Offense really good or Defense really bad?

[deltguy2]

Looks like we held our first fall scrimmage on Saturday, 125 plays all together. Good video's of Tate and Denard making plays on mgoblue.com. The only question is, is the offense going to be really good this year or will the D really stink it up? There are a lot of plays in the video where the defenders are getting burned for the deep ball or there are runs up the middle and the D-Line is nowhere to be found. Thus, the reason I hate scrimmages...you dont know which one is good or bad. You want to cheer when the offense makes a big play, but then your sad because the defender missed a tackle. Is Sept. 5th here yet??

http://www.mgoblue.com/football/page.aspx?id=182128

[bighousemike84]

The offense is that good with all the speed and athleticism at so many positions. Also consider the deep pool of talent behind all the starters in basically every offensive position. The defense is actually good with some awesome talent at Dline, LB and CB but it lacks depth. Unfortunately at basically every defensive position their is a major lack of quality depth. So while the first team is good when you start to mix in the second and third stringers it gets a little worse

[bighousemike84]

I dont think its anything to freak out about. Really it comes down to the fact that there is a laundry list of speedy fuckers on the offense that can make things happen and its hard for any defense to contend with an offense as potent as Michigans

[BlueBallers]

When you have to stay off the QB, its hard for a Defense to stop a spread passing game.

On a side note, I was impressed with how well Robinson throws the ball. I was thinking he was gonna be a little like Feagin (accuracy), he is on a whole different level than that.

[FLex500]

Looks like we held our first fall scrimmage on Saturday, 125 plays all together. Good video's of Tate and Denard making plays on mgoblue.com. The only question is, is the offense going to be really good this year or will the D really stink it up? There are a lot of plays in the video where the defenders are getting burned for the deep ball or there are runs up the middle and the D-Line is nowhere to be found. Thus, the reason I hate scrimmages...you dont know which one is good or bad. You want to cheer when the offense makes a big play, but then your sad because the defender missed a tackle. Is Sept. 5th here yet??

http://www.mgoblue.com/football/page.aspx?id=182128
your not going to see a really good "O" or a terrible "D". You will see an average defense and and an average offense that will shine here and there.

[Blue In Ohio]

I really see no reason for an awful defense with cissoko and warren at the corners and woolfolk up the middle along with some Justin Turner they should be able to do alot of man coverage and stack the line to stop the run. Our secondary should be stellar. The D line with Martin and some key recruits along with an experienced group of linebackers should be half way descent. Last year the defense would not have been that bad if the offense could have sustained a few drives. Going three and out for three quarters of football tired our defense out. Had we had a qb and an offense last years d would have probably been an average to little worse than average Michigan defense. We have a very experienced and adaptable defensive coach so I have no reason to think the defense will be awful. If we score some points the defense could be downright good.

[Buzz]

I really see no reason for an awful defense with cissoko and warren at the corners and woolfolk up the middle along with some Justin Turner they should be able to do alot of man coverage and stack the line to stop the run. Our secondary should be stellar. The D line with Martin and some key recruits along with an experienced group of linebackers should be half way descent. Last year the defense would not have been that bad if the offense could have sustained a few drives. Going three and out for three quarters of football tired our defense out. Had we had a qb and an offense last years d would have probably been an average to little worse than average Michigan defense. We have a very experienced and adaptable defensive coach so I have no reason to think the defense will be awful. If we score some points the defense could be downright good.

I see cover one and alot of run support for this secondary which means the corners will need to be pretty good in man coverage. If the guys can tackle...the defense will be decent to pretty good.

[RADRACING]

Well if you want believe coach Denardo's comments from the Big Ten Network, Michigan doesn't have the type of D line as in the past, they are short handed and it will take a few years to build it back where it was. If you don't have a D line you have major defense problems, he said a North South team will push this team around. The D line is one of the most important factor of who wins games.

As far as 3 QB's he said "none of them are great passers, just good passers", that's probably why there is no clear cut starter. Also He said Robinson could elude people so he will be the QB at the end of the season.

Probably another crop of QB's will have to come in till we find a QB that can hurt people with the pass and run, so RR's project goes on, as the QB might be unsettled for a year or more.

[1OSUNUT]

I caught that to during the day they spent in AA as well as in the Michigan season preview last night. I think he was correct when he said Robinson might be the guy. He seems to be the closest Michigan has to a Pat White type player - but faster. That is the kind of player RR really needs to make his offense click. I could be wrong but the spread option that RR runs needs a better runner then it does a passer.

[RADRACING]

True But Pat White can throw, He looks really good in pre-season and throwing keeps people from loading up the box against the running attack, you really need both to keep defenses honest.

[GoBlue21]

GET A ROOM for pete's sake!

I don't give a sh!t about who said what, people can analyze all they want but it comes down to what happens on Saturdays. Practice is exactly what it is, practice ("we talking about practice"). That is the time to work on areas of concern, execution, etc...

I'll wait until next Saturday before I start analyzing those DL, QB's, etc. And even then, we still won't really know. We may have a feel, but it is what it is, the 1st game...Like Nut has said, it's a whole different ballgame on Saturday's! Guys can look great in practice, but come Saturday, whole different scenario! Some guys really love the spotlight on game days, so we will have to see!

[AbRKnight]

Does anybody know if and where video can be found?

[Blue In Ohio]

Good points nut and rad. Pat White became a good passer. He was not a good passer his first few years. We just need a good passer. If you watch the d rob you tube highlights he does pass more than run so he can't be too bad of a passer. With either we should be better off than last year. Last year neithet qb could run or pass. Strength in secondary and lb should allow us to stack the line. if we have a good record after the first seven games it should help with recruiting some good d linemen. I can't help but wonder what the two last minute
decommits could have done

[bighousemike84]

if im not mistaken Gerry Dinardo failed miserably as a head coach so its hard to take him seriously about anything. He rambles on about stupid shit and tries so hard to look respectable but he just isnt

[amazinblue]

As far as 3 QB's he said "none of them are great passers, just good passers", that's probably why there is no clear cut starter. Also He said Robinson could elude people so he will be the QB at the end of the season.

Probably another crop of QB's will have to come in till we find a QB that can hurt people with the pass and run, so RR's project goes on, as the QB might be unsettled for a year or more.

A good passer is what we need (we don't need a great passer, which the pro set offense might require.) The ability to read the D, find the hot receiver, and deliver a 3 to 7 yard pass on target. If the QB can do that 2/3 of the time - the running game will open up.

I agree that DR seems to be the better runner - and Tate the better passer - based on comments others have made. And, seeing how Sheridan has developed ... it's anyone's guess.

What I am hopeful for is that Tate will throw and run a bit, and that DR will run and throw a bit. And, should DG maintain his commitment - it will be VERY interesting to see what develops when he arrives...

[Blue In Ohio]

If robinson or forcier is effective this season it would be smart to red shirt gardner next year.

[amazinblue]

If robinson or forcier is effective this season it would be smart to red shirt gardner next year.

I completely agree. Eight days to game day... it will be very interesting to see what the team can do. I'm guardedly optimistic.

[GoBlue21]

I completely agree. Eight days to game day... it will be very interesting to see what the team can do. I'm guardedly optimistic.

I MAY be going to the game, I'll find out Tuesday! If not, I'm having a party at my house if I don't get a ticket. Next week needs to fly by, I'm really anxious to see how far this team has come from last year!