This should be an interesting, if not completely gut-wrenching, game.
As expected, Michigan has shown flashes of brilliance mixed with flashes of frustration. They have played up to defeat Notre Dame, but they let EMU and IU run all over our thin and inexperienced D. Thus far, though, when the chips are down, Michigan has come through.
The only consistency we have had is that we have been exposed as being unable to stop even the most meager rushing attack. Thankfully we're playing an MSU team that doesn't feature Javon Ringer (or Jehuu Caulcrick!), and has already had swift reminders in this young season of why they're Michigan State: critical dropped balls, late game meltdowns, losing to directional Michigan, you get the picture. But I will join the pundits in saying that this is a very, very good 1-3 team and they certainly are good enough to beat Michigan (heck, IU was almost good enough!).
MSU's quarterback carousel has firmly landed on Kirk Cousins to start, and he is no slouch. He beat out the Oklahoma transfer Keith Nichol, who is very good in his own right (As an aside, boy I bet Oklahoma still wishes they had that guy). and he has all the physical tools of a good QB. MSU also has a great passing attack, probably the second best we'll see all year next to ND's. Blair White is probably the heir to the MSU NFL WR throne (As another aside: Charles Rogers is NOT doing great and Plax is in jail. That's why you're MSU). They also have another good WR in Dell, who has made some clutch plays this season.
Look for MSU to go straight at the corner who is not named Donovan Warren. Early, often. With anybody who can strap on a pair of cleats having 100-yard rushing games on our D, combined with a potent pass offense, look for this game to be a high scoring one. Let's keep our fingers crossed, and hope that this year we can put little brother back where he belongs.
Go Blue, friends.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Amazingly Anonymous Hoosiers Shooting For Respect
You have three seconds to answer this question - and no, you can't phone a friend and you can't use Google - who is the head football coach at Indiana University?
Didn't get it? You're probably not the only one.
The answer is Bill Lynch and he's in his third year at the helm of the Hoosiers.
But don't beat yourself up about it - Michigan hasn't played the Hoosiers since a 34-3 spanking in Bloomington in 2006 but there's a bigger reason at play: over the last decade Indiana has made its football program into arguably the most anonymous program in the Big Ten.
Not since Antwaan Randle-El graduated in 2002 have the Hoosiers had a truly "marquee player" who receives national attention (he finished sixth in Heisman voting that year). Here are some other interesting facts: Indiana's last visit to the Rose Bowl was in 1968, the last time they finished a season in the AP Top 25 was 1988 (20), and they did not play in bowl game from 1994-2006.
It's also fairly easy for Michigan fans to ignore Indiana because the all-time series sits at 50-9 (not in favor of the Hoosiers), Michigan hasn't lost to the Hoosiers since 1987 and last lost to the Hoosiers at home in 1967.
That being said Bill Lynch does have this Hoosiers team at 3-0 coming into play at Michigan Stadium this Saturday. But - and there's always a "but" - those wins are over Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan and Akron. Now I know what any Michigan haters are saying, other than Notre Dame Michigan has played two MAC teams!
Indiana beat Eastern Kentucky by 6, WMU by 4 and Akron by 17.
Michigan beat WMU by 24, ND by 4 and Eastern Michigan by 28.
Clearly, though, M cannot take any opponent lightly - especially not the Big Ten opener. Indiana is hungry to go 4-0 and to wipe the smiles off of all M fans across the country. Michigan is suddenly a media darling again (see Sports Illustrated's September 21 issue) and all Michigan fans are salivating for a 12-0 season (realistic fans are still salivating for a 7-5 season).
Indiana will bring in the "Pistol" formation on offense. It's like a shortened shotgun formation where the QB stands back from the centers a few yards and the RB remains behind the QB. The Pistol theoretically helps the QB and RB read the running game, especially on the interior of the line.
Will this unorthodox look foul up M's defense? It's really anyone's guess when it comes to the "bend don't break" defense M has been running out so far through three games.
On defense the Hoosiers have a pair of bona fide pass rushers: Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have combined for 40 sacks in their careers at Indiana. This will surely put pressure on M's freshman QB and a line that's been reshuffled because of C David Molk's injury. Expect them to get to Tate Forcier, but let's hope M can counter their pressure with some timely draw plays to Brandon Minor and Michael Shaw and some screens to Carlos Brown. I would also like to see TE Kevin Koger to reestablish himself this week after the passing game basically took the EMU game off.
I fully expect Indiana to put some points on the board, but Michigan is averaging 38 points a game and the Wolverines will outscore the Hoosiers.
Michigan 35, Indiana 21.
Michigan will surpass it's 2008 win total in one month of the 2009 season...the Hoosiers will remain largely anonymous at least this week.
Didn't get it? You're probably not the only one.
The answer is Bill Lynch and he's in his third year at the helm of the Hoosiers.
But don't beat yourself up about it - Michigan hasn't played the Hoosiers since a 34-3 spanking in Bloomington in 2006 but there's a bigger reason at play: over the last decade Indiana has made its football program into arguably the most anonymous program in the Big Ten.
Not since Antwaan Randle-El graduated in 2002 have the Hoosiers had a truly "marquee player" who receives national attention (he finished sixth in Heisman voting that year). Here are some other interesting facts: Indiana's last visit to the Rose Bowl was in 1968, the last time they finished a season in the AP Top 25 was 1988 (20), and they did not play in bowl game from 1994-2006.
It's also fairly easy for Michigan fans to ignore Indiana because the all-time series sits at 50-9 (not in favor of the Hoosiers), Michigan hasn't lost to the Hoosiers since 1987 and last lost to the Hoosiers at home in 1967.
That being said Bill Lynch does have this Hoosiers team at 3-0 coming into play at Michigan Stadium this Saturday. But - and there's always a "but" - those wins are over Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan and Akron. Now I know what any Michigan haters are saying, other than Notre Dame Michigan has played two MAC teams!
Indiana beat Eastern Kentucky by 6, WMU by 4 and Akron by 17.
Michigan beat WMU by 24, ND by 4 and Eastern Michigan by 28.
Clearly, though, M cannot take any opponent lightly - especially not the Big Ten opener. Indiana is hungry to go 4-0 and to wipe the smiles off of all M fans across the country. Michigan is suddenly a media darling again (see Sports Illustrated's September 21 issue) and all Michigan fans are salivating for a 12-0 season (realistic fans are still salivating for a 7-5 season).
Indiana will bring in the "Pistol" formation on offense. It's like a shortened shotgun formation where the QB stands back from the centers a few yards and the RB remains behind the QB. The Pistol theoretically helps the QB and RB read the running game, especially on the interior of the line.
Will this unorthodox look foul up M's defense? It's really anyone's guess when it comes to the "bend don't break" defense M has been running out so far through three games.
On defense the Hoosiers have a pair of bona fide pass rushers: Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have combined for 40 sacks in their careers at Indiana. This will surely put pressure on M's freshman QB and a line that's been reshuffled because of C David Molk's injury. Expect them to get to Tate Forcier, but let's hope M can counter their pressure with some timely draw plays to Brandon Minor and Michael Shaw and some screens to Carlos Brown. I would also like to see TE Kevin Koger to reestablish himself this week after the passing game basically took the EMU game off.
I fully expect Indiana to put some points on the board, but Michigan is averaging 38 points a game and the Wolverines will outscore the Hoosiers.
Michigan 35, Indiana 21.
Michigan will surpass it's 2008 win total in one month of the 2009 season...the Hoosiers will remain largely anonymous at least this week.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Crying Over Spilled Molk
I'm getting a little nervous...
Center David Molk is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. This news is very worrisome to me. I consider Molk the most consistent offensive lineman for M in the RichRod era. Center is a thinking man's position that requires a lot of communication with the four other lineman and quarterback to adjust blocking assignments at the line - and I think Molk has done it very well in the past 15 games.
I will be interested to see how Tate Forcier does without Molk in there - a good center/quarterback relationship can really contribute to a solid offense. Michigan's running game seems to be developing nicely and it always helps to keep your offensive line consistent. Guard David Moosman missed the EMU game and M survived (some would even say thrived) but I never like to see musical chairs on the offensive line.
Am I just being an alarmist here?
Any other early-in-the-week thoughts about the upcoming Big Ten opener against Indiana?
One other note...the Big Ten Network claimed the Michigan-Michigan State game as its headliner for Saturday, October 3 at Noon. I can't say I'm thrilled about that scheduling. Frankly I like noon starts (and for this game it will give all those Spartans fans less time to drink before the game - I hope) but the Michigan/MSU game should be more of a marqee event...and that usually means a 3:30 start.
