Terry Richardson on 2014 Defense
Terry Richardson had some interesting things to say when speaking with GBW about the difference between this year and last year:
On Defensive scheme:
“We have a new scheme and a lot of in your face coverage"... “Last year we were a little bit conservative," he said. "We have talent... let’s use it. You put your best against our best and let’s ride out -- lets go get it. That is the mindset that our coaches have instilled in us for this season
On Roy Manning:
“This is his first year coaching corner, so we were a little nervous about him, but he is bringing it to us. Coach Manning is keeping us on top of our game. We are working hard. He is a trash talker, he doesn’t play around when it comes to teaching us. He told us I will take a pass interference call as long as you are aggressive. We like that.
On Team Chemistry:
“I will be honest with you... I have never felt that we were a complete team," Richardson admitted. "I felt like we were a team of solos. But this year it is not that way. The simple fact is we are tired of losing. Guys want to play and guys want to win, so we all came together. If you are a starter you are helping out the guy behind you -- not for him to take your spot, but because you really want him to succeed.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
I wasn't aware of this. Unbelievable.
He was just looking for "clarification" not apologies...the type of clarification which comes with no PIs for half the Big 10 season for a team that focuses on bumping WRs all day.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/college/football/college-footbal…
August 8th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
I don't see the B1G refs not cracking down this year, not after MSU so blatently flouted the refs reluctance to throw INT flags, not when other teams have publicly declared they'll follow the same model. B1G refs will either crack down now or they'll lose control of the situation.
August 8th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
nothing but a pre-season hype machine since 2007. Need substance or I'll just remain the grumpy curmudgeon with my arms folded in the back ground.
I've heard this story before about 8 times, "its going to be different this year".
August 8th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
I had know since my youth has been dead since 2007
August 8th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
50-44 since Bo died.
I would keep going, but I will get negbanged to Boliivia if I continue. . .
August 8th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
Congrats! You have been awarded my first ever neg!
August 8th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
These quotes dont seem to be just fluff. They seem to be looking in the mirror and indentifying problems and actually trying to remedy them. This is evidenced by the replacement of Borges as the OC and the defensive scheme change.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
Yeah he is not saying "no fly zone" or the "right to rush four" (cringe). He said we were conservative last year, let's use our talent (which as a player you are going to say about your teammates), he noted Manning's aggressiveness, and he touched on the scheme changes and chemistry. If he was saying I only see a Big 10 title for us and the top defense in the conference - that's the normal fluff.
I mean these are basic questions and he is answering them. I didn't see fluff and I am all about wrinkling my nose up at fluff.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
After watching some preseason football last night and seeing these comments, I just want to watch some MICHIGAN FOOTBALL! I hope these three weeks fly by.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
but the lack of chemistry in prior years is utterly depressing in hindsight.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
Manning is quickly become a favorite. I too will happily take a 15 yard penalty (the max in CFB) every so often in return for actually having DBs in the same picture frame on the TV as opposing WRs.
I am sure there will be bumps in the road and a few over the top bombs against us, but there were over the top bombs against the conservative philiosophy as well. I see you Indiana.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
It got so frustrating last year to consistently watch the corners set up 7-8 yds off the line of scirmmage.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
not just a recruiter
August 8th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
on the chemistry thing...we all could see it last couple years. That could be the biggest X factor this year. Come together as a team and great things can happen.
Go Blue!
August 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
This team is unstoppable... like the Titanic. But it's not going to sink.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
He's a RS Sophomore now. I still have high hopes for him being a contributor in a Michigan uniform. Whether it be in the slot or a special teams all world type of player, I think he will eventually succeed here.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
Manning is turning out to be a solid hire for motivation, recruiting and his coaching versatility. People were questioning this hire after Montgomery left.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
They actually seem to be made of a very similar mold as best as I can tell. It stinks that it took losing 1 to get the other - I wouldn't mind a staff full of these type of guys. Manning has a chance to really look good here if the CBs step up; he had the best unit on defense last year (along with Smith) and if the CBs look a lot better this year he is going to be the golden child on the staff.
I have not heard much about Coach Smith, I'd be curious what kind of personality he has on the practice field.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
...which is why I've been screaming for 1.5 years that we need a Manning for the offensive side of the ball.
Tyrone Wheatley and Mike Hart both fit the bill, IMO.
People groan because those are "Michigan Men," but it's not about that, that helps because they're passionate about Michigan, but they're young (especially Hart), energetic, passionate PEOPLE. That helps in recruiting and just with the guys ON the team.
IMO, you need that type of coach on both sides of the ball. Just one will do.
Would love to see either Wheatley or Hart take over next season just for this reason. You have to have a coach that can relate to players, that can understand what the guys are going through and can speak their language a little bit. And I'm not talking race, I'm talking about as young people...regardless of color. Having a a coach to bring the natural gap between players and coaches is important. Especially for 18-22 year olds.
I would love to see one of those guys be our next RB coach as Fred Jackson is given his gold watch, hopefully soon.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
True. Pretty much all positive comments in the original hire thread. Mr. Yost was particularly impressed.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
Simply, these are some of the most refreshing quotes i have read in quite some time. Excellent to hear. Thanks for sharing.
August 8th, 2014 at 11:17 AM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
Agreed. Also not a great conf for QBs. You look at the typical Pac 12 QB versus Big 10 and it looks like varsity vs JV. I watched the Iowa QB in a few games (dont know his name) and he could not throw a 25 yard out pattern to the far sideline. Yet we laid off his WRs like he had a Farve/Elway arm. Grrr.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
What the hell was Hoke doing last season?
August 8th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
"Wellllllll, [he] was working to get better." That's what I got re-listening to all the post-game press conferences.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
Your mom
August 8th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
God, my mom's done everyone, according to the internet. What a tramp.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
just become Coach Needs-A-Raise. I like these comments.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
Almost as important as the chemistry quote posted by the OP was the second part of it. Richardson continued...
"When you do that you raise the level of play throughout the whole team and it builds that camaraderie every day in training and summer workouts. We had team activities that were amazing -- TWO of them --and we never did that before so that was a good deal."
Part of building chemistry on any team - sports or not - is challenging notions and encouraging people to get better for the benefit of the team. If you aren't doing this, then you will very quickly hit a wall and aside from spot exceptions, your performance will likely not break down that wall. Even the most talent collection of people will underperform if they are not working towards team success. It is great to hear that the players get that, because I felt - as other did - that this is part of what we were witnessing last year, that it was a very talented collection of players.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
August 8th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm just glad this wasn't asking creepy rapey fashion photographer Terry Richardson about our defense.
I wonder what the head of American Apparel thinks about our defense.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
PI is only a 15-yard penalty in college, so the risk of playing agressive is not as severe as in the NFL. I think on the whole, playing aggessive, even if it means taking a PI call now and then, is the most effective approach.