Harbaugh Live Press Conference
September 21st, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
Jim is basically saying STFU about Jake Rudock. He wants people to stop talking about him because it's divisive. He also says Rudock is by far the best QB on the team, it's not a small margin.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
He also says Rudock is by far the best QB on the team, it's not a small margin.
Ouch.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^
Yeah the STFU part was obviously me paraphrasing, but that part about Rudock is almost exactly what he said. It's clear that Shane is not even close and Jim was willing to let that be known so people will stop questioning Rudock. You can tell he's really sick of it.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:07 PM ^
I don't blame Harbaugh for wanting people to STFU. I certainly am firmly in the STFU camp and have been from his first game.
Rudock has done a competent job as a QB, not great but competent and certainly better than anyone we have had since Henne (unless you credit Denard's first year where his success was due to running ability and scheme more than passing ability or traditional QB skills).
People are being way too hard on Rudock. He did not have to come here. He could have left all of his detractors to be even more active detracting from whoever else Michigan might have had to throw in there. Who knows? We could have relived the Sheridan/Threet comedy show.
Give Rudock a break and STFU.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
Look, I'm all for giving the QB a shot and not being divisive, but don't distort the facts.
Statistically it's the exact opposite of what you're saying. Rudock has been the least effecient quarterback we've had since Threet/Sheridan....through 3 games.
People seem to have short memories, but through 3 games Denard had Heisman talk each year he played, and Gardner looked insanely good in 2013 (remember the ND game?). Even last year, Gardner's numbers were better than Rudock's for the first 3, where we also had a 2-1 record.
All that said, I think and hope Rudock will improve, as will the offense overall. But just because he's more of a "traditional" pocket passer than DG or Shoelace doesn't mean he's been more competent by any means, thus far.
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:07 AM ^
If O'korn was eligible, he would be starting. But I'm excited that O'Korn will have two years with Michigan! Unless he leaves for the NFL early?
September 21st, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^
Evaluation and development.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
My problem with this, if I may, is that Harbaugh hasn't had a problem calling out other players if they've messed up in press conferences. I think it's fine to critique performance. But he won't do that about his QB? Does he have a blind spot for his old position? Probably not the best for locker room chemistry if everyone except the QB is able to be critiqued publically.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 21st, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
I'm just saying that in previous press conferences, he's fielded questions about other players' performances and not had a problem saying they messed up on something. But when asked about Rudock, he basically says 'don't ask those questions, it's divisive'. Doesn't that seem like a double standard for you. It's fine if Rudock is clearly the #1 guy. But if you're willing to tell the press when a player messes up, then he should also say 'yeah, Jake missed some open guys and was late on some of his reads. We're working to improve that going forward. He's still the #1 QB by far.'
September 21st, 2015 at 12:52 PM ^
that Rudock is getting the job done and questioning his ability to lead the team and create a problem that doesn't exist is an unnecessary distraction, which I quite agree.
At this point, I think it's time to worry about Rudock when Harbaugh does, not when he keeps assuring you he is still the No. 1 guy.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
I haven't seen Harbaugh call out a lot of his players. He seems like a really positive motivator, at least in the publc realm. I'm sure Rudock hears about it away from the media and the team sees that, whether it be in practice or watching film. I think Harbaugh picked his guy and he's putting his trust in him and I think that's a good thing. For all we know, Rudock's confidence is shaky and Harbaugh knows that publicly critiquing him isn't the best way to coach him.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:14 PM ^
You got a transfer as your QB who lost his starting job last year.
He is the best QB you got and you want him to succeed .
The last thing you want is the press running articles about how lousy he's playing and how he's going to lose his job if he keeps playing terribly.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:59 PM ^
Shane is raw and undeveloped. It's a shame but it's the truth.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 21st, 2015 at 1:01 PM ^
well you sound much better qualifed to speak about the team and how to speak about them than the man that works with them and observes them everyday.. nice having you around.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 3:56 PM ^
Yeah. I think that's pretty close to being spot on. Like it or not Rudock is the best we got.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 3:27 PM ^
He said it was divisive to try and pit the RB's against one another. He said essentially that a "QB contravorsey" is natural and happens, but our RB's are RB by committee and one performance like Ty's doesn't put him ahead of De'Veon. Unless Harbaugh did another presser I didn't see where he said exaclty what the OP suggests but of a different position group.
“We don’t ever talk about any kind of running back controversy, just so you know, from here on out. Quarterback controversy? I’ll address that. Whatever you want to know, like who the starting quarterback is? I will talk to you about that. But when it comes to any other position, whether it be right guard or running back or safety, there’s no discussion about any kind of running back controversy-”
That is the qoute I'm referring to...
