Don Brown, Rashan Gary, Zach Gentry impressed with Shea Patterson

Spring football practices have started for Michigan, they’ve had a few and counting. While the entire team is looking to improve, there’s one position that needs a major up-tick in production... quarterback.

With Shea Patterson now in the fold, all eyes are on him to claim the starting job. However, under Jim Harbaugh, the job won’t be given to him, it will have to be earned through competition.

On Tuesday night after practice, Patterson received positive reviews from a coach and a couple players.

Defensive coordinator Don Brown, defensive lineman Rashan Gary, and tight end Zach Gentry all told reporters good things about Patterson.

Don Brown: “I love Shea. Shea’s an interesting guy. He’s come in and sat with me and we’ve talked a little bit of coverage. We’ve talked some football. Just really happy he’s here. He’s a tremendous young man, great family. Competition’s a beautiful thing. I expect great things from him.”

“He seems very athletic. Very mobile, steps in the pocket really well. Love the guy.”

Rashan Gary: “Shea, I like him. He’s swaggy. He’s a good athletic kid. He’s got a big arm, and he likes to get outside the pocket a little bit, so I’ve got to watch how we contain. Coach makes sure we contain on him. Having him around changes the offense a little bit.”

Zach Gentry: “He’s a heck of a guy. A lot of the guys have gotten behind him and helped him understand what it’s like here, and I think he’s been doing a good job of taking it in stride and going with it.”

“We’ll see more as spring ball goes on. Obviously, he’s a very athletic guy. He’s pretty shifty and he’s got a quick release. He throws a nice ball, so we’re going to see a lot more as spring ball goes on, but it looks like he brings a good amount of athleticism to the table.”

Takeaways from their comments

- The fact that Patterson is going over coverages with Don Brown is a great idea. While Brown isn’t an offensive coach, Patterson learning the defensive side of things from him will only help Patterson’s football IQ.

- How the defense is playing Patterson in practice, using contain, will be the strategy of many opposing defenses. If practice makes perfect, Patterson is definitely getting a taste of what’s to come in real games. Gary saying it changes the offense a little bit doesn’t tell us a lot as to how the offense is changing exactly, but it’s likely changing beyond Patterson’s shear mobility. It’s a good assumption new plays and wrinkles have been put in, from RPO to the pistol formation.

- Athletic, good footwork, throws a nice ball, are a few comments thrown Patterson’s direction. While Patterson still has a long way to go in gaining the trust of his teammates and winning the starting job, his first impressions appear to be highly positive.