Who is the brains behind Baltimore's current defensive scheme
I don't watch much NFL, but it's quite obvious and many have already stated how much UM took from the Baltimore Ravens defensive scheme and strategy.
I know that Bill Walsh is often credited with the origins of the west-coast offense like Buddy Ryan is often credited with the creation of the Chicago Bears "46 defense" - the Super Bowl winning 1985 Bears version of a 4-3 base.
Other innovators like Rich Rod have been credited with the creation of a run spread option.
Obviously, every innovative offensive or defensive scheme is generally the result of multiple iterations, an evolution of game theory and strategy, and many coaches and minds - but ultimately, quite often, one or 2 individuals stand out as the creators or executors of the scheme.
That said, curious who would be considered the "father" of the Ravens current defensive structure that MacDonald and Minter have used so effectively at Baltimore and UM? Also, for those more football savvy, from what base is this Baltimore defense derived? Is it a 4-3 man concept, zone concept?
Appreciate the explanation
January 20th, 2024 at 8:03 PM ^
Wink Martindale?
January 20th, 2024 at 8:12 PM ^
CORRECT!
January 20th, 2024 at 9:32 PM ^
this is not what Wink runs
January 20th, 2024 at 8:29 PM ^
Martindale has a blitz heavy defense from different areas.
MacDonald relies on pressure from the front 4, infrequent disguised blitzes, and a lot of disguised coverages with at least 2 deep DBs to take away explosive plays.
Note how Stroud had few if any deep plays available tonight
January 20th, 2024 at 8:44 PM ^
But that’s just MacDonald’s spin on the general defensive scheme created by Martindale, which MacDonald learned under.
Martindale created the amoeba defensive concept/personnel/scheme that has been used by MacDonald/Minter. Every DC is going to make tweaks and alterations to the defensive scheme they use.
January 20th, 2024 at 9:01 PM ^
Got curious and looked up Wink Martindale’s coaching history - turns out he was Jack Harbaugh’s def coordinator at Western Kentucky from 2000-2002 (2002 being the year they won the AA champ). Which is bonkers. What a family.
January 21st, 2024 at 6:50 AM ^
So elevate Jay to head coach already!
January 21st, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
makes sense... until you think about it
January 20th, 2024 at 8:30 PM ^
Didn't he host the Dating Game back in the late 70s?
January 20th, 2024 at 8:40 PM ^
That was Bob Eubanks. This is Wink Wartindale.
January 20th, 2024 at 11:57 PM ^
He looks like he would cheat at checkers
January 21st, 2024 at 12:25 AM ^
Weirdly Tom Brady-esque.
January 21st, 2024 at 8:04 AM ^
Bob Eubanks was the Newlywed Game. “At your house, in what direction does the sun rise”. Hilarity ensued.
January 21st, 2024 at 8:31 AM ^
The casting call was for the dumbest people ever.
January 21st, 2024 at 10:50 AM ^
This is true for all shows created by the twisted mind of one Chuck Barris. Like The Gong Show...
January 21st, 2024 at 9:59 AM ^
In the butt….
January 21st, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
Ah, The Newlywed Game...
Question: "What's the strangest place you've ever made whoopee?"
Answer: "In the butt?"
Hilarity ensues. I was just a kid then, but, damn, I miss the 70s. Hot tubs, fondue, disco, sugar bowls full of cocaine at parties, everyone asking you what your 'sign' is: the adults really seemed to enjoy themselves back then.
January 21st, 2024 at 8:58 AM ^
Wink's brother, Tom Kennedy, was also a host of game shows including: "You Don't Say". which was one of my favorites.
January 21st, 2024 at 11:22 AM ^
That's a healthy toupee!
January 21st, 2024 at 12:30 PM ^
Like a beaver sitting on top of his head!
January 20th, 2024 at 8:42 PM ^
Wink was Tic Tac Dough
Jim Lange was The Dating Game
January 20th, 2024 at 9:54 PM ^
What a country.
A promising def coordinator gives up football to become a successful game show host.
January 21st, 2024 at 4:01 AM ^
Actually it's game show host decides to apply himself and go into football. At least chronologically that is.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:33 PM ^
You win!
January 20th, 2024 at 11:36 PM ^
A former Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach. Who'd have guessed!
January 21st, 2024 at 2:45 AM ^
Dick LeBeau is the father of the entire zone blitz scheme - designed to confuse offenses about where rushers are coming from whether it's 4 or more coming. The greater ability to move around and drop potential rushers into coverage needed for this is one of the main reasons 3 man lines became more popular in the first place. Of course everyone puts their own spin on it and adopts it as the game changes. Current iterations seem to be less blitz focused, and Michigan blitzes a lot less than the Ravens do even today
January 21st, 2024 at 7:13 AM ^
This has been the consistent answer from MGoBlog and TMI, so I’d say it’s mostly right. Defenses change over time though, so every disciples’ spin will be a little different.
For instance, Mike McDonald ran very little of the amoeba blitz part of it at Michigan after realizing we had the two best DE’s in the country. We ended up just playing a ton of Cover 2 and some Cover 3 in the big games down the stretch.