September 21st, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
So, have a lot of guys. But we all knew Shane wasn't really ready for that bowl game. And he wasn't that sharp in the spring game. And Harbaugh is trying to give him more time to develop. So what's the point of arguing about putting a No. 2 guy in who the coach wants to season because he's unsure he can handle the offense under adversarial conditions.
I think it's a waste of time. Moreover, those people urging Speight's insertion in the lineup are really begging for greater frustration. This is why putting media questions like this to bed with honesty is the right policy.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:34 PM ^
Are extremely underated talents.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^
He said everyone needs to work on timing, including Rudock. It seems like he just thinks Rudock is taking way too much heat and he let them know he's sick of hearing about Rudock.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 21st, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
but he doesn't need to call out Rudock because the press is constantly doing it for him. The other players are not brought up by the press so he brings it up.
I would bet (hope) that if all the pressed talked about was missed blocks and not the QB that Harbaugh would insert Rudock back into the conversation
September 21st, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^
Who really cares about public critiquing? I doubt Jake is watching this looking for some pointers. You ca bet Harbaugh is letting him have it at practice.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
Right. Calling guys out in public seems like something you might do when players don't seem to grasp their own underperformance, or don't care about it. But there is no reason to believe that Rudock is unaware that he was missing receivers Saturday, or doesn't care that he's been off his game.
I've never understood the mentality some people have, that whenever somebody performs badly they need to get criticized. All Harbaugh needs to do is tell Rudock what he did wrong and how he can do better next time. He doesn't need to tell some reporter jack shit.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:03 PM ^
I've never seen the sense of publicly criticizing ANY athlete who is already giving their best effort. If they are already trying their best, is criticizing them supposed to somehow elicit MORE effort? Other people might disagree, but the only time I'd ever boo an athlete is when I see that they are not trying.
If a kid has limited ability (and ability can be physical AND mental) and he is the still the best player you've got at that position, your coach has to perhaps change the game plan. The coaches are responsible for putting their kids in the best position to succeed. A good coach never asks kids to do things that they can't do.
But the coach shouldn't rip the kid as long as they are trying and reporters shouldn't rip the kid. And I have yet to see Harbaugh rip any kid over anything.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^
If the kids just playing at the top of his game you have to get his back even if it isn't at the level you need in your program. No sense beating up a 4'9" kid for not being able to reach the rim
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 21st, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
But I don't recall Harbaugh ever calling out a kid by name for criticism.
Instead, every kid he is asked about A) has been making tremendous effort B) has been improving and C) will continue to improve as long he continues to make tremendous effort.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
Of course that question was asked by Baumgardner.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:49 PM ^
Jake Rudock is the best QB and its not close? Morris must be throwing his deep balls backwards and into the stands.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
I think they are going into orbit as he does have a strong arm!
September 21st, 2015 at 1:01 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 2:15 PM ^
The fact that they are thinking about red-shirting Morris tells you how close it is.
Rudock is the guy for this year. He's not a great QB and probably will never be. He's missed some throws but he hasn't really thrown a big fat WTF pass. He's the best they got and it doesn't do any good for Harbaugh to put more pressure on the kid, other than the pressure that is already put on the kid to improve his game in practice. The best we can hope for is that A) he loosens up and gets more accurate with the short routes so that we can get some YAC. B) he hits some of the intermediate and deep routes and C) he cuts out the INT's. If we can get those 3 things, we should win the games that we are supposed to win.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:23 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^
A familiar face returns.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:08 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:19 PM ^
Nice to see you back MP:. I'll tell Jill you said hi. You back out west?
September 21st, 2015 at 1:27 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^
And take it from me - stay away from the Morman girls. I lived in SLC coming out of Michigan (in the avenues on F street) and ended up marrying one. And then promptly 24 years later divorcing one.
Actually the good thing about Morman chicks is that they will mess around with you (prolly cause they figure that will be eventually ok later when they're married) they just wont have a drink beforehand and no coffee the morning after. Unless they're jack Mormans in which case anything goes.
At least back in 1982 that how things worked. Might've changed by now......
September 21st, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
September 21st, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
LOLZ!
September 21st, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^
Once in awhile, the "public" will get upset about a DBack getting beat regularly or a receiver regularly dropping balls, but even in those cases, the criticism usually passes -- or there's a change without much fanfare. When the offense or a QB is off, all of the invective from the "public" directed at the QB tends to continue unabated. Harbaugh as a good coach is trying to fend off the criticism, so the team and Rudock can concentrate on getting better. It's something I didn't see enough of from the prior regime when Gardner was struggling.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
Quarterback and goalie are two positions where everyone sees everything you do wrong, and your mistakes are frequently costly. No need to add to the pressure Jake is already feeling and contribute to the alligator-arming and bad decisions. No doubt he's looking at that stuff with the staff; because there is no real competition for that position, best move is to support him and coach him up to start making better decisions and throws.