Having not yet ‘scratched the surface,’ J.J. McCarthy taking criticism in stride
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Usually, the most popular man on campus at the University of Michigan is the backup quarterback. However, with J.J. McCarthy the new man under center, that’s likely not the case this year.
But that doesn’t mean he’s immune from criticism.
While McCarthy is leading the nation in efficiency, completing 78.3% of his passes through six weeks, there are several areas that others are keen to point out where he could improve. However, McCarthy is aware of all of it, and no matter how harsh any of his critics might be, he insists, he’s even harder on himself.
“I mean, this comes with the job, and it’s one of those things where you can only focus on what you can control and what your coaches are telling you and what you’re self-criticizing,” McCarthy said. “And I promise you that I’m harder on myself than any critic out there is on me, so it’s nothing — I really don’t pay too much attention to it. Actually, I’m thankful for it. Because it’s guys like Joel Klatt that are pointing things out that sometimes the coaches might miss on.
“So it’s just more information to grow and get better. And I’m appreciative that I’m not gonna get emotional with it. I’m just gonna take the advice, and I’m gonna roll with it. If it works, it works, then if it doesn’t, I won’t implement it. So yeah.”
The tests will continue to get harder, however, as more teams start to understand his tendencies more.
Last year, considering he’d play just a handful of snaps, there was no knowing exactly what he’d do. Certain plays could be completely new, he wouldn’t necessarily be called upon to come in and run the traditional set of plays. However, this year, that’s not the case, as his full repertoire is starting to come to light.
That makes it easier for teams to understand different ways to attack him. However, McCarthy insists that it also makes it easier for him to attack other teams because he is gaining an understanding of how teams want to play him.
“I’m doing the same thing to them,” McCarthy said. “I mean, that comes with the territory, too, and I feel like with my play, I haven’t even scratched the surface myself and what I’m fully capable of so they haven’t seen things that I have in my bag, that I haven’t shown yet. So, it’s a new week, every single week. And there’s new things being put out there every single week. But yeah, I’m doing the same thing to them. They’re putting stuff on tape. I’m studying it. And yeah, that’s the fun thing about sports.”
His biggest test to date as a starting quarterback will come on Saturday when No. 10 Penn State comes to town. He didn’t get a chance to play against the Nittany Lions last year, as Cade McNamara helmed the entire game. However, this year, with Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff in town, he’ll have the show to himself.
The game kicks off at noon EDT at The Big House.
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Behind enemy lines: Michigan vs. Penn State
