The Michigan Wolverines had a much needed bye last weekend where the Wolverines had time to focus internally to fix a few things on both sides of the ball.
Michigan has 3 winnable games in a row and they need to win all 3 before they face Wisconsin and Ohio State back to back. Don't get me wrong, those winnable games are also lose-able for these young Wolverines. So this week was about getting re-focused and getting ready for the home stretch.
When something in your house breaks, you can either fix it yourself or call a handyman aka Dr. Fix it. Since I'm allergic to fixing things, I usually call a Mr. Fix it. Since the young Wolverines need some work I called Dr. Fix it for some help. Here is what he said:
Michigan Defense
- Protect the young secondary. In the off week, I hope Michigan found away to protect the young CB's. There are a few ways to do that including zone coverages and putting pressure on the QB. Did Greg Robinson find something this week? Let's hope so. My vote would be to pressure the QB.
- Where is my Ball Hawk? Every good defense has a ball hawk. Michigan doesn't seem to have one. Sure, you can make a case for Kovacs but Michigan really needs another. There are rumors floating around that true freshman Vinopal might start at safety this week and Cam Gordon could move to the Carvin Johnson/Thomas Gordon hybrid role. I don't know if that is the answer, but I'm willing to take that risk at this point.
- Stop the Run! Coming into the season, the Michigan defense was expected to be poor against the pass but decent against the run. Well, they haven't been good at stopping either. The way the running backs are getting through the defensive line and linebackers is much too easy. I expect that Kenny Demens has replaced Obi Ezeh permanently at middle linebacker but having Cam Gordon closer to line of scrimmage could also be a positive in the run game.
- Get some turnovers! Through the first 5 games, Michigan was getting fumbles and interceptions. In their 2 losses Michigan was giving those things to their opponents and not getting any back. Denard and Tate will throw some picks, the Michigan defense needs to create some of their own.
- Healing Powers: Let's hope Mike Martin is 100% after the bye week.
Offense:
- Protect the Ball! Michigan is not good enough on defense to give their opponents extra possessions. Picks and fumbles have to stop if Michigan is going to win ball games.
- Two headed QB? Denard is the starter but is also a bit banged up. I expect that Tate will see some more time in the second half of the season. I'm not calling for QB controversy, I'm just saying if Denard struggles with his health, we will see more of Tate.
- A Running Back needs to step up: Michigan needs another threat on the ground outside of Denard. I expect that Shaw is the guy but if he can't go due to injury, someone needs to step up and get some yards from that position.
- Penalties: Are killing drives and need to stop. Play discipline football!
- Healing Powers: Let's hope Denard's shoulder is a 100% and that David Molk is ready to come back. Those are probably the 2 most important guys on offense.
The offense is still explosive but can't play from behind to be effective. Michigan needs to take advantage of all the possibilities to score since the defense will be giving up a lot of points. Protect the ball and do your thing and they will be fine.
I can't tell you how important the next three weeks are for the the Michigan Program. I hope the Michigan coaches were able to figure a few things out during the break.
More News and Notes:
- Karlos Williams the #7 ranked safety in the country who committed to Florida State has now become a "soft" commit and has USC and Michigan in his top 3.
- VA WR Quinta Funderburk who visited to Ann Arbor for the Iowa game has committed to Arkansas.
- RR will have his weekly press conference today at 12:15. Look for questions on Big Will on offense? Ray Vinopal at safety? Kenny Demens at LB? Penn State's QB situation. Denard's Shoulder.
2 comments:
I am a big proponent of playing smart football, just like it is for any other sport. There may be times when a coach may need to "protect" a player for whatever reason, maybe injury or the first few times he's on the field and a smart coach calls plays or schemes to cover up or anticipate challenges from the opposition. But this should be for the short term or emergency with extenuating circumstances; not a way of life.
However, I am also a big proponent of playing the right way. Especially if you're going to be giving up yards and points anyway. Teach them to play their positions the right way and continue to coach them up. Look at Beilein, for him there is a way to play when you're on the court even if you're shooting 20% from the three point line, if you're on the court you play his way. Coach Larry Brown was a big proponent of playing the right way and having his players grow into his system, with no compromise.
My concern is with all of this "protecting" of the young players with schemes that aren't working, that somehow they aren't showing that they know their positions or showing improvement [which reflects their position coach] and they're not showing that they understand the schemes that they're playing.
I'd rather have the players get burned trying to learn to play the right way, than to have players learn bad habits thinking this is how defense is suppose to look like. Teach them how to cover, tackle and keep containment.
Sorry, simply my frustration!!!
i'm glad to hear that VINOPAL will get a shot at safety.
most players do better in positions they played in high school or better in certain schemes. example: if a DT came from a 4-3 defense is high school, then play him in that same position in college. Don't try and put him at NT and expect for him to dominate. That is a tough transition. Same for QB'S. Go with the grain and not against in most cases.
Rotating Denard and Tate is perfect, this keeps the healthy and the defense on their heels. I LOVE IT. At this point it's not about one player, its about winning a few more games to play in the bowl games again.
We need to get the RB's heavily involved. We need to be respected for the run and the pass. Denard has to understand if the homerun is not working then settle in a hand it off or throw it to the WR.
OH YEAH, FIRE DC AKA COACH PISS POOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment