Durkin: Lots of room for improvement on defense
Apparently Durkin won't be satisfied until we figure out a way to hold teams to negative points.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/09/dj_durkin_michigans_no_2-ranke.html#incart_river
"People can get caught up in statistics and obviously there were some good stats coming out of that last game, and the last couple, but we can make a lot of improvement,"
September 29th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
The defense could start scoring. They should aim for at least 1 TD per quarter. That would be similar to negative points.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
Raise the bar. MD could easily be a classic trap where we eke a 14-8 win and sweat out a hail mary attempt.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
Hurricanes will do that. Need to be ready.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:18 AM ^
are negative points. theoretically speaking.
But we haven't forced a lot of turnovers yet.
No really fun pick sixes or scoops and scores.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
for the opposing team to literally take their ball and go home after one play. I feel like he'll be content when the other team quits immeadiately.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing that I never see the linebackers making big plays. I get that the DL has been pretty dominant stopping runs at the line and Peppers has been smacking down anything on the edges but Bolden, Morgan and Ross has largely been invisible to me other than a late jump on the pile or getting blocked out of a play.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
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September 29th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
Based on what I've seen, the lack of standout plays from the LB corps is an unmitigated good thing. Opposing RBs are not getting to the second level. BYU was averaging below 2.4 per carry. Passes were coming on long down-and-distance situations, and BYU could not get an effective screen going.
While the LBs could certainly be better, I'm not too worried about their lack of statistical productivity. A lights-out DL and very good set of DBs will often have that result.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
I love it. One thing I hate is when teams get complacent, and too satisfied with what they've done. Defense was great, no question. But they can be better! I love that the coaches have high, high expectations for this team.
September 29th, 2015 at 10:36 AM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^
There is some underling in the AD that reads it. Hi!
The actual coaches don't have time to even call their wife and kids.
September 29th, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^
upon the multiplle experts here for direction. Good gravy, fucking delusional
September 29th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 12:56 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 4:23 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 3:59 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 11:36 AM ^
Huh? Do you mean mgoblog folks were the ones asking the questions in the presser? And if so, that doesnt mean they read the blog.
September 29th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 10:40 AM ^
They did allow over 100 yards in every game this year, so...
September 29th, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
the 1985 Bears were close to defensive perfection and execution with intimidating players in every facet of that unit.
September 29th, 2015 at 11:29 AM ^
Perry was like lining up against a monster, or godzilla. I'm surprised guys just didn't get the hell out of his way.
September 29th, 2015 at 9:03 PM ^
Fridge was the perfect block eater which allowed for the really scary guys to their damage. Pick your method of death: Dent/Hampton off the edge, McMichael up the gut, or one of several ridiculous linebackers shooting a gap (ask Joe Ferguson about Wilbur Marshall). 3 Hall of Famers on defense and counting. I'm amazed that team lost a game.
September 29th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^
Glad you're here Durkin. Please stay a while.
September 29th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^
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September 29th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
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September 29th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
To obtain a special dialing wand, please mash the keypad with your palm now.
September 29th, 2015 at 11:40 AM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^
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September 29th, 2015 at 12:02 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 12:40 PM ^
that has impressed me the most so far is Jay Harbaugh. He will be an offensive coordinater within 5 years. I hope its here.
September 29th, 2015 at 11:57 AM ^
Durkin is spoiling us already. To have the D give THAT kind of performance on Saturday and still not be satisfied? I'm really enjoying this.
September 29th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^
September 29th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
Still, cant complain with the fact that we finally are developing a pass rush, and that the secondary has been playing lights out. Granted, the competition gets tougher from here, but the team will get better as well.
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September 29th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^
...is what is freeing up our front seven to be more aggressive and innovative. That, and better discipline in maintaining gap control. Our coaching staff is really getting the job done! :)
September 29th, 2015 at 12:44 PM ^
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September 29th, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^
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September 29th, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^
Maybe this was a public, inside, wink & nod to Rashan. ..."but we can make a lot of improvement (if you decide to come here, Rashan...)" Only time will tell if I'm right so I will just assume I am unless proven differently.
September 29th, 2015 at 2:38 PM ^
why not.....I think this year's Dline is better than 1997. Deeper and quicker and bigger. I don't think Renes, WIlliams and Steele are as good as Glasgow, Wormley and Henry....but most important is the backups! Taco, Hurst and Godin...sheez there was nobody like that in 1997.
I DEFINITELY think the LBs from 1997 were far superior to this year's LBs. Dhani Jones and Ian Gold were my favorite michigan LBs ever (I am an old guy too!). Throw in James Hall and its a clear win for 1997.
FInally, from what I have seen...even as amazing as Chuck was...this year's team has just a collection of studs at DB. Nobody on 1997 was anywhere as good as Peppers at Safety (sorry Marcus). Jarrod Wilson might lose a small battle to Hendriks. But when it comes to CB, its the depth that impresses me. Jourdan Lewis will play in the NFL and even though he loses to Chuck, so does everyone! Clark and Stribling are where you see the big difference. a 6'2" guy and 6'4" guy? Are you kidding me? Awesome...throw in Delano Hill and its just a machine of DBs...they can all tackle, press cover and play to their assignments.
I know I'm crazy... but because of this, I see this year's defense as potentially better than 1997....still early but WOW
September 29th, 2015 at 3:11 PM ^
Cumong man... Renes and Steele were proven commodities with several years of dominance under their belts. Our entire D line is all relatively green in terms of years as starters. Give me at least 3 more games of similar dominance and we can start bringing up comparisons but till then, no way man. '97 stands apart with '06.
September 29th, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
Renes was a first-year starter in 1997. So were Williams and Hall. Only Steele was a veteran.
September 29th, 2015 at 9:43 PM ^
This team has potential, and the D is "good" so far; but they need to beat & shut down a team with an actual pulse to even be in the conversation with 97 or 06.
The Utah game was a loss (due to O turnovers admitedly) and OSu & UNLV sucked; BYU was a hobbled team with key missing players.
Was it a dominating performance? Sure, but lets keep our hands out of our pants until we've at least gotten past NW & MSU.
September 29th, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^
The D played well but I agree with coach that there is a lot of room for improvement. The D was made to look better because BYU's offense, especially Mangum, was very off. Not only did they play poorly, they were assuredly exhausted from such an incredible amount of travel across 4 time zones for 4 games.
Point being, I won't be surprised to see decent offenses put 30 or 40 on us because great as the D looks, it's still the first year under a new system and our D line still hasn't played against a true, mauling O line like they'll face vs MSU and OSU.
Encouraged? No doubt. Think our chance to beat MSU and OSU is better now than after week 1? Yes, but definitely room for the entire team to improve, and excited to watch this great staff continue to make that a reality.
September 29th, 2015 at 4:01 PM ^
We allowed YARDS. That is completely unacceptable. Next week we'd better win 62 to -7
September 29th, 2015 at 4:41 PM ^