J.J. McCarthy responds to criticism, singles out Fox analyst Joel Klatt

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy wanted to let his critics know that at the end of the day, he doesn’t really care what they think about his play. He sees it, and knows some of it — like that from Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt — can be right from time to time, but McCarthy’s not in the business of letting Twitter be his coach.

With Fox broadcasting Michigan’s first three conference games and Gus Johnson and Klatt on the call, the former Colorado quarterback has taken a front-row seat to praise and prod McCarthy early on in his career as a starting quarterback. For weeks now, Klatt has pointed out McCarthy needs to put more air under deep balls, and the quarterback clearly heard him.

“It just 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. And I promise you that I’m harder on myself than any critic out there is on me. It’s nothing, I really don’t pay too much attention to it,” McCarthy said of critiques to his game. “Actually, I’m thankful for it, because it’s guys like Joel Klatt that are pointing things that out that sometimes the coaches might miss on, so it’s just more information to grow and get better and I’m appreciative of that. I’m not going to get emotional with it, I’m just going to take the advice and I’m going to roll with it. If it works it works. If it doesn’t, then I won’t implement it.”

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McCarthy has overcooked a few deep balls in recent weeks, namely missing deep a handful of times against Iowa with receivers streaking open down the field. Some of this McCarthy has chalked up to his improved strength and comfort after nursing his throwing arm back from an offseason injury. Whatever the cause, McCarthy hasn’t been dialed on deep shots.

It hasn’t cost Michigan to date, but the Wolverines can’t afford to perpetually come up empty on downfield shots. Their quarterback knows this and knows the onus is on him to start giving his pass catchers a chance when they are trying to take a shot downfield.

“The biggest key, and the only key, is myself,” McCarthy said. “Just putting the ball on ’em. And just really understanding that as I’m recovering from this injury from the offseason that, I’m starting to gain my strength back. My hips are my mobile, they’ve gained more strength. And just being able to get back into that rhythm again and not be able to feel like, that I need to put my all into a throw. Just realize I have a strong arm. Just focus on it, see the ball through the throw and just deliver it to ’em. But the guys have been doing great getting open, I just gotta put the ball on ’em.”

Klatt has said the missed deep shots are holding back the Michigan offense

The Wolverines lost quite a few of their best players from last season to the NFL, but so far seem to have picked up right where they left off from last year. Klatt likes how Michigan has looked so far this season, but believes there’s one dynamic of their game that’s holding them back.

“Been following Michigan around a little bit and they’re just scratching the surface of what they could potentially be. They’re a team that I think could be really good, when you look at what they can be offensively, J.J. McCarthy has missed a couple of those long throws down the field,” Klatt said. “If they start hitting those, watch out, because that’s the only thing missing from this team right now.”