Monday, November 03, 2008

Mailbag Question: Big-time players?


Hi,

Long time follower first time questioner. I do not always agree with you guys, but you have some great points and bring up stuff that I have not thought about so thank you for this place to visit.

Why don’t our big-timer players step up in big games especially this year on defense where we had so many experienced players back? It seems like most are playing worse or not getting much better from last year.

We all thought that Barwis would get these guys into better shape ... which I think is true, but it seems like they have been making the same mistakes as in previous years.

So are they just athletes or are they football players?

Is it coaching or is it the players?

Seems like other teams big-time players show up and lead their team.

Greg

------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for following the blog and for your first question of hopefully many more around here. Even if the people that follow this blog do not agree with us we gladly accept all e-mail questions and will respond to them. So please feel free to voice your opinions and thoughts and ask the questions you want answered.

Now to the question.

Switching schemes has had an effect, as learning new techniques and responsibilities can slow progress. Switching schemes in mid-season can also have a negative effect.

Where we disagree, and have warning everyone about, is Michigan does not have many, if any, Big-Time players. Only Brandon Graham has shown any consistent big-time ability.

Just because a player has started and has the experience at a position does not mean he is a talented football player.

This Michigan team is just not as talented as some of previous Michigan teams in the past.

Coach Barwis has had a positive effect on team, but like anything else, it will take more than one off-season to make up for past deficiencies and he can only do so much with the kids. They still have to go out and make tackles, make plays and execute.

As for the coaching staff, it is not the individual coach who is the problem, but the sum of the whole. This is just not a good mix of philosophies. The lack of cohesion is showing on the field.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you see the RR press conference? (I think it came out after this post.) RR didn't sound like Shaffer's job was on the line. And he specifically said that the new defensive scheme was a consensus.

Of course, that doesn't mean much, but he did defend him quite fervently. (Showing a lot of class, btw.)

I'm not so sure there will be any coaching changes before the end of next season. RR is frustrated, but he seems very poised considering the heat he must be feeling. I don't think he's going to throw Shafer under the bus.

GBMWolverine said...

I hope your right ... I really like Coach Shafer. Also what is Coach Rod going to say that he is mad and might fire him at the end of the season? He hears and reads things across the web/papers/tv, etc. and knows that the heat is turned up on the defense.

We will see soon enough.

GBMWolverine Counter

Total Pageviews