Zordich - UM Will play Man to Man Press in Secondary
I don't know what the hell is going on with the board today - it is reading like RCMB today with "Dantonio is a meanie pants and disrespected us" (actually he didn't) and "USA Today disrespected our recruiting class" crap. I almost started a "We have a fucking real coach in Harbaugh now, have all the EMO people forgotten?" thread but decided to go with this instead since it's not reactionary.
While we tried press last year, the injuries to Peppers and Raymon early in the year really hurt. Blake was never cut out for press - and despite a smaller stature, only Lewis really seemed to fit the bill. Zordich is saying this is our path and I am pleased to hear it - we just need the right type of players; our roster was not built for it. With Brandon Watson at 190 lbs as a true freshman and the emphasis on taller CBs from all the guys we were offering in the 2015 class and continue to offer in the 2016s we are indeed headed to press per Zordich. As we saw last year, it is not something you can transform in 1 year - OSU began morphing that way in 2013 without great results, whereas in 2014 it was more successful.
New Michigan defensive backs coach Mike Zordich offered up some words that fans of aggressive defense will love to hear. He noted U-M's secondary figures to lock onto wideouts in one-on-one match-ups.
The Wolverines tried to play more man-to-man coverage early last season, and struggled getting it done well. Zordich noted on MGoBlue.com today that there isn't any question of Michigan's approach going forward. "We're going to play man coverage," Zordich stressed. "We want long, physical guys that are going to get up in people's faces and press. That is what we are going to do.
"There are going to be times we give them breaks and play a little zone, but for the most part, we are going to be in the receivers' faces, challenge them, be physical, and play man-to-man coverage."
Some Kinnel hype here too - really rooting for these "loyal 6" to have big careers here:
"He is a very bright young man," Zordich said. "You talk about a safety being the quarterback of the defense, he is the guy you want. He's smart, very articulate, he understands the defense. But more than that, he's physical. He's a big guy who can cover man-to-man, who can drop down on the squat. You can put him in the post and not have to worry about his range, and he can direct traffic.
"Tyree is a great fit. He bleeds blue. His parents love this place. When they were up here for the visit a couple of weeks ago, we had a great visit with them, and they fell in love. They were in love with it prior to us getting here, but after their experience here for two days, they really, really enjoyed their visit."
February 5th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
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February 5th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
Yeah.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
Our Nickelback (Countess) worries me with a press scheme. If we can land Lyons then we should easily be able implement it this season.
February 5th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^
Lyons would be a huge pick up. Lorenz seems to think Michigan is in very good shape to land him.
February 5th, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 2:09 PM ^
up closer to the line. He's not big, but he will be a seasoned safety this year and his abilty to hit and wrap will be useful. I also think he has better lateral speed than the LB's and if he isn't asked to play too much cover, he should be able to provide some solid run support. Last year, he was exposed by our inability to press effectively. WIth that improved, I think Jarrod could be a real asset..
February 5th, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^
I think Stribling will kick some ass in press as well.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:49 AM ^
Agreed, I think he will be starting opposite Lewis and hopefuly the Lyons rumor is true and he bumps Countess to depth only.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
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February 5th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^
You enter the race! This sounds very NICE!!
February 5th, 2015 at 11:29 AM ^
Can somebody remind me what the rules are for contact with receivers in college?
February 5th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
They are rarely enforced. MSU's pass defense (and many other highly praised pass defenses, including in the NFL) relies on interference and illegal contact basically on every play. It works great if they don't call it, and they usually don't.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^
Yep. Ask Seattle. You bump and run every play and know they will call you for it once every 15 pass attempts and live with it. And you get away with disruption the other 14 times. Not much different than holding which supposedly could be called on every offensive snap.
February 5th, 2015 at 1:09 PM ^
Striblings first snap, he beat the crap out of the ND receiver, nothing illegal, actually really good bumping within the 5 yds. After the whistle the ref came over and whispered sweet nothings in his ear. He never got within 5 yds of the LOS after.
February 5th, 2015 at 3:51 PM ^
Except when they play Notre Dame.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^
I'm a big fan of this. Man to man press is very hard to play, since you need the right type of players physically and talent wise, but if it's done well I think it's the best coverage out there.
I hate seeing corners line up with a 7 yd cushion, especially in situations where the offense only has 3 to go (ND game this year). Any steps we can take to avoid giving up the underneath pass, which has always been there against us in recent years, is a good step.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^
You need good athletes of a certain size to play it (who are well coached) so a relatively small group of programs (maybe 30) can really pull it off if done well. MSU has done a great job of finding "athletes" and training them as corners - Trae Waynes, hell Lippett, Dennard etc. OSU and UM can just go find natural DBs who are highly rated and do it.
But with how less punitive PI is in college vs pros (you can have a 99 yard PI penalty in the NFL, you max at 15 in the NCAA) and the general level of QB play being much lower in the NCAA (and MUCH MUCH lower in the Big 10 ...vs say Pac 12 QBs), if you can do it right, its a massive advantage.
Of course you need a pass rush to help you - and that is an area of concern in 2015 with our one true pass rush threat gone. (Beyer had similar sack #s to Clark but from memory a lot of his sacks came vs the lower rated teams on the schedule)
CBs and DEs really work hand in hand.
I am also excited to finally have some physical nickels coming on the horizon. Ty Kinnel is 6'0, 205 a HS senior. We already have Peppers supposedly moving back there. Dymonte wwas supposed to be that thumper in theory - hasnt quite worked out but safety has slowly over the past 15 years became a much more valued position - and even more so in these press schemes where there is a lot more risk taking.
February 5th, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^
It's been there against us for 40 years—we've been giving up the underneath pass constantly since Bo got here, and maybe even before that. With very few years as exceptions, from Bo to Mo to Lloyd to RR to Hoke, we've dropped our LBs and/or DBs way back in coverage to prevent long completions, effectively telling the opposing offense, "Go ahead, see if you can complete an 8-yard pass on 3rd and 7."
February 5th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^
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February 5th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
This is nice and all, but can you think of the last incoming defensive coach who has said "yeah, we're going to play it safe, and be a bend-but-don't-break defense"? Agressive is the mantra of every defensive coach ever.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
*aggressive, attacking style
*in your face man-to-man coverage
*pin your ears back and get after the QB
*disguise coverages
*blitz from all angles
It's coach speak 101
February 5th, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
Did I just read that right? The EMO monster of 2013, alum96, who previously included an apology in his signature for being emo about football, is now accusing others?
Most of your posts have been great recently, but take a few steps down from that pedestal and stop staring at yourself in the mirror. This is another post of good content, but could do without the preamble. Don't read it if you don't like.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
Somebody got his panties all twisted and in knots!
February 5th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
Your opinion just continues to differ from mine. People change yada yada yada. If all were held accountable for past transgressions then nowhere is where we'd be taken. Onward and upward or some shit.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^
I was EMO In 2013 and 2014.
And was proven correct by on the field results. We had a mediocre HC surrounded by a bunch of position coaches who once let go can not find power 5 jobs (save for Manning). It was right to be EMO on this program, and the lack of year over year growth by the team and progress from Sept to November every year were reasons not to be positive.
Also my EMO was always about UM football and what was going on in our sphere. Not a newspaper saying something bad about us (that doesnt impact one damn thing about our program) or another coach saying something.
We have a Ferrari now as HC so time to stop being so sullen. Same reason I was never EMO on basketball even when game to game results might disappoint.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
So it's OK for you to be EMO, but standing in your judgment, others cannot? Come on.
And no one's really being emo anyway in those other threads, they're complaining about Dantonio (I didn't like this thread either, didn't read it) or an egregiously ill researched/reasoned USA Today article. That's not really EMO so much as complaining or disagreeing. You were flat-out face down in the cheerios, every time something bad happened you woke up to lash yourself and M fandom in general, before falling unconcious again. You knew you were doing this, there's nothing wrong with it, but then to point and laugh at others for doing the same (though it's not really the same this morning) is hypocritical.
February 5th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
We'll agree to disagree.
I was not EMO about UM basketball in the same time frame I was EMO about UM football. Track record. Coaching. Results. Watching team improve years over year, watching the team improve within a year, watching a multitude of players hit their ceiling or near to it in 1 program and nowhere near it in the other.
Anyone can be EMO about anything it is their right. I just woke up this morning and saw:
- Dantonio was mean to us
- We have little to no hope to compete with UCLA
- USA Today doesnt respect our recruiting class
It is what it is and as I wrote I've owned I've been EMO on this football program for a long while. Basically since PSU 2013 forward it was difficult to buy into anything. Then you have ND 2014 and from there it was all shit and giggles - in a bad way.
Sorry if the king of EMO preached to others to not to be EMO today. :) I was EMO in very specific program with a very specific staff. That is now eradicated.
Anyhow let's not hijack the thread - I apologize to you or anyone who is offended by my preachniness...
February 5th, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
We can pull it off this year if we land Lyons, otherwise its gonna be a crapshoot.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
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February 5th, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^
MSU plays a "break don't bend" style that's for sure. Either they will suffocate you, or you will get a huge play against them. Unless you bring in a Heisman trophy type QB to the game. Which will disembowel any defensive system.
Unless you have said Heisman QB (or Bryce Petty throw god) it is very difficult to put together a 11 play, 80 yard drive on MSU. Either teams score fast with a huge play or they have 3-5 play drives that go almost nowhere.
As for Zordich comments its not going to happen overnight but I think you go into this with the idea you are building to a 2016 secondary with more and more of these type of players infused. We lose Wilson and Blake post 2015 but look to be bringing in longer, more athletic type guys of larger size to replace. Of course those guys have to perform and be developed.
Stribling is one such guy with the length - he just really needs to put on some weight. I am hoping the new S&C staff helps him more then the last - he didnt put on much weight at all from 2013 to 2014. Watson is another guy with great size right out of HS at 190 lbs. The "other CB" battle outside of Lewis will be interestting to watch this year if Peppers is indeed the S next year.
February 5th, 2015 at 4:37 PM ^
As an MSU fan, this is a fair post. MSU was killed in three games with great QB play: Oregon, OSU, and Baylor (luckily, they started the party too soon). The most impressive QB we faced was Barrett. He dropped bombs on us like we were the Taliban. Hopefully--for all of us--OSU's qbs hate each other, bang each other's girlfriends, and generally become a huge issue for the their team. I don't ever want to face Barrett on another hot streak.
February 5th, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
I'm all in on this, and hope that the Zordich/Jackson combination can coach these kids to play press, rather than last year's coaches. I am just so damn excited to see how actual experience translates to developing these kids.
Also, I hope Terry Richardson gets some PT. Talk about a kid who's never mentioned.
February 5th, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
Your first paragraph entitles you to upvote on site for the next week. Your style, I like it.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
and we played 1 game with that strategy - which was successful. Then went back to soft vs Notre Dame and got torched and stuck with soft for rest of the season. Maybe one of these years we will actually do it.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^
So yea, I have a lot of skepticism and I'm not putting much stock into coach speak before he's even held a single practice at Michigan. I guess that makes me stupid.
Btw - I hope we do play press and I hope he's able to replicate his success at Florida who had no offense to speak of.
February 5th, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^
February 5th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
Oh I agree. But you can't do it without the players do to it. You can talk about it all you want but need the players to utilize it.
Taylor got hurt early (was it ND game or just before ND game?). Peppers was gone by game 4 and you were left with the Countess and Hollowells out there - those are not guys with the physicality to do it. So they went back to "cushion" concepts. Even with Taylor I am not sure he was really a press guy but certaintly was more than other candidates. Stribling also didnt take that year over year jump from FR to SO most of us assumed - he has the length but bulk/strength was lacking.
February 5th, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
I absolutely hope it's true this year.
February 5th, 2015 at 4:48 PM ^
Nope.
We pressed ND unsuccessfully. Countess, in particular, was getting torched. Will Fuller was getting clean releases on slants and fades, and we had to soften coverage to try to stop the bleeding.
We tried to press ND, just couldn't do it.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
Preach, brother. Well said all around.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^
This was what was said last year as well, as the OP mentioned. I was jacked about it then, and am hopeful we will stick to it this year barring injuries. Refs as a whole, are really starting to let early contact in the route happen more often. Hell, I say we just tackle the receivers right off the snap and see how far we can go with it.
But in all seriousness, this is good to hear, hopefully it comes to fruition this year.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^
secondary coach says the same thing about being aggressive and playing man to man and bump coverage, which only happens a small percentage of times.
We'll see what actually happens with Zordich.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^
It will help to have defensive back specialists teaching the kids how to play. It's not a new point, but it really was insane to dramatically change the fundamental style of the defense when the D backs coach was coaching the position for the first time. I kind of expect a dramatic improvement in our man to man simply because Zordich and Jackson will be far better positioned to coach the players.
This is especially true for Zordich. It's easy to forget because he made most of his impact at safety for the Eagles, but Zordich floated between safety and corner for most of his early NFL career. Given that he was a safety all through college and not a natural corner, I suspect this means he had to learn a ton of technique late in life. Having that kind of technique training experience can only help in teaching high school corner how to play press man at the next level.
February 5th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^