Center David Molk is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. This news is very worrisome to me. I consider Molk the most consistent offensive lineman for M in the RichRod era. Center is a thinking man's position that requires a lot of communication with the four other lineman and quarterback to adjust blocking assignments at the line - and I think Molk has done it very well in the past 15 games.
I will be interested to see how Tate Forcier does without Molk in there - a good center/quarterback relationship can really contribute to a solid offense. Michigan's running game seems to be developing nicely and it always helps to keep your offensive line consistent. Guard David Moosman missed the EMU game and M survived (some would even say thrived) but I never like to see musical chairs on the offensive line.
Am I just being an alarmist here?
Any other early-in-the-week thoughts about the upcoming Big Ten opener against Indiana?
One other note...the Big Ten Network claimed the Michigan-Michigan State game as its headliner for Saturday, October 3 at Noon. I can't say I'm thrilled about that scheduling. Frankly I like noon starts (and for this game it will give all those Spartans fans less time to drink before the game - I hope) but the Michigan/MSU game should be more of a marqee event...and that usually means a 3:30 start.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Carleton Brundidge a Wolverine!
Michigan received its first 2011 commitment today from Southfield PG Carleton Brundidge. Brundidge is consensus top 100 for 2011, and is viewed by many (many wolverine fans, that is) as the best player in a deep 2011 class in the state of Michigan.
For more on Brundidge, check out the UM Hoops commit article.
This is a huge pickup for Beilein and co for many reasons. A constant knock on Beilein is that he is purely a system coach who cannot recruit top talent. Bogus. Another is that he is unable to recruit the talent-rich state of Michigan. Bogus again. This commitment puts a lot of pressure on the two remaining top candidates, both very highly rated wings, left for 2010: Trey Zeigler (Mount Pleasant, MI) and Casey Prather (Memphis, TN). Meech being scholarship strapped, it also puts pressure on top ranked 2011 MI wing Brandon Kearney to compete for the highly-coveted remaining wing opening. If any one of these kids ends up committing, we've got ourselves a very talented future wing at U of M. If none does, there's plenty of other top-ranked talent with Meech love, so it's a win-win.
Huge, huge, huge pickup for John Beilein and co. The future looks bright for the U of M basketball program. If you don't follow Meech basketball by now, you certainly should.
Links
-Devin Gardner does NOT want to redshirt. He wants to play NOW!
-The Michigan Daily actually wrote a piece worth reading last week. Not just surprisingly good, but I would go as far to say that it's excellent. The subject of the article is Pahokee, home of Martavious Odoms, Brandin Hawthorne and Vincent Smith.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Quick Report Card...
A few quick thoughts on today...
First and foremost a hearty welcome to "MK" to our humble sports blog.
Denard Robinson threw the ball a few times today, with at least one of them being a deep pass. Unfortunately, he threw 2 INT's which were both a product of his poor decision making. The bullet he threw to Odoms (that was incomplete) was a bullet right on target, which gives us some hope. He seems to be more comfortable and accurate throwing on the run than he is with his feet planted. Interesting that they might use that to our advantage in certain bootleg and play action plays. He is clearly still a work in progress when it comes to the passing game, but he shows promise.
That being said... he is a sick sick sick sick sick runner. His ability to make something out of nothing is really remarkable. He is very exciting to watch, and is a spark to our offense.
Tate Forcier looked just okay today. He made some questionable judgement calls holding on to the ball too long, which is to be expected with a freshman QB. But it sure was scary when he went down in the 3rd quarter. He seems to be ok, but the really impressive thing was his clear desire to want to get right back into the game. Gotta love the heart.
The receivers today looked pretty good, although we barely threw the ball all day. I would love to see us utilize the tight end in the middle of the field more, especially on QB rollouts (see: Denard Robinson. Although Tate would be great at this as well).
Carlos Brown seemed to step up huge today. Part of this is a product of our offensive line just man handling their d-line, but Carlos still looked pretty good. Michael Shaw also had a few good looking runs, including a few ankle breakers. They should both compliment Brandon Minor well for the rest of the season.
Our d-line looked fairly good, however they were mostly matched up against a mediocre o-line. That being said, Craig Roh is going to be a nasty player when he develops further.
