Mike Macdonalds defense and changes
I had thought to put together a long post on Steve Clinkscale today. But plans change. I got news last night from a friend in the Philippines, that the Philippines has gone back into a strict lockdown, that might last until January 1. The news changed my perspective. The more I think about it, the more I don't really have the desire to make a long post. But I wanted to post just a short thing.
I read a comment at Touch the Banner some time ago that caught my interest. The guy said the new DC at Texas runs a 2-5 sometimes, where he has 2 big NTs that could both possibly attract a double team, making it possible to take out the remaining D Linemen and replacing them with faster LBs, so adding speed to the defense. It put me in mind of a video of Mike Macdonald talking about how he is not going to strictly stick to a 3-4, but will also use a 4-3, a 6-1, and even a 6-2.
DCs are having to be creative to deal with these fast moving pass games. But having to roll with the changes in football is nothing new. I still remember how Dick Lebeau, having to come up with something to make his defense better, invented the zone blitz (whether it really did invent it, I don't know, but he is credited with starting it). Then there was Buddy Ryan and his 46 Defense, with Mike "I Like This Kind of Party" Singletary. And there's others.
I don't know exactly what to expect from Mike Macdonald's defense. But it sounds like the players are excited about running whatever he teaches them. And to me that's good. I want to see fire on the defense.
Here's the video of Mike Macdonald talking about his approach. You may have already seen it:
And here's a video about the new DC at Texas, Pete Kwiatkowski, and his path to developing his defense. It's actually an interesting video. It must have taken a long time to put it together.
August 15th, 2021 at 9:04 PM ^
Last year was an anomaly. The bar is what Don Brown’s defenses have been like normally. Great until they play someone good.
August 15th, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
I fear the game of football may eventually become the equivalent of 7-on-7 drills.
August 15th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
It already is.
August 15th, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
"Multiple" sounds good until you realize you've only got a few weeks of practice to get good at everything or end up being mediocre at multiple things. Then, if and when it doesn't go well early, the peanut gallery will inevitably post comments including but not limited to:
"Our D is jack of all trades, master of none."
"We have no identity."
A year later...
"It's too complex. It needs to be simplified. We need someone who runs one scheme and commits to recruiting for it and executing it... like, I don't know, press man with maximum pressure. Can we hire anybody like that?"
August 15th, 2021 at 5:57 PM ^
It honestly just sounds like they’re disguising what they’re doing at the snap which is good. It’s much better than “we run man coverage 100% of the time, try and beat us.”
August 15th, 2021 at 12:07 PM ^
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
Anyone can be great putting together schemes, talking about defensive/offensive philosophy in an interview or a clinic. Its a much difference thing to have a feel for the game during the game - Its a chess match, making plays, trying to anticipate or counter your opponent.
MacDonald might be great or he might be terrible....
tough to know until he matches up against an opposing OC that is good.
August 15th, 2021 at 12:16 PM ^
MacDonald sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders. He has brains and understands football. He's a young guy and likely connects well with the players. So I don't believe he will be anywhere near GERG terrible. I think he has a definite chance to be very good this season. The realistic side of me says he will be average as he gets his "feet wet" in his job. And then improve as the season goes on. But here's to hoping that he is great all the way through.
This post is all about the feels until we have some real data.
August 15th, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
So I don't believe he will be anywhere near GERG terrible.
At least we can be confident that Mac won’t rub stuffed toy beavers in the face of our players on the sideline.
August 15th, 2021 at 12:43 PM ^
Agreed.
I remember being really pumped at the Gattis hire, following his stints at PSU (under Moorhead) and at Alabama.
Guy seemed to be a rising star... but, so far, I think the results have not be there...
I am tamping down expectations on MacDonald until he plays a good team like Wisconsin.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
3 and outs, some with tackles for loss, all 1st half against Western would be a good start.
If Western's offense is trickling down the field all first half, and scoring like 9 or 10, I will have doubts about the team again.
August 15th, 2021 at 6:10 PM ^
Serious question: do you not have doubts now?
August 15th, 2021 at 6:40 PM ^
I phrased it wrong. Should have left the word again off.
But I'm willing to give the team an A up front, and let them take it from there, like my social studies teacher did.
August 15th, 2021 at 2:32 PM ^
How the defense performs under Macdonald is a great offseason topic. The most interesting question to me is does the scheme fit the personnel, especially on the DL.
On the surface, going to essentially 3 DTs when we've had trouble fielding the 2 DTs we needed in the previous defense seems like a recipe for disaster. However, instead of needing 2 DTs on the NT side of the spectrum, we need one true NT and 2 DTs on the anchor/SDE side of the spectrum. My hope is this switch allows Hinton and Jeter to thrive in positions they are well suited for as the outside DTs (what do we call them?) rather than as NT like DTs. This put a lot of pressure on Mazi Smith or Whitley to man the NT position. Again, I think this defense asks less of the NT, stand your ground while it's harder to double since they're lined up directly over the center.
If Smith, Hinton and Jeter can handle their new positions, guys like Speight, Whittley and Weischof should be fine as back-ups.
Also be interesting to see if this defense is better suited for our DBs, playing more zone and being less predictable which theoretically helps our slower DBs if they can play it well.
Does switching to a defense with 3 DTs improve our run defense? Does the confusion it creates for the offense make up for having less smaller, faster people on the field?
Can't wait for the season to start getting answers.
August 15th, 2021 at 8:04 PM ^
One of the “DT’s” in a 3-4 is a DE, so it really isn’t 3 DT’s. Also, Michigan now has 7 guys over 300lbs on the D-line so already an improvement over the past few years.
August 15th, 2021 at 3:10 PM ^
Mike MacDonald's latest retweet...
August 15th, 2021 at 5:29 PM ^
It would be nice to see Ohio Sts QB pressured.
August 15th, 2021 at 4:47 PM ^
I like Mike. I think he’ll do great things at Michigan for ~3 years and then get offered a HC job. That’s my prediction
August 15th, 2021 at 6:15 PM ^
If MacDonald becomes a great head coach I will be so happy. The faction of people who insist on coaches having played or coached at Michigan will allow him to be a candidate.
August 15th, 2021 at 7:59 PM ^
I see him returning to NFL as DC oraybe HC. And not staying in college. He seems like NFL through and through.
August 15th, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
This is the most relevant post in months. The day Michigan solves the mystery of containing OSUs offense is the day hope can truly return to AA. We shall see if MM can mice us in the right direction in that regard.