Michigan defensive packages 2013. One expert's opinion

Submitted by Blue boy johnson on

Another reason this D should be very good in '13. Hoke and Mattison can put a starting D on the field with only one underclassman. Damn you JRIII, why you have to be so good. We will also see some interesting run and pass D packages. and I will offer up my opinion of who might comprise these. I will make my selections without the use of any true freshman.

I know it is likely that Marvin Robinson doesn't start at safey, plus Clark and Beyer starting together doesn't seem to be in the cards, but the fact that these upperclassmen, third year into Mattison's defensive system, could all be on the field at the same time is kind of reassuring

 

Experienced package:

 

Defensive line

       
Quinton Washington DT 6-4 305 RS SR
Jibreel Black DT 6-2 276 SR
Frank Clark DE 6-2 277 JR
Brennen Beyer DE 6-3 254 JR
         

Linebackers

       
Jake Ryan LB 6-3 241 RS JR
Desmond Morgan LB 6-1 227 JR
James Ross III LB 6-1 223 SO
         

Defensive backs

       
Blake Countess DB 5-10 181 JR
Raymon Taylor DB 5-10 186 JR
Thomas Gordon S 5-11 208 RS SR
Marvin Robinson S 6-2 202 SR

I think M will also be able to put a nice package on the field to pressure the QB

 

pass rushing package

     

Defensive line

       
Ondre Pipkins DT 6-3 308 SO
Jibreel Black DT 6-2 276 SR
Frank Clark DE 6-2 277 JR
Mario Ojemudia DE 6-3 244 SO
         

Linebackers

       
Jake Ryan LB 6-3 241 RS JR
Joe Bolden LB 6-3 222 SO
James Ross III LB 6-1 223 SO
         

Defensive backs

       
Blake Countess DB 5-10 181 JR
Raymon Taylor DB 5-10 186 JR
Thomas Gordon S 5-11 208 RS SR
Marvin Robinson S 6-2 202 SR

Pass rushing package 2 with Cam Gordon on the field with Jake Ryan

 

pass rushing package 2

     

Defensive line

       
Ondre Pipkins DT 6-3 308 SO
Jibreel Black DT 6-2 276 SR
Frank Clark DE 6-2 277 JR
Jake Ryan DE 6-3 241 RS JR
         

Linebackers

       
Cameron Gordon LB 6-3 233 RS SR
Joe Bolden LB 6-3 222 SO
James Ross III LB 6-1 223 SO
         

Defensive backs

       
Blake Countess DB 5-10 181 JR
Raymon Taylor DB 5-10 186 JR
Thomas Gordon S 5-11 208 RS SR
Marvin Robinson S 6-2 202 SR

and a run defensive package where Mattison goes big

 

run defense package

 

     

Defensive line

       
Ondre Pipkins DT 6-3 308 SO
Quinton Washington DT 6-4 305 RS SR
Chris Wormley DL 6-4 290 RS FR
Brennen Beyer DE 6-3 254 JR
         

Linebackers

       
Jake Ryan LB 6-3 241 RS JR
Desmond Morgan LB 6-1 227 JR
James Ross III LB 6-1 223 SO
         

Defensive backs

       
Blake Countess DB 5-10 181 JR
Raymon Taylor DB 5-10 186 JR
Thomas Gordon S 5-11 208 RS SR
Marvin Robinson S 6-2 202 SR

I guess I will try a nickle package but I expect to get skewered for this.

 

Nickle package

       

Defensive line

       
Quinton Washington DT 6-4 305 RS SR
Jibreel Black DT 6-2 276 SR
Frank Clark DE 6-2 277 JR
         

Linebackers

       
Jake Ryan LB 6-3 241 RS JR
Joe Bolden LB 6-3 222 SO
James Ross III LB 6-1 223 SO
         

Defensive backs

       
Blake Countess DB 5-10 181 JR
Raymon Taylor DB 5-10 186 JR
Thomas Gordon S 5-11 208 RS SR
Jarrod Wilson S 6-2 196 SO
Courtney Avery CB 5-11 174 SR

 

Blue boy johnson

March 16th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^

I considered that but Beyer started for a reason last season and it wasn't for his ability to rush the passer, this makes me think he is probably fundementally and schematically sound on run defense.

rob f

March 16th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^

and "fanxpertise" are not used with any negative connotations whatsoever on my part.  After all, aren't we all fans, and---for at least most of us, anyway--- "experts", when it comes to discussing our favorite teams?      Don't we all gain "fanxpertise" by exchanging our great ideas, opinions, and thoughts, both positive and negative, on our favorite teams?

Ziff72

March 16th, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^

Pretty good Gordie, I'm just glad we have packages with experieinced players now.  Yours seem pretty likely.   I still think we need to use a dime package or something like that where we don't have traditional run LB's like Bolden Ross etc... on the field.   On 3rd and 10+ there is no real threat of being bowled over for 10yards so it's all agility and speed.   I don't know who's the best guy at coverage so maybe Bolden or whoever is on the field but I'm just going by athleticism and supposed coverage ability.

Line-  Clark, Ojemida

LB/S- Might blitz might be in coverage bouncing around-Ryan, Cam Gordon, Marvin Robinson

CB/S-More for coverage but everyones in play to blitz-Countess, Taylor, Avery, T. Gordon, J. Wilson, Richardson.

 

Basically if I see a bulked up LB trying to get depth in coverage and he can't get his head around to prevent a 3rd and 15 pass from being completed I shake mey head and scream.   Watching those 3rd and long completions with Morgan and Demens trying to guard guys was very frustrating.

 

 

DeepBlue83

March 16th, 2013 at 4:27 PM ^

It's not as if they've been buried on a depth chart behind a lot of NFL-level talent at safety. If someone hasn't made an impact at safety by this point, they aren't likely to.

nowicki2005

March 16th, 2013 at 1:45 PM ^

I really think dymonte starts opposite Gordon. I think he replaces kovacs best. Kovacs was basically a lb. look at dymontes tape he was used similar to kovacs. He just had that fly to to ball mentality. Kovacs also blitzed alot and as far as build, strength and speed I see him being by far our best blitzing safety. I think he will be a Roy Williams (oklahoma) type difference maker. Let's not forget what kind of athlete he is. If Green wasn't coming in, and toussaint isn't fully healthy, and if we had wanted him a a rb, he could be the starting rb

MGoStrength

March 16th, 2013 at 2:23 PM ^

This is interesting stuff and it's fun to picture what might be & fantasize about it.  I have a feeling though that Wilson or Thomas will man one of those safety spots and Robinson won't play any legitimate time unless there are injuries.  Also, Bolden, Ross, Ojemudia, and Pipkins are all true sohpmores that will get a lot of time in addition to Countess who will be considered a sophmore.  It also seems likely that Charlton will see similar time that Ojemudia did last year based on his recruiting profile, his college ready size, and our weaknesses at the position he plays.  You can also throw Wormley in the mix.  So I'd say we still have a good 5-8 freshman/sophmores getting significant time on that side of the ball.  In the case of of the linebackers I'd say it's because they're good, in the case of the other positions I'd say it's because the upperclassman aren't great. 

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

March 16th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^

little light with Ross, Morgan and Bolden ~225 lbs and our Safeties ~205. I really expected the frosh to add 5-10 lbs so we could have a "big" D. We need a stud MIKE. Clark might be the run WDE at 277 lbs if he shows discipline while Mario / Taco are the rush specialists. Not sure Beyer gets many snaps.

Blue boy johnson

March 16th, 2013 at 3:48 PM ^

Well there is still time until the fall, but it looks as though coaches could be emphasizing speed over size, at least at linebacker. None of the linebackers made significant weight gains and a couple lost weight compared to the 2012 fall roster.

name 2012 weight 2013 weight
Cameron Gordon 236 233
James Ross III 225 223
Mike Jones 226 223
Joe Bolden 223 222
Antonio Poole 224 218
Jake Ryan 242 241
Desmond Morgan 227 227
Kaleb Ringer 231 236
Royce Jenkins-Stone 213 215

 

DeepBlue83

March 16th, 2013 at 4:24 PM ^

no one in your pass rush package has shown any ability to get to the QB at all, unfortunately. Black is simply too small to be an effective 3-tech at the major college level. He has some quickness, but has shown no effectiveness at beating Olinemen that outweigh him by 30 or 40 pounds. If he has any impact, it's more likely to be at SDE. Pipkins is totally unproven. I don't look for us to have a really effective pass rush until and unless guys like Strobel, Wormley, Henry, Godin, Hurst and Charlton develop.