Linebackers played meh, and Ezeh is consistently out of position to make plays. It bothers me that we have no one else better than him on the depth chart. I know he is a great athlete but his positioning routinely scares me. As we enter Big Ten season, it will be interesting to see how they match up against the run.
Secondary was ok today. Donovan played well, but that shoulder injury is clearly still bothering Boubacar. He can't press at the line, and he has trouble being physical with the receivers. Hopefully he will be better when it comes time to play against MSU etc... Safety play is much better, save for a few mental errors by Woolfolk and others, and Stevie Brown actually looks like a football player in his new position.
All in all, not too impressive of a win, but we got the job done and I guess that is what counts. Looking forward to starting the Big Ten season off with a win.
First and foremost a hearty welcome to "MK" to our humble sports blog.
Denard Robinson threw the ball a few times today, with at least one of them being a deep pass. Unfortunately, he threw 2 INT's which were both a product of his poor decision making. The bullet he threw to Odoms (that was incomplete) was a bullet right on target, which gives us some hope. He seems to be more comfortable and accurate throwing on the run than he is with his feet planted. Interesting that they might use that to our advantage in certain bootleg and play action plays. He is clearly still a work in progress when it comes to the passing game, but he shows promise.
That being said... he is a sick sick sick sick sick runner. His ability to make something out of nothing is really remarkable. He is very exciting to watch, and is a spark to our offense.
Tate Forcier looked just okay today. He made some questionable judgement calls holding on to the ball too long, which is to be expected with a freshman QB. But it sure was scary when he went down in the 3rd quarter. He seems to be ok, but the really impressive thing was his clear desire to want to get right back into the game. Gotta love the heart.
The receivers today looked pretty good, although we barely threw the ball all day. I would love to see us utilize the tight end in the middle of the field more, especially on QB rollouts (see: Denard Robinson. Although Tate would be great at this as well).
Carlos Brown seemed to step up huge today. Part of this is a product of our offensive line just man handling their d-line, but Carlos still looked pretty good. Michael Shaw also had a few good looking runs, including a few ankle breakers. They should both compliment Brandon Minor well for the rest of the season.
Our d-line looked fairly good, however they were mostly matched up against a mediocre o-line. That being said, Craig Roh is going to be a nasty player when he develops further.
Linebackers played meh, and Ezeh is consistently out of position to make plays. It bothers me that we have no one else better than him on the depth chart. I know he is a great athlete but his positioning routinely scares me. As we enter Big Ten season, it will be interesting to see how they match up against the run.
Secondary was ok today. Donovan played well, but that shoulder injury is clearly still bothering Boubacar. He can't press at the line, and he has trouble being physical with the receivers. Hopefully he will be better when it comes time to play against MSU etc... Safety play is much better, save for a few mental errors by Woolfolk and others, and Stevie Brown actually looks like a football player in his new position.
All in all, not too impressive of a win, but we got the job done and I guess that is what counts. Looking forward to starting the Big Ten season off with a win.
The Battle of Washtenaw County
Michigan and Eastern Michigan are separated by just 7 miles but this is hardly a Tobacco Road-esque meeting.
All time Michigan leads the series 8-0, and frankly I was surprised the two teams have met that many times. But I suppose when you start playing each other in 1896 you're bound to get in at least 8 games in the next 110 years.
The most intruiging part of this game to me is the Ron English factor. The last time these two teams played in 2007 (a 33-22 M win) English was on the M sidelines coaching the defense. Now he's in his second season as the Eagles head coach. I know he interviewed for Michigan's top spot in 2007 but I never felt he got a fair shake to truly take the job. The fact that he interviewed always seemed like a courtesy to me - to acknowledge his handful of years at Michigan and to add "Michigan" to his interview resume.
University officials always seemed hell-bent on landing a "name" coach and English at that point certainly was not a "name" coach (but could you have forgiven them if they'd bypassed him for Greg Schiano? I think not). Landing Rich Rodriguez was a major coup for M but I believe there are some out there who would still love to see English leading the Wolverines.
Michigan fans should know better than to discount English and his abilities. He deserves most of the of the credit for Michigan's stellar defensive play in 2006 (when the team went 11-2 and at was ranked #2 nationally before the M-OSU game), a year that was his first as defensive coordinator.
