Offensive play leading up to The Game

Submitted by FireJimDelaneyNow on

I went to Wisconsin game, so I haven't had a chance to see the replay yet.  What struck me about the game was it seemed we were putting ourselves in a lot of third and long situations. The first half it seemed like we threw long on first down, followed by a Smith run for a couple yards and then being third and long alot.  I am concerned about Speight's play since the Colorado game, when he was hit early and then would lock down on his primary receiver too often and not progress on his reads.   Is there a point when Speight needs to be benched in a lesser game earier to motivate him or give the backups more game experience, similar to opening up the kicking situation?  Also, it seems Smith is a North-South runner good for short yardage but struggles with patience in waiting for the holes to develop.  Issac seems to be a better option on runs, with Chris Evans being a good back if the line is opening big holes, but goes down easily compared to the other two.

Just wondering if anyone else is seeing this and their thoughts on whether Jim would ever consider benching Speight to motivate him or would it be too much of a blow to a young QB's confidence.  Just don't see the improvement needed to beat OSU at QB play.  Defense wins championships, but I am concerned about the level of QB necessary to beat OSU.  Defense won the Colorado and Wisconsin games, our toughest games to date.  Not jumping on the backup QB is better mentality, but would like to see the backups get more experience in case a change is needed in a critical game.  Would Jim pull Speight in the OSU game if necessary?  

Would a backup be ready if Speight was injured in a game?  Not happy with the locking on receivers, as we could see him doing it from the stands for most of the game.

Constructive thoughts? 

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JTrain

October 3rd, 2016 at 8:31 PM ^

No shit. That was a great defense. That blitzed a lot. I find it crazy that people just expect wilt to be Tom Brady out there in his fifth college game ever started. Relax people. Let the coaches do "their thing".
Harbaugh was just singing his praises today about his decision making. It's easy to sit on the couch and point out all the wide open players and mistakes made in replay.



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treetown

October 3rd, 2016 at 10:06 PM ^

1. Brady has a very quick delivery. Everybody says this. Part of that is his motion and his great mechanics. Look at the pictures of him playing catch with Harbaugh. A BIG part  however is that he recognizes quickly who to go to and decides to throw. Several times Speight seemed to wait an extra beat as if he was checking to be sure someone was open before throwing it - by then the window was closing up. Give Speight a chance. We have him another year right? At this point he may be the best pure passer in the league - another year's progression will have him a top draft choice.

2. Brady does not hesitate to throw the ball away. In empty sets when he has to make a quick throw or on plays that are just too well covered, he chucks it. Speight at times tries to keep the play alive and occasionally he comes with a spectacular play but in the long run he'd be better off aiming it into row 10.

He is a good and potentially great QB. Give the kid a lot of credit. His first pass in the Big House was an INT and he has bounced back from that. The INT against the Badgers came on a freaky tipped ball, so he has been pretty good so far. 

The nature of college players is to be inconsistent at times and have swings and variations. This is OK - Harbaugh and his staff have things in good shape. Wisconsin was easily one of those games in past years we'd end up losing but the whole team hung together. .

Go Blue!

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treetown

October 3rd, 2016 at 10:06 PM ^

1. Brady has a very quick delivery. Everybody says this. Part of that is his motion and his great mechanics. Look at the pictures of him playing catch with Harbaugh. A BIG part  however is that he recognizes quickly who to go to and decides to throw. Several times Speight seemed to wait an extra beat as if he was checking to be sure someone was open before throwing it - by then the window was closing up. Give Speight a chance. We have him another year right? At this point he may be the best pure passer in the league - another year's progression will have him a top draft choice.

2. Brady does not hesitate to throw the ball away. In empty sets when he has to make a quick throw or on plays that are just too well covered, he chucks it. Speight at times tries to keep the play alive and occasionally he comes with a spectacular play but in the long run he'd be better off aiming it into row 10.

He is a good and potentially great QB. Give the kid a lot of credit. His first pass in the Big House was an INT and he has bounced back from that. The INT against the Badgers came on a freaky tipped ball, so he has been pretty good so far. 

The nature of college players is to be inconsistent at times and have swings and variations. This is OK - Harbaugh and his staff have things in good shape. Wisconsin was easily one of those games in past years we'd end up losing but the whole team hung together. .

Go Blue!

Joined: 11/10/2010

MGoPoints: 6339

Ecky Pting

October 3rd, 2016 at 8:09 PM ^

Just so we're all clear, Darboh was not the primary on the long TD pass, It was Butt, who was covered after Speight emerged from his PA fake to Isaac. As for the pass itself, it was a Dead-On throw that hit Darboh in stride just over the reach of the DB. If there's any issue with Speight it's holding onto ball too long as he checks down under the presumption he can shake off would-be tacklers with his size and/or make a play while he's in the grasp. I'd like to see he just throw it away more than throw into coverage or take a sack. Wisconsin secondary is the best he's gonna see all year, and surprise! Guys we're covered!

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GoBlue519

October 3rd, 2016 at 8:46 PM ^

I think Speight has acquitted himself well.  He's not lighting the world on fire but he is managing the game and seems to have a good feel for the game.  I hope he continues to improve. 

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Perkis-Size Me

October 3rd, 2016 at 10:22 PM ^

Weren't we having this same conversation about Rudock this time last year?

We all yammered on and on about how he should be benched to get Morris/Speight some reps instead. Then Rudock proceeded to go on a tear and throw for just over 3,000 yards. I feel confident in saying "trust the process" with Harbaugh. The guys knows QBs better than anyone on this blog. From Brian on down.

Speight may not turn into the star that we hope Peters or McCaffery will be, but Harbaugh will get everything out of him that he can.



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