I would also say the constant 6 man boxes on first down is something Minter built in more in the last two years with our deep and talented group of DT’s. He brought out more blitz concepts on passing downs, particularly in 2022 because our DE’s were very much B to B- players.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:06 PM ^
Wink Martindale I believe.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:07 PM ^
Me. Thanks for the compliments.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:08 PM ^
Sounds like Mike McDonald himself from this article.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:12 PM ^
I think Mike McDonald and Jesse Minter have found a ton of creative options for the defense that don’t rely on blitzing as often is their unique spin. The base amoeba hybrid package is the same, but they run a lot of creative and confusing coverages behind it to mess with passing oriented attacks.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:20 PM ^
Great Neck Sharpies reference/link below.
Bob Davie was the originator of the amoeba.
I think McDonald and Minter's innovations are facilitated by having a front four who don't need blitzing for pressure.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:59 PM ^
Bob Davie
Charlie Weis
Ty Willingham
Gerry Faust
George O'Leary
So many amazing Notre Dame head coaches... it's like trying to pick your favorite child!
January 20th, 2024 at 9:24 PM ^
George O'Leary was undefeated as a Notre Dame HC.
His resume, however...
January 20th, 2024 at 11:28 PM ^
George O'Leary was undefeated as a Notre Dame HC.
You can't make this stuff up!
His resume, however...
This, on the other hand...
January 21st, 2024 at 5:43 AM ^
May Marcus Freeman soon make this list.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:09 PM ^
Stealing from Seth’s Neck Sharpies in 2022. LINK
This is not original. It's the thing Jerry Sandusky was most known for before the other thing. It's what Dick LeBeau made his Hall of Fame career on. It's what Michigan ran as its base defense the last time we imported a Ravens defensive assistant in 2011-'12. Bob Davie is credited with coming up with it when trying to counter the Run 'n Shoot. Even without the talent disparity, the Amoeba's origins made it particularly well-suited to combat an Air Raid run by Hal Mumme's son in Game 1, let alone a Run 'n Shoot coached by a June Jones quarterback (who until last year was coaching under Hal Mumme's son) in Game 2.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:12 PM ^
...THE KNOWLEDGE ...
...
...Yes
January 20th, 2024 at 10:30 PM ^
upvotes...
...
commence
January 20th, 2024 at 8:13 PM ^
Zelig
January 20th, 2024 at 8:14 PM ^
Michigan and Baltimore run mostly a zone, but switch up to man-to-man at times. It's tough to categorize the front. They call it amoeba. You never know who's rushing or how many. D-line often drop to coverage and D-backs often rush the passer. Usually, one of the LBs is replaced by a nickel back - usually someone who can cover like a corner (typically over the slot), or drop to safety, or play the run like an LB. You should watch all the YouTube videos by The Michigan Insider with Vance Bedford, former Michigan D-backs coach. You'll learn a LOT!
January 20th, 2024 at 8:20 PM ^
Pretty sure it was Wink Martindale that first operated the base of this defense. But both MacDonald and Minter have adjusted it to their own strengths. They both do a really good job of teaching how it works together. You don't see as many busts because the players know teammates will be in the right position - because they know what the defense writ large is trying to accomplish.
They're great DC's, and it'll suck if Minter goes elsewhere next year.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:43 PM ^
#1 scoring d in NFL and college ! That’s scheme is gold
January 20th, 2024 at 8:59 PM ^
Not an X and O’s expert but I can confidently say that it’s not Don Brown.
January 20th, 2024 at 9:00 PM ^
I think the scheme is great but it's getting too much credit based on:
1. Don Brown's scheme was horrible, especially against OSU. Michigan could have beaten OSU sooner had they just employed a more conservative and sound Iowa type defense.
2. We've had great D lines the last few years. Lots of schemes look great when you can get pressure with 4. Would have loved to have seen Rashan Gary on one of these teams.
3. Overall defensive talent is historic. The number of NFL players on this year's defense is probably unmatched.
January 20th, 2024 at 9:10 PM ^
So you don't remember the defenses against OSU in 2016 and 2017? Or the fact that the 2016 D was #1 overall in the country; 2017 was top 3; and 2018 was top 30?
Those were all Don Brown defenses.
January 20th, 2024 at 9:11 PM ^
Don Brown was perfect for what OSU did in 2016 and 2017. We did not lose either of those games because of defense.
January 20th, 2024 at 9:14 PM ^
I don’t know if it’s getting too much credit. It’s the dominant defense in both college and the NFL right now. Certainly the overwhelming talent deserves a lot of credit too. Also worth mentioning that it requires a lot of checks and adjustments by both the coordinator and the players on the field. I believe Vance Bedford when he says not many coaching staffs can really teach it and not many players can learn it fast enough for college.
January 20th, 2024 at 11:56 PM ^
I believe Vance Bedford when he says not many coaching staffs can really teach it and not many players can learn it fast enough for college.
I would like to believe that Michigan players are a bit smarter than your average Div 1 athlete, and can handle more. So attempting to keep the schemes too simple (as Rich Rod, etc. may have done) in order to rely on superior athleticism to try to win most of Michigan's games was selling them short and made them too easy to scheme against.