It's highly unlikely he has similar weapons on EMU this year but the point is that he can coach, and if he does well there for the next couple years don't expect the RichRod haters to keep quiet - no matter what M accomplishes.
On to the game...
This has the potential to be an ugly game. This is a classic stumbling block game, sandwiched in between the vitriolic Notre Dame game and the Big Ten opener (Indiana). Michigan's talent should be enough to carry them to a win, but don't be surprised if it ends up being a game that finishes 35-28 or something like that.
What Michigan MUST do today:
Establish a runner who can complement Brandon Minor. Whether that is Carlos Brown or Michael Shaw or Vincent Smith -- someone must step into the role of #2 runner (where was Shaw in the Notre Dame game? He didn't touch the field).
Throw with Denard Robinson at QB about 10 times. After just two games no one is fooled about what Robinson is going to do when he subs in. The coaching staff says he will remain at QB...well, quarterbacks throw the ball. He went 2-4 passing against Western Michigan so we know he can throw in a game situation...now do it 10 times against Eastern.
Keep Tate's fire lit. If this means playing Sheridan or Denard a lot - do it. Let's not forget Tate is a freshman (albeit a good one with 2-0 record already) and that growing pains happen. That means we need to have another quarterback game-ready if TF goes cold on the road at MSU or Iowa. RichRod lives and dies with his system, not necessarily the players in it. So while TF should get the bulk of the playing time, let's get the other QB's in there.
Throw deep. I was pleased that M unleashed a few deep passes against ND - most notably Greg Mathew's circus catch during the first drive - but this is clearly a weakness for TF. This game is as much about playing EMU as it is about scaring Big Ten teams (sorry, Eagles fans, but that's true). That means we have to throw deep to Mathews, Darryl Stonum and Junior Hemingway (if he plays). It's the old adage about keeping the defense "honest"...not letting them load up against M's short passing game.
Build some defensive depth. This is crucial for the secondary, a unit forced to play without safety Mike Williams for the second half last week and that is still seeming to lack a suitable backup at corner - apologies to JT Floyd who was serviceable against WMU. Donovan Warren appears to be developing into a true #1 corner - ND stayed away from him plenty last week - and I'm terrified of the prospect of him getting hurt. Greg Robinson began to sub somewhat liberally on the defensive line against ND and he should keep this up -- let's see what Will "The Thrill" Campbell can do! He must be getting tired of fellow freshman Craig Roh getting all the love...
Blitz! EMU has a good passing game and Michigan needs to put pressure on QB Andy Schmitt, especially after coming up with 0 sacks against ND.
Kick consistently. Zoltan Mesko and Jason Olesnavage must become weapons. M is a young team and will need its kicking game to bail it out on occassion if it wants to continue on with its solid season.
A few thoughts from last week's game...
Michigan Stadium can get LOUD. It probably won't sound the same against EMU as it did against ND, but it's comforting to know the potential for noise is there.
Favorite t-shirt seen in the crowd last week: "Don't Mesko with the Zoltan"
All time Michigan leads the series 8-0, and frankly I was surprised the two teams have met that many times. But I suppose when you start playing each other in 1896 you're bound to get in at least 8 games in the next 110 years.
The most intruiging part of this game to me is the Ron English factor. The last time these two teams played in 2007 (a 33-22 M win) English was on the M sidelines coaching the defense. Now he's in his second season as the Eagles head coach. I know he interviewed for Michigan's top spot in 2007 but I never felt he got a fair shake to truly take the job. The fact that he interviewed always seemed like a courtesy to me - to acknowledge his handful of years at Michigan and to add "Michigan" to his interview resume.
University officials always seemed hell-bent on landing a "name" coach and English at that point certainly was not a "name" coach (but could you have forgiven them if they'd bypassed him for Greg Schiano? I think not). Landing Rich Rodriguez was a major coup for M but I believe there are some out there who would still love to see English leading the Wolverines.
Michigan fans should know better than to discount English and his abilities. He deserves most of the of the credit for Michigan's stellar defensive play in 2006 (when the team went 11-2 and at was ranked #2 nationally before the M-OSU game), a year that was his first as defensive coordinator.
It's highly unlikely he has similar weapons on EMU this year but the point is that he can coach, and if he does well there for the next couple years don't expect the RichRod haters to keep quiet - no matter what M accomplishes.
On to the game...
