Mailbag question: Defensive backs

Mailbag question: Defensive backs

Okay I am curious about our defensive backs.

Why do they play so far off the wide receivers? I mean every team this year could throw it out quick to the wide receiver for an easy 5-7 yards. It seems to me that a lot of our defensive problems are getting no pressure at all on the quarterback. Wouldn't bringing our defensive backs, whom I think can be very physical, and jamming and rerouting the receivers, give us the time needed to get to the quarterback, or at least help?

Siap2169

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Thanks for the question.

It is tough to play cornerbacks in a jam technique when one of them is getting beat deep consistently, as we have seen this year especially with Boo Boo.

It is also tough to jam when the d-backs are not getting off of blocks to provide help support in the running game and with screens. This has hurt the overall defensive scheme since there now is less support against the run and quick passing plays.

Another factor is Michigan has also needed to pull the safeties up tight to help with the running game, basically leaving the cornerbacks on an island. This makes it a lot tougher because the cornerbacks know they are by themselves with no support at all and sometimes the cornerbacks back off a little bit knowing they have no help behind them.

If Michigan can improve the run defense we would like to see the cornerbacks play tighter coverage's. We also agree with you that the lack of pressure is also hurting Michigan. Not getting to the quarterback provides time for patterns to develop and also puts extra pressure on the cornerbacks, because they might have to stick to their man for several more seconds compared to the quarterback being pressured into throwing earlier.

A third factor is Michigan linebackers are not getting underneath some of the frequent short passes. There has been several times, almost too many to count, that the linebackers never pick up the receivers coming across in their area until after they make the catch. It makes the linebackers look good to pad their tackle stats, but this is not look good when the offense is always going over the middle.

Our bottom line has not changed, football is the ultimate team game with each aspect effecting the other. Until Michigan gets better at some of the other aspects we doubt they will play as much press coverage as we all would like. This is one thing we have been harping on for quite awhile and if you have the time please go back to our spring practice reports to see for yourself.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine