A model for a future Michigan defense: Iowa
Lower ranked recruits, but well disciplined in a fairly simple, but effective defense.
People--including myself in the past--have fretted about the lack of star power among UM's defensive recruits. But as Iowa proves, a program can still have an excellent defense without 4 and 5 stars populating the two deep.
Of course, you need superior coaching in order to do that. Do Gerg and and the rest of the defensive staff fit that?
November 5th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
such as LB and secondary coach. I believe Robinson can finish the job though.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:58 PM ^
Robinson has two super bowl rings as a Defensive Coordinator. He can coach. Give it time.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:22 PM ^
Players, not plays.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^
Obi was okay at MIKE as a sophomore, with Crable and Chris Graham alongside him, and Adams and Englemon behind him. But now, if he makes a mistake, its likely six points given up.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:06 PM ^
Regardless of what we believe our coaches will do in the future, it's still commendable what Iowa's coaches have been able to do. They've clearly done a good job of recruiting the talent they want/need and developing them well.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:21 AM ^
Good point. Iowa has really overachieved - since 2002 they have had, on average, the 7th best recruiting classes in the Big Ten but are tied for third (with us) in total victories. Wisconsin has also overachieved (6th best classes, second most number of wins).
November 5th, 2009 at 10:09 PM ^
Dont overlook Norm Parker and the fact he's been the iowa DC for 11 years. Thats one reason why the Hawks seem to reload on D without OMG shirtless recruits.
I dont think he's a defensive genius, just a good, solid, top shelf defensive coach. I really think GERG is every bit the coach as Parker is. They're both good.
We'll see, though, how long GERG stays here and if he can build a defensive program with RR
November 6th, 2009 at 8:36 AM ^
Exactly. Stability's an incredibly underrated aspect of building a good defense. Iowa has also balanced their classes really well, so that new starters have been in the program for at least two years, have learned the reads and keys to their positions from players in front of them, and therefore usually perform well as new starters. We've been throwing Freshmen and RS Freshmen into new schemes every year. No wonder only the most talented player make an impact.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
Stability, I think about this a lot when it comes to defense. Sometimes I wish Jim Herrmann was still the DC.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:40 PM ^
in there, GERG will have a great defense at M. It's just a matter of time, which sucks, because however patient we are will not matter.
It will seem like forever until it gets here and then it will have been no time.
Same model of "we have to wait" as the offense. Let's face it, that's tough to be rebuilding both at the same time.
My saving grace is knowing that the fully rebuilt defense will come to fruition 1 year after our fully rebuilt offense has begun officially shreddin' fools.
Gents, that is going to be one fun year. If it doesn't happen, God help us all. We have to give it 4 full years (for each, so that doesn't include '08, er, terror) though to get there barring absolute catastrophe, and as stated above it will be a tough wait. I'm not saying we'll be horrible until then, but there will be some growing pains for sure. Let's hope we've bore the brunt of them already, and look forward to what we all know is possible if we can just wait it out.
Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Your time is runnin' out Vest....
November 6th, 2009 at 8:44 AM ^
The only game other than DSU where the D looked fast and assertive was the opener against Western. Everyone had weeks to prepare for Western and looked pretty comfortable in their role.
Then came ND, doubt began to seep in, players were moved to different positions, new players were inserted and the D went to hell in a handbasket
November 6th, 2009 at 9:04 AM ^
I feel bad for becoming hysterical at the mention of naming Ferentz to replace Carr. Hindsight is 20/20. The blandness of Ferentz is looking pretty good right now.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:28 PM ^
Just look at Texas right now.
Last year in Muschamp's 1st year they were ranked in the 80's in total defense although they were top 5 in sacks and top 25 in scoring defense. Now look at them (in year 2) and they are top 5 in everything. Stability means a lot for a coaching staff and for the players and a good defensive coordinator can work wonders.
I think next year we will be a lot more stable on defense. We lose Graham and maybe Warren, but we have a lot of guys coming back and another year in the system will only help.
* Yes, I know Texas has better recruits on defense. It's only an example.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
Iowa (and other Big Ten schools with less star power) aren't magically turning 2 and 3 star guys into competent players through great coaching. The trick is that they have a number of those guys at each position competing for one spot, increasing the likelihood that at least one of them will pan out. By contrast, we currently have one non-freshman scholarship body for every spot in the back seven (and only three of those guys are secondary players). Even if all of those guys are highly rated (we do have 5 four-star-plus guys back there) and you actually have four DB's, it only takes one or two not to pan out for the defense to struggle. You are also completely screwed if you lose even one guy to injury or somebody gets booted off the team, like Cissoko.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:29 PM ^
Iowa did not reach its steady-state of defensive excellence until year 4 of Ferentz's tenure. While Ferentz inherited players as unheralded as the ones he recruited, it took time for Iowa's defense to gel. He needed the right kind of defensive players for his system and everyone to have experience in that system. It was not an instant success.
'97 - 13.3 ppg
'98 - 26.1 ppg
-------------- Ferentz hired
'99 - 31.5 ppg
'00 - 27.5 ppg
'01 - 21.5 ppg
'02 - 19.7 ppg
'03 - 16.2 ppg
'04 - 17.6 ppg
'05 - 20.0 ppg
'06 - 20.7 ppg
'07 - 18.8 ppg
'08 - 13.0 ppg
'09 - 15.8 ppg