Now that everyone has calmed down from the most exciting game ever, let's quickly look at how the game went for Michigan, and what area's do they need to improve.
Positives
- They never gave up, and played as a team throughout.
- The defense gave up a lot of yardage, but also came through for the team in big situations, except of course for ND's last drive.
- Brandin Hawthorne looked very good out there, and should challenge for a starting role from now on.
Things to work on
- Consistently getting pressure on the quarterback. This could be done with better blitz disguises and just tougher play up front; which would also stop some of those big runs.
- Better pass coverage....but fortunately not many teams have a Michael Floyd.
- The offensive line got bullied at times by ND, and Robinson wasn't able to break of many long runs apart from the read-options because of this. It's all well and good creating lanes against WMU, but they need to do it against tougher defenses if they expect to go to a decent bowl game.
- UM needs to develop a short-intermediate passing game. Denard isn't accurate on the long ball, and clearly makes some risky decisions, so they simply have to improve their short passing game if they want to move the ball consistently on good defenses.
I think if anything, this game solidified any thought that Denard Robinson is NOT a pro style qb, and IF he can be, he's a long way from it. for the first 3 quarters, they pretty much stayed in pro style, it wasnt until the last of the 3rd, and the 4th quarter, where they let him run loose and do his thing that he flourished.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Denard throws the ball short on purpose. Nobody can deny his arm strength, he over throws receivers all the time. However it's known, that if the receiver doesn't have his man beat, throw it short, because the receiver is looking for the ball, and can adjust better than the defender. Notice that in the first half, the pass attempts were overthrown, so in the second half, he threw short, and he completed 70% of his passes in the 4th.
ReplyDeleteDevin Gardner needs to see some playing time. Drob needs more time in this Offence but Borges needs to get Gardner in for a couple of quarters. I am still sticking with the prediction I made after the spring game that Gardner will be starting by the MSU game. Long shot I know but we need to see what he can do.
ReplyDeleteI ALSO think this solidifies most of our predictions... that Junior Hemingway is going to have a big year! I was at the game, and I'll admit, I almost teared up when Desmond Howard was on the field, crying with joy. For Number 21 to have such a huge game, in honor of number 21, that was awesome.
ReplyDelete@Jer89 - There is no way Gardner starts over DR, unless ofcoarse he gets hurt. DR has too much game experience to ignore. Maybe he can get some playing time against Eastern. I don't think Gardner would have done what DR did last night. With all his mistakes, he won the game for us.
ReplyDeleteIf the D had not forced 4 turnover then DR 3 turnover would have been a bigger deal and the game may have ended alittle different.
ReplyDeleteI am just saying DR long ball SUCKS. I just think DG needs to play with the starter maybe he can beat teams with his arm and alittle with his legs. besides you can't tell me that DR did it all on his own. He owes his receiver BIG TIME. They bailed him out all game long.
Benji,
ReplyDeleteWill we hear some good news on recruiting Monday?
I agree with Jer. DR proved in this game that he does not have the accuracy to be a pro style quarterback. Yes he may have the arm, but throwing accuracy was very off at times and he was bailed out by his receivers. DR is a spectacular player and deserves every right to be on the field during every offensive player. However, i believe his best fit is not always at the QB position. There were countless times when the ball would leave his hands and i would be praying/holding my breathe that it would be within a proximity of the receiver for a chance to catch it. I am hoping that during the Eastern game we build i decent lead in the first half and get to see DG get in the game and watch him try to run the pro style offense. I truly believe with DG in the QB spot and moving DR around the field and finding ways to still get the ball into his hands without having to rely on him to do all the pass attempts would be our best option. I would like to see them use him more like a Josh Cribbs for the browns, and begin to rely/and mold DG as the future of our program (well at least till Morris is ready). Either way i see the team coming together and some talent beginning to show on this team and am excited as ever for the Hoke era at U of M.
ReplyDeleteI want to clear something up. I am not a DRod hater just the opposite. He is a talent like no other. But we all know a QB could go down at anytime and DG has what 10 plays under his belt? thats not good for UM football. DG needs playing time and soon. Who knows he may just surprise us.
ReplyDeleteAn awful lot of complaining about a quarterback that has led us to a 2-0 start that is probably more impressive than our start last year. Notre Dame is much better than their record indicates...they're not losing because their defense is incapable of stopping people, they're losing because their offense keeps messing up. I honestly think Notre Dame's defense is one of the toughest we will face all season. They specifically gameplanned to not allow DR to rip them a new one like last year and it worked...for about 2.5 quarters. DR is throwing to the same group of receivers he had last year who had trouble hanging onto passes and yesterday's game showed much of the same. Also don't forget that the only receiver with decent height is Hemingway. Everyone else is between 5'8" and 5'10" for the most part. In terms of prototypical receivers they are midgets. I thought I saw several of DR's passes lastnight that if the receivers were taller they would have easily made the catch. Toussaint needs to get healthy asap because if they're not going to give Shaw the rock when he's out and instead start Hopkins, then they're in deep trouble because Hopkins was absolutely horrible lastnight. What about putting Cox in who looked pretty promising or breaking the seal on Rawls or Hayes?
