Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges continues to 'empty drawer' with old San Diego Chargers play
Sophomore backup quarterback Devin Gardner, above, took the snap from center with starter Denard Robinson lined up behind him in a new formation unveiled by the Michigan coaching staff on Saturday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Turns out, it is a lot older than that.
Offensive coordinator Al Borges used a peculiar three-back set during Saturday's 58-0 rout of Minnesota that put starting quarterback Denard Robinson in the backfield and backup quarterback Devin Gardner under center.
Borges said his inspiration for the formation came from something the San Diego Chargers ran in the late 1980s and early '90s.
"We took a piece of that and expanded it to fit," Borges said. "Part of that is kind of old. The other pieces that we put, we just kind of built some stuff off it they didn't do back then. But, the option part was a piece from the past."
Michigan now has unveiled two offensive wrinkles in its past two games. It debuted the speed option against San Diego State, and the two-quarterback formation against Minnesota.
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"Big Ten play, we'll empty the drawer more as we go," Borges said. "The first four games, we were still learning the offense.
"We're going to have our deals. Not all will work -- some will be good, some of them aren't -- but that was just one of them."
Michigan ran the formation four times in its first three series, with Robinson getting a handoff, Fitz Toussaint getting a misdirection pitch, Gardner getting a pass from Robinson (he was supposed to complete a double-pass, but it wasn't open downfield) and Gardner keeping the ball on an option play.
Borges said there are two main advantages to unveiling that package early in the Big Ten season, even if it was against an overmatched team. First, it forces opponents to prepare for it. Second, it helps Michigan work out the kinks before it runs the formation in a closer game.
The plays also helped get Gardner some meaningful snaps without taking Robinson off the field. Borges never has liked to take his starting quarterback out of the game to get a backup reps, but also knew Gardner could become an asset.
This was the best of both worlds.
"I know they (alternated quarterbacks) here in the past -- I'm just not a fan of breaking the starting quarterback's rhythm by taking him out a series or two for another guy," Borges said.
"Devin Gardner is a talented kid, and we just wanted to give him a chance to feature him a little bit in a couple of deals."
Michigan wide receiver Roy Roundtree (12) has just five catches this season.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
Through five games this season, junior receiver Roy Roundtree has five catches. That's well off his pace as a slot receiver a year ago, when he grabbed a team-high 72 passes.
Is Roundtree struggling to adjust to his new role as an outside receiver? Borges said that's not necessarily the case.
"Within the game plan, we have 'X' amount of balls that will go to a split receiver, and if they go to him, then they go to him," he said. "There's going to be games when you catch some balls, there's going to be games when you're not. I told the kids that.
"Unless a player is a Jerry Rice-type, I don't have any special goals to make sure any player catches a specific amount of balls. And I won't, ever."
Montgomery coaching beyond his years
The defensive line's production has increased each week. Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery is one reason why.
Just 31 years old, Montgomery is the youngest full-time coach on the Michigan staff. But he doesn't act like it.
"Jerry's way older than his age," Mattison said, when asked about Montgomery being a young coach. "You say young coach, but that's because I'm an old coach. Jerry is way, way ahead of his time, and we knew that when he was hired here.
"He's very, very intelligent and he's a really, really good teacher. ... If (players) know somebody will help (them) become better, they'll listen. And I think they figured that out pretty quick with Jerry Montgomery, he can help them become better players."
Roh improving, but not enough?
Junior defensive end Craig Roh has rebounded from a slow start to the season, and currently has 12 tackles, four tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
He's getting better, but still isn't where he needs to be, Mattison said.
"I'm proud of what he's done, improvement-wise," Mattison said. "I am not by any means totally happy with him. I don't think he's still where he needs to be to be any type of big-time rush (end).
"But, I am really happy with how he's bought in. He's worked extremely hard. … But I think he's the first guy that will tell you 'I can do better.' And my answer to that is 'then do it next week.' "
Nick Baumgardner contributed to this report. Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
58-44-6
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.
