Jason Beck sticking to guns, rhino position

Jason Beck sticking to guns, rhino position Arushi Sanghi/DAILY. Buy this photo. It’s likely been a long week-and-a-half for Jason Beck. Eleven days ago, the Michigan football team’s offense gained just 180 yards, turned the ball over twice and scored a mere seven points in a loss to Minnesota. The performance of Beck’s unit rubbed salt in the ever-growing wounds created by an unproductive start to the season, but he’s not ringing the alarm bells just yet.  “There’s good things happening here,” Beck said Wednesday. “We’re not a million miles off. It feels that way because we only scored seven points (against the Golden Gophers), but there’s good things happening here.” The production through five games tells a different story. The Wolverines’ offense currently ranks second-to-last in the Big Ten in points per game and total yards per game. Such dismal production from a unit that finished middle-of-the-pack in both categories a year ago and returns eight players who started games is a valid reason for grave concern.  In what was likely a depleting post-mortem following the Minnesota loss, Michigan wrestled with those tough realities. It’s normal for Beck to audit what’s working and what isn’t the day after a game. But following last week’s loss, Beck reviewed the film with the entire offense to assess what exactly was stunting its drives.  “Sunday, we’re looking at ‘What’s the feedback from this last game?’ ” Beck said. “ ‘What are we doing well? What’s not going well? What do we tweak and adjust?’ ” However, based on his comments Wednesday, Beck appears to be sticking to his guns — including his rhino — for the time being. On Monday, Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham announced that sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood would start against Penn State, and neither Whittingham nor Beck indicated any major personnel or scheme changes. Further, Beck is going to continue to play a sixth offensive lineman at the rhino position, which he’s done for a sizable portion of snaps thus far. The rhino position is something Beck has employed in his previous stops at Syracuse, New Mexico and Utah — all of which had productive offenses under him. Last year, Beck used the rhino on 48% of snaps, and it boosted the Utes’ overall play success on 3rd down by 24%. However, as Michigan’s offense has struggled, the unorthodox personnel group has drawn criticism from fans and media members alike.  Much opposition to the rhino is based on the belief that it brings safeties closer to the box by decreasing the number of players that can go out for a pass. In addition, some believe it simplifies defensive assignments by revealing which extra player — in other sets, a tight end or running back — will stay in and block. But Beck doesn’t believe the added lineman is the problem. In fact, he wasn’t even aware that it’s been subject to immense criticism this season. He cited that the personnel group of three wide receivers and a rhino has been the Wolverines’ most successful group and that the rhinos have graded out well thus far.  “Each game that thing’s performed at a pretty good level,” Beck said. “They’re winning blocks, they’re getting knocked back, they’re creating stuff in the run game, and the protection’s been solid with those guys. … You look at PFF (that’s) one of our highest graded people. … I would say yes, everything sucks. So maybe it’s the rhino’s fault, but we look at that like anything else.” To Beck, there’s two main things that need to change: his unit has to take better care of the football and make more explosive plays. After Michigan’s offense turned the ball over twice against Minnesota and gifted the Gophers favorable field position, Whittingham also harped on the importance of limiting turnovers on Monday. Through five games, the Wolverines have given the ball up nine times. And while Beck’s goal is for his offense to record nine “explosive” plays every game — typically defined as a gain of 15+ yards — it had just two against Minnesota. Clearly, Beck’s unit isn’t even close in that regard. Despite its early-season struggles, Beck believes his unit is on the brink of a breakthrough. He’s sticking with his quarterback. He’s sticking with his rhino. And while he’s likely made some changes, there’s been no indication that he isn’t sticking with his scheme. He’s also not alone in his belief that the offense is on the verge of turning things around. His players remain bought in, too.  “I think we’re close,” junior center Jake Guarnera said Tuesday. If Beck and Guarnera are right, Michigan’s offense will take a much-needed step forward Saturday against the Nittany Lions. But if they’re wrong, it’ll be an even longer next six weeks for Beck. Related articles