February 4th, 2022 at 11:22 PM ^
Hard to have too many questions until staff is settled.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:41 AM ^
I was about to say … Uh, find a defensive coordinator, and then figure out which pieces best fit their game plan.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:12 AM ^
Irrespective of DC, I can't wait to see the #1 CB recruit in the nation get worked into the rotation. Reminds me of when Woodson was a true freshman, and how he worked his way in over the course of the year, and how exciting it was to have the future on the field, given how many previous Lance Dottin-types we'd had getting skunked. Of course we did have Ty Law finally, but Woodson's arrival had an air to it. I'm also interested to see if we can get organic pass rush anything like this year. Because that's the key to beating Stroud. He doesn't throw well under pressure, but is razor-sharp with time. And if we have to blitz too much, I'm afraid that's a big schematic weakness against Day.
February 4th, 2022 at 11:25 PM ^
Have to wait until the staff is filled out and a philosophy is a bit understood for the defense. There are players no doubt on the defensive side. It’ll be interesting to see who is hired and how the personnel fit. Players like Harrell, Jenkins, and Morris are guys who could have major roles or just spot roles depending on scheme.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:08 AM ^
Well we know Clink will be co-DC (per his contract) and Foote has turned it down (per 2 of the pay sites).
And recruits have said coaches are telling them it'll be a very similar defense in terms of scheme.
Leading most to think Jesse Minter is the leading candidate due to his Ravens experience and while his Vandy D sucked last year, he's had really solid defenses at the mid-major level (Georgia St. and Indiana St.)
February 5th, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
I’m sure they have a desire for a similar scheme, but until a coordinator is hired we have no idea if that desire will be achieved and HOW similar it will end up being.
I didn’t watch any of Vanderbilt football last year to really gauge. But even a coach like Minter, who has the Ravens background, likely has his own tweaks on the defensive scheme. It’s unlikely he runs it the exact way MacDonald does.
There’s also the fact that he was DC at two colleges BEFORE joining the Ravens staff. So whether he’s using his prior scheme or if he’s adopted the Ravens scheme is unclear to me (and most people I’d assume). And if he has adopted the Ravens scheme, has he adopted concepts from his previous stops as well?
So even if they hire a former Ravens assistant and the stated desire for a similar scheme, it’s unclear if that’s going to be accomplished. So there are some major questions that surround just the hire of the DC.
February 5th, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
Just doing some REALLY quick research here at IHOP and Minter doesn't have to be, but could be the leading candidate. Another name I've heard that fits the mold is Glenn Schumann. I always thought he was a long shot but perhaps Harbaugh got more money for his assistants and Glenn wants to be sole coordinator.
February 4th, 2022 at 11:36 PM ^
I am both most excited and most worried about where the pass rush will come from.
Does a youngster who saw the field quite a bit like Harrell or Jenkins develop and show that part of their game with more opportunity?
Does a high ceiling unknown like McGregor thrive now that Hutchinson isn’t getting all of the meaningful snaps?
Or is asking for another Ojabo like coming out party simply too much to ask for in consecutive years?
February 5th, 2022 at 9:14 AM ^
I wonder if Welschof could be moved more outside. We'd need some of the young DTs to start stepping up. I just remembered while typing that we lost Hinton. Ugh. But Welschof still seems like he has a ton of potential but just too small to be at DT. Would be nice having him in more of an SDE role.
February 4th, 2022 at 11:46 PM ^
I think it's hard not to be concerned about the defense next year. We're losing a ton from a defense that was already very thin. 3/4 of our line, our 5* safety and best cover guy, our only linebacker to start every game, and one of our starting corners have all departed. Aside from safety, the players behind them did not look solid last year. We could have a great defense in 2023, but 2022 appears heavily on the developmental side. On top of that attrition, our promising young DC just departed for the NFL with one of our D-line analysts/quasi-coaches.
