truebluefan

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Notice the play that knocked Denard out of the game (and possibly next game). A sack while standing in the pocket.

truebluefan

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.

azwolverine -- tell me statistically how this year's offense is "far better" than last year's offense. Because, quite frankly, I don't believe that for a second. Now, is the defense better this year? Without a doubt. Special teams? Depends on what you focus on. Offense? No way. This year we seem to be winning in spite of our offense this season. Last year we won in spite of our defense and no FG kicking. Different season, different problems. BTW, keep Gardner on the bench. That substitution does nothing but disrupt any semblance of a rhythm in Denard's game. And MORE shotgun, no huddle, hurry up please! Long vertical passing bombs should be ripped right out of the playbook as well. They are nothing but a wasted down. I really thought Borges had more of a clue.

oldguy

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.

It took 9 games to make it official but my pre-season fear has been totally confirmed: the coaches have turned the most exiciting QB we`ve ever had into a run-of-the-mill QB.. a John 'shutter' Navarre. Let the kid PLAY HIS game !!!

azwolverine

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.

All this "let Denard be Denard" and just "run the spread" is, imo, ridiculous. Over the last couple of years, with both Forcier and Denard, when we 'just ran the spread' or "let Denard be Denard" this offense has ground to a halt in B10 play. Averaging 8 points per game over the last three years against OSU is unacceptable and will get any coach fired....unless we can keep OSU to 7 points. The Miss St. game last year was the epitome of running the spread and letting Denard be Denard. Miss St shut us down and blew us out. BIG TIME! You can't just keep doing what has PROVEN not to work against better teams and suddenly hope it will start working. The last three years didn't work, not only on defense, but on offense, either. Borges and Hoke are trying to implement a power running game while at the same time letting Denard do some of what he still does best. However, they understand that changes HAVE TO be made in order to give us a shot in the B10 and against OSU THIS YEAR. Is everything they are doing perfect? No, but it's overall FAR better than it's been the previous three seasons. And, most importantly, these coaches hold themselves accountable for their mistakes and can, therefore, work to correct them, which appears to be one of their strengths. Borges knows how to coach an offense...he helped Cade McKnown develop into a top flight college QB while helping UCLA win 10 games, and also helped Auburn go 13-0 in the powerful SEC. 2 losses in 9 games does not suddenly make Borges or any of these coaches incompetent. Based on their 9 games with Michigan so far (all of them competitive, by the way - another difference from 'just run the spread'), I believe these coaches will see and make adjustments not only to what the players did wrong, but to what they as coaches did wrong also...and Michigan will be better for it next week and beyond. Go Blue!

local

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.

Our offense was offensive yesterday. You have to let Denard be Denard, not try to force him to be something he isn't. At the end of the game, put the ball in his hands and give him options. He isn't a drop back passer, role him out and let him make plays with his running, or pass if there. That was a game Michigan needed, and once again, they didn't get it. Looks a lot like the last few years, I hope the next 3 weeks change my perception.

MRunner73

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.

There is always a lot of finger pointing after a Michigan loss. The current buzz is about Al Borges and how he utilizes Denard's talents. As I recall, Denard was less effective last year once Michigan played their conference games in Oct and Nov. Yes, Al Borges can utiilze Denard's talents better. This still is an explosive offense. The Michigan offense will be fine for the remainder of the season. More adjustrments will be made. There are at least a dozens reasons why Michigan's offense sputtered a lot against IA. How about giving the opposing team a little more credit? In both of our losses, the opposing team's DC had a good game plan. It is up to Al Borges to come up with schemes that will be more successful. The Michigan ground game was as inconsistent as feared. It has been an on again-off again pattern all season. I think we can salvage a win against IL on Saturday. GO BLUE!!!

7718

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.

Earlier this year Borges and Hoke said they would take advantage of DR's skills...I'm still waiting. You have the returning Offensive Player of the Year and you're not letting him play to his strengths. I know they want to change the offensive scheme from last year but good coaches will find a way to maximize the talent.

David

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.

Gotta' agree with lawrencelaundry. "Do we let Denard do what he does best and maybe win these games, or do we insist on running our system and maybe lose?"

lawrencelaundry

Sun, Nov 6, 2011 : 4:03 a.m.

Call it what you will, but both Michigan loses should fall on Al Borges. Square hole round peg. Is what they are doing with Denard. Trying to make him Joe Montana undercenter instead of what he does best in the shotgun. Twice now the coaches do this and try to switch to a spread type office when they fall behind in4thquarter. Just crazy to not just run the spread right from the get go. And for crying out loud! Just keep Gardner out of the game