o-line play vs. Rutgers
I thought there was a lot of development in the Rutgers game, especially along the o-line. Michigan owned the line of scrimmage and ran the ball at will on Rutgers in the 4th quarter. Green, Smith, and Devin were tearing it up on the ground. It might have been the first glimpse of actual "manball" that we've seen in a long time. I am not saying that it was. I am saying that it was noteworthy because we couldn't do it against Akron. It also seemed like pass pro was a lot better. There were plays were Devin had 5-6 seconds to pass, running backs were effectively picking up blocks, etc. I thought Hamilton would own us, but he didn't. Often, it seemed like Devin panicked (understandably, given his experience) unnecessarily when protection was ok or good. Thoughts?
October 5th, 2014 at 7:27 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 6:32 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 6:33 PM ^
October 6th, 2014 at 3:52 AM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 6:37 PM ^
I will say that I have seen improvement from the O-line, but have yet to see improvement on critical coaching decisions. Sometimes you resist making panic moves to win the war, even if it means losing the battle, but this staff has made desperation move after desperation move only to see it backfire. Also, while the defense doesn't suck, they are definitely performing below expectation. I feel worst about the players.
October 5th, 2014 at 6:39 PM ^
Isn't there a way to consolidate the 2 threads.. I'm trying to read these and put dinner on the table at the same time.
October 5th, 2014 at 6:48 PM ^
When we put Hill in at H back, and started pulling Kalis it looked damn good. Nice observation.
October 5th, 2014 at 6:50 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 7:03 PM ^
if you care about the simple fact that the same OL is going to be playing next year under _____ insert who you think. If you have resorted completely to hand wringing then maybe the OL development isnt important, someone else will advance the line play by a light year, next year.
There was a period in the 4th quarter where we were cracking off 6-9 yard run plays and basically pushing Rutgers down the field. I thought it was going to be a RPC thing where they were going to have to load up the box to stop us and we would have some kind of a passing mismatch (1v1 coverage with a trip, etc by the DB) that could go big.
I think the hope was the 1st down play on our last drive, long pass right side of the field was supposed to be that but it went incomplete...can't recall why at present. Next play was a 1 yard run which did not help, and then the fateful 3rd & 9 play.
What I draw from this is the Nussmeier system is taking effect slowly but surely, but its about a year slower than anyone expected.
October 5th, 2014 at 7:08 PM ^
Either way...FUNK is GONE. That is the silver lining to all of this, hopefully a new coach can bring in a legit OL coach to actually you know develop these kids to play to their potential.
I mean besides Cole this is an OL with guys with at least 3 yrs in the program and they look like our freshman LT still.
October 5th, 2014 at 7:08 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 8:28 PM ^
QB
Should be an interesting competition.
Or should we be scanning the horizon for Russell Wilson-like transfer candidates?
October 5th, 2014 at 7:09 PM ^
You would think with such improvement against Rutgers that Brian would have been too giddy to sleep last night and have the UFR posted by now.
October 5th, 2014 at 8:26 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^
in that 4th Qtr. The Nuss-O was basically ZERO in 3rd-Qtr. I dont remember the Ocalls for this-- but NOT Good. Period.
The 1st-half RB-RunPlays were mostly to the Right, from what I recall. Including that Smith TD-run. This was 32-PULL to RG. Another PULL-scheme. A LG-PULL to RG !! go figure
It might be that the OL does PULL-schemes well, and is POOR at Zone-blocking. PULL-schemes have more of a Contact-DRIVE Technique to it, while Zone-blocking has more of a, well, A Bunch Of Different Stuff.
Still-- in the end its about OC-Ocalls. And I find it Hard To Believe that The Mch-O is Just Now finding out about PULL-scheme Ocalls.
On the other hand-- maybe ALL of this WAS enough to win . . .
Except for-- the Mch-PassD . . . go figure
October 5th, 2014 at 9:21 PM ^
How desparate can we be? We are gushing over a few good runs in the 4th quarter against a defensive front whose biggest player is 275 pounds. Did you consider that perhaps they just gassed out? Rutger's defense is probably not that good and only appears good because of whom they played. They are no different in that Michigans defense was probably overrated. When I predicted the standings in the east division I had Rutgers dead last. Until I see a solid running offense against a team with a pulse I am not going to cry out improvement. That water is the desert is just a mirage.
October 5th, 2014 at 10:59 PM ^
But this was against Rutgers, fergodsakes!
October 6th, 2014 at 7:22 AM ^
Took away big plays and killed drives. Even still there was some progress on O-line.