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FWIW....
What it looks like when it works
I have no precise title for this blog -- "What it looks like when it works" is as good as any.
When I posted yesterday morning that Denard has to get more used to/comfortable with the offense -- I meant it.
Brady Hoke, Al Borges, et al have looked at the film and decided, on the record as well as off, that they're on the right track with the offense -- they like what they're doing, it just has to progress -- and certain guys have to get healthier.
Meaning:
The power running game. We really only saw it once so far, against Minnesota when Fitz Toussaint ran for 108 yards. It's been set back by injuries -- both to Fitz and to the left side of the O-line. That left side was/is to be the 'power run side' with Lewan-Barnum-Molk, and we saw that vs the Goofers -- Fitz's downhill runs were mainly off that side. However, since then, not only has Barnum been out, but Lewan has been walking-wounded -- ankle-foot, elbow head. He's been in a boot this week, and the time off should be what the doc ordered there. Same for Barnum. Same for Fitz (altho he's taken over for Brandon Minor on the run-corps as "Mr Injury," so we'll see if he can stay healthy). BTW as far as Michael Schofield goes -- he's done a yoeman's job filling in for Barnum; this is a kid (Schofield) who's never played guard in his life; he's now ready to be a fixture at RT for the next two seasons, '12 and '13.
*The power run game has been short-circuited by injury; hopefully the week off will reignite it.
The Two-Quarterback sets in good field position. These are a part of the offense to stay. Against MSU the Spartan DL-n-blitzing was able to blow many of these plays up -- plus some of them were simply poorly run. Denard getting the ball with a head of steam, and having 2 QBs back there to throw it around -- dazzling when operated (and blocked) well.
Devin Gardner dropping back at times. In some pure passing situations, seeing Devin in there at times is here to stay as well ("here to stay" is too strong, I mean for-now of course). So far this part of the experiment hasn't really worked - and coming in for a play here and there places a lot of stress on Devin. But Borges-n-Hoke think he can handle it and haven't given up on it.
*Devin's too good to languish, and Denard is too dangerous to have him turning his back to the D most of the time; so the 2-headed QB experiment will continue.
This offense is complicated, and places most of the stress on both QB's Denard and Devin. But the U-M braintrust thinks they have two special players there who can learn to handle it. Remember, Florida won a NC in 2006 with a two-headed QB ... if you can make it work it's just too-weird for defenses. And, but, however -- if you ask me this U-M O is more complicated than the '06 Florida setup, especially for Denard. So Borges has decided he has two very special NFL-caliber guys ... but it takes getting used to. I think 2012 is being set up as a special year ... altho if the D-n-D-bros learn fast (and the OL is healthy enuff), 2011 can still be pretty special too (I'm thinking: OSU victory).
BTW, with this experiment going on, the route-running precision is at a premium -- the receivers (incl. Vincent Smith) HAVE to help the QBs out ... so far, frankly, it's been hit-n-miss. Junior has made some great jump-ball-catches -- but the route-running has to get better. And then they have to catch it - that has been a little disappointing too at times.
Minnesota was one scrimmage to get this O in order ... Purdue could be another one - altho the Boiler-D hasn't been half-bad so far (they gave up 23 to PSU, 17 to MINN, 38 to ND), so we'll see. Their game vs Illinois Saturday (noon, ESPN2) will be one I watch.
What it looks like when it works
I have no precise title for this blog -- "What it looks like when it works" is as good as any.
When I posted yesterday morning that Denard has to get more used to/comfortable with the offense -- I meant it.
Brady Hoke, Al Borges, et al have looked at the film and decided, on the record as well as off, that they're on the right track with the offense -- they like what they're doing, it just has to progress -- and certain guys have to get healthier.
Meaning:
The power running game. We really only saw it once so far, against Minnesota when Fitz Toussaint ran for 108 yards. It's been set back by injuries -- both to Fitz and to the left side of the O-line. That left side was/is to be the 'power run side' with Lewan-Barnum-Molk, and we saw that vs the Goofers -- Fitz's downhill runs were mainly off that side. However, since then, not only has Barnum been out, but Lewan has been walking-wounded -- ankle-foot, elbow head. He's been in a boot this week, and the time off should be what the doc ordered there. Same for Barnum. Same for Fitz (altho he's taken over for Brandon Minor on the run-corps as "Mr Injury," so we'll see if he can stay healthy). BTW as far as Michael Schofield goes -- he's done a yoeman's job filling in for Barnum; this is a kid (Schofield) who's never played guard in his life; he's now ready to be a fixture at RT for the next two seasons, '12 and '13.
*The power run game has been short-circuited by injury; hopefully the week off will reignite it.
The Two-Quarterback sets in good field position. These are a part of the offense to stay. Against MSU the Spartan DL-n-blitzing was able to blow many of these plays up -- plus some of them were simply poorly run. Denard getting the ball with a head of steam, and having 2 QBs back there to throw it around -- dazzling when operated (and blocked) well.
Devin Gardner dropping back at times. In some pure passing situations, seeing Devin in there at times is here to stay as well ("here to stay" is too strong, I mean for-now of course). So far this part of the experiment hasn't really worked - and coming in for a play here and there places a lot of stress on Devin. But Borges-n-Hoke think he can handle it and haven't given up on it.
*Devin's too good to languish, and Denard is too dangerous to have him turning his back to the D most of the time; so the 2-headed QB experiment will continue.
This offense is complicated, and places most of the stress on both QB's Denard and Devin. But the U-M braintrust thinks they have two special players there who can learn to handle it. Remember, Florida won a NC in 2006 with a two-headed QB ... if you can make it work it's just too-weird for defenses. And, but, however -- if you ask me this U-M O is more complicated than the '06 Florida setup, especially for Denard. So Borges has decided he has two very special NFL-caliber guys ... but it takes getting used to. I think 2012 is being set up as a special year ... altho if the D-n-D-bros learn fast (and the OL is healthy enuff), 2011 can still be pretty special too (I'm thinking: OSU victory).
BTW, with this experiment going on, the route-running precision is at a premium -- the receivers (incl. Vincent Smith) HAVE to help the QBs out ... so far, frankly, it's been hit-n-miss. Junior has made some great jump-ball-catches -- but the route-running has to get better. And then they have to catch it - that has been a little disappointing too at times.
Minnesota was one scrimmage to get this O in order ... Purdue could be another one - altho the Boiler-D hasn't been half-bad so far (they gave up 23 to PSU, 17 to MINN, 38 to ND), so we'll see. Their game vs Illinois Saturday (noon, ESPN2) will be one I watch.
