Rudock Watch

critcism and comparisons between Rudock and Speight. Let's review some history. Speight replaced an injured Rudock in Minnesota and delivered. Rudock came in as a senior transfer and delivered the same level of performance that Speight did in taking Michigan to a 10-3 season. In each season, there were close-calls and narrow wins that with quarterbacks of greater experience with their teammates and or with the offense might have yielded better results. Both quarterbacks are essentially the same, and both Rudock and Speight have greater mobility than most of the qbs who preceded them in the Carr years.

Michigan's best running quarterbacks in the Schembechler to Harbaugh eras never led the team to national championshio seasons. Only a fifth year senior quarterback whose pro potential seemed as unlikely as Rudock or Speight did that as an offensive game manager who could run the waggle, escape the pocket in the most unlikely moments of big games, and had less than stellar passing marks,  did that. Brian Griese in many ways had a game similar to both Rudock and Speight.

The fact is for the first time since Harbaugh has been coach and since Denard led the offense, does Michigan have the possibility of starting a quarterback with a year of game experience under the same staff and playbook. We also have a backup with the same level of experience plus emerging competitors on the bench. Michigan hasn't had that combination in years.

People have this revisionist idea that Brady was a beloved All-American at Michigan. Not true. In his junior year, he started homes Michgian was favored to win and lost, including one to Illinois that was as hurtful as the loss to Iowa last year. And Speight has never lost as a home starter.

Brady's performance at Michigan wasn't cherished until he proved himself in big games. The same is true of any qb at this school. The epectation is strong execution that leads to victory every Saturday. Fail that standard, and you are subject to instant criticism, which comes with the job, even if it shouldn't.