I didn't post this weekend because I've been trying to find the right words to truly convey how I feel about a totally remarkable game by JJ and why it should solidify him as the starter going forward, regardless of the actual outcome of the games.
After watching the game twice myself and film breakdowns elsewhere I came to feel that JJ and Cade not only have two different skill sets but that they have two very different approaches to the game and the QB position.
Cade is undoubtedly a leader. His coaches say so. His whole team says so. That press conference bs is just that. I'd challenge any competitor out there to say anything different in that situation where he knows full well he didn't put on his best display with his job on the line. Competitors compete and they don't like to lose and the taste of it rubs off slow. If no one wanted to hear that, he shouldn't have been made available. I, personally, would've been more concerned if he wasn't visibly upset or thought he hadn't earned the job after his battery of accomplishments and supposed excellent fall camp. That said, Cade is far more cautious with the football. We have seen him time and again turn down large chunk plays for easier completions and generally keeping the ball safe when doing so. He wasn't the guy to make a huge error to lose you the game. There is a lot of merit in this approach. It isn't flashy but it got Michigan to win the B1G championship and one of only 13 teams to ever make the playoff. In case people have forgotten, the last of each was 2004 and 1997, respectively, and a lot of good Mich teams have played since then that didn't accomplish those feats. The fact he got booed when he came into the game was particularly disgusting.
JJ is also a leader but of a different variety. As a younger guy, his leadership comes from empathy with his teammates, respect for the program and those who came before him and performance on the field. He has all of those characteristics. They will likely translate to leadership of the program as he matures as a person and player. With his skill set, he feels comfortable attacking all three levels and both sides of the field. It doesn't appear he predetermines his receiver based on his pre-snap read, something I believe Cade does a lot, and will take the big play if the defense gives it to him. A couple of examples...
First play to Wilson vs a two high look. This route combination is not designed to get the ball to the post. It's designed to go to the dig after the post clears the safety. Post snap, whether it's actually a zero coverage or both safeties immediately read run with the play action and come downhill, JJ sees this and throws the post. Wilson 1 on 1 with a free release, easy TD.
Second example, similar route concept with CJ against a one high look this time. This safety's responsibility is the post, even if he sees a wide open Ronnie Bell coming underneath him. But, for whatever reason, he's conflicted seeing an open receiver in front of him. I am nearly convinced Ronnie Bell gets this ball if Cade is the QB. The pre-snap read doesn't show CJ is going to be open and there's a higher percentage throw for a big play. JJ is looking for the bigger play and in the middle of his drop, sees the safety stand flat-footed. By this point, he needs to throw the ball 55 yards in the air to get it there. "No problem," he says. Huge gain.
Third, scramble drill for a TD in the two-minute. Cover 3 where the defense drops 7, not a lot of windows to throw. Stokes is going to be available on an outlet as there starts to be pressure. Again, I feel if Cade is the QB, Stokes is getting the ball here on an outlet. It looks like it might be a good play too but it certainly won't be a TD minus Stokes going full god-mode. JJ, with his mobility, is able to escape to his left and throw an absolute gem over one defender and in front of another to CJ who broke off his route and made a good catch on the sideline.
To me, this shows a conceptual gap between the players when considering what the play can get (the biggest play available), what the QB looks for (pre/post-snap reads) and what the QB is willing to do with the ball (risk tolerance).
Cade is far more conservative even and this doesn't lend to him making many mistakes. It also means he doesn't maximize or showcase the full range of his athletic ability on the field. Seriously, when was the last time we saw him really drive a ball downfield? Western Michigan? Ball from the right hash 44 yards downfield to the left numbers. That's no short throw but I don't remember seeing it after that. To me, he never looked the same after he took that massive hit early last season (that was on a good throw too).
JJ is about calculated risks with his talent and tempered aggression. That 55 yard pass is no guarantee and there is an easier completion for a big play underneath but an opportunity is there for a bigger play. This play and what Cade has shown us in the past displays a personality difference between the two with their mindset and how they play the position. With similar play calling, providing the offense executes, JJ is going to show himself to be the better QB both to the eye and statistically. That's not a knock on Cade, that is a byproduct of the style of football JJ wants to play and his athletic ability to do it.
