O'Korn is way for mobile and presents a major headache for a defense to have to contain him. Speight reminds me of the old 6"5 Michigan QB's who could never run. I trust Harbaugh 100% with his pick anyways but I am just asking since all I am hearing is Speight
Are We Sure Our Starting QB Is Speight?
- Thread starter scfanblue
- Start date
Speight can move a little. I'd prefer a qb that can move the chains even though he isn't flashy.
We will see.
RM
We will see.
RM
I think both will play in the opener. As soon as one throws an interception the crowd will be chanting for the other. I just want a qb who can convert a 3rd and long pass.
He also turns the ball over more than Speight which gives OUR coach the headache.
And RM is right, Speight is not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning when it comes to mobility, he can get the job done. He's not as athletic as JO'K but he's no statue.
We don't really know if O'Korn turns the ball over a bunch as we have not really seen him play other than the spring game. Speight got the job done against Minnesota on a few reps but other than that he does not have much game time experience at all and THAT is a huge difference at the QB position. Coming in and throwing 6 passes including a 15 yard strike against Minny in much different than leading the team throughout the game against Michigan State and Ohio State. People forget that Ruddock had GAME TIME experience at Iowa before coming to Michigan. His only fault was having to learn Harbaugh's system and it showed against Utah last year. I am more excited as a Michigan fan than I have been in a very long time coming into this season, however, I have not paid much attention to the enormous amount of hype. Why? either way at QB, it will take whoever starts, it will take them the first half of the season to get comfortable and that is a fact. Our schedule is not a easy as people think either because neither Penn State nor Wisconsin are going to lay down for Michigan even in Ann Arbor. We will have an unproven QB, tackle and we don't have a game dominating break away running back (hopefully Chris Evans can develop into this). The great thing is that Harbaugh will coach around our weaknesses and that is why he is so good. Defensively, we have a new DC period no matter how many studs are returning. It is a new system and this is not Boston College. This will also take the players time in a GAME situation. I hope we go 15-0 BUT there are many inexperienced situations right now. I do understand Herbstreit when he says "year three will be the full Harbaugh effect." Like it or not he has a very valid point. We are just going into year two with JH. MSU and Dantonio have earned everything they have accomplished over the years and Ohio State is simply at another level right now with the athletes and coaching they get. Meyer walked into a great situation in Columbus and elevated it even more while we were dicking around with Rich Rod and Brady Hoke!. We have much to prove this year and having 10 possible freshman playing is absolutely dynamite.
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In college, teams are always going to have question marks. You talk about game film, yet you completely fail to mention that in the last season that O'Korn played, he threw 6 TDs and 8 picks. There have been plenty of practice reports coming out that have said the same thing... He is very talented, but he's too careless with the football. Just because you haven't read them doesn't mean they don't exist. Our quarterback in 1997 was a game manager and we won it all. Alabama trots game manager after game manager out there, and they have done pretty well for themselves. I don't think we're either of those teams right now, but Harbaugh doesn't need an Andrew Luck or Tom Brady to win at Michigan.
Speight has had 2 years in the offense, and I think we'll be fine with either at the helm. If we've learned anything from Harbaugh, it's that we shouldn't really worry too much about the QB situation.
On the running backs, I don't know why people keep pointing to the fact that we don't have a major home run threat. Harbaugh hasn't either with Frank Gore or Stepfan Taylor. They have been very good backs, but neither is a Jamaal Charles type RB.
I'm not saying we're going undefeated, but being hesitant because of question marks is pointless at this point, considering every team has them.
Agree - I don't mind the Speight versus O'Korn. If Speight won the battle outright he deserves it - the piece we should be worried about is if Speight is not great as a QB, which means we have no depth. If O'Korn has not been able to seperate himself through Spring and Fall practice then he's not the guy.
I also agree, every team has a gap and the goal is to work around that gap. I hope we get to 15-0 but that's why the game is played and we will find out quickly. The good news for us this year unlike last year is that we don't start on the road against a ranked team. We can have a few blunders in our first 3 games and still eke out wins with a mediocre team. I think Hoke 2014 staff would like win the first 3 games so I am sure JH is going to use those games to fine tune things - just like he did last year against UNLV & Oregon State.
