Spring Position Battles: Defense

[tpilews]

From mgoblog:

http://mgoblog.com/content/spring-position-battles-defense

We need to hope that Will Campbell can blow up in his second season, which forces Van Bergen out to Brandon Graham's spot, with Mike Martin moving from NT to DT, where he can get in the backfield and make some plays.

I'd really like to see Woolfolk being used at deep safety (SS in Greg's defense), and either Mike Williams (hope he improves in his second year as a starter) or Vlad Emelien in run support FS. This allows JT Turner to be at one CB spot, and JT Floyd or a freshman as the other starter. I think this scenario puts your best and most experienced players on the field. Either way, the defense is going to be the wild card for the 2010 season. Could be the difference in 6-6 and 10-2.

[NorCal Buckeye]

From mgoblog:

http://mgoblog.com/content/spring-position-battles-defense

We need to hope that Will Campbell can blow up in his second season, which forces Van Bergen out to Brandon Graham's spot, with Mike Martin moving from NT to DT, where he can get in the backfield and make some plays.

I'd really like to see Woolfolk being used at deep safety (SS in Greg's defense), and either Mike Williams (hope he improves in his second year as a starter) or Vlad Emelien in run support FS. This allows JT Turner to be at one CB spot, and JT Floyd or a freshman as the other starter. I think this scenario puts your best and most experienced players on the field. Either way, the defense is going to be the wild card for the 2010 season. Could be the difference in 6-6 and 10-2.

Great article pinpointing what a lot of people already know about your defense...it's a mess. And it's only made worse by an offense that puts it on the field way too much by turnovers.

[tpilews]

Great article pinpointing what a lot of people already know about your defense...it's a mess. And it's only made worse by an offense that puts it on the field way too much by turnovers.

Well, considering the offense was young last year, turnovers were a given. I'd imagine Tate's INTs will be down. RBs fumbling wasn't really the problem last year. UMs going to need to find a new punt returner, as Mathews is gone.

[tpilews]

Great article pinpointing what a lot of people already know about your defense...it's a mess. And it's only made worse by an offense that puts it on the field way too much by turnovers.

There's also a cause for some optomism with this group. There is experience, that's for sure. If Ezeh and Mouton can get it together (they've both showed promise), that'll go a long way to shoring up the D. Mike Williams' biggest problem was being too aggressive and giving up contain. That's just coaching and experience. The D-line could be just as good, even minus B. Graham. This defense COULD be good, let's just hope the lights all turn on for them. To be fair, this defense COULD also be bad, considering if the starters from last year don't get any better, you're looking at freshman and first year starters everywhere.

[Panzer]

Good players step up and fill the voids, that just what they do. They will be fine it just takes time, because there is no substitute for experience.

[NorCal Buckeye]

There's also a cause for some optomism with this group. There is experience, that's for sure. If Ezeh and Mouton can get it together (they've both showed promise), that'll go a long way to shoring up the D. Mike Williams' biggest problem was being too aggressive and giving up contain. That's just coaching and experience. The D-line could be just as good, even minus B. Graham. This defense COULD be good, let's just hope the lights all turn on for them. To be fair, this defense COULD also be bad, considering if the starters from last year don't get any better, you're looking at freshman and first year starters everywhere.

I just read an article on Rivals where several other schools are bringing in JUCO transfers that could make an immediate impact on their teams. Does anyone know if the Michigan recruiting machine has thought of this too. With your defense as depleted and untested as it is, one would think they would have scoured the country looking for older kids who could come in and play well right away.:confused:

[Wolvrin704]

I just read an article on Rivals where several other schools are bringing in JUCO transfers that could make an immediate impact on their teams. Does anyone know if the Michigan recruiting machine has thought of this too. With your defense as depleted and untested as it is, one would think they would have scoured the country looking for older kids who could come in and play well right away.:confused:

While its actually a good idea, UM has always tried to keep above the fray on that one. Typically its schools that are trying to build a program that has never had success and can't recruit that go that route.

[1OSUNUT]

I think EVERYTHING comes down to the defensive linemen and the linebackers - period. If Michigan is unable to stop the run or have to rely on the linebackers to blitz to get pressure on the QB - your defense is going to be horrible. I think it's fair to say that Michigan is going to be young and raw in the secondary - that is not good. What helps a young (or any) secondary is the ability to get pressure on the QB only using the defensive linemen. That allows the linebackers to help out in pass coverage. I know that does not sound like much - but it's huge. I know that because the years that Ohio State had weak defensive line play - the whole defense suffered. You can only expect DB's to cover a guy so long - even less if they are young. I happen to think the loss of Graham is going to really hurt Michigan on defense. That kind of player does not come around often - he was a pain in the ass on every snap.

I just did not see that special player last year on the defense that has the ability to step up and replace Graham. Now you throw the loss of Warren into the mix - and I would be a bit worried as a Michigan fan. How many TD saving tackles did Warren make last year. Your biggest fear is going to be a lack of pass rush - if you don't have that your in trouble. I think Michigan will be fine on offense - but can they score more points then the defense will give up is the big question.

[tpilews]

I just read an article on Rivals where several other schools are bringing in JUCO transfers that could make an immediate impact on their teams. Does anyone know if the Michigan recruiting machine has thought of this too. With your defense as depleted and untested as it is, one would think they would have scoured the country looking for older kids who could come in and play well right away.:confused:

From my understanding, it's damn near impossible for a JUCO to be accepted to UM. The credits don't transfer or whatever. Either way, I can't think of a JUCO off the top of my head. I honestly don't think there's been one in the past 20 years or so.

[bighousemike84]

From my understanding, it's damn near impossible for a JUCO to be accepted to UM. The credits don't transfer or whatever. Either way, I can't think of a JUCO off the top of my head. I honestly don't think there's been one in the past 20 years or so.

4 or 5 years ago Austin Panter came in as a highly regarded JUCO linebacker expected to make an impact early. See how good that one worked out :D