Wolverine coach chooses sophomore over senior captain and returning starter Cade McNamara following a 'near-flawless performance' in a 42-point first half Saturday night against Hawaii
Michigan fans (I know I am) have to be thrilled that there are multiple quarterbacks on the roster who look ready to step in when called on. If Harbaugh had those guys in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, his record in big games would certainly be better. It might have made a difference at Iowa, at Ohio State, at Penn State and in bowl games against South Carolina, Florida State and especially at home against Michigan State.
I was impressed with JJ McCarthy’s performance and agree he ought to be the starter based on merit. But that said, I feel bad for Cade McNamara after yesterday’s game. He came in backed up to the goal line after Gash committed a freshman foulup by running the 2nd half kickoff from 8 yards deep and getting tackled on the 12, and it never got any better from there.
Consider that McCarthy had the first team in front of him while McNamara had the 2nd and 3rd team in front of him. The back up O line was leaky, McNamara’s backup receivers ran less than stellar routes and his rb’s gained nothing. I can’t help feeling that, if the situation was reversed, and he was the starter, McNamara would have performed better than he did last night. However, I can’t help feeling that, if McNamara had been the starter, he wouldn’t have performed nearly as well as McCarthy did as starter, and if McCarthy had been the 2nd half replacement, he would have performed better than McNamara did in last night’s backup role. That’s the reason why I feel McCarthy needs to be and deserves to be the starter.
Absolutely, Bob, we were talking on the way back to our cars after the press conference about how much better these quarterbacks are over the earlier Harbaugh years QBs. But Jake Ruddock was an exception.
Michigan fans (I know I am) have to be thrilled that there are multiple quarterbacks on the roster who look ready to step in when called on. If Harbaugh had those guys in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, his record in big games would certainly be better. It might have made a difference at Iowa, at Ohio State, at Penn State and in bowl games against South Carolina, Florida State and especially at home against Michigan State.
What a fun game to watch! So sorry 2 of our guys are out with injuries, but overall, a great game. Thanks Steve!
I was impressed with JJ McCarthy’s performance and agree he ought to be the starter based on merit. But that said, I feel bad for Cade McNamara after yesterday’s game. He came in backed up to the goal line after Gash committed a freshman foulup by running the 2nd half kickoff from 8 yards deep and getting tackled on the 12, and it never got any better from there.
Consider that McCarthy had the first team in front of him while McNamara had the 2nd and 3rd team in front of him. The back up O line was leaky, McNamara’s backup receivers ran less than stellar routes and his rb’s gained nothing. I can’t help feeling that, if the situation was reversed, and he was the starter, McNamara would have performed better than he did last night. However, I can’t help feeling that, if McNamara had been the starter, he wouldn’t have performed nearly as well as McCarthy did as starter, and if McCarthy had been the 2nd half replacement, he would have performed better than McNamara did in last night’s backup role. That’s the reason why I feel McCarthy needs to be and deserves to be the starter.
It was a great performance! You're very welcome, Kathy!
Absolutely, Bob, we were talking on the way back to our cars after the press conference about how much better these quarterbacks are over the earlier Harbaugh years QBs. But Jake Ruddock was an exception.