Mailbag Question:

I enjoy reading your blog, but really, isn't the defensive breakdown this week a bit negative?

Given a new scheme, we've made very few run-defense mistakes and attacked both QBs that we've faced.

Wouldn't you say that our D-line is one of the top 2 in the Big Ten?

That our LBs are All Big Ten (Ozeh), capable of being very good (Mouton), and slightly below average (Thompson)?

And wouldn't you say that our corners are top 2 in the Big Ten? And that our safeties, while spotty, aren't below average?

I'm just having a hard time watching both games, in which the defense was on the field far too long, and thinking that they're really as bad as you've made them out to be.

EB

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Thanks for the question. The difference here is you are talking about potential, while we are talking about the actual performance. Michigan has not tackled as sharply and crisply as needed. Michigan has not played as strong in position as they need to.

The defensive tackles have not provided inside pass rush and were getting shoved two yards backwards at times against Miami. Obi Ezeh has played well, but the linebackers haven’t been effective enough at rerouting and getting under the inside receivers, especially the slots, which we call #2.

The safeties have not maintained deep leverage and have not maintained proper positioning. Even the defensive ends have given up outside leverage/contain in both games, although they have played well overall.

The cornerbacks have been solid, but the defense has not played the type of ball we thought they would, and that is not good enough right now, especially with the offense struggling. There is room, and hope, for improvement.

When Michigan plays well we will say so, when they do not we will say that also. No sugarcoating from us; you get our 100% honest opinion. And please remember: we are big Michigan fans.

One of the reasons I agreed to help ErocWolverine with his blog is he told me he wanted nothing but my 100% honest opinion. None of what we call the “Lollipops and Roses version”.

ErocWolverine used a phrase when we were talking about doing this deal: “Tell the truth no matter how much it might hurt somebody’s feelings.” If it is true in our opinion, then nobody can complain. It is simply our viewpoint. That includes discussing recruits that Michigan is going after when we do review and commentary on them.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine