Harbaugh Answers To Patterson Critics: "Shea's A Really Good Player"

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For a coach who's often been hailed a quarterback whisperer, Jim Harbaugh has left a lot to be desired in his five years at Michigan. 

None of the QB's he's brought in and developed have pushed the program over the top, including current starter Shea Patterson. Consider what Chris Spielman told the Jamie and Stoney Show just last week. 

"I'm surprised that he hasn’t gotten a stud quarterback that’s been consistent," Spielman said. "I think Shea’s pretty good, but it’s always been, like, one guy in there, and the quarterback position in today’s football is even more important than any other position. I just don’t understand why he has not been able to nail down that one guy to really carry a football team ... that franchise guy, so to speak." 

This deficiency was once again on display in Michigan's blowout loss to Wisconsin on Saturday. Patterson had a brutal first half before being lifted for an injury, by which point the game was over. His return in the second half was academic. 

Through three games this season, Patterson has completed just 56 percent of his passes and committed five turnovers. His quarterback rating ranks 86th in the nation. Hopes were high for Patterson entering 2019 -- he was named to the Maxwell Award watch list -- but his play has regressed after a strong junior year. 

Harbaugh believes in Patterson all the same. Asked on the Jamie and Stoney Show about Michigan's lack of an elite QB in his fifth year at the helm, Harbaugh refuted the idea that Patterson is merely "OK."

"I think Shea’s good. I think Shea’s a really good player, because he is," Harbaugh said. "We have to give him the protection, we have to give him the time that a quarterback needs, and that’s on all of us. That’s on the coaching staff, that’s on the offensive line, that’s on the receivers getting open, tight ends as well -- just like I think our backs are good and they need space, they need holes, they need room to run.

"So that would be my answer to those that don’t think Shea’s a good quarterback. He is." 

Patterson arrived with loads of hype last year after transferring from Ole Miss. And he mostly lived up to it in his first season. He showed an accurate arm and proved capable of taking care of the ball. His quarterback rating ranked 24th in the country and second in the Big Ten. 

But turnovers have come back to bite him this season, and the fanbase is once again clamoring for a change under center. It likely won't happen anytime soon. Backup Dylan McCaffrey is doubtful for Saturday's game against Rutgers with a concussion, while Patterson should be good to go. 

"Shea’s doing okay, doing good," Harbaugh said. "I would say he’d be probable for the game. Any kind of X-ray or test was negative. Dylan will be doubtful for this ballgame, and Joe Milton will step up and be the backup quarterback most likely this week." 

Other highlights from Harbaugh's interview on 97.1 The Ticket. 

What does he criticize himself for in Saturday's loss: "In terms of coaching, if you’re beaten in a scheme type of manner, then I take responsibility for that. In terms of defense, if the fits aren’t right, if we didn’t tackle right and that led to a big play, which happened, I take that personal and feel like that’s part of my responsibility when it comes to scheme, tackling, technique. The same offensively. If we’re being out-physicaled or if we are not protecting the quarterback and the running backs the way we should, if someone doesn’t lnow what to do on a play, if there’s a mental error, that’s something I have to see and make sure that it's run again and run again and perfected during the week.

"Back to the physicality, the hustle, all those things, that’s unacceptable to be out-physicaled, to have a team that hustled more than we do. Players have to take responsibility for that, and then also you have to make sure the players are playing that will give you that kind of all-out effort and put them in a position to be physical and win in at the line of scrimmage."

What does he want Michigan's identity to be: "Physical, hustling at all times, constant hustle, playing all-out and getting the guys in there that ate going to do that and do it for 60 to 70 to 80 plays. And when it comes to the focus and them knowing what to do, I have to make sure that we’re coaching that. If it’s not done right, we do it again. It’s that kind of mindset. But our identity is to do those things, to tackle, to block, protect the quarterback, come off the ball. Got an experienced offensive line, got guys that have been here three, four, five years. There’s high expectations in all those areas." 
Does he have a message for former UM players criticizing the program: "The whole football world saw, including us. That is not acceptable the way we played, and we’re dedicated to getting it fixed. Is that a good enough message?"