ReplyDeleteLike I said earlier, Denard was under throwing those balls on purpose. We all know he can overthrow, but if he put the ball right on the target, a lot of those receptions would have been pass breakups. If you under throw in Man coverage, the receiver has the advantage.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with akmed. Our receivers are extremely short. Not that it's an excuse, but it makes things harder for the QB. Also, I was very upset that Hoke had Hopkins in the ball game. He looked completely horrible last night. I still like Shaw, and Fitz.
I am not bashing or complaining about DR at all either. He is a very good QB and has led us off to a great start. However if you watch his throws many of them were off target whether under or over thrown and unless you were in the mind of DR how could you be sure of where he tried to place the ball for the receiver to grab? He could have been trying to throw a jump ball and accidentally under threw it and the receiver came up with the catch and one could sit there and be like "ohh he under threw that on purpose". You just don't know how or where he truly meant to throw that ball. Personally i would not say a QB that throws 3 int's in a game a very accurate passer but then again alot of things could factor into that. Again i am in no way bashing or complaining about DR i am only stating when he steps back and releases that ball sometimes i hold my breathe compared to when he takes off running and i know the outcome will usually be positive yards. The receivers had to make some very acrobat catches at times, conversely DR did make some good throws also. I am just saying i would like them to get DG some reps and see how his accuracy measures up to DR and maybe try some plays with both DR and DG on the field at the same time. I think it would be pretty exciting to see both in there on some plays. Either way i am behind Hoke and company completely and am very excited for where this program is headed, and as always HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
ReplyDeleteOk, the players may not have played to their full potential, but they pulled out a win with perseverance and team work. They also put on one of the best recruiting and marketing performances we'll ever see. Under the lights, Desmond's ceremony, and a spectacular come from behind win. The atmosphere was unmatched and millions were watching. At least they got to play the full game and look at a tape against a high level opponent to learn from their mistakes and accomplishments. The win was a spectacular way to introduce the nation to the "new" Michigan and Coach Hoke.
ReplyDeleteDevin Gardner does need some playing time. Period. Against EMU and maybe a few other times this season, I am sure the staff will get him in for a few series. Denard Robinson is not Joe Montana in the pocket, but what the $%#@ has Gardner done that make anyone think that he could be this year's B1G Offensive POY? We already have that guy and Borges is TRANSITIONING to the pro-style not just dumping all spread concepts for his own offense. He is doing this for a few reasons: 1) Denard is an unbelievable athlete in space; 2) Denard has to stay healthy; 3) The spread was extremely effective last year. So why try to fix what isn't broken.
ReplyDeleteDenard isn't a great passer, get over it. He will continue to throw jump balls to his WR's (hopefully fewer to the 5'8 Gallon) because they are talented too. Denard does struggle with decision making at times and lacks touch on the deep ball, but WOW is he electric! His leadership and energy is contagious! He is the leader of that team and intangibles count for SO much from the QB position. Gardner is very talented, but taking the ball from Robinson for any reason other that to gain some experience for Gardner is foolish and it will NOT happen as long as DRob has eligibility or is healthy.
so does anyone have scout access and espn insider access? can you post the visit reactions for Banner, Payton and the 2013 prospects at the ND game? I saw a bunch of visit reactions but was unable to find any info. Would appreciate if someone could post...that win was a big one!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Danny O Brien has just moved his decision date up to Oct 7th now. This date will be before he makes his planned trips to tennessee or alabama. This can't be bad news, right?
ReplyDeleteIf you check out the link on this page to Brices recruiting website, he has a post up that gives some inside into tweets that were made by a few of the recruits that sound pretty promising.
ReplyDeletecaleb,
ReplyDeleteYou proved my point in your comments. These are your words. 1 Denard isn't a great passer.2 Denard does struggle with decision making at times.3 lacks touch on the deep ball. 4 Denard Robinson is not Joe Montana in the pocket. These are not things you look for in a starting QB. He is amazing I will give him that. and some say its becauce his receivers are to short and that may be but you would have to be 8 foot tall to catch some of his throws. There is no doubting DR talent as a ATL and his leadership. His decision making needs to get better.
DG needs playing time. He amy show us something if he had a chance. He has only played a handful of snaps. Thats just not enough. Lets see what he can do?
Jer,
ReplyDeleteWell said, i could not agree with you more!
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