3-3-5

Submitted by jvp123 on
= -5. But seriously folks... I have been reading that it looks like the 3-3-5 is in fact the primary defense being used right now in practice. The D-Line will be Martin, Campbell, RVB, but right now Greg Banks is in Martin's spot. The Spur and Bandit are the Strong (Box) Safeties that will line up outside the D-line and closer to the line of scrimmage than the Linebackers. The Spur and Bandit spots are occupied by Kovacs and Mike Williams. Your MLB is still Ezeh, LOLB is Mouton, and ROLB is Roh. Woolfolk and JT Floyd are your CB's and Vlad is your FS (Cam Gordon is in his place right now) I also wanted to put this topic in because it looks like the 4-3 Under is also being implemented with the same line-up, only Roh is the 4th D-lineman with his hand down and Mike Williams is the new SAM. I think most of us on this board that were going back and forth about 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 changes with Roh putting his hand down, but it looks like instead it will be GERG's Under package.

jvp123

March 26th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^

I have been reading AnnArbor.com, TheWolverineBlog, GBMW (though twice since their writing style and grammar is something all its own), MgoBlog, GoBlueWolverine, SBNation, and general searches of Michigan and 3-3-5. If anyone feels like I still owe them anything like money, blood, rights to first born or just to bow before you for rolling your eyes while typing (which I hear is quite a trick!) just let me know. I am new and just wanted people to know that was wondering about 4-2-5 defense alignments for UM that we would still be including the 4-3 Under. I am sorry that you clicking on a forum topic, reading a forum topic with no gun to your head, and then commenting on thread #1000 (Sweet! Do I win anything?? -- extra question mark for emphasis) about the 3-3-5 just ruined your day. Please accept this heart-felt apology...

aaamichfan

March 26th, 2010 at 7:28 PM ^

As long as someone can beat out Kovacs after a couple games, that doesn't seem like such a bad defense. Does anyone know where someone like Terry Talbott would fit into this scheme? Can't be a DT, and don't know if he is really a DE.......

Logan88

March 26th, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^

if he was playing up near the LOS as a Bandit/Spur. I just don't want to see him 20 yards away from the LOS trying to cover a receiver. Does anyone(Magnus, please pick up the white courtesy phone) know what coverage responsibilities the Bandit/Spur positions have?

Space Coyote

March 26th, 2010 at 11:10 PM ^

Much of the coverage out of a 3-3-5 is a cover 3, where the bandits would have the flat responsibility. In a man situation they would typically have coverage of the slot or TE still. In a 3-3-5 stack like Michigan is running this spring, typically it is a very simplified D for the LBs as they don't have coverage responsibilities as often for the TEs and slots. I'm pretty sure the bandit (much like Stevie Brown last year) would flex out to cover slots in the case of facing 3-4 WR. I still think most of the time we may see zone coverage though, with numerous zone blitzes also in that package.

Magnus

March 27th, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^

larsonlo pretty much answered your question. The vast majority of coverage in the 3-3-5 is a Cover 3 with zone underneath. The bandit and spur would generally have the flats. Even though it looks like there would be five guys underneath (the three linebackers plus the bandit and spur), at least one of those guys would usually be blitzing.

loosekanen

March 26th, 2010 at 7:47 PM ^

I think it could be effective as long as Altidore can hold the ball on point. I mean, we need Dempsey forward for him to be at his most effective anyway. Pairing him there with Donovan and leaving space for Feilhaber and Torres while pushing Bradley back to a defensive mindset sounds like a plan of success. My only question is whether or not it gets our best 11 on the field.

nucegin60

March 26th, 2010 at 7:47 PM ^

Mike Martin is not a d-end, he will be playing nose. If you look at depth charts or what he's listed as it's a nose. Him and Will will not be on the field the majority of the time.

ken725

March 26th, 2010 at 7:53 PM ^

FYI (For those with a rivals account): There is a really good write up about the 3-3-5 on the Rivals board by a hs coach. It answered many of questions I had.

Logan88

March 27th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^

that quote originated. For the life of me, I could not remember where I had heard it and it was driving me nuts. The only thing that kept coming up in my brain was Kramer saying the "These pretzels are making me thirsty." line he had in the Woody Allen movie.

UNCWolverine

March 26th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^

Does Floyd over Turner mean that Floyd has greatly improved or that Turner is a great disappointment? Floyd was disappointingly slow last year and I had hoped that he best shot to ever see the field again was as a nickel. But the fact that is is currently starting sends shivers down my spine.

Smitty D

March 26th, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^

Give him some time. For everyone hating on JT Floyd maybe you should be happy that he busted his ass over the winter to NOT lose his job. Some people do not know that players can progress over a year, get stronger faster and smarter. I am just glad there is finally some Damn competition in the secondary

Magnus

March 27th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^

Well, there are certain plays that can beat the 3-3-5, especially if your backside DE and OLB don't stay home. But that's why we have coaches. This defense is not predicated on penetration from the line. It's based on having your defensive linemen hold the point of attack while the linebackers and safeties run around and make plays. Will we see a bunch of plays from our defensive ends where they make hits like Graham laid on Winston? Probably not. But should it open up Mouton, Roh, and Ezeh to make more plays? Yes.