O'Korn or Speight: who ya got?

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Stunned we haven't had this thread yet.

I say O'Korn. The mobility is what gives him the edge for me. Rudock had mobility last year, but O'Korn is even quicker.

Would it be out there to think that we could TRY a little read option stuff with Peppers at RB?

Ghost of Fritz…

August 5th, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^

is that, based on the Minnesota and OSU apprearances, Speight would probably be a big drop off from the way Rudock played at the end of the year last year (though admittedly Speight  could make huge improvements over the season, as did Rudock).

People are pulling for O'Korn to be as good as the O'Korn optimist claim becasue we all want someone who can start the season at or near the level of November Rudock, and then end the season well above that level.

We sort of already know that Speight in September 16 will be below the Ruddock November 15 level.  If Speight is the guy, then the absolute ceiling would be for Speight to improve a ton over the season and eventually get the the November 15 Rudock level.

Since was have never seen O'Korn in a real Michigan game, there remains a possibility that he will be way better in September 16 than was Rudock in September 15, and could substantially surpass Rudock's best later in the year. 

HenneGivenSunday

August 5th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

How do we know that? You're saying that the limited snaps he played last year are as good as he's going to get? Or even as good as he is today? Zero improvement from last year with Harbaugh and Fisch coaching him? I'm not saying he's better than end of year Rudock. I'm saying, we don't know for sure he isn't.



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Ghost of Fritz…

August 5th, 2016 at 6:31 PM ^

I never claimed that an absense of evidence is evidence of superiority. 

I instead claimed that based on the evidence (Minn and OSU appearances) we have, Speight in early 2016 will not be as good as Rudock in November 2015.  And really, does any sane person think that Speight in early 2016 could possibly be as good as Rudock was in late 2016 games?  I mean Rudock was exceptionally good in late 2016. 

And I also claimed that the lack of evidence on O'Korn leaves open the possibility that O'Korn in early 2016 could be (not will, but could be) near or as good as Rudock in November 2015.

In sum, I never claimed that absense of evidence is evidence of superiority,  I claimed that absence of evidence leaves open the possibility that O'Korn may be superior to Rudock. 

Details matter. 

So I suppose I am intrigued by your reading comprehension.

Steves_Wolverines

August 5th, 2016 at 12:34 PM ^

I think it'll be JOK. 

Breaking into the Michigan offense with cupcakes should give him the confidence needed to win on the road. 

He'll need to be composed and cool under pressure, similar to Rudock last season. I have a feeling all three of Iowa, MSU, and OSU will be able to pressure our QB a lot. 

From what we've seen with JOK, he looks to run too quickly. Kinda like PTSD Devin Gardner. JOK needs the confidence to stand in there and deliver. And I think Coach will have him ready by the time we roll into EL.

DualThreat

August 5th, 2016 at 12:39 PM ^

Here's a take that may not have been considered much yet.

Assuming you have two viable, start-worthy quarterbacks and are not considering starting the 3rd string and below, it makes sense, given that the two quarterbacks are close enough in capability, to go with the one with higher risk of injury first.

While both O'Korn and Speight have mobility, I don't think many would debate that O'Korn has a leg up here.  With O'Korn as your QB, your playbook opens a bit more to running QB plays and, as such, the risk of injury is going to be higher for O'Korn than Speight.

You want to play your higher risk QB first because if he goes out, you then can rely on the talents of your second QB (which involves more pocket passing and less running) to continue your season.  Put another way, you can adjust your playcalling knowing you have no more viable, starting backups and that adjustment to the playcalling will be more risk-averse, playing to the strength of your second QB.

On the contrary, if you play Speight first and he goes out with injury, are you really going to want to risk O'Korn with the full playbook of running QB plays?

Thus, I'd be willing to bet anything O'Korn will get the nod to start this year, assuming talent levels between the two are relatively even.

Other benfits of O'Korn such as his experience, his mobility itself (which I'm a big fan of for any QB - see username) have already been covered, but this risk mitigation is another reason to start O'Korn IMO.