Rodriguez is considered a pioneer of a no huddle , run-oriented version of the spread offense , although a pass-first version was already being implemented by others. He first developed this offensive approach at Glenville State and refined it during his stops at Tulane with Shaun King , at Clemson with Woodrow Dantzler , and at West Virginia most notably with dual-threat quarterback Pat White . This strategy features frequent use of the shotgun formation . Rodriguez is also credited for inventing the zone read play run out of the shotgun formation.
Rufus
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
How great to see Gardner and Denard and Smith in the same backfield. I hope we see a lot more of it.
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8 p.m.
In a 34–17 loss to Michigan State, Robinson completed 17 of 29 passes for 215 passing yards but threw three interceptions. [
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
That I-formation has to go, Daddio
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 5:40 p.m.
Folks, if you think we've only started running the spread the last 2 week, then I don't know what team your watching but it certainly hasn't been Michigan. We've been in the spread since the first offensive snap of the season. DRob's time under center is probably less 10%. Please, watch the games before providing commentary.
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
That I-formation has to go, Daddio
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.
Another difference between the past 3 years and the present: we never saw / heard much from RR's coordinator coaches but now we're seeing Borges and Mattison joining in the pressers and being interviewed every week. We are getting a lot more information about what the whole coaching staff is doing and thinking than we did before. Have I missed this? -- I didn't know about Coach Montgomery at all. Is he a new hire or just someone overlooked by the press? It's good to see Coach Mattison praising one of his assistants on defense. I see a lot of this new "team spirit" on Hoke's staff. Anyone can talk about this team being built (recruited) by RR but then if RR had done well as a coach (versus what he actually did), then these players would still be "his" and not those of Coach Hoke and these coordinators and assistants. Hail to the Hoke Program! Go Blue!
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.
I think Hoke is a better fit than Rodrigeuz for Michigan. Denard is the best running QB in the history of NCAA football but he is a poor decision maker and innaccurate as a passer. We need to run the ball and throw high percentage passes. The defense is much better but still to young, Jake Ryan is going to lead the league in tackles next year. Michigan State scares me, I don't like losing to them... The next 10 years we will have a winning record against Notre Dame, MSU and Ohio
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 12:24 p.m.
I'm worried about him throwing interceptions against Michigan State and the other good defenses. But I think Borges is aware of this and will be very careful . Good running attack and high percentage passing. 14-0 !!!!!
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
Denard was passing much more efficiently under Rodriguez
richagain
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
@ 57-43-6 D-Rob did throw better in Richie Rods offense because he threw alot of screens (remember?) That would be my only criticsm of Al Borges. He needs to throw some of those short passes to get Dennards confidence early in the games. But come on, were all in a better place now. Agreed 10-3 at worst. go BLUE
richagain
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:27 a.m.
57-43-6 just saying Al Borges went from bottom of "theo's" list to top of the coach for hiesman list. Theo oh Theo were have you gone. Running a spread offense with no speed option? Come on Rich Playing Dennard in the backfield or WR is something we asked for but never received. Thanks Rich Running a hurry up offense with the worst defense in the nation (defense on the field to much) Summary We have pretty much the same team as last year. It just goes to show you what good coaches do for the program. Great coaches adjust to the talent they have and adjust during the game. Michigan now has a swagger and much improved defense with great coaching. Thanks Rich
58-44-6
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 6:27 a.m.
I'm glad he adjusted and started running Rich Rodriguez's offense after ther the first two games. it's the only offense Denard can run.
Mick
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 6:15 a.m.
Hey 1st Down, I think Big Al wants opposing teams to know about it, that way they spend more precious time trying to figure out how to defend it. I wonder what Theo is thinking right now, his predictions have been really, really bad, really bad. Yeah, I'm getting tired of this boring Offense that is unimaginative and of course this Defense that gives up yards like a sieve and eventually tons of points, oh wait a minute, that was the previous 3 years.
1st Down
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 5:23 a.m.
Borges is great. A true innovator and smart man who is not stuck in one system. Regarding the diamond backfield formation...do not be shocked if you see that again this year, and one of the QBs motions out and becomes a WR on the edge... with Denards speed and Devins size...either one would be difficult for a defense to adjust to defend. (hope no opposing defensive coordinators are reading this lol)
riverraisin
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.
And they called the WCIMFH an offensive genius...lol..