Tommy Carr’s Pocket Feel Is Giving Michigan More Ways to Extend Plays

Michigan quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. saw the value of Tommy Carr’s pocket awareness on a touchdown last week. As the left tackle got tangled up and a defender came free, Carr took off. Detmer couldn’t say whether Carr saw exactly what happened to his blocker. What stood out was that Carr sensed the pressure and knew when to go.

That feel has been one of Carr’s most noticeable traits since he entered the Penn State game in the second half. When protection breaks down, Carr can move away from pressure and keep looking downfield. If a receiver is still working open and Carr has room to throw, he can give the play another second. If the coverage holds and a running lane opens, he can take the yards himself.

Carr has credited some of that improvisation to playing backyard football growing up. Michigan practices what happens around him when he leaves the pocket. Detmer said receivers work on separating a second time if their initial routes are covered. The staff also encourages Carr to look for targets along the sideline he’s moving toward. A receiver who recognizes where Carr is headed can give him an outlet before the defense closes in.

Detmer expects opponents to respond with a quarterback spy or a more controlled pass rush designed to close escape lanes. Michigan’s individual drills already give Carr practice recognizing when an edge defender rushes far enough upfield to leave a gap and when the front stays disciplined enough that his best option is to throw from the pocket. That distinction will matter as defenses get more film on how he escapes.

Michigan can also use Carr’s legs on designed runs, though Detmer said the quarterback’s lean frame makes him better suited to carries in space than repeated runs into traffic. The staff wants to find calls that let Carr pull the ball and run when the defense gives him room. Formations and motion can help in the passing game, too, especially when Michigan wants to create separation against man coverage and give Carr a cleaner window.

Carr has room to improve on his deep throws. Detmer said Carr believed he had enough arm strength on the underthrows they reviewed, and the two discussed speeding up his feet and releasing the ball earlier once a receiver gains a step. Detmer expects Carr to add strength as he matures, but that timing adjustment is something Michigan can work on now. Against Michigan State, getting the ball out a beat sooner could be as valuable as anything Carr creates after the pocket breaks down.