Speight vs Peters: Final Spring Practice

Submitted by MGoStrength on

I know this conversation will probably drag on for a while and it's still purely speculation at this point, so if you're already over it don't read any furter.

 

With that said, although I do still think Speight is probably #1 on the depth chart right now due to age, experience, and a number of quality games last year (with some bad ones too), based on what I've seen so far in the spring, and in particularl the last spring practice video, Peters looks way better than Speight.

 

Speight often threw to one WR without looking at other options.  Speight often through into traffic or good coverage, rarely completed his passes, and did not use any head, eye, or ball fakes to decieve his intentions to the defense.  

 

Peters on the other hand looked sharp, completed most of his passes, and found open recievers quickly.  Caveots apply.  I don't know who was playing defense on those recievers or even who most of the recievers were at the time other than the TEs that were easy to spot.  And, it wasn't live so the QBs knew they weren't going to get hit.  But, based on what I'm seeing this spring, Peters may be our guy next year unless there is a big swing in how these guys are performing in practice.  I don't see Harbaugh as the kind of coach to just give it to Speight based on last year if he's being out-performed by Peters in practice.

 

For those who haven't seen the video, here's the link from Scout:

 

http://www.scout.com/college/michigan/story/1774977-watch-u-m-s-final-s…

Solecismic

April 30th, 2017 at 3:49 PM ^

This is obviously the most critical decision the Wolverines need to make in 2017. If only we had someone who had past success in coaching college teams, years of college and NFL quarterbacking experience, coached a team to the Super Bowl somehow making two very different and very mediocre NFL quarterbacks look pretty good. You know, someone who could take the time to look over every throw made in practice and come to an intelligent decision based on all his experience. If not, then maybe a few minutes of video will suffice.

AA Forever

April 30th, 2017 at 4:59 PM ^

and objectively which of his quarterbacks will do better in real games this fall.  I trust him to do that.  What's more important is how good he can make any of them compared to the quarterbacks on the teams we're competing against.  People like to talk about his success with Ruddock (who was a fifth year guy and already a quality P5 starter), but they ignore his inability to make Morris and O'Korn into even marginally good backups, despite two years of working with them.

Wolfman

April 30th, 2017 at 5:35 PM ^

"and objectively which of his quarterbacks will do better in real games this fall.  I trust him to do that.  What's more important is how good he can make any of them compared to the quarterbacks on the teams we're competing against.  People like to talk about his success with Ruddock (who was a fifth year guy and already a quality P5 starter), but they ignore his inability to make Morris and O'Korn into even marginally good backups, despite two years of working with them."

If Rudock were, indeed, a proven quality P5 starter, chances are slim Kerentz would have discared him. At minimum, he would have kept him around at QB no. 2. How do you do this? Not tell him which way you're going. Rudock had a 12-13 record as IA's qb before he lost the job to Freshman Beathard. That should tell you the size of the job he would have had trying to make Shane Morris or O'korn, who set his records at the same school Andre Ware set his. Why don't you just come clean and change your name to EL forever. You make very little sense with your posts. 

nappa18

April 30th, 2017 at 3:51 PM ^

Using the Ohio game as an example of good play is just wrong. His 2 int's, one a pick 6, cost us that game, referee performance aside. He was terrible in Iowa City, as were the receivers, and not good in Columbus. Better but not great against FSU. Gaudy numbers against the weaker teams on the schedule. Grade: incomplete. I judge our QB's based on their performance in the 4-5 tough games on the schedule. Especially on the road. This year: Florida, Penn State, Ohio, Wisconsin. Don't know much about AFA but their offense can be a problem.

nappa18

April 30th, 2017 at 3:51 PM ^

Using the Ohio game as an example of good play is just wrong. His 2 int's, one a pick 6, cost us that game, referee performance aside. He was terrible in Iowa City, as were the receivers, and not good in Columbus. Better but not great against FSU. Gaudy numbers against the weaker teams on the schedule. Grade: incomplete. I judge our QB's based on their performance in the 4-5 tough games on the schedule. Especially on the road. This year: Florida, Penn State, Ohio, Wisconsin. Don't know much about AFA but their offense can be a problem.

jmblue

April 30th, 2017 at 3:55 PM ^

I think we should just let it play out and not get too emotionally attached to any one particular personnel decision.  

 

 

jakeace

April 30th, 2017 at 4:42 PM ^

I think this just means Peters should see some significant playing time fairly early in the season. The only way to improve in in-game situations is to actually be in the game.