This has the potential to be an ugly game. This is a classic stumbling block game, sandwiched in between the vitriolic Notre Dame game and the Big Ten opener (Indiana). Michigan's talent should be enough to carry them to a win, but don't be surprised if it ends up being a game that finishes 35-28 or something like that.
What Michigan MUST do today:
Establish a runner who can complement Brandon Minor. Whether that is Carlos Brown or Michael Shaw or Vincent Smith -- someone must step into the role of #2 runner (where was Shaw in the Notre Dame game? He didn't touch the field).
Throw with Denard Robinson at QB about 10 times. After just two games no one is fooled about what Robinson is going to do when he subs in. The coaching staff says he will remain at QB...well, quarterbacks throw the ball. He went 2-4 passing against Western Michigan so we know he can throw in a game situation...now do it 10 times against Eastern.
Keep Tate's fire lit. If this means playing Sheridan or Denard a lot - do it. Let's not forget Tate is a freshman (albeit a good one with 2-0 record already) and that growing pains happen. That means we need to have another quarterback game-ready if TF goes cold on the road at MSU or Iowa. RichRod lives and dies with his system, not necessarily the players in it. So while TF should get the bulk of the playing time, let's get the other QB's in there.
Throw deep. I was pleased that M unleashed a few deep passes against ND - most notably Greg Mathew's circus catch during the first drive - but this is clearly a weakness for TF. This game is as much about playing EMU as it is about scaring Big Ten teams (sorry, Eagles fans, but that's true). That means we have to throw deep to Mathews, Darryl Stonum and Junior Hemingway (if he plays). It's the old adage about keeping the defense "honest"...not letting them load up against M's short passing game.
Build some defensive depth. This is crucial for the secondary, a unit forced to play without safety Mike Williams for the second half last week and that is still seeming to lack a suitable backup at corner - apologies to JT Floyd who was serviceable against WMU. Donovan Warren appears to be developing into a true #1 corner - ND stayed away from him plenty last week - and I'm terrified of the prospect of him getting hurt. Greg Robinson began to sub somewhat liberally on the defensive line against ND and he should keep this up -- let's see what Will "The Thrill" Campbell can do! He must be getting tired of fellow freshman Craig Roh getting all the love...
Blitz! EMU has a good passing game and Michigan needs to put pressure on QB Andy Schmitt, especially after coming up with 0 sacks against ND.
Kick consistently. Zoltan Mesko and Jason Olesnavage must become weapons. M is a young team and will need its kicking game to bail it out on occassion if it wants to continue on with its solid season.
A few thoughts from last week's game...
Michigan Stadium can get LOUD. It probably won't sound the same against EMU as it did against ND, but it's comforting to know the potential for noise is there.
Favorite t-shirt seen in the crowd last week: "Don't Mesko with the Zoltan"
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A QB Hypothetical
This post was originally going to contain 2 hypothetical questions concerning our QB's, but Sports Illustrated online beat me to the punch on one of them (Forcier vs. Pryor):
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/09/13/CFB.overtime/index.html
So... we are down to only one. However I do want to add to that article that had we landed Pryor last year, good bad or otherwise, we would be committed to having him be our QB for at least a large part of this current season. With his current stats at a top football program, that is somewhat of a scary thought. We just may have unintentially dodged a bullet.
Before you read on, please remember that this is only a HYPOTHETICAL musing. What follows assumes a ton of things.
Although it is still way to early to tell, Michigan appears to have found itself a QB capable of running RichRod's show. Much to the delight of Michigan fans everywhere, Tate Forcier had a huge coming out party on Saturday at Notre Dame's expense. The freshman looked poised and prepared for everything that Big Poppa Weis and the God Squad threw at him, and he performed far above expectations.
Here's my question:
Now that we have Devin Gardner (the nation's #1 ranked high-school QB) interested in coming to Michigan, what becomes of Tate and Denard in 2010? Assuming that Tate can only get better from here, plays most if not all of this season as our starting QB, and improves in the offseason, he will arguably be the probable starter entering the 2010 season. Denard, who seems to be being brought along slowly, would then be our default #2 guy, with at least a shot at competing for the starting job. If we get Gardner (IF), and if he is smart and talented enough to run in this system (IF), RichRod would no doubt have a bit of a bottleneck at the QB position.
