WATCH: Michigan's JJ McCarthy Opens Up About Passing Attack
The Michigan offense isn't exactly known as an air-raid operation under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Instead, the Wolverines offense operates more like a bulldozer - bullying the opposing defense with a stout offensive line and running backs who embrace contact.
While that formula has worked fairly well for Michigan over the last two years, it sounds like the Wolverines are looking to evolve in the passing game in hopes of taking the next step - winning a national championship.
Meeting with the media on Monday, junior quarterback JJ McCarthy indicated that there's been a heavy emphasis on the passing game during the early stages of fall camp.
"In order to get over that hump, in order to push through and bring out the most potential we have as an offense, we've got to be balanced," McCarthy said. "Whether you're a human being, whether you're an offense, the more balanced you are, the more successful you're going to be. I feel like that just opens up the different levels of attack, and we've been working on it crazy. We've been more heavy focused on the pass game these first five practices. So it's been great to be able to get those reps, get those opportunities. We got to be balanced. So no matter what it is, or how it gets there, we're gonna get there."
Senior offensive lineman Zak Zinter echoed what his quarterback said about fall camp, indicating that the Wolverines are definitely throwing the ball around more so far.
"I promise you, we've passed the ball a lot these past couple of practices," Zinter said. "The defensive line has gotten a lot of work in the pass rush moves."
"It is a big focus this year. We know we can run the ball when we want it, even if they know we're going to run the ball we can run it. The pass rush, just passing in general, has definitely been an emphasis for us this camp, and it's been going really well for us."