There are a number of other things I could talk about but I think I've made my point. Interested to see what you all might think.
After watching the game twice myself and film breakdowns elsewhere I came to feel that JJ and Cade not only have two different skill sets but that they have two very different approaches to the game and the QB position.
Cade is undoubtedly a leader. His coaches say so. His whole team says so. That press conference bs is just that. I'd challenge any competitor out there to say anything different in that situation where he knows full well he didn't put on his best display with his job on the line. Competitors compete and they don't like to lose and the taste of it rubs off slow. If no one wanted to hear that, he shouldn't have been made available. I, personally, would've been more concerned if he wasn't visibly upset or thought he hadn't earned the job after his battery of accomplishments and supposed excellent fall camp. That said, Cade is far more cautious with the football. We have seen him time and again turn down large chunk plays for easier completions and generally keeping the ball safe when doing so. He wasn't the guy to make a huge error to lose you the game. There is a lot of merit in this approach. It isn't flashy but it got Michigan to win the B1G championship and one of only 13 teams to ever make the playoff. In case people have forgotten, the last of each was 2004 and 1997, respectively, and a lot of good Mich teams have played since then that didn't accomplish those feats. The fact he got booed when he came into the game was particularly disgusting.
JJ is also a leader but of a different variety. As a younger guy, his leadership comes from empathy with his teammates, respect for the program and those who came before him and performance on the field. He has all of those characteristics. They will likely translate to leadership of the program as he matures as a person and player. With his skill set, he feels comfortable attacking all three levels and both sides of the field. It doesn't appear he predetermines his receiver based on his pre-snap read, something I believe Cade does a lot, and will take the big play if the defense gives it to him. A couple of examples...
First play to Wilson vs a two high look. This route combination is not designed to get the ball to the post. It's designed to go to the dig after the post clears the safety. Post snap, whether it's actually a zero coverage or both safeties immediately read run with the play action and come downhill, JJ sees this and throws the post. Wilson 1 on 1 with a free release, easy TD.
Second example, similar route concept with CJ against a one high look this time. This safety's responsibility is the post, even if he sees a wide open Ronnie Bell coming underneath him. But, for whatever reason, he's conflicted seeing an open receiver in front of him. I am nearly convinced Ronnie Bell gets this ball if Cade is the QB. The pre-snap read doesn't show CJ is going to be open and there's a higher percentage throw for a big play. JJ is looking for the bigger play and in the middle of his drop, sees the safety stand flat-footed. By this point, he needs to throw the ball 55 yards in the air to get it there. "No problem," he says. Huge gain.
Third, scramble drill for a TD in the two-minute. Cover 3 where the defense drops 7, not a lot of windows to throw. Stokes is going to be available on an outlet as there starts to be pressure. Again, I feel if Cade is the QB, Stokes is getting the ball here on an outlet. It looks like it might be a good play too but it certainly won't be a TD minus Stokes going full god-mode. JJ, with his mobility, is able to escape to his left and throw an absolute gem over one defender and in front of another to CJ who broke off his route and made a good catch on the sideline.
To me, this shows a conceptual gap between the players when considering what the play can get (the biggest play available), what the QB looks for (pre/post-snap reads) and what the QB is willing to do with the ball (risk tolerance).
Cade is far more conservative even and this doesn't lend to him making many mistakes. It also means he doesn't maximize or showcase the full range of his athletic ability on the field. Seriously, when was the last time we saw him really drive a ball downfield? Western Michigan? Ball from the right hash 44 yards downfield to the left numbers. That's no short throw but I don't remember seeing it after that. To me, he never looked the same after he took that massive hit early last season (that was on a good throw too).
JJ is about calculated risks with his talent and tempered aggression. That 55 yard pass is no guarantee and there is an easier completion for a big play underneath but an opportunity is there for a bigger play. This play and what Cade has shown us in the past displays a personality difference between the two with their mindset and how they play the position. With similar play calling, providing the offense executes, JJ is going to show himself to be the better QB both to the eye and statistically. That's not a knock on Cade, that is a byproduct of the style of football JJ wants to play and his athletic ability to do it.
There are a number of other things I could talk about but I think I've made my point. Interested to see what you all might think.
