defense playing poorly vs offense playing well - explained
There's a reasonable explanation offered by the D-line coach in the following article to address why our defense may give up explosive plays in scrimmage/practice situations.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090824/SPORTS0201/908240344/1004/-Mr.-…
Here's what Tall had to say: With regard to several reports, including Rodriguez's assessment the offense has at times been explosive in practice, Tall simply said the defense is not exactly trying to stop the Michigan offense during preseason camp.
"We're still in that teaching process," Tall said. "You're not scheming against your own offense; you're trying to implement your defense. And so sometimes you're running defensive calls that you would never run against this offense.
"But you've got to practice them and make adjustments as you go and understand you can teach off giving up explosive plays."
August 24th, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^
That's comforting, I was just assuming 1st string offense was playing 2nd or 3rd string D and hoping for the best.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^
They are at times. This just compounds the defenses struggles. If O1 vs D3 isn't bad enough, the defense is not designed to stop the offense all the time. Yikes.
This is very comforting to me and confirms what I saw while attending Saturdays scrimmage.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:12 PM ^
Can you report more on what you saw at Saturdays scrimmage? Thanks!
August 24th, 2009 at 11:31 AM ^
I would have tempered my enthusiasm for that offense just a little more. How many interceptions did they throw in the preseason scrimmage again?
August 24th, 2009 at 11:34 AM ^
Who else likes the idea of what he was saying about the running backs. I think if we can share carries between all those guys we will have fresh legs at running back in the fourth quarter against tired defenses.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
I get the feeling that most of the coaches are kind of giddy over the number of quality players they have to work with. QB coach has the problem of too many quarterbacks that will be great to run the system. RB coach has no less than 5 backs that should go great in the system.
At WVU, they seemed to always have the right player for each position, but I'm not sure they ever had depth of stars. Their backups were just functional. I may be mistaken, though.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:37 AM ^
The offense is working on the schemes it will use every game
The defense is preparing for various schemes to attack varying offenses all much different than what they see in practice every day:
WMU / ND - Pro Style Passing w/ little run support
MSU / Iowa / Wisconsin - Down hill running games
PSU - Spread heavy on TB Royster
OSU - Spread heavy on Pryor running
Ill - Juice & Benn
Defense will go against scout team offense attempting to duplicate (have fun Cone!) some these offenses the week of each game. As of now, they are learning how to play their defense... not stop UM's offense.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^
Very well said. The offense has to execute their system. The defense has to defend a variety of systems and schemes.
They have to practice against each other (obviously), so when the D is practicing some of their formations, it might not be the best suited to defend our scheme/system.
I never thought about it that way before. Hmm...
August 24th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
As a side note, I found this image at the bottom. I think it's a fantastic picture of the two of them and it shows Denard's shoes for those non-believers about where he got his nickname.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:02 PM ^
I don't understand how he runs at all with shoes untied. At that speed it seems they would just fly off. I guess I have to see it in a game to really believe it.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
i know exactly how he does it. the same way run-dmc used to wear their shoes without any laces
August 24th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
Viton caulk?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:33 PM ^
That just defies explanation! I ran around the neighborhood with my shoelaces untied, just to get a feel for it. I got tired though and came back here...
Maybe he has some extra wide feet for his size, that's the only thing I can think of...
August 24th, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^
If that's the case, I can see some highlights reels being made of Shoelace running with the theme from Chariots of Fire in the background.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^
There is such a thing as athletic tape.
August 24th, 2009 at 9:05 PM ^
I think I heard they're taping his ankles
August 24th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
That is the silliest pose ever, ESPECIALLY for Forcier, and I love it!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:49 PM ^
for Tate's cape. It may be invisible, but trust me it's there.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^
around the idea of DR running with his shoes unlaced. If I'm running 2 miles on the lake path and my shoes come unlaced, it drives me crazy or trips me up. Whatever works, I guess.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^
If Denard becomes the starter, somebody is going to have to post the odds on the announcers making a huge story about his shoes. I say there is about a 95% chance.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:15 PM ^
Narrated by Morgan Freeman.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:45 PM ^
morgan freeman has it in his contract with god that he narrates everything, Brent Musberger has it in his contract with satan, that he narrates everything with respect to college football. Advantage Musberger.
Ohhhhhhh, Shoelace!!!!!! Ohhhhhh, Beanie!!!! Ohhhh, John David.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:55 PM ^
We had a game, which I assume is quite common: Whenever Musberger said "John David Booty" we had to take a drink of our brews. Strangely, no one can remember the end of any USC game.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:51 PM ^
The question isn't whether announcers will make a huge story about the shoelaces, it's how many times will it continue to happen throughout the season...again, and again and again.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:14 PM ^
Seems like someone would step on the laces and trip him.
Edit: This was supposed to be a reply to MGoObes.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:39 PM ^
I think he tucks them into the shoes under his feet?
August 24th, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^
Let's hope "implementing the defense" includes teaching proper tackling technique.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
does no one else wish they were picturing Denard in the backfield with McGuffie?
i know we have good depth at RB, but that speed would be rediculous to defend.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^
I was never much of a McGuffie fan personally. I was screaming at the coaches through the TV screen to play Minor whenever he was on the field. Not to say he wasn't good or that I didn't like him....just that I always felt Minor was the better of the two.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:47 PM ^
Fortunately, we will probably get to see Denard and Carlos Brown in the same backfield. THAT speed will be ridiculous to defend
August 24th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
Ya, that would have been fun, but I think we have a stable of capable and fast running backs. For example, Carlos Brown is a speed demon.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:39 PM ^
and it makes perfect sense. I am also happy that for the first time ever UM should have a Defense that can handle a mobile QB since they will be facing them week in and week out in practice. This is something that, under Carr, they never seemed to be able to do.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:29 PM ^
Is AJ Hawk dating Brady Quinn's sister?
I missed it the f-ing 20th time you said it.