Hoping for a a conservative scheme and some reasonable player development that allows our offense to hang around in some shootouts. We should be solid on that side of the ball.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:39 AM ^
Your concerns are point on to mine. We have talent on the defense, but a lot of it will be young or unproven. Pair that along with a new DC and to say there should be some legitimate concerns would be an understatement. I'm hoping they err on the side of caution and play more conservatively at least until they get a feel for what they can really do.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:44 AM ^
So in spring ball, I think you’d want to hear things like … The d-line is generating solid pressure in its base formation. The new DBs are doing well in press coverage. Our LBs are good at covering sideline to sideline. Basically anything that reassures the young, inexperienced guys who looked a little lost last year are blooming into studs.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:25 AM ^
the press coverage aspect is my least concern. DJ Turner graded out very well in press coverage and Gemon Green is great as a press corner, with his issue being his abilities as a zone coverage corner. Will Johnson also has the requisite size and athletic ability to be a great press corner, though it’s unclear how proficient he is at this particular stage.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:01 AM ^
Preventing touchdowns
February 5th, 2022 at 12:04 AM ^
I wouldn't be surprised if they keep the scheme under wraps again. Whoever the new DC is, he's going to be installing his basic stuff and they may not want to give competitors any ideas what they're going to run.
Still, I'm excited about the new guys coming up the depth chart. Gonna be some big shoes to fill at a couple spots, but I think they could feel a little bit bigger this year.
Also, there's going to be some new team leaders. I'm curious to see who steps up and takes charge.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:09 AM ^
There will obviously be some changes. But recruits and players on the team have been told the goal is to keep the same defense in tact.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:26 AM ^
I would bet there will be a lot of similarities, but also depends on who they hire. I could see the secondary building off last year with Clink in the same role. I bet the DL and LBs will have some significant changes, even if they're heading in a similar direction as with Mac.
Anyone have any idea if Derek Mason is a candidate? Michigan is a better job than Oklahoma State.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:10 AM ^
Do we have a young LB with speed? Worried about the pass rush, who will be the DE next season. I think the secondary will be improving with some of the young players.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:43 AM ^
Junior Colson?
February 5th, 2022 at 12:50 AM ^
The back 7. Tons of talent that should be primed to break out with Turner, Green, Moten and Moore clear starters with good athletes behind them (Johnson, Seldon, Morant ect..). Colson and Hill-Green look to be upgrades in terms of athleticism as well, with some good depth - albeit unproven.
Biggest concern is easily the D-line. Tons of bodies, but who is gunna step up? You have to hope Mazi takes a jump, and atleast one of Morris/Jenkins/Benny can breakout a bit. Edge looks equally shaky (as you'd expect with the previous starters both projected 1st rounders). Harrel and Upshaw showed some flashes, but someone like Mcgregor, Rooks, or Guy need to establish themselves.
The situation on defense feels very similar to 2017 to me. We knew the talent was there, but it was very unproven, and hard to identify who would break out. Hopefully we get a similar result!
February 5th, 2022 at 7:07 AM ^
Pretty sure it won’t be Seldon that has a breakout season for M.
https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2022/01/13/michigan-football-cb-transfer-destination-revealed/
February 5th, 2022 at 9:06 AM ^
Not sure that Mazi has to take a jump. The dude was a beast by the end of the year. Even year to year normal incremental improvement makes him all-B1G first team. That buys you a lot early in the year while the rest of your talent levels up by playing significant snaps.
February 5th, 2022 at 1:21 AM ^
The D line will need to have a few guys step up in a big way for this defense to be championship caliber.
February 5th, 2022 at 6:24 AM ^
I don't think "excited" is the word I would use for the defense. They lost a lot of production in all three levels of the defense so perhaps "cautiously optimistic" is more where I am at. Hoping those new guys to fill the voids of what we are losing to the NFL can indeed step up and be productive.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:01 AM ^
More alliteration
February 5th, 2022 at 7:12 AM ^
Anyone getting a consistent pass rush would be nice. LBs being much better on their reads and attacking blockers instead of waiting. Young guys being able to keep up with WRs allowing young pass rush to get there.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:34 AM ^
Larry Foote?
February 5th, 2022 at 8:42 AM ^
Reportedly turned it down according to some pay sites
February 5th, 2022 at 9:33 AM ^
Just curious was that when Leftwich was rumored to be the head coach or was that after Pederson was announced as the coach?
February 5th, 2022 at 10:12 AM ^
I got the info secondhand from someone with a subscription, so I can’t specify the timeline. But Foote definitely prefers the NFL to college so I wouldn’t put it past him to prefer staying as a position coach until a DC spot opens for him. Leftwich would also be a candidate if Arians tires out at TB and would be a head coaching candidate next year as well.
