Michigan Football: Is it too early to give on Brandon Peters?
Everyone is waiting for the decision on Shea Patterson, but are Michigan football fans giving up too early on Brandon Peters?
Like most Michigan football fans, I am excitedly waiting for the news of Shea Patterson and whether or not he can play next season. There seemingly is nothing more important to the success of the Wolverines next season, than the status of the incoming transfer.
Obviously, there are a lot of reasons to be excited. Patterson was the top-ranked quarterback in 2016. He also threw 23 touchdown passes in the SEC last season. Finally, Michigan football would have a dynamic quarterback.
But, what if, Patterson can’t play until 2019? Would Michigan still have hope for a turnaround next season? The answer is yes, even if Brandon Peters ends up as the starting quarterback.
It’s easy to be frustrated with Peters right now. He was horrible in the Outback Bowl. There is no dancing around that. However, after putting more thought into it, is it possible that we are giving up on him way too early?
When I say we, I mean the fans and analysts and observers or whatever of Michigan football. I don’t believe the team or coaching staff have given up on Peters and as fans, we shouldn’t either.
Dylan McCaffrey is going to have something to say about the starting job next season, especially if Patterson can’t play. So will Joe Milton. But that doesn’t mean Peters can be counted out. Not just because of one bad bowl performance.
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Peters did throw some terrible interceptions in that game. He held the ball too long and just didn’t play with confidence, but does that mean he will never be a quality quarterback? Not necessarily.
John Navarre was thought by many to be awful too. Fans weren’t happy when he and Michigan football lost to Ohio State in 2001 and 2002. Yet, in 2003, in his third try, Navarre beat the Buckeyes and quarterbacked the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship. Braylon Edwards was a huge part of that, but Navarre was too and now he is a Michigan legend.
That’s what winning Big Ten titles will do for you. The patience in Navarre paid off, just like it could for Peters.
I’m not saying Peters will equal that, but it shows how much players can improve especially at quarterback. Say Patterson wins the job this year and plays two seasons. Peters then could be in line to start as a senior.
More likely, he would probably transfer. But if not, he has the tools to become a good quarterback. And if Patterson can’t play next season, he will be either the starter or the backup.
It’s possible that Joe Milton could surpass him, but the job would likely come down to Peters and McCaffrey. We don’t know what McCaffrey is capable of yet. And in a lot of ways, we still don’t know that about Peters either.
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All I know is that despite all the criticism, Peters could still be a good quarterback, maybe all he needs is a little more time to develop.