It must be the offseason, because the discourse about Michigan football quarterback Bryce Underwood has reached new heights.
After an offseason of people calling him overrated, even some Michigan fans, one of Kyle Whittingham's former players, Eric Weddle, joined the fray, saying he didn't think Underwood could play quarterback.
Weddle clarified those comments to say he meant he didn't think Underwood could play at a high level, and that Whittingham wants to run the ball, and won't accept mistakes. That could all be true, but even last season, Underwood was good at protecting the ball, with five of his interceptions coming against Northwestern and Texas.
In his other 11 games, Underwood only threw four interceptions. There were some fumbles, too. But Underwood took care of the ball, completed over 60 percent of his passes, and passed for at least 200 yards in five different Big Ten games.
Did he meet expectations? No. However, the expectations weren't realistic, especially since the previous coaching staff had forced Underwood to play with one hand tied behind his back. The lack of a QB-run game was hard to figure out.
It was malpractice. Underwood rushed for 30 yards per game last season, and Michigan barely allowed him to use his running ability, to the point that when the staff tried to use some zone-read against Ohio State, it was clear Bryce was uncomfortable because he hadn't done it.
Underwood was stellar in RPOs last season, but wasn't allowed to run. The idea was that he would get hurt for the big games, but the coaching staff was so scared to let him play in those games that it really didn't matter.
Scouts compared Underwood to Cam Newton, who didn't become a starter at the FBS level until his fourth year in college, and Vince Young, who didn't complete 60 percent of his throws until his third season, but rushed for over 1,900 yards in his first two seasons.
Bryce Underwood will be better next season for Michigan football
Underwood doesn't run as well as Young. He does throw better, but Michigan essentially robbed Underwood of a key tool that would have helped him be more effective as a quarterback.
Under Kyle Whittingham, one thing you can't be sure of is an offense that won't play scared. Underwood is going to run the ball. If he gets hurt, Tommy Carr is there to take over. You can't play scared all season, then expect to be bold when it really matters.
Underwood didn't develop as expected because the previous staff failed him in multiple ways. That's not going to happen this season. And even if Underwood doesn't improve much as a passer, he will have better players around him and will be able to run much more.
That fact alone will make him a more effective quarterback. Then, just imagine, if he does take a big step forward as a passer? That's why the coaching staff believes the ceiling is really high.
The floor is also high, and it will only be raised by allowing Underwood to actually run the ball.
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