CRAPSHOOT IT IS. Any QB in the 1st round is a 50/50 proposition at best. Generally because:
No idea how a person will do when facing NFL defenses, until they face them;
Has the college offense over-accentuated the QB's skills--i.e., "system quarterback," or, constantly playing lousy defenses (see: any QB in Big XII or ACC ever), or, benefitted from massive skills of team (any OSU QB ever);
Will the QB be thrown to the wolves on a bad NFL offense, or does it have talent to help the QB succeed;
Does the NFL coaching staff actually know how to teach up a QB (see: any Bears QB ever) (written by a lifelong Bears fan, so, I know);
Does the NFL's D suck, constantly putting the QB in bad/pressure situations;
Has the QB been getting by on talent to this point, and now that is about to get exposed when work ethic becomes important (see: Jamarcus Russel, Kyler Murphy, etc.);
What other events are going on in a human being's life that might interfere with work (see: Ryan Leaf)?
Still, gotta feel JJ is ahead of most of these. He did face an NFL-esque D in practice every day for three years (see how Penix did when facing it). His work ethic showed when he made key plays against OSU and UW based on his film study. Don't think you can ascribe his accomplishments on 3d and 4th down plays as "UM had better talent on O." If anything, it's the "product of system" holding back his evaluations--UM was a running team and didn't ask JJ to do much. Is that because they didn't have to, or, they didn't trust him to do more? That's what it comes down to.
CRAPSHOOT IT IS. Any QB in the 1st round is a 50/50 proposition at best. Generally because:
No idea how a person will do when facing NFL defenses, until they face them;
Has the college offense over-accentuated the QB's skills--i.e., "system quarterback," or, constantly playing lousy defenses (see: any QB in Big XII or ACC ever), or, benefitted from massive skills of team (any OSU QB ever);
Will the QB be thrown to the wolves on a bad NFL offense, or does it have talent to help the QB succeed;
Does the NFL coaching staff actually know how to teach up a QB (see: any Bears QB ever) (written by a lifelong Bears fan, so, I know);
Does the NFL's D suck, constantly putting the QB in bad/pressure situations;
Has the QB been getting by on talent to this point, and now that is about to get exposed when work ethic becomes important (see: Jamarcus Russel, Kyler Murphy, etc.);
What other events are going on in a human being's life that might interfere with work (see: Ryan Leaf)?
Still, gotta feel JJ is ahead of most of these. He did face an NFL-esque D in practice every day for three years (see how Penix did when facing it). His work ethic showed when he made key plays against OSU and UW based on his film study. Don't think you can ascribe his accomplishments on 3d and 4th down plays as "UM had better talent on O." If anything, it's the "product of system" holding back his evaluations--UM was a running team and didn't ask JJ to do much. Is that because they didn't have to, or, they didn't trust him to do more? That's what it comes down to.
More than that. The chalked up to 2021 not just being a fluke, but, their guard was down, and remember they had a "soft" defense that year (Oregon and Utah both ran all over them too), so it wasn't US, it was about THEM.
So they hired that Okie State DC, spent all summer about being "tougher", and felt going into the 2022 game on THEIR turf that normality would return. They were SO sure they'd fixed their "softness" and being at home they'd just start a new winning streak.
Then, in the post-game presser, JJ and DE were sitting at the table, and someone asked Donovan what he saw on that "long run." He shot a grin at JJ and asked, "Which one?" And he and JJ broke into laughter. Yeah. That is what happened.
I dont think they killed the entire G League. Just G League Ignite, the team specifically for kids who skip college. That team was horrific this year anyway. The G League remains a viable minor league.
This is completely correct use of "zoom," which is like "kleenex"--a brand name that also has taken on a generic meaning to refer to the product/service of that brand. I don't think anyone would misunderstand "free zoom" but also not be surprised it's MS Teams or something.
Seriously--we all can gripe about how other schools pay more, but it's not the schools paying, it's the fanbase (particularly the richest fans) paying. So if you want to catch up on NIL, open your bank account and contribute. Then you can complain about the rest of us not helping out. But it's sort of meaningless to complain that others aren't paying enough NIL to keep good players.
