Chris Spielman

At the Stadium we had to see them all.

Spielman is a good commentator.  Surpisingly, I would prob take him over any alternative except Millen(!)

 

Missing that many plays by ESPN is unacceptable.  I demand a re-do of the game.

Griese is ready for the glue factory, and Speilman--after making lots of noise about how he was going to give us HIS exalted insight about the D--said nothing of interest. The idea that people necessarily excel as broadcasters because they played the game just does not follow. Get Brian out there, I say. 

That said, today was definitely a day when you wondered if RichRod really has forced the 3-3-5 down GERG's throat, and if it's appropriate for the Big 10 or for us v. Wisconsin.

Normally I think Spielman provides real good commentary, but his talk about the 3-3-5 is just dead wrong, and I'm surprised people on this blog are falling for it.

Thankfully, this is easy to prove. WVU still runs the 3-3-5 with Jeff Casteel at DC. They have the #4 scoring defense (13.2 ppg), #8 pass defense (158 ypg) and #7 rush defense (94.9 ypg, 3.0 ypc) in the country thus far this year. Granted, the Big East isn't exactly a powerhouse in terms of competition. But they are doing this is with WVU-level recruits. 

The whole "you need 4 beefy down lineman to play defense in the Big Ten" is a red herring on the level of "the spread offense will never work in the Big Ten." It's just a dumb argument, and anyone who did their research would know better. Just because it's not been tried or done properly, doesn't mean it can't work.

I think the reasons for our defense's lack of success should be pretty obvious by now, they've been described ad nauseum on this blog: youth, lack of talent, injuries, and coaches not on the same page with what system we should be running. The 3-3-5 system, if run properly, is not the problem. 

/getsoffsoapbox

Even though he went to tOSU, I think he would be an absolutely great hire as a LB coach.

We won't get many blue-chip recruits as long as we have a coach who keeps juggling d-coordinators and is one or two bad losses away from unemployment. Sure, we'll get the occasional Beyer-type kid, who was born Blue. But why would blue-chips from elsewhere be especially attracted to RR? Seriously. They want a coach they have confidence in. 

Because not only is he wrong about half of what he's saying, his comments about NFL type of players has an indirect impact on recruits and their perception of our program. This is national television here, and that's not right.

but you can't defend the scheme.  The 3-3-5 has not worked...yet.  It doesn't show any evidence of ever working.  I understand the players are young, but Spielman's points about the talent level (ie 3-stars and "project" type players) and the holes in the defensive scheme are accurate.  What you cannot defend is that this defense cannot tackle, period.  They haven't tackled well all year.  Their inexperience affects the angles they take and the positions they end up in in coverage, but tackling, like blocking are fundamental from youth football.

I understand they are young, but this staff has changed schemes so often the kids don't know what defense they are running.  Robinson is not s 3-3-5 guy, he is a tried and true DC that has run 4-3 and 3-4 defense in college and the pros.  RR is the 3-3-5 guy, the problem is, he is an offensive coach.  Let the DC run what he wants. 

Unfortunately these kids are trying as hard as they can,, in a scheme no one is en expert at.  The staff is putting young in positions where they cannot excel.  That's my problem with it.

The reason most UM fans don't like Spielman is because he is an OSU guy pointing out flaws on Michigan.  The real problem is, he's right!  He certainly is better than Millen.

Recruits don't care what Chris Spielman says. They care about what they're seeing on the field and from the coach. And I'm quite sure they're not seeing much they like.

I don't know why people jump all over a guy who takes the anti-RR view. Reasonable people can disagree. But how could anyone suggest that someone in the anti camp has no grounds? That's kind of silly and reactionary.

Yes, RR has won more games this year. But the real question should be: How has the team measured against quality competition? The answer is: unfavorably.  It's nice that we eeked out wins against Illinois and a shitty Purdue team. Last year, on the road, we took MSU and Iowa down to the wire. This year, at home, MSU, Iowa, and Wisconsin thumped us. The record is better; the reality is not.

I don't care who the commentators are. They rarely provide insight to the educated viewer

so many people who have been around the Big 10 for years are saying-that it is almost incomprehensible for Michigan to be so non-competitive on defense. Forget scheme and other excuses-this is not a one-year aberration anymore. It is sad to watch.

There was one major inconsistency in Spielman's defensive recruiting comments.  He acknowledged that the defense is very young and should get better as they age, but then went on to say they weren't recruiting good players.  If they are that young he can't yet make the determination of how "good" they are.  Several highly touted recruits have barely seen the field yet.

Also thought the "what was good enough for West Virginia isn't good enough for here" was a cheap shot.  He probably should not have gone there.

I like Spielman but that was not his best effort.

that's been there and done that.  He was an OSU great, played in the NFL (if Detroit counts) and knows of what he speaks.  I think most will feel he was on target with his criticisms.  It's just hard to take criticism and UM and it's fanbase is very proud.

...I can't speak to what was discussed by Spielman and Griese.  I can say that Bob Griese walks quickly.  He passed me on the way to his car at the Pioneer lot.  Dude can still move.