Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Michigan Tuesday: JJ vs. Cade

This case started back over 20+ years ago when it was Tom vs. Drew and today it continues with Cade vs. JJ.   There are some similarities,  Tom and Cade were both nice recruits and Drew and JJ were 5 stars and if my memory is accurate, Drew was the top player in the country.  (I'm not sure when recruiting rankings started but I'm pretty sure there wasn't star ranking at that time).  A funny thing happened on the way to their pro careers, Drew decided to take some money and play baseball.   Tom became the greatest NFL QB ever and has a room full of Super Bowl rings. 

Now we fast forward to right now and we have a similar discussion, even though the odds are against Cade being the next Tom Brady.  So lets review both cases. 

The Case for Cade:

The guy knows the offense like no other player on the roster and coaches talk about his great leadership and moxy.  The kid doesn't seem to have a heart beat and always has the same expression on his face.  He doesn't seem to get rattled.  His deep ball was better early in the season and usually makes the right read.  He is 100% risk adverse, has over a 60% completion rate, and doesn't turn the ball over. He has lead the team to 7-0.  

The Case for JJ:

The guy has all the tools. He has a cannon for an arm and gives Michigan a better look on running plays because he is a threat to run.  Even though the team has been winning games, the offense has been too vanilla and struggling in the red zone.  Having JJ in there should open up running lanes and gives the team better opportunities to score TD's.  Many fans would argue that JJ gives Michigan the best shot to beat Ohio State.  

If Michigan is going to run the ball, why wouldn't they do it with JJ who gives an extra dimension with his running ability? That is a fair and the proper question for Team JJ.   

Here's the answer:

Jimmy needs wins to get off the hot seat and Cade won't lose you games with his play.   JJ has a huge upside but his lack of experience and somewhat dangerous style, has the same effect in the other direction.   Harbaugh needs a QB that makes the right read on 3rd and 5 and Cade is decent at hitting that TE over the middle to get the first down.  

There was a quick example of this late in the Northwestern game.  JJ had an easy throw to the WR on the sideline on 2nd down and air mailed it.  If that is a 3rd down and Michigan needs a 1st down to keep the chains moving, that is losing game throw.   QB's have to have a super computer brain, reading defense, avoiding the rush, making the right read, then making the proper throw on a line or with some air under it.   They have to do all that in about 1.5 seconds.   I'm not saying JJ can't do that, I'm just saying Cade has more experience doing it.   If Michigan had super WR's of the like of DPJ, Nico, and others then JJ is the easy choice.   I hate to use Ohio State as an example, but their WR's make their freshman QB much better then he is.  

With that said, Michigan has real problems in the red zone and specially in goal to goal offense.  If Michigan is going to continue to pound the ball at the defense, JJ has to be the QB.   So there is some fear that the Michigan QB will keep the ball.   This could open some easy throws as well. 

7 comments:

ScottyDoggs said...

I join the crowd feeling a "little angst" about Saturday's game.... partly because it's out of my control and I can do little (nothing) to help the team.... it's all on them (and coaching)...one team will emerge "contenders", other a pretender... Go Wolves, show them, who is "boss" besides Springsteen...

szanreno said...

As long as I can remember the Michigan fan base has always cried for the backup to be the starter, with the possible exception of Chad Henne. There is a reason JJ is not in there. None of us are privy to that information however. But the coaches see him every day in practice where we've only seen him in very limited game circumstances. So far the games that we have seen him in, there has been absolutely no pressure on him to perform. He comes in for a couple plays and then he goes out. It's never been in situations where the game was on the line or where it mattered. JMO. I've enjoyed the comments over the last couple of days and respect them all. I'll close with the old adage, nothing ever turns out as good as you think it will, and nothing ever turns out as bad as you think it will...

Justwin said...

If I got a vote (I don’t), I’d would say put JJ in for a few reps each game (unless super tight) to give him experience. But putting him in now as starter is a terrible idea. Expose him to the hardest part of the schedule without the reps that Cade has had. I would be first in line to call for Jimmy’s firing if he does that. I like building JJ for next year, and putting this year on Cade. Cade deserves it, has earned it, and I think has a solid chance to win the big games. He def has earned the chance to show if he can.

MichiganMan said...

Just win....I like your take on JJ.... If Cade does a good job and beats Ohio State and gets in the playoffs.... JJ has to wait another year or transfer...

🔵 For life...
Fire down Brown

Justwin said...

If feel like I should rethink and/or take back my comments…

szanreno said...

Hahaha, post of the year Justwin...

MichiganMan said...

Guys united we stand and divided we fall...I'm telling you right now. Michigan will win this game by at least 2tds ....mark my word...

Blue for life

Fire Don Brown from AZ...worst defensive coordinator in the history of man kind.