Coach's Corner: Here are some things I would like to see next season -- Part 3 -- Defense

Posted at 8:00am -- 1/11/2010


Coach's Corner: Here are some things I would like to see next season -- Part 3 -- Defense

Defense

1) Stop the run. We all say again, stop the run!!!

To do this, in my opinion, Michigan must get bigger on defense. The UM defense will not stop the big power running games of the Big Ten with a defensive line that averages 260 pounds or whatever they were listed. This can be accomplished a couple of ways. Michigan can play a more conventional 4-3, with Mike Martin and either Renaldo Sagesse or Will Campbell at defensive tackles.

The coaches could use W. Campbell at nose tackle and shift M. Martin outside, or vica versa. Either choice would work. Getting bigger also should help defend against halfbacks and tight ends. Bigger defensive ends can help hold up and impede tight ends.

2) Michigan needs to be much more athletic at safety.

I have so much respect for Jordan Kovacs, a walk-on, who through hard work earned major playing time, outstanding. And he does add a level of toughness, as does Michael Williams. But both of the above players, in my opinion, are better suited as box safeties. When either player has to defend or tackle in space we are in trouble.

This objective relates to the # 2 goal on offense (big plays) in reverse. Michigan cannot continue to give up all the big plays and win games against good football teams. Improving #1 would help #2, at least that is the bet in this corner.

If the front seven can be solid against the run, backing the safeties up would be of great help. This would also allow Michigan to move the cornerbacks up and take away those annoying short give-up passes.

Football is the ultimate team game!

3) To have a turnover advantage, this defense needs to create turnovers.

This is the reverse of #3 on offense (ball security). The defense needs to help create more short fields and become momentum changers. Again, a big thing here is to increase the level of physical play. Michigan needs to be a hungry, nasty defense that causes opponents to turn the ball over. Physical play has been lacking since the 2006 season. This is a must if Michigan is to improve.
4) Fundamentals.

Again this wish-list attribute of better fundamentals could be should be the #1 priority.

Tackling, taking proper pursuit angles, having proper leverages, and knowing your d*mn assignments, all of this could contribute to being positional strong.

All of these things that need to happen if the defense is to improve. Coach Nick Saban once told me that a big play is nothing more than a series of little things done right. This cannot be argued regarding accuracy. An interception happens because the defensive linemen gets their hands up, a fumble happens because an outside linebacker turns a runner back into pursuit, and so on. Backtracking on logic, every effect has one or more causes.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!