The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/495628
FROM OUR READERS timely or quarterback-receiver connections. In addition, the offense usually opens only half the playbook. Dual purposes here; one is because of timing, particularly the quarterback-receiver connections. There were no deep cross- ing routes or posts in the entire scrimmage. Maybe Jim didn't want to show these yet, maybe there isn't confidence that the line can hold the pocket that long. For whatever reason they didn't run any. They threw three or four nines, which is the easiest route for a receiver to run and easiest for a quarterback to throw. One was broken up for an interception (should have been an easy catch). [Amara] Darboh made a nice play on another and one went for a TD. Both of these catches were against a guy who was a slot receiver last year so the receiving corps should not be walking around with their chest out! That group, frankly, is a worrisome situation. We have some big talented guys outside yet no one can run by anyone. When you aren't faster you need to incorporate double moves, head fakes and you have to run your routes to perfection. Rarely was there separation. The staff sees this, and they know the issue. The only two times you saw receivers wide open were trick plays. That is a concern. With two junior receivers and Jim's "clean slate" attitude, spring and the spring game would be the time to shine. For the most part the receiving group laid an egg. The drops shouldn't cause concern … yet. Again, a lot of that is timing. The quarterbacks need to throw these guys thousands of passes this summer, and the drops should disappear. There is nothing better for a quarterback's confidence than to know that when he releases a ball it will be caught. From an old timer, I'm shocked by the dropped passes, simply because of the gloves these guys wear today. If your fingers are wide enough and strong enough it shouldn't matter how hard the QB throws. The ball literally sticks to those things. I would spend all summer forcing my fingers to stretch and doing double wrist and hand exercises to make my grip like a vice. If our QBs are having accuracy issues, then the receivers need to make them look better. Catch everything that is close to you and make an occasional "OMG" play. If you're not faster than your opponent, be stronger. If he can run with you, can he run that same speed 10 times in a row? Wear him out then run by him. Hit him in the chest. Can he run the same speed after being hit 10 times in the chest? Jim Harbaugh is known as a grinder. Every position can be made into a grinder position, even receiver. Make the mental jump to grind and become better every day. Eventually your opponent is going to think … "I can't keep this up." That's when you really begin to own your spot on the team. Those boys have a ways to go still. CJS85