as they approach the bye week, it's "simplify." I know that Harbaugh prefers (as Pat Fitzgerald noted) "volume," but you can get a lot of different looks with formations and motions and still limit the # of things you're asking your players to do. In other words, keep all the french pastry but wrt the OL (especially), let's pull back and limit the base techniques we're asking them to execute. And let's play to their strengths. Because this offense doesn't have to be dominating and explosive for us to play in Indy. It just has to take care of the ball, not get our QB killed (that includes you, running backs), and be opportunistic. And the primary issue that stands in the way of accomplishing that modest and attainable goal is consistency. It's not the same thing every time or the same guy every time, it's little breakdowns here and there. We clean those up, shore up the punting game, hold on to the ball and we are chopping tall cotton.
The one constant in life is change. No one knows what next year holds -- who's going to leave for the pros, end up ineligible, what coaches come or go. The next game, this season, this opportunity -- that's the thing. So whatever the ultimate goal is -- whatever the telos of this offensive vision might be -- let's focus on what we can make work right now. Because with this defense and this league and this season, we can do what no Michigan team has done since the advent of the playoff game.
Let's put our youngsters in position to succeed and simplify. The American Lit majors can call it the Thoreau offense if they want.
(And if I were to commit a SECOND sin, please expunge the term "toss sweep" from your lexicon. Although I admit that counter with Evan was one sweet-ass play.)
The one constant in life is change. No one knows what next year holds -- who's going to leave for the pros, end up ineligible, what coaches come or go. The next game, this season, this opportunity -- that's the thing. So whatever the ultimate goal is -- whatever the telos of this offensive vision might be -- let's focus on what we can make work right now. Because with this defense and this league and this season, we can do what no Michigan team has done since the advent of the playoff game.
Let's put our youngsters in position to succeed and simplify. The American Lit majors can call it the Thoreau offense if they want.
(And if I were to commit a SECOND sin, please expunge the term "toss sweep" from your lexicon. Although I admit that counter with Evan was one sweet-ass play.)
Last edited:
