Morris: 3 OCs, 3 QB Cs in 3 years
First off: This is an honest question and I'm hoping to get some thoughtful conversation/input on it.
I think Gardner's biggest issue is that in his five years he's played under three OCs, three QB coaches, three offensive systems, and 3/4 of one year at receiver. When I look at it in this context, it makes a whole lot more sense to me that his play and decision-making is more like a sophomore than a 5th year senior.
If Nussmeier gets fired this year, Morris, our presumed started next year, will be on his third OC and third QB coach in three years. Which puts him on the same trajectory as Gardner. This seems to be somewhat borne out in his play this year.
I really and truly think we are missing just one thing to flip the script on this season: Good QB play. Yes, I know, our D hasn't been what was expected. But what was expected also included Peppers and Morgan (yes, I ate my lemon). We've also had various other defensive players out for some periods. When I look at the D and O-line, I thinik, yep, that's about right. Not great, but coming along.
Now, we can't run the ball. And I think we can't for the same reason we haven't been able to for five years now: We have zero tangible passing threat. Because our QB hasn't progressed as a passer. If we made teams play honest pass coverage, we'd have room to run. But we don't because we can't pass. Just like we couldn't with Denard.
I live in Seattle where a whole lot of my friends wanted Nussmeier as the head coach at Washington when Sark left. He had a great run with the Huskies as OC and was successful in Alabama, too. The guy can get it done. And, personally, I think our offensive line HAS improved this year, and it's certainly better than last year. Except, again, at QB.
So, and this is where I'm hoping folks will engage in some...ahem...civil conversation, I'd personally like to see Hoke, Mattison, and Nussmeier get one more year. I don't think it makes sense to fire them after one season or less with a new OC and I don't think it gets us much of anything in terms of improvement next year, especially at QB where I think we really need it. If there isn't a significant improvement next year, then make a change.
Thoughts? (running to closet for Nomex suit now...)
November 3rd, 2014 at 10:03 AM ^
but in at least two separate pressers Mattison has stated that the "only" reason he came to Michigan was to coach for Brady Hoke. It may not fit your narrative, but his comments were made to address this and make his position absolutely clear.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
Ok, but Saban had already brought in Kiffin as a consultant. It's hard to look at that and not think he pushed Nuss out.
November 1st, 2014 at 1:45 PM ^
Gone for sure.Devin's main problem is he's a square peg (dual threat QB) being forced into a round hole (pocket passer)
November 1st, 2014 at 2:18 PM ^
I'm going to be so pissed if Fred Jackson somehow survives again
November 1st, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
Ugh, I'm so sick of these examples being trotted out.
Maybe Rawls is "tearing it up at CMU" because he's playing against MAC level competition.
And Cox was a 7th round flyer (probably drafted based on measurables, remember the tale of his time here was always "looks the part, but struggles to perform") who made it on to an NFL roster because the Giants have suffered an insane number of injuries at the RB position (that and Coughlin has allegedly taken a personal liking to him). And even then, he doesn't get reps at RB, he's a special teams guy.
That said, though, yes, Jackson has got to go. Hopefully he retires at the end of the season.
November 1st, 2014 at 3:11 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^
have to have some basic fundementals. Reading the D, looking off receivers, going through progressions, not fumbling, not throwing INTs.
November 1st, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^
To me, it makes the most sense to start fresh now. We are a very bad team, and seem to have regressed each year of Hokes tenure. We need a clean slate so that we can start building from the ground up. And I unfortunately think it's going to be multiple years before we get back to where we can compete for the Big Ten, but we at least need to be moving in the right direction.
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November 1st, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^
Personally I would like to have Doug N. stay beyond Brady Hoke. You state it doesn't make sense to get rid of the coaching staff after just 1 year with a new O.C. This is not the reason the coaching staff is getting canned.
The coaching staff is going to be fired due to the offense getting worse every year under Brady Hoke, and not being competitve beyond his first year. Brady had plenty of chances his first three years with Borges .
You need to think of the Doug Nussmeir hire as Brady Hoke throwing a hail mary and praying Doug turned around the ship in 1 year. Is it Doug's fault that he didn't produce a 10 win team his first year? Absolutely not, but Doug was basically Brady's second chance at keeping his job. Concussion gate other issues piled onto why Brady won't be here next year.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
Are winning football games.
It's that simple.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:06 PM ^
Absolutely, I won't deny that. But when you have other issues on top of that it speeds up the process.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
until 2014. Each year, 2011-2013, the offense scored about the same number of points per game, 31. This year is the year that the offense didn't show up to the tune of only 19.5 points per game.
November 1st, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^
How crazy would it be if one of the Harbaughs came in and fired everyone but Funk. 502 Gateway error for dayyzzzzzz.
November 1st, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^
I would question everything I know about football. Granted, that isn't too much.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^
"I know that I know nothing."
--Socrates
November 1st, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:47 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 3:11 PM ^
Please tell me, why would either Harbaugh want to come here? Because their dad loves Michigan? I just don't buy all the reports that say either of them will be interested. Those reports sound like pipe dreams drummed up to get clicks to me. It just doesn't make sense for either of them
November 1st, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
for the most part. For many of the reasons you outlined.
BUT-- for this to happen, Nuss has GOT To GET There. And I dont see it-- this might be Nuss at his Outer Limit, so to speak.
And even if he DOES get there-- its possible that Mattison could blow it. And if not Mattison, then one of the DBs in coverage.
There are too many Inconsistent Moving Parts . . . the PLAYERS Too, really need to step-up
November 1st, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
If so "Quit drinking and go to bed"
November 1st, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Keep Nussmeier? He's the guy in charge of the unit cratering this team.
Now, a lot of that I blame on Hoke because I think his vision for offense is flawed in sacraficing speed for size in recruiting. But Gardner has been much worse and we haven't seen many if any of the changes I thought Nuss could bring to play to Gardner's strengths.
There are a lot of excuses, but you can't tell me other offensive coordinators couldn't have gotten a lot more out of these players. I'm pretty sure Borges did just that last year.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
It's part of his job to make sure that the players are able to execute. He does more than just play calling on Saturday's. The horrible offense is his responsibility.
You're right. He's had 6 months, and the team looks even worse than last year. Even more lost and confused. There is literally nothing this offense does well, no position that is performing. They are, top to bottom, a mess.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^
Which bad habit has he erased? Is Gardner now looking off receivers? Does Gardner now throw to secondary or tertiary receivers? Is Nussmeier's way to ignore the great receiving asset of Jake Butt? Is it Nussmeier's way to shotput passes? Yes, we know that Gardner can identify the Mike, we're struggling to figure out what other postitives were added to his repertoire of skills and what negatives were erased.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:09 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
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November 1st, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
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November 1st, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 3:17 PM ^
Given those facts, which cannot be disputed by even the most anti-hoke fan, what's more likey, the fact that he's forgot how to coach or that those excuses are legitimate. Sorry if I choose to believe what common sense tells us.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^
You've seen Borges for 3 years. You've seen Nuss play 3/4 of a season.
November 1st, 2014 at 2:16 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^
Why is anyone convinced that he wasn't in favor of starting Morris vs Minnesota?
November 1st, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
A lot of you need to realize we're a second-rate program and can't expect a coach to turn this thing around as quickly as the they can at the big boy programs. We need to give the coaches TIME and we need to be patient
November 1st, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
November 1st, 2014 at 4:09 PM ^
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