The NBA has divisions... but they don't mean anything for the playoffs. Divisions only affect schedules. It's not entirely fair, given how close both conferences are (West 4-through-10, and East 2-through-8), but what ya gonna do when you have too many teams and too few games. Welcome to the B1G (with the G drawn like an 8).
But, while it's fun to be snarky about OSU, last year they were probably the #2 or #3 team in the country... they just had a bottleneck to their post-season in that they couldn't get past the #1 team. Really, given OSU's defensive play last year plus all that O talent (sans QB), after us, who would you say had the second best team? Them or the Dawgs. Everyone else--Bama, UW, FSU (even assuming a healthy QB)--was clearly not of the same quality.
I grew up in Chicago suburbs then went to UM (along with 15 other classmates of my from my HS). I've always thought of the Illini as my 2d fave hoops program. Now, I don't live close to Illinois anymore, but... we just won the football Natty, is there really anything that bad about Illinois winning the bball natty? The conference could use a boost.
The IRONY is... the NFL is taking the XFL kickoff... but the UFL, upon merging the XFL with the USFL, is not and is using the standard kickoff rule.
I did like it in the XFL last year. It doesn't seem to produce long returns very often--there were maybe two KO TDs the entire season?--but it at least produces the hope and excitement for one, whereas, right now that doesn't really exist. The XFL variation, which had the blockers/tacklers closer to the returners, tended to produce tackles around the 20 to 25 anyway. Maybe with this format the tacklers get out to the 30 to 35 more often.
But as other commentators noted, they really need to fix the onside issue. It needs to be something that can be done by surprise. Maybe allow the kicker to kick the ball anywhere inside the 35--but no one can move until it hits the ground, so, it's just a mad dash for it. That would be fun! Maybe an injury or two involved. Hip tackle too. Oh wait....
Less “conference security” too. If FSU (“Eff Stuff Up)” and Clemson get their way… and UNC follows… you tell me what the ACC looks like in 3 yrs. If there is an ACC.
This feels exactly like why some big clubs want the Super League in Europe. Has nothing to do with the actual teams and players on them. Its about name brand… give the masses what they already know they like and they wont miss what they dont know about.
There are very few realistic "home run" names we could get that would draw immediate national attention. Kelvin Sampson, for instance; no idea if he'd leave but $$$ talks.
However, the alternative to a home-run hire is "some dude" who basketball junkies be like "oh yeah!" and the rest of the nation never hears about because they don't move the needle. Drake's coach? JMU's? TTU's? Whatever. They are all just... dudes. Maybe they'd be great. Maybe not. No one will notice, unless it works out spectacularly. If it doesn't, well, we're in this boat already.
Now, Dawn Staley... like Sampson, I have no idea if she would entertain the idea. But like any of the no-name dudes, it would be a hit-or-miss swing. No idea if it would work out. But our program sucks, it has nowhere to go but up. Why not do a "hit or miss" swing that WILL draw national attention? If it works... awesome. If not... we are no worse than we are now.
Not saying she should be our top choice. But this is business, and, it's not a bad business idea.
Calm down. I am all for an early decision, but any coach we would want to hire still will be gainfully employed thru at least Thursday next week if not for up to two or three weeks beyond. This is not college football. Sky is not falling on the coaching search… yet. Stop with the hysterics.
Or, is it that Chips' offense doesn't fit Tony's style? Something like the zone/man distinctions that were highlighted in a post yesterday. I mean, when RR came in, his idea of "running the ball" was dramatically different from Carr (or, really, the entire B1G).
I dunno... my reaction is, I mean, good job, thumbs up. That took a lot of effort, it's well organized, nice format and use of bold and bullets, a lot of information to digest in an easy way.
Still... feels like its totally unnecessary and way more effort than the situation requires? OK, we're barely making the tournament. Yay team? Certainly didn't mail in the year like the MBB team; but this was always a tweener year with what the last couple teams were, and the incoming class. So we barely make the field, we'll play whomever gets put against us, and it's probably someone no one can predict. And it doesn't matter anyway b/c SC or LSU or whatever will crush the next game.
Here is what we are going to miss: JJ on 3d and long.
