Correlation between Colts defense and Michigan defense

but it is interesting how players filling gaps, and playing their roles appropriately led to such different results

I think you could say the same thing about every defense in the history of ever. If the guys do what they are supposed to do that usually means they have good results.

if you watched the game yesterday, youd know that the key to their defense is that the QB has about .7 seconds from the time of the snap to get rid of the ball. that allowed them to commit a lot of guys to stopping the run. which obviously makes it a lot easier to fill gaps. the db's could have taken a nap and Eli still wouldnt have had time to find anyone. we simply cannot commit that heavily to the run, because our pass rush is not nearly good enough, and our db's would be exposed

both teams in the past 12 months had players play like Dwight Freeney.

2009-Brandon Graham U of M

2010-Dwight Freeney Colts

Other than that I don't see too many similarities

I see the relationship, but UM doesn't have Freeney and Mathis tearing through the backfield on every passing down.  The Gaints didn't run the ball nearly as much as they probably needed to, and so obvious passing downs led to Eli being whacked any time he held onto the ball for more than a second.

I do agree with the general sentiment that if everyone on the defense does his job, breakdowns should be minimized.  The problem I see with the defense is that there are guys who just should not be out there, who would not be out there if players have not been lost.  Coaching and preparation can only take you so far - veteran players are great not just because they are big and strong and fast, but because they have played enough downs to subconsciously "know" what to do on a given play, how to maintain their gaps but also make the necessary play without thinking.  This defense thinks too much out there, and that is why they are struggling.  That will change as the year progresses and guys become more acclimated to the style of play, but it will take time.

Why are we comparing Michigan to Indianapolis in any way?

Yeah you can't compare them. The Colts' DE tandem is arguably the best in the league at rushing the QB.

But the biggest difference is that the Colts' safeties, Bethea and Bullitt are both excellent players. Sanders is a DPOY candidate when healthy, but the other guys are both capable of making the Pro Bowl, as Bethea already has.

To emulate the Colts D you need: 2 amazing pass rushing DEs, 2 physical corners that sacrifice speed for tackling and good coverage on short routes, 2 ball hawking safeties that hit when they get the chance, a smart undersized MLB that makes good calls, 2 fast OLBs that have some free reign to overcome mistakes because they can gang tackle well from the backside.

Their only real weakness is at DT, but with an offense that can get a lead teams can't always run all day like Houston did.

They both give up more yards than they probably should?

one has techniqually sound players capable of playing at a high level, while the other has Kevin Leach (or Leech, sorry if incorrect) and Ezeh

Playing with a lead makes teams less like to run and allows Freeney and Mathis to get loose on pass rush. 

Don't compare our defense to the Colts'.  Those punks lost a game.

Talent got thin, and overall the talent mix must change to have a strategy to defend the spread passing teams.  We simply do not have the correct talent to defend the various short pass routes.  Nearly all offenses, including the Indianapolis Colts as a prime example, have converted to sending 4-5 receivers on every play, with one maybe two of those as deep pass threats.  Strategically to defend that you have to add more Safety and Corner Back skill players.

Whether this is called a Nickel package, Dime, or a 3-3-5, it still means you have faster lighter players, and thus what you gain in pass coverage, you give up in run coverage.  To have any hope of defending the run with less weight up front (whether it's 4 skinny guys, or 3 standard DL) You have to get tricky, which means have precision in the coordination of the personnel responsibilities, thus you hear statemens like "lost contain, did not stick to gap responsbilities".  Because against the run that defense is already at a slight disadvantage.  Of course if your offense can always provide a lead and match the other team TD for TD, then eventually the team behind has to switch to a more one dimensional offense, on that your defense is strategically built to defeat!

Michigan prior to Rich Rodriguez never recruited for this mix of talent to fit this strategy.  We do not have nearly enough of the correct talent, and of course do not have the experience to deploy the best pass protection against spread formations.  UMass never hit the deep ball like ND, but they did eviscerate the Mich D play after play into the end zone by primarily passes into the LB level.  And then when people were confused on how to do that, scrambling around the end suddenly opened up as a huge gaping wound.

One TD JT Floyd just plain got beat to the corner by the Running Back, that means the DE, the OLB-Hybrid, and then finally the CB all lost contain!!!

I agree with much of the sentiment in response to this post, you are comparing the wrong teams.  Unless your goal is to hold the Colts up as an example of where Rich Rodriguez is going with his strategy.  IF that is the point then I agree.

Now having said all that, I think this Mich D has a chance of performing quite well against the strong run teams who do not have a QB capable of dumping it into the flats/slants/curls because our senior LB's were recruited to stuff the run, we have decent competancy on the DL and the smarts to fill gaps, if not the truly bruising weight.  And most importantly an Offense that can score quickly when they want to or need to.

I guess I illogically cling to the belief that Coach Rodgriguez also is holding back as much as he can of the offense so he can focus everything on the MSU game.  Because I think I agree with Angelique about the MSU game.  If he wins that, then the rest of the season doesn't matter, of couse if all you are looking at is Job safety.  But it's just going to be hellacious if Michigan doesn't beat State.  Having to listen to Sparty not only all the rest of the year, but likely for the next 20 years since they can always bring up the "three wins in a row" dynasty.

And I think that is what is scaring the shit out of all of us.  Not losing to BG, but eventually repeating a 5 win season as the Big Ten doormat.  Losing to MSU/PSU/OSU all in the same season is just inconceivable again.

...Payton Manning, Bob Sanders, and the Colts nearly as much as I hate Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Please refrain from further comparisons between Michigan and the Colts in any way, shape, or form.

Thank you for your prompt assistance in this matter.