Even if we did bring in Foote, seems like it would probably be another one year rental situation. I’d assume both parties involved aren’t too keen on that.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:57 AM ^
Who will be the DC? (Excited to see who they bring in and from where-NCAA/NFL)
Do they feel comfortable with the unproven youth on the DL or do they look to add?
Can the LB’s take the next step?
Will Bellamy stay on the defensive side of the ball?
Where will Helow end up? LB’s, safeties, in Baltimore?
February 5th, 2022 at 9:02 AM ^
Besides the obvious of who the new DC will be, who steps up on the defensive line?
There is a LOT of production to replace, and I'm not really sure you even can replace it since you're losing two sure-fire first rounders, possibly a #1 overall pick, and then a very good piece in Chris Hinton. There is talent there between Rooks, Benny, McGregor, Smith, etc., but someone (hopefully more than just one person) will have to step up and be the guy.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:04 AM ^
I am very, very optimistic-even to the point of, by mid-season, them being equal to or greater than last year. Replacing "the three" will be interesting but I believe the front four will end up with play that is not that dissimilar to 2021. The LB play will not miss a beat-it will be excellent from day one and Clinkscale will have an elite secondary.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:21 AM ^
Michael Barrett
February 5th, 2022 at 9:30 AM ^
Continuity. I hope.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:31 AM ^
Replacing the pass rush.
Replacing the safeties.
Improvement from week 1 throughout the season will be key for this teams success.
Maintain special team play is key also
February 5th, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
Safety should be fine. Both Moten and Moore looked capable last year, and recruiting has been pretty good at that position.
February 5th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
Hopefully Moten spends some time catching balls. I can’t remember the last time we had a player drop so many INTs.
The concern is D-line. I feel like we’ve been waiting for a dominate interior line for like 5 years. Maybe they take that step this year. DE is concerning because we lost two NFL guys and you don’t just replace them in one season.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^
The progression of the linebackers should be fun to watch. I'm also interested in seeing how the d line is rebuilt, if Mazi Smith can become a true wrecking ball, and what the other DT's can do.
February 5th, 2022 at 10:03 AM ^
Colson could be special. If not this year - next. He was clearly a freshman at times, but his athleticism really jumped out. Barret could end up finally breaking through as well. He started to see a lot more time at the end of the season.
LB's will have lots of speed this year. They could end up one of the best position groups on the defense
February 5th, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^
More speed from the LB’s better CB play and I think our Safety’s will be better in coverage this year due to better overall speed and Experience
February 5th, 2022 at 10:37 AM ^
2 guys that I'm excited to see step-up this year: Braiden McGregor and Rayshuan Benny. With the numerous departures and some huge shoes to fill, both players have the talent and should get the opportunity to show they're ready.
February 5th, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
Excited: Development of the back 7.
Concerned: Pass rush
Questions: Who replaces MM
February 5th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
This sums it up perfectly for me, as well.
Obviously, Ojabo and Hutch cannot be "replaced," as such. You can use the old tried and true "reload" line, but -- when you're talking about two guys like that, well...it's just not that easy. We WILL take a step or two back at DE. That's inevitable, and expected. The question becomes, how do we account and adjust for that?
February 5th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
I hope whoever is the new DC is flexible. If we end up with several elite CBs then sure we can play tight man to man all over the field. If we don't, well, we have figure out a way to get a W.
One system or notion, even if it is a great one, probably won't make it in the future.
MacDonald's time however brief was interesting - it showed how a defense can be effective without necessarily always delivering a huge sack or TFL. The game plan against OSU was a masterclass in bend but don't break - and matched with the offensive plan.
It is a shame that we didn't get to see him run the D for several years. It would have been fun to see how he handles things when he doesn't have a great outside rusher or if he has a great LB.
February 5th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
Over the next two seasons, the schedule is fairly easy and the offense should be very good. The current staff, especially the co-DC, are really good at recruiting and developing players. Given that, the new DC needs to bring one thing - a scheme/system that enables our players to beat Ryan Day (and maybe Mel Tucker). That's the course prerequisite, so to speak. The ability to develop players and recruit well earn big bonus points but are not essential.