Patterson interview talking about us not getting our playmakers in space like other programs
A pretty casual interview with Patterson with one answer that I think is telling.
“Just letting guys go make plays,” Patterson said. “All the best athletes in the country are getting put into open space, and there’s no reason why we can’t. We did a lot of good stuff this year, but I think we’re realizing how talented we really are -- and explosive we can be.”
Although that seems innocuous, I believe that does show frustration with the play calling. All the fans know it, and obviously the players known it too. It's just unusual in a Harbaugh regime to see it mentioned by someone in the program.
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/01/michigan-qb-shea-patterson-time-let-guys-make-plays.html
January 5th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
Agreed.
Ohio State has gone full Big 12. They're going to score 30 - 40 points no matter what you try to do on defense. Your offense better keep up.
A punt is a turnover now.
January 5th, 2019 at 11:58 AM ^
Agreed - even a long drive ending in a FG is basically a turnover versus OSU.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^
It's men's tennis now. You are going to get 2 or 3 key "break-serve" stops from your defense and that's it. You better take advantage of them and score points on offense when that happens.
January 5th, 2019 at 2:00 PM ^
If our defense isn't fast enough to stop their offense in space, then the defense needs to be okay with OSU getting yards and moving up the field. The energy needs to be saved for the red zone and trying to clamp them down where there's less space. Turning 3 TDs into FGs would be huge.
January 5th, 2019 at 11:58 AM ^
It reminds me of Lloyd's last team, when we played in the bowl game against Florida and he turned the athletes loose. Don't get me wrong I do like Lloyd and respect what he did with for this University. But watching that game almost made me angry with him at what could have been.
Peoples-Jones, Black, Gentry, Collins, Oliver, Perry, just too much talent too much height not to take advantage of
January 5th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
I felt that way under most of Lloyd's tenure. We had such amazing skilled position players, but were generally conservative until we either got behind or they other team came close. Then he would open the playbook and bam, touchdown. Why not have that philosophy for every series.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:24 PM ^
It's the old school "play not to lose" philosophy, which is outdated by decades at this point, as opposed to the best modern teams that "play to win".
January 5th, 2019 at 2:09 PM ^
whenever they show one of the Lloyd era games on TV, and you see the names that were on those teams. You say how did we ever lose. I do the same thing with the Tigers when they had a pitching staff of Verlander, Price, Porcello and Scherzer and throw in a Triple Crown winner and a healthy younger V-mart
January 5th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^
Offense was held up most of season as Henne had shoulder injury
January 5th, 2019 at 1:06 PM ^
While that is true, Henne didn't play for Lloyd Carr from 1995 through the 2007 season. Moreover, Henne was still healthy in 2007 when Michigan failed to put up more than seven points on Oregon, at home.
January 5th, 2019 at 6:57 PM ^
Henne was healthy only in the first half of the Oregon game. In the first half, Michigan somehow managed to score only 7 despite generating 288 yards of offense.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:00 PM ^
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong.
Sorry, watching Beauty and Beast with my daughter for the sixth time this week. But I think these lyrics were written about our football team.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:00 PM ^
Calling it now,
2019 captains:
Patterson and Bredeson on offense
Hudson (and TBD?) on defense
January 5th, 2019 at 12:02 PM ^
He just said what even the most casual fan already knows which is why we can't understand why they continue to run a stale offense
January 5th, 2019 at 12:58 PM ^
The fans said it under Bo, they said it under Lloyd. And they weren't wrong in retrospect.
But when a successful coach has an entire lifetime invested in an approach, they just can't turn on a dime.
The innovations come from new coaches and coaches with nothing lose.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^
This concept seems to be obvious to everyone except Harbaugh and Pep
January 5th, 2019 at 12:06 PM ^
Shea is speaking highly of the talent of his teammates, which is never a bad thing. He has so much natural leadership ability.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:07 PM ^
Thank you, Shea. Also, a no-huddle two minute offense would be nice too.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:10 PM ^
Yup. It’s true. And you know Harbaugh and co. have to see this. And no one is more competitive or wants to win at Michigan more than him and our staff. The time they pour into trying to be great....one has to believe he’s not too stubborn to make the necessary changes. Now let’s see it happen.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:10 PM ^
Thank you Shea
January 5th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
Just a few key general goals for next year.
A. Be unpredictable
B. Get the ball to your athletes in space
C. Have a two minute offense drill and try to use it at least once a game and always when appropriate.
D. Understand the value, timing, and number of time outs you have.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
And, stop taking 20+ seconds to get the play called.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
Score 40 against Ohio State.
January 5th, 2019 at 3:54 PM ^
Unless they score 41
January 5th, 2019 at 1:28 PM ^
I would add
E. Block a defense with a pulse.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
Against Florida, the coaches called a jet sweep and the kid stepped out of bounds. The coaches called a pass to a wide open TE down the seam and Shea overthrew him. They called passes to McKeon and Black that were dropped. They called 5 passing plays that ended in sacks and two that led to turnovers due to an under throw and poor pass protection. They called a nice misdirection run for Evans that wasn’t blocked well. The coaches had to call a game minus their best running back and the Right Tackle.
Everyone should be held accountable for the offense’s performance in the bowl game. Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Backs, the O-line, the QB AND the coaches. Shea should concentrate on improving his accuracy and let the coaches do their job otherwise McCaffery is going to be taking the snaps next season.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:25 PM ^
Shea needs to improve on the accuracy and deep ball, but it would help any QB with their confidence and growth if they're allowed throughout the season to air the ball out more to quality WRs. Or even just dink-and-dunk to elite WRs who can get YAC.
January 5th, 2019 at 3:06 PM ^
I agree with this. The more pass plays Shea gets the better he will be overall. Seems like so few pass plays are called that it’s difficult for Shea to get a rhythm going with his arm. But the design of those plays need to improve. Routes are slow to develop. There is also not much misdirection, double moves, jukes, etc, for them to get open. Time to let the thoroughbreds at WR put in a show.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:17 PM ^
Good for Shea. He's right.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:26 PM ^
No truer truth has ever been spoken.
In quite a few interviews this past season, Shea talked a lot about his connection with Coach Harbaugh and comfort level with the staff. So I believe if Shea is comfortable enough to make this public then the problem is being addressed by Coach Harbaugh and staff.
January 5th, 2019 at 12:29 PM ^
Fire Pep
January 5th, 2019 at 12:42 PM ^
How come this is obvious except to the one that matters. Duhhh
January 5th, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^
If the OL gives Shea time like Haskins had, yea. Just sit there and throw darts.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:34 PM ^
Against Michigan, Haskins bought a lot of his own time by flicking the ball out quickly to first-read WRs and slots on short routes.
But Northwestern had several coverage sacks against Haskins when he could not just throw to his first read. Once he had to make multiple reads under pressure, he and his OL had some breakdowns.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:30 PM ^
Our WRs are either terrible at "sitting" in an open space or they're not being taught to do it.
Too many times I see our WRs jogging on their routes, never deviating, never adjusting, until way late in the play if Shea finds a way to make more time. The DBs know that we pretty much never deviate from a straight line. Easy to cover.
The only back shoulder throws we call are in the end one, and those work beautifully. Why not use them at mid field? Keeps DBs honest on fly routes.
Go back and watch Jedd's offense. WRs running or getting wide open. It's night and day.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:35 PM ^
I think the expectations for the offense with a transfer QB in year 1 are a little high. I mean how much can a 1st year starter be expected to do, along with mostly inexperienced receiving core. OSU returned all of their playmakers that most had 2+ years of experience. Oklahoma and osu had first year starting QB's with multiple years in their programs big difference. Patterson is just in his first year in the program. now next year should translate to a 3 year program guy.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:52 PM ^
Rudock finished his transfer year passing for 337, 440, 256, 263, and 278 yards in consecutive games.
January 5th, 2019 at 2:15 PM ^
Tbf, Rudock was a two-year starter and played all the games for Iowa prior to transferring here. Shea only played 3 and 7 games in his first two seasons at Ole Miss.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:46 PM ^
"We did a lot of good stuff this year, but I think we're realizing how talented we really are---and explosive we can be"...how amazing that would have been IF by some chance that light came on before or during this past season instead of after the fact. If JH is just now realizing that then I am at a loss for words. Hell most everybody knew this was a very talented team and I would venture to say none of us here makes coin like Jim. It is a long time off till the start of next season, lets hope they can remember that. Nice coach speak though.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:51 PM ^
January 5th, 2019 at 2:13 PM ^
Why do we suppose the coaches won’t put those players in space? And not the short answer of “stubbornness”. Is there a philosophical opposition based on fear of turnovers? Do they rep it in practice and the execution is poor so as to not give them confidence on game day ? I recall rich rod early spread attempts that looked both spectacularly good and bad (I’m thinking McGuffie/ Tate etc). Or do they simply believe the other stuff is more likely to work?
January 5th, 2019 at 2:41 PM ^
I think the crew of Apollo 15 may have some suggestions about getting Michigan folks into space.
January 5th, 2019 at 3:10 PM ^
Crossing routes, Bitches, Crossing Routes.
January 5th, 2019 at 3:12 PM ^
Much as I liked that play, I'd like to see DPJ on more quick-hitting routes in space.
January 5th, 2019 at 3:26 PM ^
Looks like he got Chuck's message. Good for you Shea! PLAYERS make coaches
January 5th, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^
Offense moved from #91 in the country to #21 in the country in scoring offense this year. There was a great fear of getting the QBs killed against excellent front 7s when playing against the top teams in the country. This was excellent progress.
The assumption that JJH will stand pat is bogus. He has moved to improve every year and will continue to do so.
Shea’s comments are valid, and JJH will certainly take them as input as he works on the plan for continuous improvement for this year. As the Oline continues to improve, the offense will open up more and more.
January 5th, 2019 at 5:05 PM ^
Just calling it how it is. I don't mind this at all, really. Harbaugh never gives anything in his press conferences, so I actually appreciate a bit of honesty from someone within the program here. I also think it increases the pressure on Harbaugh to fire his pal Pep and delegate to someone else who can open this offense up.
If I have to sit through another drive of watching Ben Mason plod his way forward for 1 yard down-after-down I may go insane.
January 5th, 2019 at 6:35 PM ^
Specifically about Ben Mason, he's a big guy, a Running Back wrapped up in a Full Back. The next time I see him try to dive over the line instead of breaking through the line will be too soon. Same same with his new found penchant for bouncing to the outside for a two yard loss.
January 5th, 2019 at 5:34 PM ^
Our pro staff must have seen something on film ... or just don't care and are committed to losing manball.