January 1st, 2022 at 3:24 PM ^
PREACH!
January 1st, 2022 at 12:03 PM ^
Would JJ have led the comeback v PSU? Who knows. It was a moment UM has fell flat on its face for nearly 2 decades.
One thing that is different about this team is the resilience of it. Many of our highly rated QBs failed in that measure of leadership. Cade didn't.
I'd like to roll the marbles with JJ myself and see what happens but people are really ignoring a lot of intangible things Cade had that very few QBs around here have had for a long time.
January 1st, 2022 at 2:22 AM ^
You mean the guy who "doesn't turn the ball over" yet turned the ball over in every big game of the year?
January 1st, 2022 at 9:53 AM ^
Cade really didn’t do a whole lot to get us to the playoff though… he just didn’t make crippling mistakes to keep us from getting there. The run game and defense got us here.
Through 14 games, Cade threw for 15 total touchdowns (ran for 1). He topped 200 passing yards just 4 times. Averaged 184 passing yards per game, added next to nothing on the ground. And finished the year with 6 picks, including 4 in the last 3 games (just 1 TD in that time, kinda hammering home your “performs poorly” aspect)
Seriously, let’s stop pretending like Cade “got us here.” He didn’t do anything extraordinary that should cement him as a starter. He’s a good leader and a heady QB, but acting like his performance is irreplaceable is just silly. Especially when he’s clearly the less talented of the two options.
January 1st, 2022 at 2:17 AM ^
JJ wasn't recruited for spot duty.
January 1st, 2022 at 2:28 AM ^
I love Case, but it will be JJ. The first thing is teach him to slide.
The arm and his speed are amazing. I don't remember a M QB with his tools and I've been around a long ass time. .
January 1st, 2022 at 2:44 AM ^
Henson probably. JJ is quicker, but Henson had good mobility and had a cannon.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:37 AM ^
As an avowed Henson apologist, I get why you mentioned him but JJ’s running ability is in a different class altogether. Quickness, speed and slipperiness all much better than Drew had.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:03 AM ^
He'll slide if he's the starter. If you get 8 snaps why not ball out completely.
January 1st, 2022 at 2:36 AM ^
Michael Barrett.
January 1st, 2022 at 8:01 AM ^
Subtle. Doesn't take itself so seriously. On topic.
This post deserves more upvotes than its getting. Well played, CRG! Well played, indeed...
January 1st, 2022 at 2:41 AM ^
McNamara in Michigan's biggest games this season:
Georgia: 2 INTs, 106 yds, 0 TD
Iowa: 1 INT, 169 yds, 1 TD
OSU: 1 INT, 159 yds, 0 TD
We tried the ultra-conservative game manager thing, and it resulted in turnovers anyway. He had his shot in a game where passing was going to be critical. Bryce Young threw for 400+ yards on that defense, because he's mobile, can extend plays, and has an arm. McNamara doesn't have that in him. McCarthy is clearly the better runner and thrower, and he showed glimpses of what a Bryce Young type QB can do for you. What exactly are we gaining by playing the game manager? I respect the hell out of Cade for the way he handles himself, but sometimes you just get passed on the depth chart by someone who is undeniably more talented. I think Cade gave us his best, and I'm thankful for that.
January 1st, 2022 at 2:46 AM ^
If we’re basing it off tonight’s game, JJ. If they want hardware they need JJ to take over. He might be able to manage BIG teams. But game managers don’t mean shit anymore on the big stage. You need an electric QB, or unless your a team with an historic defense
January 1st, 2022 at 3:08 AM ^
Exactly. Pretty much every team who has won in the last 15-ish years has either had an Alabama (or peak LSU) caliber collection of talent, a Heisman caliber QB, or Urban Meyer -- or a combination of those things. Burrow, Lawrence, Watson, Cam, Jameis, Vince Young. The other champs since 05 are all Alabama or Urban Meyer teams, except the 2007 LSU Tigers. That's the one non-Bama, non-Meyer, non-studQB team. I don't know if JJ can win a Heisman, but I'm positive McNamara can't. We don't have Bama-level recruiting classes coming in and Urban isn't our coach -- so the best path seems clear to me. Hitch your wagon to JJ and see where he takes you.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:33 AM ^
Completely agree with your stance and your post above. I’m not sold on the WRs like everyone else except for AA and Bell. JJ is the only way to go imo in order to keep the offense going. Harbaugh needs to make the tough call.
January 1st, 2022 at 3:20 AM ^
I’ve been on team Cade all year. Tonight put me on team JJ.
January 1st, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
Congratulations. You learned and grew. You went from the kids table to the adult table. Hope more follow you.
January 1st, 2022 at 3:44 AM ^
JJ has to win the job and have a starring role to attract Dante Moore. This is key to having championship level talent at the QB position for the long run.
January 1st, 2022 at 4:35 AM ^
There is no competition.
What should happen:
Harbaugh should have a meeting with both this week and tell them this is JJ's team moving forward. Thanks Cade, but the talent levels aren't even close and JJ is ready NOW.
I'm sure we lose Cade to the portal, so we will need to find a #2 QB. It's not Villari, who should also move on. I think Bowman is done, so it's not him. The 2 FR QBs seem like projects but hopefully that's not the case. Hopefully, they can enroll early. We may also need to hit the portal.
What will happen: The same old BS about this being a competition heading into Spring Ball, blah blah blah. Hopefully Cade knows what is coming and decides to move on now so we can focus on developing a 2 in spring ball and JJ getting all the 1 reps.
THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION.
If Harbaugh is truly sincere about this being "The Beginning" than he needs to show he is serious.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:55 AM ^
Why drive Cade off? If you can somehow convince the guy to stay then do it we need him for depth. I say talk all you want about a QB battle and convince him that he has a good chance at keeping his starter role to keep him around.
It may be in Cades best interest to leave if JJ supplants him. But as a fan I want him to stick around for as long as possible
January 1st, 2022 at 8:55 AM ^
Cade has 2 years remaining.
JH needs to have it decided by the end of Spring ball, because one of these guys will hit the portal.
JJ won't wait much longer, and Cade won't enjoy sending in signals.
Eyeball test is obviously JJ with the higher ceiling, but the staff sees something else every day.
Cade is a game manager, requiring a ton of defensive support. JJ is a game changer.
January 1st, 2022 at 12:58 PM ^
Cade has three more years to play.
Freshman RS, Sophomore Covid, Junior year one.
Brian Griese had zero arm strength as a Sophomore. He would float a 20 yard pass.
His Senior year he won the National Championship and went on to have a ten year NFL career.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:06 AM ^
You can want him to stick around all you want, but that’s not how it works. Cade has the ability to be a starting QB. Why would he stick around to be a backup here to a younger player? It would be welcomed if he did, but not gonna happen. There’s also the potential for a benched starting QB to be a locker room distraction.
The reality of the situation is, whoever isn’t the starting QB by the end of spring ball is leaving. Whether they give JJ the job immediately or they let them battle it out isn’t really relevant.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:08 AM ^
"THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION"
You don't know Jim Harbaugh very well...
January 1st, 2022 at 11:37 AM ^
Actually I do know him quite well, which is why I said that.
The competition is over.
JJ wins.
Cade isn't stupid, he knows what's coming.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:08 PM ^
Why is Bowman done?
He still has 2 more years of eligibility, at least according to one Detroit newspaper we don’t like here.
January 3rd, 2022 at 9:10 AM ^
Username does not check out
January 1st, 2022 at 4:49 AM ^
Bama and Clemson reached the playoffs in 2017 and the very next season they both benched the QBs who got them there in favor of younger, more talented QBs.
Michigan had a great season and Cade was the starting QB of that great season. And most of us here will be grateful for that, but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be the starter next season. And as recent championship level teams have shown, sometimes tough decisions have to be made if it means improving the team.
Whether JJ can be that improvement is tbd. No one can deny there’s a significant gap in physical talent between JJ and Cade. JJ is a running threat, can regularly escape pressure unlike Cade, and has better arm talent. QBing obviously isn’t only based on physical talent though. The best case scenario is that JJ continues to develop his game, has full control of the playbook by next fall, and outright wins the starting job. Because we need him to develop into the 5* QB he was recruited as if we want to take the next step.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
I agree 100%, but I also want to say that I will appreciate what Cade accomplished this year for the rest of my life. He beat Ohio State and at the moment it feels like he turned Michigan around toward a path of dominance over the next decade.
January 1st, 2022 at 6:27 AM ^
I never choose between qbs as I just let the coaches pick and get behind them. However, I find it strange how many anti Cade posts I’ve seen. McCarthy at 7-17 didn’t exactly light it up. The UGA rush got to both qbs causing inaccuracies.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:11 AM ^
Cade is a high floor low ceiling player, consistent, resilient and overall good. He’s not transcendent, and that’s legitimately what you need to win a championship. I don’t understand the confusion, it’s painfully obvious. Not to take anything away from him whatsoever, he’s not the guy that’s going to win a game on his own.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:15 AM ^
Obviously you didn't take into account how many balls went right through the hands of receivers.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:09 AM ^
JJ is the starter, and I hope Cade sticks around. QB depth without Cade or JJ as the backup could cripple the team. BPONE is all we know.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:22 AM ^
The benefits of the cagey vet over the more talented freshman disappeared to an extent down the stretch. The big fear with a more inexperienced player is turnovers. Bad red zone turnover against Ohio State. Pick against Iowa on a poorly thrown ball off the receivers hands. Poor play last night.
If I am the coach looking out for the team, I try to keep both in the program for next season. If I want to do what’s best for McNamara, I tell him before spring ball so he has time to check out the portal.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:38 AM ^
If the interceptions weren’t Cade’s fault, and the problem was dropped passes, why would the coaches have pulled Cade? They pulled him off the field because he wasn’t good.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:22 AM ^
Just a guess, but I would assume McCarthy.
I think we needed McNamara this year, the steady hand that helps the team keep its head together, and McCarthy was not ready to lead the offense himself. But today’s college football game has made it abundantly clear that if you want to truly compete for and win titles, you need an elite game changing QB. Mac Jones, Tua, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, DeShaun, Joe Burrow, these are all the guys who have won the title recently or came really close. What do they all have in common? They were all game changing QBs.
Is that what McCarthy is right now? No. But he is only a true freshman, has shown a lot of great flashes, and has the physical tools to get there, as well as the kind of athleticism you’d expect to see that helps keep opposing defenses honest. He has the potential to evolve into what Michigan would need to take that next step.
McNamara, for all of his many attributes that he brings to the table, can’t provide some of these things. And that’s not necessarily on him. That being said, if Harbaugh decides McNamara is the guy next year, then McNamara is the guy. I’m not rooting for any one guy. Let the coaches make the call.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:33 AM ^
Stetson Bennett IV notwithstanding.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:35 AM ^
Stetson Bennett IV notwithstanding.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Notwithstanding...notwithstanding.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:30 AM ^
I’ve been a Cade supporter all season, but you can see JJs potential versus Cades ceiling. I was scared Cade would get rattled and he did. Mcarthy plays with an edge that Cade doesn’t have. Sometimes recruiting stars really matter and I think this is one of them. He’s got a lot to work on but I think everything he needs to improve on is easily fixable. Futures bright but that game was an eye opener on the gap from the top two teams and the rest of the field.
January 1st, 2022 at 7:43 AM ^
Gonna have to agree... Cade was game all night, but he just didn't have the high end ceiling needed for a game like this. I was glad to see McCarthy get most of the 2nd half, and all of the 4th. He looked really good. Those rough edges he still has will only go away with on-field play. Throwing bullets on 7 yard plays, trying too hard to keep a play alive, reading defenses... All of that goes away with experience. I love Cade and what he gave this team all year, but JJ needs to be the starter in Spring practice.
That said, I would not change the QB situation this year one bit. The reason JJ could be thrown into the fire last night was because of how he was brought along through the season. This season, Harbaugh started earning back that 'QB Whisperer' title we all gave him so easily.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
You are starting to see......but you are still a little cloudy. It takes time to learn. But you are getting there bit by bit. Good luck to you.
January 1st, 2022 at 11:26 AM ^
Next years schedule also sets up well for a first year starter. Not entirely clear what changes the big ten will make (e,g. Will games just get switched home/away or will order get changed), but a four game opening stretch against: Colorado State, Hawaii, U-Conn and Maryland gives JJ game time to make those corrections.
January 1st, 2022 at 8:24 AM ^
May the best man win but it would appear JJ is the favorite and he's not afraid to work even harder. I can image he, Corum and Edwards will be holding their own practices starting in the next few weeks as they did after the Nebraska game which was well after midnight.
JJ will elevate Cade's game but in the end, JJ will win the position. I hope Cade stays on and can be used the way JJ was used this season so Cade will get some meaningful playing time.
January 1st, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
It's obviously JJ
1) You can't keep a potential generational talent on the bench.
2) The only way to compete with totally stacked SEC rosters on the biggest stage is with a game changing QB (Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson)
3) The staff was clearly already grooming JJ to take the job by throwing him into the fire this year, obviously much more than the typical back up situation.
4) The arm and running talent is far superior to Cade and I expect his game management and touch to catch up this off season.
The coaches should approach the QB competition with an open mind next year, but the eye test obviously already says JJ.
January 1st, 2022 at 8:41 AM ^
Depends on what you believe in in terms of what Michigan will be able to do.
Do you think Michigan can continue to dominate B1G teams in the run game? Are you just happy with doing that? If so Cade is your guy
If you want to elevate the offense and make all skill players accountable by the defense on ever play with some growing pains early next year JJ is your guy.
January 1st, 2022 at 9:31 AM ^
With respect to dominating run game, I'd expect JJ to have an even better one given his scrambling ability and zone read success.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:25 AM ^
I 100% agree. I should of been more clear. A RB/OL centric dominating run game
January 1st, 2022 at 8:44 AM ^
JJ needs to protect himself more. I can see him going qb1 and then getting injured due to all that scrambling.
Regardless of who is qb1, we got some options.
January 1st, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^
JJ was getting absolutely trucked on some of his keepers last night. Now of course, some big kudos to him for getting right back up and getting back to the huddle, he’s a tough dude. But he was taking some big time hits last night, and all it takes is one of those to end your season.
Looking forward to see what he can do and continue to grow into, but also knowing when it’s time to slide or go out of bounds.