Michigan Wolverine Football: My Take From Notre Dame Game
Aug 30, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shane Morris (7) gets set to run a play against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 2:00pm — 9/10/2014
Michigan Wolverine Football: My Take From Notre Dame Game
Not an expert, but I’ll share my two cents on the only thing I know fairly well:
I coached quarterbacks at the high school level for years and, the one thing I can tell you that is true at any level of football about quarterbacks, is:
– They need to be mentally tough.
– They need to have a swagger.
– They need to have no memory of the previous drive.
Denard wasn’t perfect, but he was a great leader. He didn’t let one game loss carry over to the next game. He wasn’t scared under pressure. He was willing to throw the ball with confidence after a bad interception. You need that from your quarterback. No one in football leads as much as a QB: not even a coach.
Apr 5, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shane Morris (7) during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsAt this point, I’d be willing to try Shane not because he is “better” than Devin, but, by now, I just don’t think Devin has the mental makeup to be a successful QB. He’ll do well in games where isn’t under duress but he absolutely, 100%, looks like he has never recovered from being shell shocked at Akron.
Denard NEVER folded in 2011 against ND, even when down 14-0 and 24-7 going into the 4th. Never. Devin, down 14-0, was basically finished. He said football was a game of momentum at the PC. Bull. You make your own momentum as a QB. Last year against ND when he still believed in himself, he did just that after throwing the WORST interception I’ve ever seen. THAT Devin was a great player. The Devin who rallied the team against SC in the bowl game? THAT kid was a future star.
The kid who has been our QB since Akron? That kid is not mentally prepared to be the QB of a big time program.
Sep 6, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) fumbles as he is hit by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY SportsI love Devin. Great kid. Wonderful. I WANT him to be a star for us, I really do. But we need a leader, someone this offense can rally around. Someone who stays cool under pressure and fights. That was Denard. That doesn’t appear to be Devin.
Want an interesting stat?
Michigan with Denard at QB: 16-4
Michigan with Devin at QB: 11-9
Those are the numbers. It is what it is.
To comment on the major issue: Michigan shouldn’t be losing to anyone 31-0 in year 4 of the Hoke era. Issues with the OL are deep and complex but Brady’s inability to recruit athleticism at the skill positions on offense and dynamic playmakers, especially pass rushers, on defense have us playing mediocre football.
Not one unit on D looks well developed. No excuse there.
Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment and give us your thoughts, agree or disagree.
Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link GBMWolverine Register for those people interested in becoming a member.
You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine
Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine
@Mike Fitzpatrick
@SqdScoops
@YostMeister
Written by GBMWolverine Poster — DieHard5661
Go Blue — Wear Maize!