Trying to pass the time before the big game, I’ve been on the beach watching wolverine devotee (if you’re on this board, thanks you’re amazing) quick cuts of 2015 games. Some observations:
1. DL, DL, DL. The DT rotation of Henry, hurst, mone, and Glasgow was unreal. You see the pocket collapsing on essentially every passing down, and those guys absolutely ate the run. Brady Hoke was totally clueless on the offensive of the ball, but wow did he build a line.
2. Chesson/Darboh: amazing blockers. After the rough Rudock debut against Utah we leaned heavily on the screen game early in games, and it was very successful almost totally due to those two. Ferocious, enthusiastic blockers. Great football players even if not the most talented WRs we’ve had here.
3. If drevno actually coordinated the run game, he was a terrible recruiter but not a bad coach. We were extremely multiple and complex in how we ran the ball, to the point you had Joe Kerridge scampering for a wide open 10-20 yard run on multiple occasions. Have not seen that sort of deception in our run game, especially under center, since.
4. speaking of which, we were outstanding pre-snap. Tons of motion, shifts, cannot tell you how many times even high level defenses were left a second before the snap with linebackers and the secondary running all over the place and pointing emphatically. I feel we’ve basically forfeited this under gattis and have no real idea why. We regularly, especially in short yardage, had teams totally out of sorts.
5. we actually had great special teams. Yes, we all remember Greg Jackson for the unforgivable MSU debacle, but all year our special teams were outstanding. Returns, Allen, O’Neill, coverage, the Unit was elite. It’s sad they’ll be remembered for trouble with the snap.
6. rudock was ok, not a world beater. I know Fisch is a cult hero here, but we sure did have a lot of wide open receivers that year. Play action game was the best I’ve ever seen at Michigan and the utilization of tight end was the pinnacle of the JH era. Rudock was a very serviceable qb, but had we had someone elite I think 2015 and 2016 were National title level teams, honestly.
7. MSU was so much better in 2015 and has never come
Close to that level again. Nfl talent all
Over the place, cook was an absolute magician, the front 7 was vicious. Their decline is enormous.
8. JH was insane. Constantly out of his mind. Oregon state, Penn state, OSU, etc he looked like he needed to be sedated. I loved it but wow he’s really, really calmed down.
9. deveon smith was severely underrated:
Kid fought for so many yards we really didn’t deserve, Just a warrior. If he was a little faster he’d be making millions.
10. Lewis might be the best tackling corner I’ve ever seen; certainly pound for pound. Having said that, most overrated cover guy I can remember. Constant grabs, just tackling receivers left and right. Not sure why or how he was taught that but it’s ugly to watch.
11. Stribling and the safety duo of Wilson and Thomas are so under appreciated. Tremendous trio, best back end defense we’ve had in forever.
12. never seen a Michigan player faster than peppers. ANY defensive bust, no
Matter where a kid was, #5 just came flying into screen. Incredible to watch.
overall, great season, huge improvements across the board. Have GOT to stock the DL like that again, and that team, to me at least, proved a run heavy pro style offense can and will work: if this season isn’t a bit one for JG, would love to see the 2015/2016 play calling and formations back with a QB talent like JJ.
1. DL, DL, DL. The DT rotation of Henry, hurst, mone, and Glasgow was unreal. You see the pocket collapsing on essentially every passing down, and those guys absolutely ate the run. Brady Hoke was totally clueless on the offensive of the ball, but wow did he build a line.
2. Chesson/Darboh: amazing blockers. After the rough Rudock debut against Utah we leaned heavily on the screen game early in games, and it was very successful almost totally due to those two. Ferocious, enthusiastic blockers. Great football players even if not the most talented WRs we’ve had here.
3. If drevno actually coordinated the run game, he was a terrible recruiter but not a bad coach. We were extremely multiple and complex in how we ran the ball, to the point you had Joe Kerridge scampering for a wide open 10-20 yard run on multiple occasions. Have not seen that sort of deception in our run game, especially under center, since.
4. speaking of which, we were outstanding pre-snap. Tons of motion, shifts, cannot tell you how many times even high level defenses were left a second before the snap with linebackers and the secondary running all over the place and pointing emphatically. I feel we’ve basically forfeited this under gattis and have no real idea why. We regularly, especially in short yardage, had teams totally out of sorts.
5. we actually had great special teams. Yes, we all remember Greg Jackson for the unforgivable MSU debacle, but all year our special teams were outstanding. Returns, Allen, O’Neill, coverage, the Unit was elite. It’s sad they’ll be remembered for trouble with the snap.
6. rudock was ok, not a world beater. I know Fisch is a cult hero here, but we sure did have a lot of wide open receivers that year. Play action game was the best I’ve ever seen at Michigan and the utilization of tight end was the pinnacle of the JH era. Rudock was a very serviceable qb, but had we had someone elite I think 2015 and 2016 were National title level teams, honestly.
7. MSU was so much better in 2015 and has never come
Close to that level again. Nfl talent all
Over the place, cook was an absolute magician, the front 7 was vicious. Their decline is enormous.
8. JH was insane. Constantly out of his mind. Oregon state, Penn state, OSU, etc he looked like he needed to be sedated. I loved it but wow he’s really, really calmed down.
9. deveon smith was severely underrated:
Kid fought for so many yards we really didn’t deserve, Just a warrior. If he was a little faster he’d be making millions.
10. Lewis might be the best tackling corner I’ve ever seen; certainly pound for pound. Having said that, most overrated cover guy I can remember. Constant grabs, just tackling receivers left and right. Not sure why or how he was taught that but it’s ugly to watch.
11. Stribling and the safety duo of Wilson and Thomas are so under appreciated. Tremendous trio, best back end defense we’ve had in forever.
12. never seen a Michigan player faster than peppers. ANY defensive bust, no
Matter where a kid was, #5 just came flying into screen. Incredible to watch.
overall, great season, huge improvements across the board. Have GOT to stock the DL like that again, and that team, to me at least, proved a run heavy pro style offense can and will work: if this season isn’t a bit one for JG, would love to see the 2015/2016 play calling and formations back with a QB talent like JJ.