Now if by the time PSU and Wisconsin come around we still have major question marks - defense overrated under Brown, QB not great, O-line overrated then we reset the expectations but right now everything everyone says is pure speculation. Last year we were good enough to go 11-1 where we could have won every game if we were in sync and healthy. If we assume we can improve versus last year and we can stay healthy, I see no reason why 12-0 is not attainable - OSU lost a lot to the NFL and they will have an equally steep learning curve as well. Either way, Go Blue!!!
I also agree, every team has a gap and the goal is to work around that gap. I hope we get to 15-0 but that's why the game is played and we will find out quickly. The good news for us this year unlike last year is that we don't start on the road against a ranked team. We can have a few blunders in our first 3 games and still eke out wins with a mediocre team. I think Hoke 2014 staff would like win the first 3 games so I am sure JH is going to use those games to fine tune things - just like he did last year against UNLV & Oregon State.
Now if by the time PSU and Wisconsin come around we still have major question marks - defense overrated under Brown, QB not great, O-line overrated then we reset the expectations but right now everything everyone says is pure speculation. Last year we were good enough to go 11-1 where we could have won every game if we were in sync and healthy. If we assume we can improve versus last year and we can stay healthy, I see no reason why 12-0 is not attainable - OSU lost a lot to the NFL and they will have an equally steep learning curve as well. Either way, Go Blue!!!
I personally think THIS is the year to make some real noise...not necessarily next year even though Peters and some very talented skill players will be making an impact.
The difference between this year and next is the amount of upperclass DLineman and others (Thomas, Hill, Peppers, Lewis, Butt, Smith, Chesson, Darboh) will be hard to replace. UM is built RIGHT NOW to beat people IF the OL can establish a run game and take the pressure off of Speight.
Speight can do relatively modest stuff at qb and the defense and run game can win. See 97. Don't need Elvis Grbac at qb.
I don't think this season is necessarily about Speight being All Big Ten although he needs to be solid. I don't have any major worries about the lb'ers (before injuries). My concern is the OL. The OL plays well and this team will be tough. It struggles and the rb's can't compensate than the offense is going to have problems.
3rd and 3 and UM wins a lot of game. 3rd and 8 and UM will have a few losses. Kalis is the Derrick Green of the OL. Way overrated. The weak link. The run game is the critical component to win on the road. As Don Brown said...if they stop the run then things are going to be great. Works the opposite way too. That simple.
RM
The difference between this year and next is the amount of upperclass DLineman and others (Thomas, Hill, Peppers, Lewis, Butt, Smith, Chesson, Darboh) will be hard to replace. UM is built RIGHT NOW to beat people IF the OL can establish a run game and take the pressure off of Speight.
Speight can do relatively modest stuff at qb and the defense and run game can win. See 97. Don't need Elvis Grbac at qb.
I don't think this season is necessarily about Speight being All Big Ten although he needs to be solid. I don't have any major worries about the lb'ers (before injuries). My concern is the OL. The OL plays well and this team will be tough. It struggles and the rb's can't compensate than the offense is going to have problems.
3rd and 3 and UM wins a lot of game. 3rd and 8 and UM will have a few losses. Kalis is the Derrick Green of the OL. Way overrated. The weak link. The run game is the critical component to win on the road. As Don Brown said...if they stop the run then things are going to be great. Works the opposite way too. That simple.
RM
What O'Korn did at Houston is absolutely pointless. That would be like saying last year that Ruddock was benched at Iowa as the QB so Shane Morris should have been the starter. My point is that I have been reading a ton of noise on here about Speight being named the starter and about how great he is going to be. He will be very good under the development of Harbaugh BUT right now, he has had very few game reps. Therefore, if he is the starter then it will take some time to hone his skills in a real game situation BEYOND the Minnesota game. It is wonderful though that the true game time reps he did get was in a pressure cooker environment like the Minny game. I would also like to stop hearing about Alabama have a true game manager the last few years. That is true but Michigan is no where near the Tide at this point. The only team in the Big Ten that truly matches them in talent is the Buckeyes. Did you happen to the see the OL around the Alabama QB? And how about the game breaking running backs as well. Deveon Smith is no where near what they have had nor is he near Elliot that was at OSU. Those type of backs are game changers. Hopefully, Michigan can do it this year by committee once again. Finally, this is not 1997 and that was 19 years ago. Football has drastically changed and so has the athlete playing the game. Today's offenses that win have more than just a game manager QB at the helm. Would you say that Deshaun Watson of Clemson is just a game manager? Truly not. Yes, Bama has come into seasons with question marks year after year but Saban has been in Tuscaloosa for 10 years now and his recruiting keeps their roster LOADED beyond well beyond the QB position. This is the same case for our rival in Columbus. They are not going to be down this year and its a joke to hear people state they will be. If Harbaugh stays in AA for 10 years then Michigan will become like just Bama and OSU. Right now, let's wait and see how we do this season before putting us into the playoffs before we earn it.
You make a legit point that the game has clearly changed. You are right and that teams need to put points on the board.
That being said...that 97 defense would shut a lot of teams down. How about WSU? Did they have a potent offense? That was with Ryan Leaf. Ever see him play in person in college? One HELL of a qb. Maybe a nut case but that guy is better than any guy in college right now.
My point is that a GREAT defense can win games. Maybe not an above average defense but a GREAT defense that dominates and gives it's offense great field position and can hold other teams to fg's has the ability to be great. This team has some serious talent on the DL. Don't down play it. This team can really give opponents trouble especially with an aggressive DC. That huskies team or the 97 team would do plenty fine now. They are legendary defenses.
Now...those defenses still need help. You give a game manager who can throw the underneath stuff well...not turn the ball over, move the chains with an OL that protects and can run the ball for 3.5 yards per carry will be able to put around 20 pts on the board against a quality team. That will be enough if all facets of the team play well...even on the road.
I don't see Ryan Leaf on MSU or OSU. Now...JT from OSU is the wild card. He is big time but unlike last year with the injuries and weak UM lb'ers...he is going to have a much bigger challenge. This defense can win every game on the schedule with an offense that put's 20 pts on the board including OSU. Maybe they will need to do more but this defense has a chance to be very special.
We will see.
RM
That being said...that 97 defense would shut a lot of teams down. How about WSU? Did they have a potent offense? That was with Ryan Leaf. Ever see him play in person in college? One HELL of a qb. Maybe a nut case but that guy is better than any guy in college right now.
My point is that a GREAT defense can win games. Maybe not an above average defense but a GREAT defense that dominates and gives it's offense great field position and can hold other teams to fg's has the ability to be great. This team has some serious talent on the DL. Don't down play it. This team can really give opponents trouble especially with an aggressive DC. That huskies team or the 97 team would do plenty fine now. They are legendary defenses.
Now...those defenses still need help. You give a game manager who can throw the underneath stuff well...not turn the ball over, move the chains with an OL that protects and can run the ball for 3.5 yards per carry will be able to put around 20 pts on the board against a quality team. That will be enough if all facets of the team play well...even on the road.
I don't see Ryan Leaf on MSU or OSU. Now...JT from OSU is the wild card. He is big time but unlike last year with the injuries and weak UM lb'ers...he is going to have a much bigger challenge. This defense can win every game on the schedule with an offense that put's 20 pts on the board including OSU. Maybe they will need to do more but this defense has a chance to be very special.
We will see.
RM
The 1997 defense was great but Ryan Leaf was no where near the mobile threat QB"s of today like Watson at Clemson and those types have always given UM trouble
That's why you have to be able to bring pressure on the QB that comes from multiple spots or gaps along the line. And quick pressure at that. Make the "scrambling" type QB uncomfortable before he has a real chance to survey the field...especially if the pressure is disguised as to the QB really isn't sure where it's coming from. With talent all along the line your hope too is that initial unblocked pressure from a blitz would force the QB up into the pocket & into the waiting arms of a Taco Charlton or a Rashaun Gary who can really crunch the QB & slow him down for the rest of the game!
I agree with scfanblue - game has changed a lot today. Leaf was not a dual threat QB - just a great system for him. Just think Vince Young - no great defense could stop him. You have to score in this day and age of college football - 20 points per game is not going to cut it for you at all. Think Bama the past few years - their D shut down MSU (not an option team) but was lit up by Clemson and Ole Miss. You just need to have the ability of offense to still be able to put up points. I don;t think we will see a team that can shut down all 15 teams they play no matter how great the defense is.
Speight seems awfully confident that the job is his. Everything I've read from practice suggests that he's the one moving the chains and making good decisions under pressure. Would be one thing if this was a "submarine" tactic to throw off opponents leading up to the first game, but it was Speight bolstering a lot of moxy that led everyone to believe he would be the starter. Well, that and empirical data.
Apparently the one that doesn't start, Illinois gets as their QB...
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lovie-smith-feels-buzz-illini-approach-opener-013609190--ncaaf.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lovie-smith-feels-buzz-illini-approach-opener-013609190--ncaaf.html
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