Assuming the season goes well from here on out, it would be hard to start anyone but Tate, unless he was being out-right beat in QB competitions by one of the other two aforementioned QB's. That being said, RichRod doesn't strike me as an overly loyal person (see Nick Sheridan), and would without a doubt start the guy who deserved it the most.
If Denard Robinson doesn't make some major improvements at the QB position this year, would it be safe to say that he might be the odd man out of this threesome? Obviously he is too talented for RichRod to keep him off of the field, but perhaps his days (years) at QB are limited, espeically now that he appears to be well behind the learning curve of Tate Forcier's. Maybe RichRob could turn him into one of those great Percy Harvin type players, who can be used in a number of ways not limited to any one position.
Maybe the same fate awaits Devin Gardner if he chooses to come to Michigan. Who is to say that he will be smart enough to run RichRod's somewhat complex system? Who is to say he will/won't be able to? He surely has the physical talent to do it, but will he have the opportunity to be a QB? Maybe he won't even decide to come at all if he feels he won't get ample playing time as a QB? Who knows.
No matter what happens the rest of this season, it is clear that, when it comes to talent, we have a bright future at the QB position, regardless of who may be running the show. It sure will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.
(For recruiting film and notes on Devin Gardner, try www.YouTube.com, and more importantly www.mgoblog.com, and www.yahoo.com/sports, who I find does a better job at in-depth scouting than Rivals and Scouts, Inc. combined.)
Look for a post later this week on my immense frustration with the so-called "Worldwide leader in sports". As always, fire away on the comments and counterpoints.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/09/13/CFB.overtime/index.html
So... we are down to only one. However I do want to add to that article that had we landed Pryor last year, good bad or otherwise, we would be committed to having him be our QB for at least a large part of this current season. With his current stats at a top football program, that is somewhat of a scary thought. We just may have unintentially dodged a bullet.
Before you read on, please remember that this is only a HYPOTHETICAL musing. What follows assumes a ton of things.
Although it is still way to early to tell, Michigan appears to have found itself a QB capable of running RichRod's show. Much to the delight of Michigan fans everywhere, Tate Forcier had a huge coming out party on Saturday at Notre Dame's expense. The freshman looked poised and prepared for everything that Big Poppa Weis and the God Squad threw at him, and he performed far above expectations.
Here's my question:
Now that we have Devin Gardner (the nation's #1 ranked high-school QB) interested in coming to Michigan, what becomes of Tate and Denard in 2010? Assuming that Tate can only get better from here, plays most if not all of this season as our starting QB, and improves in the offseason, he will arguably be the probable starter entering the 2010 season. Denard, who seems to be being brought along slowly, would then be our default #2 guy, with at least a shot at competing for the starting job. If we get Gardner (IF), and if he is smart and talented enough to run in this system (IF), RichRod would no doubt have a bit of a bottleneck at the QB position.
Assuming the season goes well from here on out, it would be hard to start anyone but Tate, unless he was being out-right beat in QB competitions by one of the other two aforementioned QB's. That being said, RichRod doesn't strike me as an overly loyal person (see Nick Sheridan), and would without a doubt start the guy who deserved it the most.
If Denard Robinson doesn't make some major improvements at the QB position this year, would it be safe to say that he might be the odd man out of this threesome? Obviously he is too talented for RichRod to keep him off of the field, but perhaps his days (years) at QB are limited, espeically now that he appears to be well behind the learning curve of Tate Forcier's. Maybe RichRob could turn him into one of those great Percy Harvin type players, who can be used in a number of ways not limited to any one position.
Maybe the same fate awaits Devin Gardner if he chooses to come to Michigan. Who is to say that he will be smart enough to run RichRod's somewhat complex system? Who is to say he will/won't be able to? He surely has the physical talent to do it, but will he have the opportunity to be a QB? Maybe he won't even decide to come at all if he feels he won't get ample playing time as a QB? Who knows.
No matter what happens the rest of this season, it is clear that, when it comes to talent, we have a bright future at the QB position, regardless of who may be running the show. It sure will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.
(For recruiting film and notes on Devin Gardner, try www.YouTube.com, and more importantly www.mgoblog.com, and www.yahoo.com/sports, who I find does a better job at in-depth scouting than Rivals and Scouts, Inc. combined.)
Look for a post later this week on my immense frustration with the so-called "Worldwide leader in sports". As always, fire away on the comments and counterpoints.
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