He bailed us out of so many bad situations with incredible, tight throws, or him taking off when the play breaks down. I think we got so used to it, we don't remember that is a key thing that set us apart. Ask Alabama about that 4th down play. Or the 3d and long deep in the Natty when he recognized the Wash. D formation from film and more or less flipped the field. Over the season (even two seasons), we probably avoided losing games because of him doing this. And we can't expect any of the guys currently on the roster to be able to do that in a sustainable way. It's going to show by the end of the year.
OTOH, looks like the Vikings or Giants are gonna get to enjoy that special skill.
I live in DC area and I dunno if anyone out here who roots for that team would call him a "stud." He is not sucky on a really sucky team. Draw what conclusion you will.
Harbaugh can trade Herbert to the Giants for the Giant's #6 pick in 2024, their 1st round pick in 2025, their 1st round pick in 2026, their 1st round pick in 2027, the Knicks' first rounders in the next four NBA drafts, Taylor Swift, and a small country to be named later.
Any QB's fit in the NFL is almost random. Who's his coach? Coaches (plural)? How stable is his instruction year to year? Who's he throwing to? What kind of O line is he behind? What support does he get from the RBs (running, blocking, catching)? Is the D bad forcing them to be playing catchup all game?
If the Bears had drafted Pat Mahomes, rest assured he is not in GOAT status. (As a lifeline Bears fan, I can testify to that.) Brock Purdy on the Panthers would be crap.
Best of luck to JJ to land somewhere that can maximize his opportunity and not ruin him for just being there.
"Players greed"...? Can I introduce you to capitalism? Do you understand the concept?
Asking people to leave money--a LOT of money--on the table while the schools make billions, the coaches make millions, and they are told to be happy with their free college education... while athletes their age in other sports (tennis, golf, soccer) make millions... for... what reason? Because it ruins YOUR viewing expectations? Or it ruins YOUR "interest" in the sport?
Meh. It's like, Thanos blipped half of all living creatures, even though obviously within a few generations populations would just go back to where they were before the snap. Not a reason not to destroy a civilization to get the purple stone, torture your adopted daughters for the location of the yellow stone, go to war with the Avengers, and still do it anyway.
This is going to be a fascinating draft/offseason. So many QB-needy teams (as usual--this year it's CHI, WAS, NE, ATL, LV, DEN, PIT, NYG, MN*/TB* *pending FA issues, and maybe SEA, not to mention ARI and CLE who wish they could change QBs), and so few FA QBs (only Cousins has good numbers; when the 2d best QB FA is Baker, it's a bad year for QB FA's).
Add in the mix: three allegedly top-notch rookies, plus JJ who seems to divide the talking heads, plus Nix, Penix, Rattler, even Jordan Travis...
I mean, you could see four or five QBs going in the first ten or fifteen pics--if not the first four or five picks. And nothing is obvious. CHI, because they are run by idiots (full disclosure: OP grew up in Chi burbs so is, unfortunately, a Bears fan) may run it back w Fields for a couple bags; WAS and/or NE might realize they need to build up their teams first and trade back--taking a rookie when the rest of your team sucks wastes the first year of a rookie QB contract; PIT is a total mystery what they are going to do. Does ATL give $ to Kork Coupons or go w/ a rookie? Does SEA do one more year w/ Gino?
Hell, even throw MIAand DAL into the mix, if they don't want to renegotiate w/ their QBs and want to get value now instead of facing Dak or Tua go into FA next year. (There is simply no accounting for Jerry Jones's uber-maximum confidence in himself and thus uber-minimum intelligence level.)
Recent Comments
CRAPSHOOT IT IS. Any QB in the 1st round is a 50/50 proposition at best. Generally because:
Still, gotta feel JJ is ahead of most of these. He did face an NFL-esque D in practice every day for three years (see how Penix did when facing it). His work ethic showed when he made key plays against OSU and UW based on his film study. Don't think you can ascribe his accomplishments on 3d and 4th down plays as "UM had better talent on O." If anything, it's the "product of system" holding back his evaluations--UM was a running team and didn't ask JJ to do much. Is that because they didn't have to, or, they didn't trust him to do more? That's what it comes down to.
