Why not Malzone?

Submitted by Clarence Beeks on

IF Peters and Speight can't go, why not Alex Malzone?  If we go back to the spring, the major positive upside on his game was his "smarts" (https://247sports.com/Article/Hamilton-previews-QB-depth-74917540).  That has been the consistent knock on O'Korn's game from what we've seen.  We know with this offense, and in this game in particular, being sound in decision-making is crucial. Yes, RS-Freshman asterisk applies to that, of course, but just tossing it out there for discussion (we can still do that here without instant snark, right?), because that's why not at this point...

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Fezzik

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:19 PM ^

I'm guessing he has only been a scout team QB all the way up until this week, where he will get only 2nd string snaps for a week. Our coaches will not want to start a guy with no experience and who has never practiced as a starter.

Joined: 09/11/2015

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Stuck in Ohio

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:22 PM ^

who would fare well in this game with the current offensive line. Just use O'Korn who does have game experience and hope for the best. Putting a guy in who is on the scout team only, no game preparation or experience, and only using him because he seemed to have "smarts" in an ultra controlled spring game situation would be a bad idea. Until the offensive line learns to pick up blitzes, block guys effectively, etc., etc., etc., no quarterback is going to survive. This doesn't even take account back who don't block or recievers that cant get seperation.

Joined: 12/19/2014

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The Mad Hatter

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:22 PM ^

I'm 40, in mediocre shape at best, and have never played any football outside of my own backyard.  But life has been boring lately.  Maybe getting trucked a few dozen times by 300lb lineman will be good for my soul.

Plus I can throw a pretty good pass with a Nerf spiral football.  D1 can't be that much different.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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ScooterTooter

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^

Honestly, I'm starting to wish Michigan had not taken O'Korn. Nothing against him, but I wonder if Harbaugh hadn't, would Peters be further along in his development? Perhaps Gentry would still be a QB and we would have that option as well (I like him at TE, but his athleticism might have really helped at the QB spot this year)?

Having O'Korn has likely ended up setting the program back.

Note: This is nothing against John O'Korn as a person, just looking at it from a program perspective. I know it sounds harsh, just don't know if there is another way to phrase it. 

Joined: 06/01/2017

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blue in dc

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^

I’m pretty sure the second string qb gets more snaps than the 3rd string. Also, there were lots of suggestions that Peters got much more focused when he became second string. It is not unreasonable to assume he would have been ready earlier. That having been said, other things would have been different too. Without Okorn in the roster, there would have been a greater. If he was #2, maybe Morris would have stayed? Not clear what the differences would have been, but it is realistic to think there would have been some.

Joined: 01/22/2011

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ScooterTooter

November 22nd, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^

Peters would be #2 and likely would not have lost the MSU game and be further along in his development. 

Or maybe he gets crushed and injured sooner. 

Who knows. It just feels like having O'Korn here as a stop gap hasn't really benefited the program. 

Joined: 06/01/2017

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getsome

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:48 PM ^

ouch, what a rough one - i felt bad for bellomy that game.  that staff really had issues - and unfortunately those issues (most notably QB and OL recruiting and development) continue to shape the program and current staff / players.

ive tried (unsuccessfully) to forget games like that nebraska outing, psu 27/27, a certain msu game, etc - ha, thanks for bringing it up!

Joined: 09/07/2013

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Yeoman

November 23rd, 2017 at 12:25 AM ^

...but I don't think Bellomy works as evidence. He was a Hail Mary by a desperate staff trying to find last-minute bodies to fill in the class, a barely-3-star who was a 100:1 long shot to ever make it. It's unfortunate that was the best we could do with the scholarship but that's where we were in January 2011. You can use the 2012 and 2013 classes to evaluate that staff's QB recruiting; using 2011 isn't fair.

Joined: 06/08/2011

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Alumnus93

November 22nd, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^

No way. Malzone is a gamer who won a few titles at Rice. Not everything is about size and arm strentgh. I for one would like to see, you know, a QB play. Peters is. So is Malzone.

Joined: 09/10/2009

MGoPoints: 9684

Michifornia

November 22nd, 2017 at 2:42 PM ^

Than O'Korn.  And even if O'Korn is terrible, throwing Malzone to the wolves Saturday sounds like a horrible idea at this point.  If Peters/Speight can't play then I have only one thought.

DEEEEEE-FENSE!!!!

Joined: 10/03/2013

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