WTKA Roundtable 1/5/2017: Leaking Wet Barns
48 minutes
There is no Brian (ill) or Sam (out) so you get Ira, Ed, and Craig Ross.
[Bryan Fuller]
Things discussed:
- E-sports are a thing, and not just in Ira’s house. WTKA actually had to talk about whether they’d start covering it as a sport.
- Craig recounts what hoops and hockey games were like in the Middle Ages, when “water boy” meant the kid whose job it was to mop up the puddles from the roof leaks.
- The Orange Bowl: Florida State’s got talent. Ed didn’t trust his numbers. How much of that was losing Peppers at the last minute? Could Peppers have blocked DeMarcus Walker, because our guards sure as hell couldn’t.
- Next year worries: they’re all concerned about the secondary. Best guess at offensive line makeup.
- Quarterback competition? Speight’s injury makes it way too hard to judge his last two games, but Iowa opens the door for a real ninja.
- Time management fail: hopefully we don’t see that again.
- Skill position guys: receivers to take a step back, RB check again later, TE should be okay.
- Throwing out names to replace Fisch: Pep Hamilton?
- Hoops is hard to judge.
You can catch the entire episode on Michigan Insider's podcast stream on Audioboom.
Segment two is here. Segment three doesn’t exist but Red was in-studio right before.
THE USUAL LINKS
- Helpful iTunes subscribe link
- General podcast feed link
- Direct download link
- What's with the theme music?
January 6th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^
is that there is a difference between a game and a sport.
Come at me, nerds.
January 6th, 2017 at 8:54 AM ^
I think that is a fair distinction to make. I've got nothing against "e-sports." I watch a lot of "Let's Play" videos on YouTuibe and I don't care when they're on ESPN. But calling it a "sport" is really the only thing that bothers me.
January 6th, 2017 at 1:12 PM ^
It's the same as poker, darts, pool, bowling, etc. They are games, and that's fine.
January 6th, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^
Them's fightin' words . . . right after I finish this frame (and my beer).
January 6th, 2017 at 1:50 PM ^
I agree with you. E-sports is not a sport, but a competetive activity, and I say that as an E-Sports agent.
January 6th, 2017 at 9:19 AM ^
E-Sports? Not a sport. If you have to argue it then you already have your answer.
January 6th, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
What was the time management mishap?
January 6th, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^
was having fewer points than our opponents when the clock expired, ending three 2016 games in UM losses.
January 6th, 2017 at 10:53 AM ^
Didn't listen to the podcast, but I heard other people on social media grouching about how Harbaugh could've used our remaining time outs better to give us more time to go down the field at the end of the game.
FWIW, one of the *FEW* weaknesses that I did hear about Harbaugh during the whole coaching search thing two years ago was that he isn't necessarily awesome at clock management scenarios at the end of games.
Whether that critique is valid or whether the FSU game was just a one-off, it's way too early to tell. Hopefully between recruiting, whipping the kids into shape & scheming properly, we avoid a bunch of those late game scenarios in the future and don't really ever suffer too much if it's a true Achille's Heel.
January 6th, 2017 at 10:52 AM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
Yeah, I agree w/ this. I think there's a chance that next year will be about the same as last year. The difference being, DPJ, Black, McDoom, Crawford, etc will be more raw but also more talented. Hopefully the talent makes up for the lack of experience and it evens out for 2017, and then starting in 2018 we've got a big upgrade at the WR position.
Similar w/ the defensive backfield (although it's tough to upgrade from JLewis).
January 6th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
Yeah, I agree w/ this. I think there's a chance that next year will be about the same as last year. The difference being, DPJ, Black, McDoom, Crawford, etc will be more raw but also more talented. Hopefully the talent makes up for the lack of experience and it evens out for 2017, and then starting in 2018 we've got a big upgrade at the WR position.
Similar w/ the defensive backfield (although it's tough to upgrade from JLewis).
January 6th, 2017 at 12:12 PM ^
I expect the incoming WRs to be more athletic but also more erratic. This means they will be better at creating opportunities, but harder to trust in those key 3rd downs.
In the short term until they get comfortable, I don't think we'll have a Butt or a late 2015 Chesson, the kind of player that can get separation without RPS help AND has the HC's trust they'll convert a passing down. We'll probably have more of the former but less of the latter.
January 6th, 2017 at 12:54 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 1:24 PM ^
Top 4 if you include Grant Perry
January 6th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 2:24 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 2:34 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 1:46 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 10:55 AM ^
Roundtable with no Brian or Sam is Pizza with no cheese or sauce
January 6th, 2017 at 1:48 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 2:38 PM ^
Little Ceaser's Hot n' Sweaty
January 6th, 2017 at 11:53 AM ^
I think our WRs will be scarier next year. DPJ should be an immediate difference maker. Hopefully Perry gets cleared. McDoom hits his stride. Harris, Ways.
I see the WRs getting better next year. Especially in light of Chesson and Darboh being good but not great this year.
January 6th, 2017 at 1:04 PM ^
January 6th, 2017 at 5:31 PM ^
What are the reports about Perry?
January 6th, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
Losing Jabrill probably was the difference in the game, however Jimbo Fisher and his staff had the edge in coaching on Jim Harbaugh and his staff. The found the matchups which they could exploit on tape, made the adjustments to get those matchups and JH and team had no answers for it.
Next year is not looking good with that OL, unless some of the young guys like Ulizio, Runyan or Onwenu can step forward. Could be a brutal season coming up.
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