Chance we see more Michael Barrett as a counter to Martinez?
Perhaps MGOcoaches could speak more to this, but it does strike me that this would be the week we might see more Michael Barrett (as was discussed last week) given Adrian Martinez’s mobility. Not saying you explicitly want a spy, but I know I’d appreciate a veteran presence against the type of option game Nebraska is likely to roll out.
One thing I’m actually looking forward to in this game is seeing how this team bounces back from adversity. They’ve had some so far this year (I’m sure we all appreciated the defensive stand and subsequent score after Washington cut it to 14, the defense standing up against Rutgers, and the response to Wisconsin after halftime), but playing with leads does afford you some leeway. This week they’ll give up big plays, they just will, Martinez is too good and the offense is designed to get and RPS or two on even the best defense. I’m interested in how they’ll respond. The early Harbaugh teams had the knack of taking a punch and hitting back, and that certainly seemed to have been lost the last couple of years. I want to see this team do the same.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:25 PM ^
Idk, he’ll probably be pretty busy with his fullback duties
October 5th, 2021 at 8:24 PM ^
logged in just to like
October 5th, 2021 at 8:53 PM ^
That took exactly one (1) post. I love this board.
October 6th, 2021 at 2:10 PM ^
wow, this might break records! Pulling for you Jonny!
October 6th, 2021 at 4:34 PM ^
Can we get any info on this? What’s the record?
October 6th, 2021 at 8:54 PM ^
I thought it was 245 ish. Wolverine Devotee gave himself a logo some years back. A guy called him out on it.
The mgobloggers know.
October 7th, 2021 at 5:39 AM ^
Yeah i won’t even come close then
October 5th, 2021 at 7:29 PM ^
Sure!why not?
October 5th, 2021 at 7:32 PM ^
You've got a better chance of seeing him throw a pass on a fake punt.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:33 PM ^
I think they should play the best linebacker. Barrett is like the 5th best linebacker.
So no
October 5th, 2021 at 9:11 PM ^
His ability has very little to do with it. It is largely that he is not a scheme fit at all anymore.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:22 PM ^
Isn’t it relevant that his abilities are more suited for other schemes?
October 6th, 2021 at 10:26 AM ^
Plus one for you sir!
I've also added a little blurb of my own in case others are having trouble understanding.
1) Does he have ability? Yes!
2) Does his ability mesh well with what we want our defense to do? No!
3) Does his overall talent and ability matter at all if he doesn't fit our scheme? Also, no!
October 5th, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
Viper!
October 5th, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
Mike Barrett is the new Antonio Bass. Fixer of all problems.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:58 PM ^
PDAB
October 5th, 2021 at 8:31 PM ^
What could have been if Anotonio hadn't gotten hurt. Mario alongside Antonio. Find a tight end named Luigi and look out.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:43 PM ^
I swear to christ, for 2-3 years after AB hurt that knee, there was a dude on here asking about when he's getting back and how much of a difference maker he could be. Different dudes.
That Antonio Bass kid, is he ever coming back b/c he'd be awesome on the zone read!
October 5th, 2021 at 7:39 PM ^
umm I'd guess no, he seems pretty far down the depth chart.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:41 PM ^
I think that Adrian Martinez can find someone on his team to count for him.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:46 PM ^
Great idea! Our defense has looked really weak during our 5-0 start so far. So probably a good idea to change things up given the "dual threat" of Martinez - that dual threat being that he is equally as likely to turn the ball over as he is to throw it several yards short of the receiver...
/s
I truly believe that our current fast and stout D with great players and leaders such Hutchison, Hill and Ojabo will be ready for that somewhat talented but pathetic loser Martinez, and anything that dumbshit head coach Frosty comes up with. Fuck the Cornholes - we are going to beat the living shit out of them!
Go Blue!!!
October 6th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
Yes, fuck those cornholes. But not with our dicks, that would be gay. Literally. Fuck them with some other fuckable object. Preferably one that is big, but that doesn't make them feel good. On second thought, that might also be gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Maybe we should fuck them with something like a big vagina, but one that doesn't feel tight at all and is dry and not lubricated, so it doesn't feel good for them either. That would not be gay. I think.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:51 PM ^
I’m no coach but I am not thinking his athleticism is that much greater than those ahead of him on the depth chart. He is more athletic but gap and responsibility discipline is what will contain Martinez and Nebraska.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:53 PM ^
Has NHG done anything to show that he couldn't handle spying Martinez?
