch of one word questions like: Gardner? Gallon? Ryan? Defense? Toughness? 6-1? Ohio? MSU? Fitz? Gameplan? Timeouts? Headset? You know, the in-depth hard hitting questions we all want answers for.
October 21st, 2013 at 3:29 PM ^
piggybacking off of mgrowold's question and phrase it however best you think, but addressing why this team seems to struggle so much on the road? Is it due to a more conservative play calling? Why not implement the type of plays from saturday to when they are on the road!
October 21st, 2013 at 3:41 PM ^
MGoQuestion: So Al, what did think of that 70 yard bubble screen to Gallon?
October 21st, 2013 at 5:07 PM ^
That wasn't a bubble screen, ffs.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:20 PM ^
all screens are bubble screens in this corner of the internet
October 21st, 2013 at 4:14 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 4:20 PM ^
Al - When preparing for a good defense like MSU's, do you have to look harder on film for areas to exploit, or do you focus more on what your own team does best?
Greg - Hypothetically, if Al employed the tempo/spread used by Indiana, do you think it offsets the extra burden it creates on your own defense?
Brady - Michigan fans and alumni are loyal and rabid, but don't always understand football lingo and concepts. How can coaches balance engaging these fans with the other demands on their time?
October 21st, 2013 at 4:55 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 5:41 PM ^
if you don't wear a headset?
October 21st, 2013 at 7:45 PM ^
What do you think of the MGoBloggers being such whiny little bitches lately?
October 21st, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^
It's a Bye Week...can we ask some questions about Recruiting?!
October 22nd, 2013 at 5:29 PM ^
Should we be more concerned on the offensive or defensive side of the ball?
O - we just set all kinds of school records this past week but now play one of the best (if not the best) defense in the country
D - we just gave up 47 points and all kinds of yards to Indiana last week but have been mostly steady all year and play a MSU offense that has looked pretty bad at times