Between Speight and Malzone, who would you rather see start?
I realize Shane Morris is still in "the conversation," but things aren't looking too good for him right now. Based on what we've been hearing out of spring practice, the battle is really between Alex Malzone and Wilton Speight. So my question to the board is, of those two, who would you rather see start?
Speight has the measurables. He's 6'6" and 230 lbs., but has mechanical issues. He threw a crucial INT at the Under Armour game. But he redshirted and should be an ideal fit for Harbaugh's offense if he can improve.
Malzone is accurate, cerebral, and has been the most impressive with his consistency. But he's 6'2" and only a true frosh. I find it hard to believe that we can get to 9+ wins and upset MSU and OSU with a true frosh, but I suppose anything's possible with Harbaugh.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
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March 16th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
March 16th, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^
4 FIGHTS
March 16th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
While Malzone is only a freshman, he is a winner and will do whatever it takes to win. Sure, Speight's height gives him an advantage, but Malzone just seems to have it. Much like that Brees fellow.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:18 AM ^
March 16th, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
I agree. I think Rudock comes here and his experience and ability to put up decent numbers in B1G play earns the spot, at least initially. One of the younger guys could step in and steal it later in the season.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
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March 16th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
and Morris, then Speight, then Malzone.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:40 AM ^
March 16th, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
And neither have pretty much any of the rest of us.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:14 AM ^
Of those two? Malzone, I guess, since the buzz around him is that he seems to get the offense and has enough arm to hit the spots. Speight sounds like a big dude but I haven't read much about his cerebral nature, and the stink of Borges still seems to be lingering.
But of the three likely starters (four if Rudock actually joins), I still think Morris gets first crack. He hasn't been great, but there might be a bit of fresh eyes bias going against him right now; people have seen his flaws, while Malzone and Speight are relative unknowns. I know camp buzz is higher on them, and I'm speaking from a position (like most people) ignorance on the inner workings of the team, but if Harbaugh can fix Alex Smith 7-ish years into his pro career, he can fix Morris enough that all his positives (huge arm, connection with the players, toughness) can shine through. Plus, a true freshman QB isn't optimal in any circumstance, and whatever minimal upgrade a guy like Malzone may have as a freshman seems far less important than a 5th year of him down the road.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
Whichever guys wins a lot.
I don't give a damn who plays for this team, as I just want to see a winning football team again. I've fucking had it with losing. Michigan is my favorite sports team, which means I care about their winning more than any other team I watch.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^
March 16th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
Just to play along within the premise set by the OP, and based on only one 3 minute video clip I saw of some passing drill, and with the understanding that I belive Morris is the starter this fall and will do a good job of it, if I had to choose between Speight and Malzone, I'd pick Malzone. Both have the same amount of actual game experience and Malzone's arm seems stronger. Speight's arm strength does not seem strong enough for him to be more than just a serviceable back-up. Again, this is just a way too early observation based on limited evidence. I'm just playing along.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:27 AM ^
Whoever performs better. Couldn't care less who has better measurables, stats, or size - I want Ws
March 16th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^
is who will be the 3rd string QB to start the year. I think Morris starts unless his accuracy problems don't improve. In that case Rudock gets the nod. For all the good press Malzone is getting, he's a freshman who best case costs you a couple of games. Remember the hype Gardner was enjoying last year at this time?
March 16th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
of Speight and Morris. To wit, going into Spring practice he has three consecutive seasons of playing against some of the best teams in Michigan. As a starter, he was 24-1 and participated in 34 games during his sophomore, junior and senior years which included just one loss and two State champshioships. Each year he improved statistically and avoided injury or getting beat out by another QB. Compared to Morris's last three seasons: 2012 - hurt most of his senior year; 2013 - played sparingly (4 games, 1 as a starter) and at best, his play was servicable; 2014 - again played sparingly and was injured. Same comparison applied to Speight: 2012 & 2013, played varisty and had a solid senior year; 2014 - like Malzone, enrolled early. Ended up redshirting for the season. In summation, Malzone has more game experience momentum entering the Harbough era than either of his two competitors. Granted that it's at the HS level, but I'll take his experience over the past three years over Speight and Morris. Spring and summer practices will reveal who's truly ready for Game 1. My money is on Malzone.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
Hopefully Shane/Speight will be competent enough to start against Utah so we don't have to give a true freshman his first ever start on the road, but for anyone who follows this program closely it should be apparent that Shane/Speight are just keeping the seat warm for Malzone. He is a natural talent at the position and is miles ahead of the others talent-wise. He will start most of our games this season and by the Penn State game all of you star-rating-obsessed Shane cheerleaders will be going on about how you "knew all along" that Malzone was our best QB.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
March 16th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
However, the kid has talent and will vastly improve under JH & Fisch. The kid was second in completion percentage, 4th in efficiency, and first in fewest turnovers with a 16/5 TD/Int ratio. The kid has won 15 games at Iowa while we have only won 12 during that span. He has 26 games under his belt as a B!G player. We can afford to take a chance on him. If someone beats him out, so be it.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:34 PM ^
you hope we don't get this guy.... Because of a meme you don't like.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. /doctor evil voice
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March 16th, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^
Malzone winning the job would be a disaster. Everyone will transfer and we'll have a harder time getting a 2016 recruit. Hoping for Morris or Rudock, then Speight. Everyone knowing O'Korn is the best QB would be bad too since he can't play this fall.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
No, I don't, Morpheus.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
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March 16th, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
I find it hard to believe that we can get to 9+ wins and upset MSU and OSU with a true frosh, but I suppose anything's possible with Harbaugh.Considering that all the QBs are kinds of starting from scratch with Harbaugh and Drevno, is there really that much of a separation between a RS Freshman and a true Frosh early enrollee? I'm wondering if the fact that Malzone has a little bit of wiggle to his game gives him the leg up over Speight?
Speight is two years older and has had more of a chance to acclimate to college life. He has spent a year in a college S&C program, studying film and practicing with his teammates. He was an EE too.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
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Also, Henne was a 5-star and I'm not sure of Solomon's rating, but he was really good. I remember liking his film and then he looked very good during the Semper Fi game. It's pretty rare that quarterbacks look good in those games, but he managed to do so.
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March 16th, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
The more ready one.
That is the only opinion anyone on this board should have.
I'm rooting for all of these guys but I would love to see Morris be able to redeem himself a little bit. Last year had to be a rough one for him and I think it would be cool to see him win the job and come out and play well.
I realize Shane Morris is still in "the conversation," but things aren't looking too good for him right now.How so??? We saw Morris try to run an things behind a horrid O-line. It's clear he wasn't coached up either -- and by an "unaware" staff if you know what I'm talking about. Otherwise, all the tools are there... decent 40 time and a heck of an arm. Unless I have been asleep at the wheel, there's been no anointing of a QB after a week of spring practice. In fact, unless Morris has the work ethic of JaMarcus Russell, one would think he'd have a leg up as the other two QBs you reference have 0 collegiate snaps under their belt. I could be wrong but I think we're a long way from September to make such a statement.
Huh? Go back and read the reply again... this isn't about being a "supporter" as it is giving him a fair shot and not crowning the heir apparent a week into spring practice and sketchy rumors on message boards.
I'd prefer Drew Henson to start since he has a year of eligiblity left.
The best one. Idiot.