Michigan Football: What About the Cupboard? Offense

Posted at 12:00pm — 12/26/2014

Michigan Wolverine Football: What About the Cupboard? — Offense — Part II

Quarterback is another story. Whoever, including the possible hire of Jim Harbaugh, takes over as offensive coordinator/quarterback coach, their task is large. There is no strong candidate to hang a hat on for security and everything will be rebuilt from the ground up. A new system will once again be placed upon the shoulders of the quarterback brigade and the entire offense.

There are three true candidates: Shane Morris, Wilton Speight, and newcomer Alex Malzone. All three have strong personal characteristics, and all three need development. Morris was ballyhooed after a strong sophomore year in high school. He has upper shelf arm strength, but is in strong need of touch and accuracy. The days of throwing darts in 7-7 camps five feet off the ground, forty yards down-field against no defensive front are over. Shane will work, he has the smarts, but will need quick success if he wins the starting job; goblins of last season hopefully do not remain as lurking shadows.

Speight has size and reasonable mobility. His best assets may be accuracy and touch. Like all the other quarterbacks, his intelligence is strong. Speight came from a very exclusive private school that centers on leadership skills. Speight will not win the Ryan Mallett arm strength award, but he is Michigan’s best bet at floating a well-placed lob down-field.

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Alex Malzone will be an unknown, but his characteristics lead to winning football. It may not be off base to refer to him as a Harbaugh type. The most likely situation next year is practice squad learning, but never say never when the competition will obviously be open. Some would say that Michigan would be in extreme trouble if Malzone plays; some would say Michigan is in trouble if any of the three play. We will see how this position changes and develops the next few months.

The wide receiver group has experience and consists of typical division one talent. There was one potential impact player now gone to the NFL. Catching the ball, the most basic task of receiving, was problematic, so the loss may not be great.

Drake Harris is a potential impact player; his cutting is still unproven and his overall speed is pretty good. Constant hamstring injuries are a red flag for receivers. Riding a bike and running backwards help strengthen an injured hammy. But unless the hamstring heals and is balanced strength-wise with the quad group, trouble may persist. Continuous injuries can calcify a hamstring.

Darboh and Chesson have decent size and hands, they are similar possession types and that presents a problem since UM truly needs a burner. Give any good offense a Sammy Watkins type and everyone looks better. Both of the two above mentioned players have outstanding work ethic and attitude. There is plenty of potential for improvement for this duo, and that is a good thing.

Freddy Canteen may not be Watkins-like, but the bet here is that he is much better than he showed his freshman year. He needs to work on his hand skills and run focus drills.

Dennis Norfleet may lose playing time if the offense features two tight ends. But a new coach may see the value of his continued play at the slot.

Then, there is the possibility of Jabrill Peppers playing somewhere on offense.

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Michigan Wolverines

If Harbaugh hitches the wagon and heads east, the tight ends need to be at his door the first day, greet him, pledge instant allegiance to blocking, and grovel to the best of their ability. This group will be under scrutiny and may develop a true appreciation for the position. The heat will be turned on and perhaps as many as four may be asked to be major contributors to the h-back, tight end position.

Jake Butt is a good start for any new coach. He can expect to block his tail off and catch more passes. We will all see if Ian Bunting has gained health and size. He has monster hands but may not see the field unless he demonstrates blocking skills.

Khalid Hill was contributing until his knee injury; time will show how well it has healed. Khalid is another high character player who should respond to hard coaching.

A.J. Williams may wish to purchase a book on how to play tight end and also a survival manual. Would it shock anyone to see Harbaugh or his new position coach lighting up Williams?

Keith Heitzman is at least a willing blocker. An extra year of relearning how to catch the ball may increase Heitzman’s value. Again, if two tight ends are to be used, Michigan needs four dependable options.

The running back position took a blow when Drake Johnson suffered another knee injury. The trio of Ty Isaac, Derrick Green, and DeVeon Smith is a nice nucleus that is still young and somewhat undeveloped. Isaac has big time skills and is the fastest of the trio; he also is the most versatile.

A current professional coach once conversed that he had a discussion with his former head coach who asked him if he was going to use a fullback. The fullback situation at Michigan is not dire. If two tight ends and an H back are used more often in the new offense, then so will the fullback. Joe Kerridge is your typical selfless, little thanked fullback. His blocking is solid but not devastating, and when asked to make a tough play out of the backfield, he usually does.

Sione Houma has athleticism and could run the ball on a quick dive. Strangely that option has never been tried. He is not as quick to the hole as some guys, but could be a fullback where carrying the ball is a real option. Wyatt Shallman, often hurt, is an athlete, and any new coach will see his potential to see the field, either at fullback or h-back.

One factor to consider in the running back derby is whether Fred Jackson becomes a member of the new staff. Regardless of who coaches the backs, a functioning offensive line makes running backs look smart and fast. Some bellyache that this offensive group is back and will carry the load. The offense basically remains intact withstanding the loss of the two Devins. Any new coach would like to take his chance on an offense returning most of the top twenty players, versus rolling the dice with total newcomers.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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