Harghbaugh has done a great job of accmulating the best staff that have never accomplished anything collectively. Seperately each resume is a testiment to their dedication and energy level they bring to each of their respective coaching positions. As a long time football fan and and hugh Michigan fan for many many many years I am excited and very confident they will produce a highly competative team instantly.
As long as Al Borges is the OC and Darrell Funk remains the OL coach the offense will move one step forward and three steps to the rear. We will continue hear excuses about how young they are and the diffuculty of replacing the offensive tackles... yadda yadda yadda.
I keep reading about lack of talent and inexperience within the offensive line. To me this is just another excuse for the absence of good coaching. Blocking is not rocket science and on the other hand, offensive linemen are usually some of the smartest athletics on the football team. Blocking is either man-up/over or zone blocking. Man blocking requires the OL to block the nearest DL across from him depending on what direction the play is going and the defensive alignment. Zone blocking requires the lineman to block a gap or area depending on the offensive play called. Zone blocking is not dependent on defense alignment unlike man blocking but it does require the OL to work in unison more so then man blocking. The key to both of these blociking schemes is footwork and leverage. If the OL fails to use proper technique, the result is usually failure unless you are one hellish of an offensive lineman. A lot of hight school coaches teach these fundamentals so young college recruits are at least familiar with them prior to signing with a particular team. The major reason most freshmen OL don't play their first year is because of size and strength and not lack of experience. Michigans offensive line averages over 6' tall and the average weight is about 305 lbs, so size should not be a big obstical to success, but the strength could come into question. One of the key factors attributing to the lack of success of the OL I have witnessed during the games is absence of foot movement to gain proper position and leverage. In some instances, I have also seen a lack of effort or inability to sustain blocks. The OL line coach is responsible for teaching and instilling proper technique and advancing the skill level of each lineman. This is achieved through rigorous drills to develop footwork and proper blocking technique. One-on-one blocking competition is also used to guage the level of proficiency for each lineman, build confidence, and instill one of the most important intangibles necessary for any good football player and that is "PHISICAL MEANESS." In my opinion Coach Funk is simply failling to develop and assist his charges reach their full potential. This has been very obvious this year because the OL has not improved since the Notre Dame game and I would even say they have digressed to an all time low.
Tonights loss should be attributed to Mr. DG and not the OC. Every week brings a new wrinkle to the down ward trend and Coach Hoak appears to be totally ignorant to what is happening. Perhaps it his way of dealing with the preassure. Our saving grace as fans is we do not have to buy into the program and can choose to seperate our selves from all of the negative feedback. The players and staff have to deal with it on a weekly basis and I hope they get tired of hearing it soon.
Is a pompous incompetant OC. Everyone but him knew going into the game with MSU that they would require short qjuick passes but he insisted on sticking with routes that took time to develop and allowed his QB to get eaten up by the Spartans defense. He continues to defend his strategy regardless of the mulciple incidents on the playing filed prove him wrong time and again. The MSU game is not an isolated incident either. If Brady Hoke does not see this then he either protecting his staff or has no understanding of the game from an offesive prespective.
You don't build a team on excuses and keep making changes in personal thinking it will be better. There has to be accountability of player and coaches.
For the most part I believe the coaching staff is doing a great job, but on the subject of giving Gardner more reps at QB I believe they are making a serious mistake. They 1st need to improve the blocking upfront. To much attention has been given to the defense side and not enough on the offense, especially the the offensive line. They should also increase Bellemy's time at QB during the week of practice and place more pressure on him to simulate game time experience. Giving more reps to DG only adds another variable to the equation limiting the amount of time to focuse on the Offensive line and the backup QB. By focusing on these two variables they are also preparing themselves for next year. GO BLUE!
Recent Comments
Harghbaugh has done a great job of accmulating the best staff that have never accomplished anything collectively. Seperately each resume is a testiment to their dedication and energy level they bring to each of their respective coaching positions. As a long time football fan and and hugh Michigan fan for many many many years I am excited and very confident they will produce a highly competative team instantly.
As long as Al Borges is the OC and Darrell Funk remains the OL coach the offense will move one step forward and three steps to the rear. We will continue hear excuses about how young they are and the diffuculty of replacing the offensive tackles... yadda yadda yadda.
I keep reading about lack of talent and inexperience within the offensive line. To me this is just another excuse for the absence of good coaching. Blocking is not rocket science and on the other hand, offensive linemen are usually some of the smartest athletics on the football team. Blocking is either man-up/over or zone blocking. Man blocking requires the OL to block the nearest DL across from him depending on what direction the play is going and the defensive alignment. Zone blocking requires the lineman to block a gap or area depending on the offensive play called. Zone blocking is not dependent on defense alignment unlike man blocking but it does require the OL to work in unison more so then man blocking. The key to both of these blociking schemes is footwork and leverage. If the OL fails to use proper technique, the result is usually failure unless you are one hellish of an offensive lineman. A lot of hight school coaches teach these fundamentals so young college recruits are at least familiar with them prior to signing with a particular team. The major reason most freshmen OL don't play their first year is because of size and strength and not lack of experience. Michigans offensive line averages over 6' tall and the average weight is about 305 lbs, so size should not be a big obstical to success, but the strength could come into question. One of the key factors attributing to the lack of success of the OL I have witnessed during the games is absence of foot movement to gain proper position and leverage. In some instances, I have also seen a lack of effort or inability to sustain blocks. The OL line coach is responsible for teaching and instilling proper technique and advancing the skill level of each lineman. This is achieved through rigorous drills to develop footwork and proper blocking technique. One-on-one blocking competition is also used to guage the level of proficiency for each lineman, build confidence, and instill one of the most important intangibles necessary for any good football player and that is "PHISICAL MEANESS." In my opinion Coach Funk is simply failling to develop and assist his charges reach their full potential. This has been very obvious this year because the OL has not improved since the Notre Dame game and I would even say they have digressed to an all time low.
0-3
I totally agree
Tonights loss should be attributed to Mr. DG and not the OC. Every week brings a new wrinkle to the down ward trend and Coach Hoak appears to be totally ignorant to what is happening. Perhaps it his way of dealing with the preassure. Our saving grace as fans is we do not have to buy into the program and can choose to seperate our selves from all of the negative feedback. The players and staff have to deal with it on a weekly basis and I hope they get tired of hearing it soon.
Quit making excuses and prepare your team to play MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
Is a pompous incompetant OC. Everyone but him knew going into the game with MSU that they would require short qjuick passes but he insisted on sticking with routes that took time to develop and allowed his QB to get eaten up by the Spartans defense. He continues to defend his strategy regardless of the mulciple incidents on the playing filed prove him wrong time and again. The MSU game is not an isolated incident either. If Brady Hoke does not see this then he either protecting his staff or has no understanding of the game from an offesive prespective.
Hopefully we will also lose the most horrific offensive line coach in the history of the program, as well as others.
Basketball
It will only get worse
You don't build a team on excuses and keep making changes in personal thinking it will be better. There has to be accountability of player and coaches.
For the most part I believe the coaching staff is doing a great job, but on the subject of giving Gardner more reps at QB I believe they are making a serious mistake. They 1st need to improve the blocking upfront. To much attention has been given to the defense side and not enough on the offense, especially the the offensive line. They should also increase Bellemy's time at QB during the week of practice and place more pressure on him to simulate game time experience. Giving more reps to DG only adds another variable to the equation limiting the amount of time to focuse on the Offensive line and the backup QB. By focusing on these two variables they are also preparing themselves for next year. GO BLUE!
Try being informed instead of just opinionated