Mailbag question: Defensive scheme

Mailbag question: Defensive scheme

Eroc and friends,

I have a question about our defensive scheme. It seems like the defense that GRob employs is pretty vanilla. Sure they stunt almost every play; but as far as blitzing is concerned, we blitz maybe 35% of the time. Further, when they do blitz they seem to get pressure on the quarterback and even forced a fumble last week in ND's running game.

Having said this, is the seemingly vanilla scheme more a function of personal and depth; or is GRob saving his blitz and personal packages for the big ten?

Rich

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Thanks for the question.

We saw more blitz packages this spring than Michigan has used so far this season and Coach Rob was just putting in the defense at that time.

One of the reasons we believe Michigan has not blitzed more is our secondary, other than D. Warren no one has been good in man coverage.

When a defense blitzes this leaves the cornerbacks, in particular, on an island. A coordinator must have confidence the secondary will not give up big plays when throwing a blitz. We think Coach Robinson and the staff are trying to develop a consistent pass rush without blitzing.

Another thing: in Coach Robinson's zone blitz scheme many times when a linebacker or defensive back blitzes, this drops a linemen into coverage. B. Graham was used in coverage against Western Michigan.

This spring we actually saw both inside linebackers blitz and the two defensive tackles drop into coverage to replace the linebackers.

So, the personnel group is somewhat limiting, but coaches also like to save blitz packages for just the right time. Blitzes are like pickoffs in baseball, a team uses its best when most needed.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine