Mailbag question: Three Defensive Personnel questions
Great work guys, I love the blog.
1) Vlad Emilien impressed MaizeMan last spring, and seemed poised to win the starting FS position until he had swelling issues with his knee. Instead, Mike Williams started and struggled. With Marvin Robinson enrolling early to compete at FS in the spring, what are the odds that Mike Williams switches positions? Would SAM be a better fit for him?
2) You suggested Mouton compete to replace Stevie Brown at SAM. Mouton's play is reminiscent of Brown's play at safety in that both can be very physical and make great plays at times, but too often allow big plays with their tentative decision making. What are the responsibilities of the SAM LB in Coach Robinson's system? What about the position emphasizes athleticism while compensating for players' inability to make reads quickly?
3) Obviously Brandon Graham leaving makes for enormous shoes for some player to fill, but the scariest part is that the team's official depth chart lists walk-on Will Heinenger as his backup. Which players will compete for the starting DE position next spring, and (assuming everyone is healthy) whom do you project as the starter next season?
Sean C.
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Thanks for the question and comments.
1) GBMW as well were impressed with Vlad at spring practices. He just looks like a safety, something Michigan has been missing for quite some time.
Yes, we attended spring practices right beside MaizeMan; even though some "expert" tried to discredit MaizeMan by saying he does not go to any practices.
M. Williams does not possess the size to be an ideal fit at strong side linebacker. He is not very tall and does not possess the body type to add the needed weight.
From a skill set standpoint, strong side linebacker would indeed be a better fit.
2) In base, a SAM is a contain player, being responsible for the D Gap to the tight end side. In zone blitzes he can have everything from deep middle coverage to man up on the #2 slot receiver or tight end.
One problem we see with this defense is that it really struggles against the bigger, more powerful offensive teams that intentionally try and run the ball down your throat. This defense has really struggled, including its best players, against the run.
3) It is scary, isn't it, that Brandon Graham is now gone. We think that if Roh adds weight he competes very hard for B. Graham’s position. This is something we have been "beating the drum" for sometime now. We do not have a player like B. Graham on the current roster.
Written by GBMW Staff
Go Blue -- Wear Maize!
2 comments:
This is an area of concern to me, although many repeatedly state that the smaller, faster players can play against the larger Big Ten type offensive players. My theory is to recruit big, fast players to counter this. It stands to reason that if the offensive line is larger and more powerful, they will dominate and wear down a smaller defnse, regardless of how fast the defensive players are. Until RR proves to me that his theory will work, I will question his logic.
Bill,
Rumors we are hearing that Coach Rod has changed or is changing the way the off-season will be handled.
Not as much running and more concentration on weightlifting and strength training.
As you can tell the last 1-2 months it seems they have changed their ideas on recruiting bigger athletes as well.
E
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