Agree re: human bodies, but training definitely has to do with it too. How many torn ACLs have we seen in the offseason since the S&C coach changed? I'd be interested to see if M's numbers are in line with those of other D1 school.
Also, this article suggests that S&C can have a lot to do with knee injuries and coming back from them:
That this is where the program would be going into the The Game in year 3 under Hoke. I don't know how anyone can have any confidence in this coaching staff. People can say all they want about this team being young and Hoke being a great recruiter and I'll respond by saying this:
1. It seems like almost every player on offense has gotten worse during the season. I would buy the "we're young" argument more if I saw improvement. I don't.
2. We could get every 5* recruit on offense out there, but based on what we've seen, I think we'd just waste all that talent anyway.
Great, he'll take blame on himself. "We didn't have our guys ready" or "We need to prepare better." And that's just it. Not prepared or ready after a bye week. And I usually don't buy into "emotion" and "swagger," but this team has looked passive the whole year.
We are in about the same spot that we were under RR in year 3. Rodriguez was definitely to blame for his own demise, but people need to see that, for the most part, Hoke has had similar success at Michigan - winning against weak teams and losing to strong ones. Wonder if/how Brandon will evaluate Hoke after this year.
Who decides what offense a team is going to run? Is it the head coach or do the assistants and coordinators have input as well?
I just worry that our offensive philosophy is moving in the wrong direction. As more and more teams are looking to spread it out, go no huddle, and run more plays, Michigan is looking to go in the opposite direction.
Sometimes I wonder if Hoke got the job because Brandon knew Hoke would run a "traditional offense" that "is Michigan." I also wonder if the older alumns are happy with the offense or are they happy the are seeing "Michigan football" again and are happy with 8-9 wins a year.
This part of Hoke's response jumped out to me as well, which is surprising because isn't Borges a West Coast / passing spread guy? Running the spread doesn't necessarily mean it has to be run based!
If they can't run the ball and the o-line can't hold blocks on passing downs, why not go to something with a 3-step drop (assuming QB under center), swing pass, screen pass, or anything that is essentially a long handoff? I would be curious to know why none of these plays are in the offense (or if they are, why they aren't being run).
I'm really starting to wonder this. They were behind big to MSU, Iowa, and PSU. The total score at the end of the game may look good, but how much is that a function of the opponent playing a prevent-type defense?
That's what's the most disappointing about this loss. They had 2 weeks to prepare for a Penn State team that is without its top players and they still lost.
I've always worried about the Pistons moving. But if the Lions, perennial losers, have not, I don't think the Pistons will either. I have to disagree that their history basically began in 1988. While the Pistons didn't win until 89, they really started their upswing when they drafted Isiah Thomas.
If the Pistons are indeed sold, I wonder in David Stern will assist in coming up with an agreement that somehow makes Dan Gilbert owner. The only question is if Gilbert would want to give his majority ownership in the Cavs since they have LeBron. However, if LeBron leaves after this year, the prospect of owning the Pistons may become more attractive.
If he isn't already, he's going to be the leader on this team. Might not be the fastest, tallest, or most skilled, but his hustle cannot be matched. He's definitely a "lead by example" guy.
I've seen pickup games at the CCRB with better offensive execution than I've seen tonight from either team. Michigan's lack of a point guard to initiate the offense is glaring.
I wonder if there's more going on behind the scenes than we know. Rodriguez, of late, just looks mentally exhausted. This could be because practices are not translating to game day. It could be that the rumors of an anti-RR faction of the AD are true. It could be that he thinks his staff is doing a good job when they're really not. He just seems at wits end about why things are going they way they are.
I really hope that RR takes some time after the season to evaluate his staff and make changes if necessary. I'd hate to see a repeat of the Lloyd era cronyism. Does anyone know how much input Casteel had over his position coaches during RR's tenure at WVU? By his admission, RR has said he's pretty hands off with the defense, and maybe this philosophy is coming back to haunt him at Michigan.
In terms of overall record, yes. Before the season started, I thought M would have either 5 or 6 wins after Purdue.
In terms of execution, no. I understand and accept that young players will make mistakes related to scheme (i.e. wrong read, throw in the coverage). However, the fumbles, poor tackling, and inability to field punts has been largely disappointing and surprising.
I don't think RR should be fired until he's had at least 4 years as Head Coach. Still, I hopes he sits down after the season and fairly evaluates his position coaches. I think many of us can agree that toward the end of Lloyd's tenure his loyalty hurt the team. I don't want to see that happen again.
I really don't understand why the fundamentals haven't improved from week to week. I never played organized football, so I don't know what happens during in-season practices. Are fundamentals practiced at all or is practice dedicated to installing new plays for that week's opponent? If its the latter, shouldn't the fundamentals been solid going into the season (is this too much to ask for - no sarcasm)?
West Texas Blue & Michigan Arrogance -
Appreciate both your points. While things may have been covered earlier, the point of the post is that 1) most of my "fears" are irrational, for whatever reason and 2) its hard getting used to something new.
Recent Comments
Agree re: human bodies, but training definitely has to do with it too. How many torn ACLs have we seen in the offseason since the S&C coach changed? I'd be interested to see if M's numbers are in line with those of other D1 school.
Also, this article suggests that S&C can have a lot to do with knee injuries and coming back from them:
http://zigsports.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/greg-oden-brandon-roy-what-what-happened/
That this is where the program would be going into the The Game in year 3 under Hoke. I don't know how anyone can have any confidence in this coaching staff. People can say all they want about this team being young and Hoke being a great recruiter and I'll respond by saying this:
1. It seems like almost every player on offense has gotten worse during the season. I would buy the "we're young" argument more if I saw improvement. I don't.
2. We could get every 5* recruit on offense out there, but based on what we've seen, I think we'd just waste all that talent anyway.
Starting to remind me of the defenses under Carr. Always give up a 3rd and long pass.
Great, he'll take blame on himself. "We didn't have our guys ready" or "We need to prepare better." And that's just it. Not prepared or ready after a bye week. And I usually don't buy into "emotion" and "swagger," but this team has looked passive the whole year.
We are in about the same spot that we were under RR in year 3. Rodriguez was definitely to blame for his own demise, but people need to see that, for the most part, Hoke has had similar success at Michigan - winning against weak teams and losing to strong ones. Wonder if/how Brandon will evaluate Hoke after this year.
"We didn't execute."
Who decides what offense a team is going to run? Is it the head coach or do the assistants and coordinators have input as well?
I just worry that our offensive philosophy is moving in the wrong direction. As more and more teams are looking to spread it out, go no huddle, and run more plays, Michigan is looking to go in the opposite direction.
Sometimes I wonder if Hoke got the job because Brandon knew Hoke would run a "traditional offense" that "is Michigan." I also wonder if the older alumns are happy with the offense or are they happy the are seeing "Michigan football" again and are happy with 8-9 wins a year.
This part of Hoke's response jumped out to me as well, which is surprising because isn't Borges a West Coast / passing spread guy? Running the spread doesn't necessarily mean it has to be run based!
If they can't run the ball and the o-line can't hold blocks on passing downs, why not go to something with a 3-step drop (assuming QB under center), swing pass, screen pass, or anything that is essentially a long handoff? I would be curious to know why none of these plays are in the offense (or if they are, why they aren't being run).
Didn't RR hire Greg?
I'm really starting to wonder this. They were behind big to MSU, Iowa, and PSU. The total score at the end of the game may look good, but how much is that a function of the opponent playing a prevent-type defense?
That's what's the most disappointing about this loss. They had 2 weeks to prepare for a Penn State team that is without its top players and they still lost.
What does firing Greg get M? It's RR who is ultimately making the decision on who to hire as a DC...and so far, he's arguably 0-2.
Non Contact injury. Planted his foot, went the wrong way.
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