Hello:
What is the difference between the defense last year and the defense this year as far as scheme goes and what actually happens.
I remember reading on your blog that we ran a 3-4 "okie" defense and this year we are running a 3-4 hybrid / spinner defense?
Therefore, can you explain the differences for the position groups and what we will possible actually see on the field.
David from T-Town (Toledo)
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Thanks for the question.
Defensive differences between this year and last are like night and day.
They have little if anything in common, and that is where the average fan will get confused. He'll see a three down linemen look and think that the two defenses are similar.
Last year Michigan played one base 4-3 with "Okie"-- a 3-4 look as "nickel".
This year under Coach Robinson Michigan is playing a combination type defense where the front is three man, but they play it with "football talk" of a 1 and 3 tech defensive linemen.
Best description we have heard is by Coach Webb (twebber55 on GBW): The 3-4 and the 4-3 had a baby and the baby is a 3-4, 4-3 hybrid.
They are still a 1-gap team like the 4-3 teams are because they have a 3 and a 1 tech, but they also have two inside linebackers and are playing man and cover 2. Again, this is the base defense and we're sure you will see multiple fronts with 3 and 4 man looks.
Michigan does use the "Spinner" as defensive lineman to make defense play as 4-3.
This year Michigan also uses a zone blitz scheme where linebackers will blitz and defensive linemen drop back into coverage.
One of the few similarities is that both defenses played quite a bit of cover 2 in the secondary.
Thanks for stopping by http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions please e-mail erocwolverine@gmail.com
Written by CoachBt, twebber55 and ErocWolverine
I appreciate your web site and your POV and the frequency that you post. I'm sure it's reasoanble amount of work; so, just know that we fans with very little access to the team appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThe hybrid positions really seem like they could be fun to watch and enhance my viewing pleasure (i.e., is he rushing or is he covering?) Are the two hybrid positions (i.e., the DL/LB tweener and the LB/S tweener) always on the same side, or do they move him to difference sides, or can they come from the middle? IOW, 1) are both tweeners always on the right side (POV of defense); or, 2) are both tweeners always on the same side as one another?
p.s., please don't answer using "strong-side" or "weak-side" terms of art unlesss you explain what side that is (from the POV of the defense) because I'm a neophyte when it comes to this stuff.