Calling all defensive gurus for the d-line not named Greg Mattison.

Submitted by maiznbob on

It's been stated several times that MM is getting double-teamed on almost every play. What are your suggestions to defeat this from defensive observation or experience. It would be exciting to see more penetration into the backfield and seeing the opposing quarterback sitting on his hip pads. This is not a question to express disappointment in the D just looking for something to take away the "Oh, nos." Further ideas on outside contain could be an additional help to our battling Wolverines and allow me to watch for longer periods of time.

Greg said this is not his defense but Michigans and that all the defensive staff have input. We're not privleged to be part of that group but it would be interesting to see your thoughts.

Jskohl88

October 9th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^

Didn't Mattison have that crazy awesome formation like a 1-5-5 with like Haloti Ngata the only down lineman? I don't recommend this being a constant use but just like a changeup to drive offenses crazy. Am I imagining this formation as only in Madden and NCAA 12? 

Philip A. Duey

October 10th, 2011 at 12:36 AM ^

will come this week against Sparty's banged-up O-Line.  The guys on the front seven who are left free on MM's doubles need to come up big and turn Cousins' bronze jersey brown and stifle the running backs in the hole.  If that doesn't happen this week, I think we have more of a problem than just a chess match up front.  In my view, this may just be a matter of other guys executing.  That said, having holding being called as such will probably help.

Franz Schubert

October 10th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^

The MSU O-line is terrible. It was terrible before Burkland was injured and there is no way around it. If you dont believe me, go look at the rushing numbers against YSU, FAU, ND and even CMU. This team has very good running backs and have been awful as a running game. The problem is a weak O- line, our RBs Fitz and Smith both average more per carry than MSUs backs.

If Michigan had performed as MSU has in the running game, every talking head in the media would be harping on how Michigan cannot run the ball.

WolvinLA2

October 9th, 2011 at 11:38 PM ^

MM being double teamed isn't the end of the world.  It means he's occupying two blockers. and when we have guys like RVB, BWC and Roh handling their blockers, our LBs should have free reign to take care of business. 

If a team has 5 OL, that means two for MM, and one each for our other 3 DL.  Not only are our other DLs able to handle one on one blocking a lot of the time, but that leaves only a TE and/or FB to block everyone else. 

Incredible Hoke

October 9th, 2011 at 11:44 PM ^

If I were MM, I would personally hate it. However, with MM being double teamed constantly there are more opportunities to blitz the MIke and have Jordan "Heat Seaking Missile" Kovacs find a gap and exploit it and blow a few plays up in the backfield. Opposing lines know that MM is a beast, and is a massive man bear pig. They wouldnt double him unless he wasn't capable of DOMINATING single blocks. 

Caesar

October 9th, 2011 at 11:57 PM ^

What's the source? I haven't read anywhere else that we named the D-Line after our Defensive Coordinator?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOOD JOKE, RIGHT?

HAILtoBO

October 10th, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^

Run a stunt... Bring the 3 technique in and crash on the center then have MM run around the 3 technique being one on one with the guard. It makes an X

ajchien

October 10th, 2011 at 1:15 AM ^

MM is the 1 tech NT of a 4-3 under defense. He's supposed to take on the double team. This D line setup should allow 1-1 match ups for the 3-tech UT and the WDE 5-tech. In other words, Van Bergen and Roh/Black should be the players that get the TFLs the DL in this type of alignment.

burtcomma

October 10th, 2011 at 1:17 AM ^

The team is 6-0, which is likely all that Martin cares about having been here the last 3 years.  He knows his job on the various defenses called, and seems to be doing it just fine.  Bet he does not give a rat's rear end about any of this....

 

Michael From TC

October 10th, 2011 at 3:17 AM ^

If you have seen in the games, he is taking on the double team and standing them up. He is not being thrown around. Granted he is not making the insane plays he was the last couple years, but NFL scouts and coaches are salivating over his strength and athleticizm and his devotion tot he team and his role.

 

He could be complainging about not making theplays and being center of attention but he is not, instead he keeps smiling and doing his job, and a damn fine job of that.

 

That being said, when the rest of the guys consistently beat the 1 on 1's they have because of him getting doubled they will be forced to double him less to help out, or let the others keep getting beat.

