Mailbag question: Has Coach Rod tweaked his offensive style?
Posted at 8:00am — 1/6/2010
Mailbag question: Has Coach Rod tweaked his offensive style?
GBMW,
We talked at the Bud Light Victors’ Lounge before the Western Michigan game. My first and only Michigan game live. Hopefully next year I can get some leave to go to some more games. I am dying to get back to the Big House.
Gotta question that you can put up on the site if you would like.
It is no secret that Coach Rod has tweaked his offensive style from his WVU days. Maybe this is an attempt to go more into an Oklahoma type of offense. However, the OU type offense requires a more accurate passer and a supporting cast of great receivers and a TE to supplement. The majority of our roster has players that are actually more suitable for a WV type offense, Gallon, V. Smith, Toussaint, Odoms, etc. Obviously Tate is more suited for the OU offense but lacks the arm of Sam Bradford. Denard (and Devin) is more suited for the WVU offense. Which offense would be better for UM: The WVU read option, run the ball down your throat or the OU more balanced attack with some spread sprinkled in?
Alan B … Michigan0782
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Thanks for the question and comments. Yes we very much remember chatting with you at the football pre-game tailgate. Doc, my brother and I all remember quite well the great enthusiasm and unbounding joy you have for Michigan football. We also want to add a most sincere thank you regarding your commitment to protect this country. We salute you for your service. We all believe it might make a nice article for you to share your first day ever at the Big House. Feel free to write to GBMW anytime.
Now to your questions and the discussion that naturally follows.
Michigan this spring, as a result of working with the Oklahoma coaches, did add the “Trojan” quick passing scheme from Oklahoma
It was a successful addition until C. Brown went down with an injury (injuries). We think it was a great addition to the offense.
Other than that we see little difference in the offense from what Coach Rod and Coach Magee used at West Virginia. Yes, the play calling might be a little different as far as the number of running plays vs. passing plays, but it is still the quarterback read option off both the inside and outside zone schemes.
In some games, Michigan, under Coach Rod, has used a higher ratio of pass to run than at West Virginia. But in our opinion that is for the most part due to the fact that Michigan was playing from behind rather than a change in scheme.
Anybody who has followed GBMW can readily conclude that all of us are huge fans of a more diversified attack that uses not only the read option, but also includes a power running game and a pro style passing attack.
As an example we offer an offense similar to the one used by Texas, in which if something is not working a team can go to a different option. This kind of offense will not only be more diverse, but will be able to recruit great athletes at all the skilled positions.
It is important to have a Plan B (or even a Plan C), especially when Plan A has been only somewhat successful and teams can easily put in place halftime defensive scheme changes knowing there will be little adjustment from the Wolverine offense. Look at the lack of offensive success in the second half this year in most of Michigan’s games. There is clearly a pattern of who adjusts and who does not.
Again, we are delighted to hear from you and certainly hope that we all see you again in Ann Arbor come 2010 football.
Written by GBMW Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!