CRAPSHOOT IT IS. Any QB in the 1st round is a 50/50 proposition at best. Generally because:
Still, gotta feel JJ is ahead of most of these. He did face an NFL-esque D in practice every day for three years (see how Penix did when facing it). His work ethic showed when he made key plays against OSU and UW based on his film study. Don't think you can ascribe his accomplishments on 3d and 4th down plays as "UM had better talent on O." If anything, it's the "product of system" holding back his evaluations--UM was a running team and didn't ask JJ to do much. Is that because they didn't have to, or, they didn't trust him to do more? That's what it comes down to.
But only if they are from nice countries. Not shit countries. (Like Ohio.)
More than that. The chalked up to 2021 not just being a fluke, but, their guard was down, and remember they had a "soft" defense that year (Oregon and Utah both ran all over them too), so it wasn't US, it was about THEM.
So they hired that Okie State DC, spent all summer about being "tougher", and felt going into the 2022 game on THEIR turf that normality would return. They were SO sure they'd fixed their "softness" and being at home they'd just start a new winning streak.
Then, in the post-game presser, JJ and DE were sitting at the table, and someone asked Donovan what he saw on that "long run." He shot a grin at JJ and asked, "Which one?" And he and JJ broke into laughter. Yeah. That is what happened.
THAT'S IT???
Sparty and Bucknuts are gonna be sooo disappointed.
I dont think they killed the entire G League. Just G League Ignite, the team specifically for kids who skip college. That team was horrific this year anyway. The G League remains a viable minor league.
This is completely correct use of "zoom," which is like "kleenex"--a brand name that also has taken on a generic meaning to refer to the product/service of that brand. I don't think anyone would misunderstand "free zoom" but also not be surprised it's MS Teams or something.
They should play at Evanston Twnshp HS or New Trier. A practice facility? What a joke.
Not gonna lie. I luuuuv soft batch cookies. Choco chip. Mmmm.
Crap, now I’m hungry for cookies.
Easy to say when it's not YOUR money.
Seriously--we all can gripe about how other schools pay more, but it's not the schools paying, it's the fanbase (particularly the richest fans) paying. So if you want to catch up on NIL, open your bank account and contribute. Then you can complain about the rest of us not helping out. But it's sort of meaningless to complain that others aren't paying enough NIL to keep good players.
Glenn Rice continues to have the record for most points scored in a single tournament. Edey now in 2d on that list.
We still got that going for us.
Axions. Those little buggers refuse to be discovered and solve like major massive issues with our understanding of the entire Universe.
If they exist. If they don’t… nevermind.
The NBA has divisions... but they don't mean anything for the playoffs. Divisions only affect schedules. It's not entirely fair, given how close both conferences are (West 4-through-10, and East 2-through-8), but what ya gonna do when you have too many teams and too few games. Welcome to the B1G (with the G drawn like an 8).
But, while it's…
Agree, no.
But, while it's fun to be snarky about OSU, last year they were probably the #2 or #3 team in the country... they just had a bottleneck to their post-season in that they couldn't get past the #1 team. Really, given OSU's defensive play last year plus all that O talent (sans QB), after us, who would you say had the second best team? Them or the Dawgs. Everyone else--Bama, UW, FSU (even assuming a healthy QB)--was clearly not of the same quality.
…
OLD BUSINESS FINISHED.
LOTSA NEW BUSINESS 'BOUT TO GET STARTED
Eh... maybe he's been playing with his Omega bonding agents and M-counts.
(How's that for Star Wars lore that's only 24 hours old?)
Which…
Underrated comment!
Which actually brings to mind a question--what NFL positions have NEVER had a first round draft pick? I have no idea, but can guess at three:
1. Fullback
2. Long Snapper
3. Bears' Pro Bowl QB
Same conference! It will potentially unravel the ACC esp if UNC and UVa follow the $ to other conferences. Football is king.
Yay good guys!!!
I grew up…
What gives, man?
I grew up in Chicago suburbs then went to UM (along with 15 other classmates of my from my HS). I've always thought of the Illini as my 2d fave hoops program. Now, I don't live close to Illinois anymore, but... we just won the football Natty, is there really anything that bad about Illinois winning the bball natty? The conference could use a boost.