B-Nut-GoBlue

April 30th, 2017 at 5:01 PM ^

I predict Peters to start, from what I've seenpersonally, which of course isn't much.  No Speight hate by any means, guy did some things last year (and also...some things in the OSU game).  Anyway, none of us truly know...there's a battle going, that's for sure.

Zarniwoop

April 30th, 2017 at 5:02 PM ^

Harbaugh has switched from a guy who was winning (smith) to one he thought would be better (kap) mid-season. He'll do whatever is right for the team.

Bp6

April 30th, 2017 at 5:25 PM ^

I'm honestly convinced that Peters will win the job as long as he improves his pocket awareness. The throws Peters made (practice, I know), were thrown better, with more accuracy, and with better velocity than Speight.

Speight looks like the same exact guy he was last year. He'll shred the teams he's supposed to shred, and he will struggle against good teams as well as defensive units that are able to pressure him often.

I think most of our fan base knows that the 2017 team is definitely not winning a title, so why not get Peters ready for 2018 and beyond? I mean if Speight is clearly better, there is no argument. If the competition is tight, I hope Harbaugh goes with Peters bc of his clear advantage in potential and important measurables.

Year of Revenge II

April 30th, 2017 at 9:13 PM ^

Count me out of your "we can't win a title in 2017" club.

We have talent, we're improving.  I think we are going to be better overall than last year, especially by the end of the year.  A title is emminently possible.

Harbaugh will start the guy that he feels gives the team the best chance of that.

Go Blue!

ND Sux

May 1st, 2017 at 10:04 AM ^

We lost a ton of talent, but recruited very well - next man up.  Also our OL may actually improve this year with the new coach, and that was an issue against good teams.  Lastly, we have MSU and OSU at home.  I'm optimistic about 2017. 

Richard75

April 30th, 2017 at 11:39 PM ^

Defense may take a step back, but the offense can definitely improve. This was quite a flawed offense last year: so-so OL, shaky QB and not much home-run potential among the backs and receivers. This year Evans will get a higher share of carries, and although we're young at WR, we'll be much more athletic. As for QB, either the incumbent will improve or the other guys will get a shot.

Ty Butterfield

April 30th, 2017 at 5:32 PM ^

It comes down to the O-line. Michigan could have Tom Brady at QB and it wouldn't matter if the O-line play is terrible yet again. I am glad Harbaugh brought in Frey to try and address this problem. Unfortunately the talent just isn't there yet and bad O-line play will cost Michigan this season. I don't think anyone is surprised that not one O-lineman from Michigan was drafted.

Solecismic

April 30th, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^

Harbaugh also has a well documented effect on his quarterbacks. Quarterback A: 30-16 Record, 765-1279-9784, 57/26 TD/Int, 90.2 Rating. Quarterback B: 2-16 Record, 340-576-3856, 22/9 TD/Int, 85.4 Rating. Quarterback C: 20-6 Record, 463-730-5382, 35/10 TD/Int, 95.9 Rating. Quarterback D: 60-52 Record, 2206-3582-23972, 135/84 TD/Int, 84.1 Rating. Quarterback E: 46-29 Record, 1719-2904-20915, 141/80 TD/Int, 86.1 Rating. Spoilers below if you want to take a second to figure out who these are. A/B Kaepernick with and without Harbaugh. C/D Alex Smith with and without Harbaugh. E Andrew Luck with Indy. Not only do I think it's crazy for those of us who haven't coached at a high level to look at film and second-guess any decision Harbaugh makes, but the evidence is becoming clear that whatever choice he makes, he will install a game plan and an approach that makes this quarterback much better. That could be seen as an argument for Peters, in that we can assume that Rudock and Speight wouldn't have been nearly as good with another coach. But I'm not arguing anything, just pointing out that when it comes to coaching quarterbacks, there really isn't anyone on this board - or anyone anywhere, really - who could possibly answer this Speight/Peters question better than the guy who happens to have the authority to make the decision. We're in good hands here.

Wolfman

April 30th, 2017 at 5:59 PM ^

I'm guessing Harbaugh had a hell of a time choosing his passing game coordinators when he had so many experts in the stands, most of whom would probably have worked for a meager 500K a year, thereby allowing him to choose a decent DC instead of an obvious struggling journeyman stuck at BC. 

freelion

April 30th, 2017 at 6:31 PM ^

I'm thinking of Wisconsin, Iowa, OSU, FSU as the truly good teams we played.  I viewed the playcalling as lack of confidence in Speight. They went very vanilla in those games which was why they were so tight and they lost 3 out of 4.  I don't think it had much to do with Speight's lack of experience.  It's the fact that he struggles to read defenses, has a weak arm, and tends to throw into coverage.  I think Peters deserves a shot based on his spring performance.  He will need to beat out Speight convincingly but not by "light years" whatever that is. He just needs to be better enough that the lack of game experience won't outweigh his quality of play.

Jamezz23

April 30th, 2017 at 6:40 PM ^

We don't see everything, just a few scrimmages during the off season, where Peters has outplayed Speight no doubt. I'm a little worried, I thought Speight would have progressed more, and he hasn't been very accurate which is what scares me the most. The gap is closing fellas, Peters has a hell of a chance I think come fall

TheCool

April 30th, 2017 at 8:26 PM ^

Speight can make some great plays! He is tough as shit mentally. That 4th and goal OT (IIRC) TD on the road in The Game? If Michigan wins that game, that pass would've gone down as a top play in UM history. There are other plays, as well, @Minnesota for example. But, he makes some really bad plays too. Soft passes that are way too close to being INTs, passes into traffic, etc. Essentially, there's too much ebb (negative plays) with Speight. If there are going to be those bad plays, why not with Peters if he has a greater "flow rate" with a similar "ebb rate"? That is assuming Peters is playing at a level near or above Speight regularly.

Mongo

April 30th, 2017 at 9:30 PM ^

in the video, O'Korn looked to have the best command of the offense. He had a great spring game in limited snaps. Dont't count him out, especially if we go more spread looks.

BIGBLUEWORLD

April 30th, 2017 at 9:34 PM ^

He has a good attitude and is level headed. He could teach NFL quarterbacks how to stay cool and manuever in the pocket.

But someone needs to let Wilton know he's not at the pub with a pint of ale throwing darts! That biomechanically akward throwing motion doesn't leave much room for error. 

Maybe Brandon Peters has the higher upside. Time will tell. JH and Pep will know what to do.

Blue Ballin'

May 1st, 2017 at 10:55 AM ^

Pulling for Peters (hmmm...that doesn't sound right), because I felt after the OSU game it was on him. The thing is, I don't know how injured or limited he was, and it obviously wasn't just Speight who was culpable, but he gets the goat horns at QB. To me, Speight looked awkward out there, and it felt like when he missed, he really missed. I feel like Speight is just closer to his ceiling. The team, however, as someone else pointed out, seems to be behind Speight, so Peters would need to really be impressive to win them over.

Still pissed about the OSU interceptions, and still like watching Peters throw those passes that seem to have just the right touch during his recruitment, but I don't see Harbaugh tossing Speight aside after all the confidence building he's invested in the guy. (I'm leaving the Spring Game out of the conversation because it's hard to know how meaningful the game is with rosters shifting all game long, but Speight looked bad.) I'd be shocked as hell if Peters (or O'Korn) is named as the starter for the UF game. If Speight was injured during a game, I'd also be surprised if Peters got the nod over O'Korn. 

Heisman212

May 1st, 2017 at 7:44 AM ^

You always want an experienced starter. If Peters is the gifted QB than so be it. Defense can carry us in the beginning and hopefully he matures and develops by the end of the year. Many have posted this but I really wish we knew what was wrong with Speight during fron Iowa on. When you look back on last year it's so frustrating. We really should of been the #2 team going into the playoffs.

Asymmetry

May 1st, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^

I wonder who could throw a better ball after getting WASTED and drinking FOUR WHOLE Redd's Apple Ales?

That's how I'd determine the starting job.  Give it to a real man.  

Denard's Pro Career

May 1st, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^

This is a stupid argument to have this early. We're making broad judgements based on limited tape from one spring practice. Sure, Peters looks better than Speight. So does O'Korn. We know zero right now, and chances are we won't know who starts until Sep 2.

father fisch

May 1st, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^

With all due respect, I think Speight starts.  He's more experienced, tough, and cool.  He did have some issues last year (atributed mostly to inury).  I am concerned about the lack of sharpness early but all that has done is open the controversy door.

I thhink we will definitley see Peters play in case Speight is injured again this season.  And if he continues to have issues as he is this spring, then maybe Peters gets the nod.

The player who gives you the best chance to win will play, as Speight did last season despite the shoulder injury.