October 5th, 2021 at 8:14 PM ^
No. And perhaps you’re right. The thought was more about the combination of experience vs the option, having the athletic ability to do it, and the coaches recent talk about getting him more time.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:57 PM ^
So long as Macdonald doesn't go full Don Brown and blitz the entire 2nd level leaving giant gaps for QB draws, I think they'll be ok.
The DTs have done a decent job compressing the pocket and Hutchinson specifically has maintained his rush lane well. They have to figure out how to defend read options and always be aware of stunts leaving gaps behind.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:59 PM ^
Why wouldn't you use Dax Hill?
Rather than blitz him, have him spy Martinez.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:59 PM ^
Dax will be vaporizing the slot and anything the tries the edge.
October 6th, 2021 at 3:56 AM ^
That thought makes me tingle.
October 6th, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^
Even better that it is true. Dax is Peppers with better coverage and almost as good against runs.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:59 PM ^
Dear lord what is with these Barrett threads/suggestions? Look, I’m very happy that the young man is contributing on special teams and seemingly staying ready in case his number is called rather than sulking like a lot of kids probably would. But he’s clearly been passed on the depth chart for this new defense. That’s not a bad thing. Sometimes the fit changes and sometimes other players develop further. It sucks that he lost his starting role, but that’s what we want. We want the best players playing. Here’s to hoping he comes up with a huge special teams play in one of our bigger games ?
October 5th, 2021 at 8:10 PM ^
I think Barrett would be best used at QB. He played the position in HS and with his athleticism Michigan could start running true read options
October 5th, 2021 at 9:00 PM ^
The obvious progression is Viper > Linebacker > Fullback > Defensive Tackle.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:11 PM ^
Thank you Michael Barrett’s uncle for the hot take!
October 5th, 2021 at 8:16 PM ^
Is Michael Barrett starting these threads?
October 5th, 2021 at 8:54 PM ^
Nope, Michael Barrett’s uncle.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:30 PM ^
If we can figure out how to get a 12th man on the field, I'm all for it.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:32 PM ^
I want to downvote you just for negativity, but I won't because I'm 40 and remember almost everything.
October 5th, 2021 at 8:48 PM ^
Maybe get some reps out of Schlissel before he hits the portal.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:01 PM ^
What is going on with all these Michael Barrett posts? Did I miss a joke or something?
October 6th, 2021 at 3:59 AM ^
(“He says to himself to himself.”)
October 6th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
Reminds me of the time the Mike Jones jokes were going strong and I, innocently and completely unaware of the meme and song at the time, asked in one of the first comments to a thread "Who's Mike Jones?"
I got like 40 upvotes and I had no idea why.
All that to say that I have no idea what's going on with the Michael Barrett jokes right now. I guess there was a tweet about it, but I don't get that tweet either. Blissfully unaware.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:03 PM ^
I thought he was going to take Wilson’s reps at WR.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:08 PM ^
I highly doubt it, but I did like the tenacity and speed on his one TFL the other day, looked like he took out all his getting pushed down the depth chart aggression on that poor Wisky RB.
As for guaranteed Nebraska big plays…I hope you are very wrong. I hope some big hits to Martinez early really throw him into timid mode…our D is quite a bit better than any he seen all year, Hill and Hutchinson (and even Dawkins) seem to be mostly big play proof sans NFL level throws a la end of first half Mertz heroics. I could see some chunk plays, but hopefully any drop back passes end in mass pressure in the face of Martinez, forcing timidity, happy feet and turnovers.
October 6th, 2021 at 6:18 PM ^
Nebraska leads the country in plays of 70+ yards. Not saying that makes one a fait accompli, just that they’ve have a lot of big plays on the year, and we haven’t really seen an offense capable of doing that yet.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:50 PM ^
Barrett played poorly last year, i hope he has improved but if guys passed him then so be it.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:49 PM ^
The guy isn’t good enough to see the field but we should probably run him out there as a fullback on offense and the secret Adrian Martinez counter weapon on defense. Good Lord people. If he was better than anyone we have out there or any of their backups he would be playing already.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:13 PM ^
Michael Barrett and Adrian Martinez at Tanagra?
October 6th, 2021 at 12:55 AM ^
Make it so.
October 6th, 2021 at 2:59 AM ^
There's always a chance!