And we'll always have Higgins's put-back in '89.
Well, there's 30…
Uh huh.
Well, there's 30 seconds for reading this that I'm never going to get back.
Ya but c'mon you know they'd beat Rutger, and lose to I-wa (No O) by only 2 (i.e. 2-0).
The IRONY is... the NFL is taking the XFL kickoff... but the UFL, upon merging the XFL with the USFL, is not and is using the standard kickoff rule.
I did like it in the XFL last year. It doesn't seem to produce long returns very often--there were maybe two KO TDs the entire season?--but it at least produces the hope and excitement for one, whereas, right now that doesn't really exist. The XFL variation, which had the blockers/tacklers closer to the returners, tended to produce tackles around the 20 to 25 anyway. Maybe with this format the tacklers get out to the 30 to 35 more often.
But as other commentators noted, they really need to fix the onside issue. It needs to be something that can be done by surprise. Maybe allow the kicker to kick the ball anywhere inside the 35--but no one can move until it hits the ground, so, it's just a mad dash for it. That would be fun! Maybe an injury or two involved. Hip tackle too. Oh wait....
Less “conference security” too. If FSU (“Eff Stuff Up)” and Clemson get their way… and UNC follows… you tell me what the ACC looks like in 3 yrs. If there is an ACC.
I can think of 30-24 reasons.
I'm sorry, how is this in any way at all related to my continued enjoyment of the football national championship?
All I know abt Japanese culture I have learned the last month from Shogun.
If you didnt hear it on Counterstrike, it’s fake news.
This feels exactly like why some big clubs want the Super League in Europe. Has nothing to do with the actual teams and players on them. Its about name brand… give the masses what they already know they like and they wont miss what they dont know about.
By “real game” you mean “4th and goal in OT with not on the Rose Bowl but a berth in the Natty on the line.”
Yeah, I know thats what you meant, I just like ANY excuse to relive the moment.
Rule #1 of Posting Anything Online--anything:
If you just say something vanilla and obvious and what everyone else is saying... no one will read your post.
The future is for the bold! (And crypto investors!)
I mean, you have done nothing it improve the MBB either. So… out you go.
Hey,…
Sigh. Ok. I'll play.
Hey, would YOU like to be the head coach of the University of Michigan Men's Basketball program?
Subs. It'll be crazy.
There is merit to this merit.
There are very few realistic "home run" names we could get that would draw immediate national attention. Kelvin Sampson, for instance; no idea if he'd leave but $$$ talks.
However, the alternative to a home-run hire is "some dude" who basketball junkies be like "oh yeah!" and the rest of the nation never hears about because they don't move the needle. Drake's coach? JMU's? TTU's? Whatever. They are all just... dudes. Maybe they'd be great. Maybe not. No one will notice, unless it works out spectacularly. If it doesn't, well, we're in this boat already.
Now, Dawn Staley... like Sampson, I have no idea if she would entertain the idea. But like any of the no-name dudes, it would be a hit-or-miss swing. No idea if it would work out. But our program sucks, it has nowhere to go but up. Why not do a "hit or miss" swing that WILL draw national attention? If it works... awesome. If not... we are no worse than we are now.
Not saying she should be our top choice. But this is business, and, it's not a bad business idea.
Calm down. I am all for an early decision, but any coach we would want to hire still will be gainfully employed thru at least Thursday next week if not for up to two or three weeks beyond. This is not college football. Sky is not falling on the coaching search… yet. Stop with the hysterics.
and hips.
...except the program you're spying for.
Or, is it that Chips' offense doesn't fit Tony's style? Something like the zone/man distinctions that were highlighted in a post yesterday. I mean, when RR came in, his idea of "running the ball" was dramatically different from Carr (or, really, the entire B1G).
Fairly said. At least my issues don't include... living in Texas!
I dunno... my reaction is, I mean, good job, thumbs up. That took a lot of effort, it's well organized, nice format and use of bold and bullets, a lot of information to digest in an easy way.