The only downside to this philosophy is if O'Korn goes out with injury, you would've "wasted" the time Speight could've had gelling with his receivers and such.  But that goes both ways too if Speight were to start, so I think this factor is outweighed.

 

 

Ali G Bomaye

August 5th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^

Counterargument: unless you're calling designed runs for your QB, which Harbaugh will rarely do, there isn't any difference in injury risk between a mobile QB and an immobile QB. The mobile QB might take more shots in the open field, but being in the pocket is dangerous too because of blindside hits and guys rolling up on your legs. There have been a few analyses that have looked at this, and the injury risk is about the same for both styles. There certainly isn't a big enough difference to outweigh just playing the guy who you think will play better.

mgomiller

August 5th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^

Pardon me if I am incorrect. I seem to remember quite a bit of research being done around these parts, during the Rodriguez years, about the risk of injury to running quarterbacks. As I recall there was no significant correlation between quarterback runs and injury. In fact, I thought there was a slightly significant correlation that less running may equate more injury.

Those who performed the research hypothesized that a running quarterback may be in better position to take a hit in such a way that it doesn't cause injury because they have their eyes on the large men trying to damage them. A pocket statue is not fusing on the incoming rush and therefore may be less prepared to take the hit.

I still think we start O'Korn, but not because of his risk of injury. I want him to start because, as many others have said, he will open up the playbook with his feet.

DualThreat

August 5th, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^

I didn't realize those studies showed that mobile QBs are less (or at least even) with pocket passer QBs when it comes to injury proneness.

I stand corrected!

So, my premise would then dictate Speight start.  But I too prefer O'Korn for his abilities - and indeed ability trumps this argument.

Good replies.  Thanks.

BornInA2

August 5th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^

Uh, this argument is fatally flawed.

Just because O'Korn could (theoretically) run a wider variety of plays which could (again theoretically) increase his chances of getting hurt doesn't mean they have to run high-risk plays with O'Korn or anyone else.

Harbaugh is going to start the QB he thinks is most likely to lead the team to wins, as long as that QB isn't in the doghouse. Period.

maize-blue

August 5th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^

I thought Speight looked more composed in the Spring Game and O'Korn was obviously more mobile. But that probably means nothing. So, with the Spring Game being my only reference, I belive O'Korn gives you more options with the offense. But, I'm wondering if he'll rely on his scrambling ability too much and take off before plays have time to develop.

Ali G Bomaye

August 5th, 2016 at 12:44 PM ^

None of us have any idea.

Seriously, our sum total of knowledge about these guys is this: Speight threw 25 passes last year and looked inconsistent, but did lead a game-winning drive. O'Korn threw a bunch of passes several years ago in a radically different offenseive system. Then we saw them both throw 10 passes or so in the spring game, either to or against walk-on level players.

None of this provides even the foggiest basis for determining who will start. It's fun to speculate, but let's not pretend that any of us have the resources to do serious analysis.

Prince Lover

August 5th, 2016 at 1:26 PM ^

If someone knew for certain, then I'm sure the rest of us would know too, thus eliminating the need for this thread. But since this thread is here, that means we can only speculate and have a thread about that speculation. Having said that, my guess is O'Korn. But I do recall hearing Marcus Ray a while back on Webb's radio show talking about Speight having the best deep ball on the roster. So all the talk about O'Korn having the strongest arm may not be true.

Duval Wolverine

August 5th, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^

I got my money on O'Korn!  I think the fact that he is being pushed by Speight and is not just handed the job is the best thing for this team.  Whoever wins this job I think will have a better season than Rudock did last year....there I said it!

turtleboy

August 5th, 2016 at 1:05 PM ^

O'Korn. He goes through his reads so fast, and his first step taking off is lightning. I like how he "feels the pocket" too. He seems very aware of pressure and will gain quite a few 1st downs with his legs. A true dual threat. Plus he's already been a starter for a season.

Mr. McGibblets

August 5th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^

I like O'Korn for his mobility. I just hope he doesn't try forcing it too much. I hope his INT's don't continue as in his sophmore season.

I will take either one as long as Harbaugh is coaching them. It will be nice to have a solid backup.