Mailbag question: About the offensive philosophy
Watching games for more than four decades and reading your blog, it seems obvious that an excellent defense is the key to winning in football.
This doesn't seem to be Coach Rod’s view, however. Given that he is smart and wants Michigan to win, as much as (or likely more) than anyone in the fan base, can you explain his rationale behind the offense-first-and-primary philosophy? Am I miss- characterizing his approach?
Thanks!
David VL from Delmar, NY
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Thanks for the question.
We agree with you and believe that building a football program around defense and solid special teams is the way to go.
Coach Rod is about scoring points and using his offense to put other teams in a bad position, that is, behind in points and in a position where a good part of the playbook is taken away in an attempt to catch up. . He believes that playing fast and wearing a defense out is the best way to win games.
Our problem with this is not that this philosophy cannot work, Coach Rod's and Leach's records demonstrate it can, but when the team implementing this philosophy is the team behind, the approach simply does not work week after week.
In our opinion a program will be more consistent building around a strong defense. We also believe that there are more variables, like weather or injuries that can profoundly effect offenses and leave the best-laid plans in the dust.
If a team loses a Brandon Graham, sure it hurts, but losing, say a Colt McCoy on offense is absolutely devastating,
A strong defense can always keep you in any game, especially if your team is struggling moving the ball and good special teams can help win games as well. We have seen great defenses take over games and dominate teams, along with special teams winning games, either for Michigan or against Michigan, over the years.
Written by GBMW Staff
Go Blue -- Wear Maize!
2 comments:
I've heard that for many years and I certainly don't know any better myself. But the way it's always explained never has made sense to me. Logically, a good O can keep you in the game as well as a good D. 7 points scored is as good as 7 points prevented. Both can fail you too.
Nobody who knows what they are talking about ever explains it to us laypeople: What's the difference between O and D that makes preventing 7 points a better option than scoring 7?
As the saying goes "offense sells seats and defense wins championships" ... seems to be true in college football.
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