Start, Bench, Cut

Submitted by UMVAFAN on
Was just listening to Rich Eisen. He was playing a game called "Start, Bench, Cut" which is a variation on a cruder game. He was asked - "Start, Bench, Cut" Michigan QB greats - Tom Brady, Brian Griese, Jim Harbaugh? What does MGoBlog say? And why? (We need a lighter topic than coaching changes and recruiting whifs)
MGoBoard

LSAClassOf2000

January 10th, 2018 at 3:31 PM ^

For some reason, I am reminded of the "Family Guy" where Brian dates and then dumps that girl who was not up to intellectual snuff, we shall say. He left Stewie in the car on his way to break it off, then in the scene when he returns, Stewie complains, "It's been hours.....wait, what is that smell? It smells like sweat, anger and shame."

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130612

1VaBlue1

January 10th, 2018 at 3:05 PM ^

Not arguing...  But how good would Brady have been if he wasn't planted behind Griese and sharing time with Henson?

Edit:  sigh...  I remember when Michigan had NFL QBs stacked up like cordwood.  Can we has that back?

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 126901

Bando Calrissian

January 10th, 2018 at 3:13 PM ^

As they were as college quarterbacks?

Start: Harbaugh (leadership, mobility, arm, brash and gutsy Harbaugh-ness)

Bench: Brady (Best upside, leadership, work ethic, benching brings out chip-on-shoulder)

Cut: Griese (Great leadership, lesser talent)

That being said, you could start any of the three and still get results. Also tend to think Brady gets more starting votes here because of his pro career. If you asked this same question in January 2000, he'd be on the bench/cut on every list.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 68117

Mgotri

January 10th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^

Isn't there a better version of this? Griese and Brady did not have the greatest college careers. Maybe Harbaugh, Henne, Denard would fun too. What abour Harbaugh, Brady, Henson? Or we could go the more alliterative route and do Harbaugh, Henson, Henne?

Joined: 03/04/2013

MGoPoints: 6985

Vasav

January 10th, 2018 at 5:50 PM ^

But yea, that's the one I remember most.

With QBs I think it's cut Griese, and the argument is Brady or Harbaugh based on college careers. With Receivers I think there's a consensus but it's a lot tougher. That MSU game did happen, and I'd say Braylon was the big reason Chad Henne and Mike Hart's only Big Ten 'ship happened their freshman year.

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19252

Ali G Bomaye

January 10th, 2018 at 4:34 PM ^

I hate to do this, but I'd start Brady, bench Harbaugh, and cut Griese.

All people remember about Brady is that he split time with Henson, but he earned the vast majority of the snaps in that arrangement, and Henson was the #1 overall recruit. Brady not only put up efficient numbers but was incredibly clutch (just watch the Orange Bowl vs. Bama).

Harbaugh is virtually tied with Brady in this regard. He also was very efficient, but was called on to do much less than Brady. But he was a better runner. If someone wanted to argue for Harbaugh over Brady I wouldn't protest.

Despite winning the NC, Griese is clearly third among these guys. He didn't earn significant playing time until he was a fifth-year senior, and even then, with a great defense supporting him, his numbers were good-not-great. Our leading receiver by catches in 1997 was RB Chris Howard, and our leading receiver by yards was TE Jerame Tuman, which is a good picture of how Griese was successful - a lot of dumpoffs and waggles. Griese is definitely one of the better Michigan QBs, but doesn't stack up to two all-time greats in Brady and Harbaugh, so he gets cut.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 17648

Vasav

January 10th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^

I know Graham was an end but he also WAS the Michigan D at a low point in Michigan defensive history

Start: Graham

Bench: Hurst

Cut: Branch

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19252