Michigan not turning into the TB Bucs
When the defenses were so awesome in the late 90's in Tampa Bay, the defensive guys were always bitching about the play of the offense. It left that team constantly divided and bickering. With the offense among the best the team has ever seen and the defense the worst defense in the history of Michigan (IMO) it would be really easy for the team to fall into the same trap. I have been hard on RR for some things, so I feel like I should acknowledge when I am impressed. He has done a VERY good job keeping the backups cheering for the starters, the starters cheering for the backups, and the offense and defense cheering for each other. He has been pushing the all-in for Michigan slogan and I feel like he has the guys believing in it. Usually when a coach get canned, it is because they have lost the team, and I don't think that has happened to RR. He needs to suck up his pride and loyalties and replace the whole defensive staff, but if he does that he should be given another year at least.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:10 PM ^
Agreed, it must be very difficult for the offense not to resent the defense for some of their poor performance, but I haven't seen any of that. IMO, a program is in disarray when players start bickering with each other and their coaches, but I haven't seen any of that with this team. There is a lot of camraderie here, and there are definitely positive vibes coming from that.
November 7th, 2010 at 9:30 PM ^
[EDITED: a re-read of my post suggested a 'tone' I wasn't trying to take.]
It could be equally frustrating for the defense to get first quarter stops, get there first turnover in 15 quarters (after the O turned it over), only to have to come on the field again 1 play later.
The D put the O in position to be up 21-6 in the first quarter. The fact that the D only gave up FGs after the bad spot the O put them in was pretty impressive.
They're not very good, but they've had their moments.
Regardless, these guys are a team. That's what I love most - all in for each other.
November 7th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
True, that's a very good point. I just think the season as a whole, you know...
November 7th, 2010 at 7:11 PM ^
without having to fire anybody on that side of the ball by simply winning next weekend against purdue.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^
You honestly think that by beating Purdue, then worst case losing to Wisc and OSU for a 7-5 season, and what is going to amount to the worst defense in the history of Michigan football that RR won't have to make any defensive coaching changes?
Can I come work for you?
November 7th, 2010 at 7:24 PM ^
first year starters, etc. we've played this year on that side of the ball right? dave brandon sees that stuff too. no one will make RR do anything coaching wise, any move that RR makes will be on his own accord
November 7th, 2010 at 7:28 PM ^
And you remember the poor defense from last year, right? The one led by GERG, the one that had Brandon Graham, Donovan Warren, Troy Woolfolk. It's a pattern of poor defenses led by the current D Coord. 2009 AND 2010 combined are going to be his demise.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^
We should go 7-5 now, and play a crappy team in a bowl game to get to 8-5. With our D, that's not too bad. The D will come along eventually. It will help to not have mostly freshman starting next year.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:56 PM ^
I do agree with WinterBlue75. However, I think it will be a combination of 2009, 2010, and Craig Roh having to ask him to play him in the proper position. It was obvious to us all that Roh was better with his hand in the dirt. Why did Gerg not see this earlier?
I trust RR and David Brandon to make the right decision though. If Gerg is brought back then I will not say a negative word about it. They will do whats best for the team and Michigan Football.
November 7th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
You might be right that Brandon won't force him to let anyone go, but I think he will end up firing GERG anyway. I don't get the sense that he has a lot of confidence in him.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^
I seem to remember that a player after the UMass game when asked about the defense struggling saying that they are a team. When one side of the balls stumbles, it's up the other to step up and used the ND game as an example of the offense struggling and the defense stepped up and how it was just the offenses turn to carry the load in the UMass game. This team really does seem like a team. All In for Michigan and Go Blue!
November 7th, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
And when the Bucs put together an average offense they won the championship. If UM puts together an average D (6th or 7th in the B10), they could very well compete for a Championship.
November 7th, 2010 at 7:56 PM ^
November 7th, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
how often I have thought of this topic. I actually considered posting it, but felt that I did not want to stir up more controversy. But... now that you have...
I would think it would be VERY tough for the D and/ Special Teams (ST) to hold their heads up. The offense goes out and puts a ton of points on the board, only to have ST's allow the opposing team to start on their 40 yard line and have the D give up another TD.
Kudo's to Rodriguez and his staff for not allowing that to happen. This really is a team, boys and girls. It has it's problems (duh...), but make no mistake - The Team, The Team, The Team philosophy is here.
November 7th, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^
November 7th, 2010 at 8:57 PM ^
I just wish, no matter who is calling the defense, that we would quit this damn 3 man rush crap and dropping 8 15 yards deep on 3rd and 10 allowing underneath routes unopposed for first downs all day. It is painfully obvious that we cannot cover receivers for 7 seconds normally or 10 when we 3 man. QB pressure seems like our only real chance of tipping the scale but we seem utterly reluctant to even try. I am quickly becoming as frustrated with the ultra conservative play calling on the defensive side of the ball as I used to get when we would pack up the offense for the day leading by 7 or less midway through the 3rd under Carr. I would rather see heavy pressure, more turnovers and mistakes, and 7 play scoring drives against us rather than 15 play drives. Our bend and snap like a twig defense is not working as intended. I understand there is a myriad of problems facing this defense including injuries, position changes, youth, and the list goes on, but call plays that give them direction rather than forcing them to read....give them purpose rather than telling a bunch of teenagers to find it for themselves. I think the kids are giving their all, the play calling on D just needs to let them play aggressive...let them use their instincts until experience can lead them. Im done rambling now.
November 7th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
Unfortunately, it is pretty much statistical fact that this is the worst Michigan defense ever assembled.
But I will still love them forever if they beat OSU!
November 7th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^
We haven't seen any of the discontent you would expect between the two units, but I also think that it is harder to get angry at guys who are in your classes, who you probably room with on road trips, and basically see every day. Plus, it's not like the offense was flawless yesterday - they did turn the ball over 5 times, putting the defense in some tough spots. I think everyone just wants to win, and they understand that everybody needs to be on the same page for that to happen.