Still... feels like its totally unnecessary and way more effort than the situation requires? OK, we're barely making the tournament. Yay team? Certainly didn't mail in the year like the MBB team; but this was always a tweener year with what the last couple teams were, and the incoming class. So we barely make the field, we'll play whomever gets put against us, and it's probably someone no one can predict. And it doesn't matter anyway b/c SC or LSU or whatever will crush the next game.
Here is what we are going to miss: JJ on 3d and long.
He bailed us out of so many bad situations with incredible, tight throws, or him taking off when the play breaks down. I think we got so used to it, we don't remember that is a key thing that set us apart. Ask Alabama about that 4th down play. Or the 3d and long deep in the Natty when he recognized the Wash. D formation from film and more or less flipped the field. Over the season (even two seasons), we probably avoided losing games because of him doing this. And we can't expect any of the guys currently on the roster to be able to do that in a sustainable way. It's going to show by the end of the year.
OTOH, looks like the Vikings or Giants are gonna get to enjoy that special skill.
I live in DC area and I dunno if anyone out here who roots for that team would call him a "stud." He is not sucky on a really sucky team. Draw what conclusion you will.
Harbaugh can trade Herbert to the Giants for the Giant's #6 pick in 2024, their 1st round pick in 2025, their 1st round pick in 2026, their 1st round pick in 2027, the Knicks' first rounders in the next four NBA drafts, Taylor Swift, and a small country to be named later.
Too bad there aren't any coaches on Seattle who might have some familiarity with JJ.
Oh wait...
Any QB's fit in the NFL is almost random. Who's his coach? Coaches (plural)? How stable is his instruction year to year? Who's he throwing to? What kind of O line is he behind? What support does he get from the RBs (running, blocking, catching)? Is the D bad forcing them to be playing catchup all game?
If the Bears had drafted Pat Mahomes, rest assured he is not in GOAT status. (As a lifeline Bears fan, I can testify to that.) Brock Purdy on the Panthers would be crap.
Best of luck to JJ to land somewhere that can maximize his opportunity and not ruin him for just being there.
"Players greed"...? Can I introduce you to capitalism? Do you understand the concept?
Asking people to leave money--a LOT of money--on the table while the schools make billions, the coaches make millions, and they are told to be happy with their free college education... while athletes their age in other sports (tennis, golf, soccer) make millions... for... what reason? Because it ruins YOUR viewing expectations? Or it ruins YOUR "interest" in the sport?
Sounds like communism to me. Honestly.
Meh. It's like, Thanos blipped half of all living creatures, even though obviously within a few generations populations would just go back to where they were before the snap. Not a reason not to destroy a civilization to get the purple stone, torture your adopted daughters for the location of the yellow stone, go to war with the Avengers, and still do it anyway.
Yes.
This is going to be a fascinating draft/offseason. So many QB-needy teams (as usual--this year it's CHI, WAS, NE, ATL, LV, DEN, PIT, NYG, MN*/TB* *pending FA issues, and maybe SEA, not to mention ARI and CLE who wish they could change QBs), and so few FA QBs (only Cousins has good numbers; when the 2d best QB FA is Baker, it's a bad year for QB FA's).
Add in the mix: three allegedly top-notch rookies, plus JJ who seems to divide the talking heads, plus Nix, Penix, Rattler, even Jordan Travis...
I mean, you could see four or five QBs going in the first ten or fifteen pics--if not the first four or five picks. And nothing is obvious. CHI, because they are run by idiots (full disclosure: OP grew up in Chi burbs so is, unfortunately, a Bears fan) may run it back w Fields for a couple bags; WAS and/or NE might realize they need to build up their teams first and trade back--taking a rookie when the rest of your team sucks wastes the first year of a rookie QB contract; PIT is a total mystery what they are going to do. Does ATL give $ to Kork Coupons or go w/ a rookie? Does SEA do one more year w/ Gino?
Hell, even throw MIA and DAL into the mix, if they don't want to renegotiate w/ their QBs and want to get value now instead of facing Dak or Tua go into FA next year. (There is simply no accounting for Jerry Jones's uber-maximum confidence in himself and thus uber-minimum intelligence level.)
Totally wild.