2011 Defense using 2009 Scheme (em0chart)

You do not want these guys off the field at any point.  

First we play a mulitple defense not a 3-3-5 for the last fucking time.

If you say you want a 4 man line it will be Martin, Roh, RVB, Black. 

it's most definitely not a bye week

my guess is that t-woolf goes back to CB, not safety.

I think I'd rather see Woolfolk at CB.  I don't know why yo, I just do.  Perhaps that'd allow us to be able to jam WRs at the line again and disrupt timing and what not.

I disagree.

A defense that is so good and deep that it no loger needs to play a slow undersized walk-on is worthy of being called a "Michigan Defense."

RVB-Black:  I don't see why you would take RVB out for Black under any circumstance unless RVB gets tired.  RVB doesn't get to the QB as much as Graham or Woodley did, but he still pressures the QB every now and then.  I can't remember Black even getting close to a QB once.  Against the run, RVB holds up well; Black has been a huge liability in our rush defense since he gets either blown back or hooked every time which leads to giant holes for the offense to exploit.  Obviously the coaches see something in Black, and he is a true freshman who will get stronger/quicker/bigger with a full year in a college strength and conditioning program, but I expect RVB to improve next year too.  My hope is that RVB continues to play most of the snaps at DE and Black emerges as a viable backup.

Spinner/Steve Brown Position:  Why can't Carvin or T Gordon play this position instead of Kovacs?  Carvin and T Gordon have shown that they are reliable tacklers, and they have been reliable in knowing their assignments.  They have shown that they are at least as good as Kovacs in taking on blocks (in my opinion, I think they may be better at taking on blocks).  They certainly have more speed than Kovacs.

Deathbacker: Roh basically still plays that right now.  He switches back and forth between DE and LB regardless of whether we are in a 3-3-5 or 4-man front.

Secondary:  This is every uncertain.  It all depends on whether Woolfolk returns at 100% speed/quickness or still has some subtle lingering issues (ala Vincent Smith).  Any loss of speed/quickness would force Woolfolk to play FS.  Assuming that Woolfolk is back to full speed, it comes down to who are are more comfortable with: C Gordon at FS or one of the three freshman (this year's freshman) at CB.  I'm hoping that one of Christian, Talbott or Avery can emerge as a viable starting CB which would allow Woolfolk to play deep safety and C Gordon to play the box safety.

Wow, that was a passionate response macgoblue10.  I must say that I disagree somewhat.

While Kovacs will always be limited and while being "consistent" and "reliable" on this lousy defense makes you seem better than you probably are, I think you're far more negative on Kovacs than is warranted.  Whenever he's blitzed he's never missed an assignment.  He's in the right spot almost all the time.  He's covered TE's far better this year than last.  And he's probably missed fewer tackles than any other player on the squad.  I also don't have a vision of him getting dragged 5 yards every time he tackles.  He isn't a MLB who can take on guards head on, but he's solid as a tweener LB and far better than at deep safety.

I also found it odd that you rip Mike Jones for being small yet hope to see Herron, Furman, Avery, and Talbott play more. 

I do agree somewhat with your logic that moving the Gordon's and Johnson to the bench is unlikely.  But generally I like this concept of a base 4-3 D. 

All defenses will shuffle personnel and alignment based on situations - that's a given.  But I like aspects of this 4-3 base idea. 

For starters, one position we actually have depth  on the D (though it is insanely young) is at DE.  Having two conventional (speed, limited size) DE on the field most of the time plays to that depth.  I do agree that you offset the need for two DT by moving RVB back to the middle, where he can be a significant upgrade over everyone not named Martin and buy time for the young guys to develop. 

The question of what to do with the Gordon/Gordon/Johnson/Robinson/Kovacs situation (and add Furman and Hawthorne if you wish) can be solved by putting one of them as the third LB and the other as the strong safety. 

If Michigan can find two decent corners (and that remains to be seen), I prefer having Woolfolk at deep safety.  I have seen him play well at that position and help the team.  I have not seen him do anything note worthy at corner and he's coming off a gruesome leg injury that will affect his cuts.  He's the only guy on the roster (minus maybe Vinopal) who is suited to play center field on this defense.  But if Talbot, Christian, Avery, or an incoming freshman don't take control of the other corner spot you might have to live with Woolfolk at corner and Gordon at safety. 

And say what you will about Mike Jones being small, but I think he's your starter for sure.  Maybe Isiah Bell, Jake Ryan, or one of the hybrid guys can push him for that spot, but he looked okay early this season and seems suited for that spot.  Larry Foote and Jonas Mouton weren't very big and they did fine there....usually.