2019 Michigan Season Thread

[Anonymous Coward]

Weird rumbles: it sounds like Dylan McCaffery is going to get 1-2 drives per game. Usually that's because there's an ongoing competition and a team has a so-called "QB controversy." But we are hearing that is emphatically  not the case. That Shea can't be usurped. But Michigan is in the odd position of having a distinctly cemented #1 as well as a #2 who's so good that they have the luxury to win while getting him ready for next year.

We can't know whether it will happen for ~10 days, but that sounds pretty unusual.

[FearlessF]

Dylan's little bro true freshman Luke McCaffrey is turning heads at UNL

could possibly be the #2 this season, which would be impressive

apparently the kid is fast on his feet and picked up the offense much quicker than the coaches had imagined

[Cincydawg]

If not now, when?

[FearlessF]

Weird rumbles: it sounds like Dylan McCaffery is going to get 1-2 drives per game. Usually that's because there's an ongoing competition and a team has a so-called "QB controversy." But we are hearing that is emphatically  not the case. That Shea can't be usurped. But Michigan is in the odd position of having a distinctly cemented #1 as well as a #2 who's so good that they have the luxury to win while getting him ready for next year.

We can't know whether it will happen for ~10 days, but that sounds pretty unusual.

1 - 2 drives per game vs Middle Tenn and Army might be good.  Or in Big Ten games after gaining a size-able lead
otherwise its unusual
would this be something from the new O-coordinator?  It's obviously not a Harbaugh thing

[Honestbuckeye]

I think it is smart. 

First off, kid can ball,  he has already showed it. Second, it’s always a good idea to have your number 2 ready.  

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't agree with the idea that Harbaugh wasn't excited to get Dylan on the field last year. I also think the difference between last year and this year is more explainable by Dylan being a year older/better than the OC being new.

As for when it might happen: not sure. I seriously doubt it would ever happen when trailing. But if it looks good versus the noncon, I'd fully expect to keep up the practice versus the Big Ten.

Also: I don't think this is a "trick play" kind of thing either. More of a "we have to play him somehow kind of thing. For sporadic drives in the second and third quarters when Michigan isn't trailing.

As long as they control the "oooooh QB controversy" narrative, there are good net benefits -- benefits for next year and benefits in case Shea gets injured.

[Mdot21]

not sold on McCaffrey as a passer, but he sure as hell is a lot faster than people realize. He can really scoot. It's in the DNA. McCaffrey looks much better now physically than when he first arrived at Michigan at 6'5ish and 190 pounds, but he still has some ways to go. He needs to get that weight up to like 230-235.

[Mdot21]

Ambry Thomas is now practicing. That's progress! Being back for UW feels more realistic than ever.

HUGE news. They need him back healthy and up to full speed as soon as possible. He's got big time potential and if he's healthy and takes that next step, he could give Michigan the best CB tandem in the conference.

I'd argue that LaVert Hill is the best CB in the leauge right now and that Jeff Okudah at Ohio State is the most physically talented. After Okudah though, next most physically talented CB in the leauge is Ambry Thomas imo. The UC and losing all the weight is a huge setback for him though. He was already on the thin side when he got to Michigan- he was like 6', 170 max. He worked hard to get up to just under 190. And then he got sick and reportedly lost 20 pounds.

He is extremely fast and very athletic and gifted with the ball in his hands. Which is why if I was the coach I'd have moved him to WR. Probably more of a need for him at CB with all the WR's that Michigan has right now- but he could be a special WR just as easily as he could be a special CB. He's that good athletically imo.

[Anonymous Coward]

McCaffery doesn't have a monster arm, true, but (a) that doesn't mean the arm he does have is wimpsauce and (2) what else does he lack? 

Beyond his athleticism/run game, I really like his decisions and patience. He also seems to have good leadership traits and make good decisions. If it weren't for Shea, I'd still be thrilled about the starting QB ... but not the depth. Having both feels rare. If you disqualify Denard/Gardner because Borges misused Robinson and the OL ruined Devin, then you have to go all the way back to Henson/Brady to find this kind of QB two-deep.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah maybe Ambry could excel there, but Michigan doesn't need anyone new at WR this year.

[Mdot21]

McCaffery doesn't have a monster arm, true, but (a) that doesn't mean the arm he does have is wimpsauce and (2) what else does he lack?

Beyond his athleticism/run game, I really like his decisions and patience. He also seems to have good leadership traits and make good decisions. If it weren't for Shea, I'd still be thrilled about the starting QB ... but not the depth. Having both feels rare. If you disqualify Denard/Gardner because Borges misused Robinson and the OL ruined Devin, then you have to go all the way back to Henson/Brady to find this kind of QB two-deep.

His arm actually did look a little wimpsauce to me. I think his lack of size might've had something to do with that though. Arm strength actually can be developed a little bit. Especially in guys as rail skinny as he was/is when they work on their legs and adding weight.

You really like his decisions and patience? I'm glad you could tell so much from the 15 passes he threw- 99% of which traveled in the air 8 yards or less- and from the 10 rushes he had all season. I'm sorry, but there just isn't anything there. I've never seen someone at Michigan do so little and get so hyped from the fan base. The kid hasn't done jackshit. The only thing he's really shown is really good speed for a guy his size. He can really run. He hasn't shown anything as a passer and it's not like Mallett where you saw him throw 1 pass as a freshman and you'd say to yourself- holy s##t that is not normal. You could just tell that Mallett was special by the way he threw the ball. He was special for Arkansas and not Michigan- but my point still stands. Didn't take a genius to see that kind of talent even with a small sample size. McCaffrey doesn't have that kind of arm talent. Not even close. Have to see a lot more from him before I buy anything.

[Anonymous Coward]

He looked like a leader at Notre Dame despite taking the field in an awful situation with the team trailing and Shea injured. Composed beyond his years. Made a strong impression. He still hasn't stepped back from that. As for comparisons, in terms of being surprised at how ready he looked in his first game, he reminded me a lot more of Henne than Mallett.

[Temp430]

Michigan needs two starting caliber QBs.  I can't remember a season where the "starting" QB wasn't knock out of a game or more at some point in the season.

[Temp430]

CB Thomas is practicing again which is good news.  However, there is also a substantial rumor that starting LT Runyan has injured his back and will sit out the first couple games.  In his place OT Hayes will start or maybe Bredeson will move out to LT and a more game ready OG will start.