 

As said previsouly, this week will be a big test with MSU's line being young and beaten up.

 

 

MGrether

October 10th, 2011 at 5:45 AM ^

Mattison would move him around to create opportunities. However, Martin is too valuable at his spot with no sufficient second person to allow this to functionally happen.
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<br>With that said, Martin is still collapsing pockets being doubled... So life ain't too shabby

Volverine

October 10th, 2011 at 7:18 AM ^

In spring camp, I remember Greg Mattison saying he'd move MM around so he's playing NT, DE at times and even LB to open up opportunities for other guys (kind of like how LaMarrr Woodley used to do for those who remember that).
<br>Any chance they're saving this for tougher opponents? Figured out it didn't work so much? Anyone have any ideas?

dennisblundon

October 10th, 2011 at 7:26 AM ^

I think Martin is more of a LOS mover, than a true pass rusher. Bringing him off the edge actually doesn't play to his strengths even if he isn't double teamed. The QB is going to feel the push up the middle more than the rush off the edge, so I think where he is at, is where he is most effective. This maybe why the idea was scrapped?

The attention Martin gets in the middle has a lot to do with why are blitzes are effective. The attention he draws frees up other pass rushers. Like what has been said, him taking up a double team means he is doing his job and a great job at that.

jackw8542

October 10th, 2011 at 8:07 AM ^

IIRC, last year some MSU player did something dirty to injure MM.  He may still be so angry from that that he will have no trouble pushing through a triple team next Saturday.

JCM26

October 10th, 2011 at 8:36 AM ^

If Coach Hoke and Coach Mattison had been here to work with our DL a couple of years ago then a MM double team would be welcomed as an opportunity for the rest of our well coached DLs to excel.  As it is now they are finally receiving proper technique instruction and learning pro level tidbits.  Having faith this group of coaches are highly competent I expect a meteoric improvement before the season is done.  Basically the same group of players from last year are only allowing 12.5 PPG average so far.  Whodathunkit?  

New Carr

October 10th, 2011 at 9:11 AM ^

Have big Will Campbell become the force we all hope he can be.  There have been a couple plays this year where he stayed low, stuck with the fundamentals, and absolutely blew up the o-line man on the other side of the ball.  If BWC can become a more consistent force that eats up space MM can start dominating games.

Naked Bootlegger

October 10th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^

I have complete faith that Martin's skills are being best utilized by this coaching staff.   His sack and TFL numbers are probably below what everyone imagined they would be at this point in the season, but his presence is felt out there.  I've been impressed with Martin's incredible athleticism...not only is he Hulk-strong, but he is all over the field when he drops in zone blitz situations. 

As for the coaches, I was completely convinced they would find some magical formula (besides preventing offensive turnovers!) to change the tide of the NW game in the second half.   We shut out a very skilled offensive team in the second half, so I'm not complaining if Martin didn't get any sacks in the process!  I haven't felt this sort of defensive confidence in a long time, and it feels bloody good.  

Indiana Blue

October 10th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^

BWC line up right next to MM.  Who would they double team then ...?  BWC is starting to simply overpower guards with his "bull-rush".   Really would love to see this against a MSU line that doesn't have enough experience to be able to "get it right" every time.

Go Blue!

steve sharik

October 10th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^

MM getting doubled as a 1-tech and being able to still hold the point is exactly what you want.  This is especially the case against a team like Sparty, who doesn't have a running QB or an option attack.  When Cousins hands the ball off, the defense has an 11-on-10 advantage.  If Martin eats a double team, the defense has a 10-on-8 advantage against the run.  This is how you want things as a defense.

Now, getting pressure from the DL against the drop-back pass is another matter.  The answer to keep Martin from getting doubled against pass protection is a) to have DEs who can't be single-blocked (i.e., it's time for Roh, Black, VanBergen, etc. to step up) and b) dependent on the type of pass protection scheme Sparty will use.

If Sparty is going to man-protect (aka "Big-on-Big" or "Pop-Dual") then freeing up Martin would necessitate sending a blitz to Martin's side so the OG over there can't help on Mike.  If Sparty is going to gap protect or even slide protect (which is a man/gap combo), someone has to threaten the gaps next to Martin so the blockers responsible for those gaps can't help on Mike.