A take on the Don Brown defensive philosophy from the Coaches Clinic, FWIW
A simple set of concepts delivered through a dizzying number of packages and looks, all designed to do one basic thing. If you can confuse, disrupt, negate, and defeat the offensive blocking scheme (run or pass) fairly reliably with 5 guys at the LOS, well then, that's what he's going to do. Every time. Wants to impose the defense on the offense, not let it be the other way around.
Gratuitously obvious comment: Getting Peppers closer to the LOS in this scheme is going to make everybody happy.
Welcome any other's take on Brown's presentation from the Clinic, I'm no expert.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:48 AM ^
I love everything I hear about this guy.
I guess I could look it up but I'd rather have someone more knowledgeable tell me: What is Don Brown's response to tempo? How have his defenses fared against the "Indiana's" of college football?
March 12th, 2016 at 10:50 AM ^
Knowing Don Brown, probably to apply pressure!
March 12th, 2016 at 11:06 AM ^
that Al Borges has had to go full-drag disguise to keep off Don Brown's radar.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:16 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
March 12th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
Hard to tell with BC. Clemson put up 30+ on them last year (as they did on Alabama BTW).
Do you consider teams like FSU tempo? Not sure if I do. BC shut them down, FWIW.
It's not like he's faced a slew of tempo teams to evaluate against.
It may be more instructive to see how he did at some of his earlier coaching stops.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:25 AM ^
*Kinda for x's and o's people but lots of philosophy too.
https://jameslightfootball.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/zone-read-clinic…
March 12th, 2016 at 11:39 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
March 12th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^
Even with the best scheme on the planet, you still need the right personnel to run it effectively. Brown must be like a kid in a candystore when he sees some of the people he will be coaching at Michigan. Clemson is a program with elite talent and coaching.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^
The scrimmages at BC must have been ugly.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
and I ran it at the high school level. Concept was the same. Regardless of pass or run, if you have more people in their backfield then they do, and you often will, regardless of whether he is going to hand off, keep it or run, you will mitigate their chances to do so just by sheer numbers and if he wishes to takes chances with the handoff under extreme heat, that's just fine as well. Difficult to do with out 100% condfidence in DEs, but if you have that, there is not a stunt in the word they will be able to defend if you are able to have then read key - ain't coming - hit the vacatated hole and Pray for a soft landing, Irene. If, on the other hand, receiver could be hitting your area, respect it and more than likely pressure will be brought to bear from opposite side. In OSU's case, I am certain much of it will be read off their strong side and which side of the ball the RB lines up on. Knowing this, you will know the QB's likely path should he keep it, and on their stretch plays, as OP said if defensive speed is there will be hard for them to gain advantage in numbers which most outside running plays are built on. Outbnmubering opponent at point of attack. What most defenders don't understand, but Brown does, is this can be realized by the defense as he states.
Every OLmen on this site is aware if there was a man lined up over him, unless pulling, he had to block him. Brown will have man move in order to pull OLman with him, thereby creating the vacancy for Peppers and others to come in and basically smash the qb or RB with good clean hit, nothing smelling salts won't cure.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:26 AM ^
Best counter to tempo is to never let them get going. Like a 240lb RB, you hit them behind the line of scrimmage and they are much easier to stop. Up tempo offenses have a philosophy very similar to Brown's for defense, impose their will on the opponent, get them uncomfortable and reacting instead of playing their game.
Edit: Just looked it up, and according to S&P tempo stats, the two fastest teams they played were Duke (15th), and Clemson (10th). They gave up 34 to Clemson, but it appears they got beat by deep passes from far superior athletes. Only 3.1 ypc and lots of 25+ yard completions. Duke they held to 9 points with .9 ypc but Duke had a below average offense even though they were relatively high tempo.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^
Donald? Duck!
/s
March 12th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^
which was hugely compounded by the fact that RR's defense couldn't stop anybody with a pulse.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
March 12th, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^
physically dominant defenses manhandle the O
And, boiled to its essence ... defensive penetation and disruption of the play before it can take shape. True in college; true in the NFL. The offensive counter is to get the ball out before the penetrating defensive player can disrupt the play (see Brady, Tom).
I think this is why dominant defensive linemen are so valued nowadays. And why QBs that have quick releases are so valued.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:02 PM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
Yep...good points, unfortunately :(
I'm beginning to wonder if there is a defense that you can expect to have success against the power spread...esp. one with the type of talent OSU is churning out. Maybe success is really relative and its more a matter of slow them down and just outscore them.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:02 PM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 12:04 PM ^
Don AZ nailed it. I just gave ya an upvote, but we can't see it.
Football is kind of a mismatch game. The tall WR's, the fast TE's to beat LB coverage, the ninja slots, etc. The NE Pat's use Gronk, quick slots & Brady gets it out as Don mentioned.
M uses the FB & TE position for mismatchs.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^
From observing him at the IMG practice, Don Brown is one intense mofo on the practice field. He was getting after the players to do what they need to do in this defense. It was cool to see him teach with that intensity. Not sure how that compares to Durkin, but he is a guy that will command your attention and respect.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:11 PM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 12:25 PM ^
Of Brown's coaching prowess and Harbaugh-caliber recruits...this defense should be quite impressive. September can't get here soon enough.
I don't think the word impressive does justice to what is coming...
Maybe the term "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" defense might work here? This defense has the potential to be one of the best in Michigan/collegiate history.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^
March 12th, 2016 at 12:30 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
that he dosen't have time to break in a new partner, they all get killed anyway. Just stay out of his way and he'll clean up these mean streets all by himself.
MAKE.
THEM.
FEAR.
YOU.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
That's a funny question. I always assume it was a man's. Why?
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
March 13th, 2016 at 12:28 PM ^
This is one of the biggest Freight Trains of enthusiasm and momentum I personally have felt well...since Harbs was named our coach. But before that I can't remember this much excitement! I am on this TRAIN!!