Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner –Offensive Problems — Part II

Posted at 4:00pm — 9/26/2013

Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner –Offensive Problems — Part II

A COANOVA Variance Look At the Michigan Offensive Problems
Interconnected Variables Lead to a Pyramid Domino Effect.

This sets in motion a domino that transcends to the quarterback and accelerates and highlights his (Devin Gardner) weaknesses and bad habits. But every quarterback enjoys space and time to throw and the loaded defensive front enjoys causing chaos: advantage chaos.

Sep 21, 2013; East Hartford, CT, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (28) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field. Michigan Wolverines defeated the Connecticut Huskies 24-21. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsThis triggers another domino, the difficulty of running base plays against an outnumbered front. Fitz Toussaint has been roundly criticized, but few backs can make perfect decisions time after time in such tight quarters. There are times he dances and there are a few times he hits a nice hole, whether it be by luck or good reads. If Fitz was running behind a line that had big holes most of the time, like any other back people would say wow.

Now the fact that the opposition crowds the line and outnumbers the offensive line leads to a domino that heavily includes the passing game. Devin has already been discussed. The wideouts look good if the ball is thrown for completions. With Devin making a passing play a track meet or missing open opportunities due to accuracy, or misreads, the guys running routes can look bad. Really, the jury should remain out. Now blocking and penalties; these difficulties have nothing to do with the pyramid domino effect and can be corrected within the singular group.

So, essentially the offensive problems are clearly interrelated and improvement in one area can cause improvement in other areas. The obvious starting point can be argued as either the quarterback or the offensive line. But the reality, like an old Jerry Jones and Deion Sanders commercial, is both. Both must improve before the opposing defense gives up yards and Michigan’s offense gains a measure of control.

Sep 14, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Akron Zips at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsSo throw the following variables into a pot and arrange them anyway you wish: turnovers by the team’s best player, the best player running early and often out of the pocket, fundamentals, line push, zone blocking breakdowns, or failure to execute basic passing and running plays.

Now the coaches’ response will be much different than the fans’. There will be meetings, decisions, and hard work. There will be plenty else as well, good and bad.

Fans, fans can say what they wish, as Hoke mentioned at his conference on Tuesday. But fans cannot offer up a cure, other than off his everyone’s head. There will be support for this team and staff from sources that count. And let us all hope that is the way Michigan football remains. Again, the point is put forward, this is a very good group of student athletes, and for that reason alone should be supported. Patience has a limit but that limit is not anywhere near the informed breaking point.

Humans and variables, plenty of both, and the interactions sometimes do not produce the ideal results. But this team is probably not going to jump into hyperchange mode at this stage of the season. So, there is no one day or one week penicillin for the interconnected pyramid domino variables. One area of improvement may hopefully provide the space and room for improvement in another area. The hope is, of course, that the opposite effect does not take place.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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