MLB Michael Taylor

Submitted by Marley Nowell on
Looks like a battle between Michigan and the Tennessee Kiffins. Michigan desperately needs ILBs. Currently the depth chart for the MLB position is: 1) Kevin Leach (may not even be on scholarship) 2) Obi Ezeh (shudder) 3) JB Fitzgerald (filled in for Mouton last year but should see some time at MLB as well) 4) Kenny Demens I hope RR can convince this kid to come play for GERG instead of Monte Burns Kiffen
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jtmc33

January 6th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^

Nice attempt at smartassing... but you failed. MLB is the middle of three linebackers (in a 4-3) ILB are the inside backers (in a 3-4) With UM's unique and confusing 3-4, we use 2 ILBs. Mouton is an ILB that plays similar to a traditional WLB. Ezeh/Fitzgerald/Leach are ILBs that play a more traditional MLB. With Roh playing Quick (actually a OLB, not a DE, but playing in the location of a traditional DE) it makes the 3-4 alignment look more like a 4-3. So, yes, technically Mouton is one of two ILBs.

Joined: 04/15/2009

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Pea-Tear Gryphon

January 6th, 2010 at 6:04 PM ^

I've heard our defensive alignment referred to as a 4-3 Under on this board a few times. If that is the case, we would have MLB's (Ezeh), SLB's (S. Brown), and WLB's (Mouton). Roh would be considered a DL, but labeled Quick. I don't really care seeing that it is all semantics, but I just wanted some clarification on the labeling of our defense... Sharik? Sharik?

Joined: 10/31/2009

MGoPoints: 2324

steve sharik

January 6th, 2010 at 11:53 PM ^

If Roh is a DE, then we're 4-3 (though more like 4-2-5). If Roh is an OLB, then we're 3-4. Regardless, Mouton played in the box at all times unless blitzing off the edge and, thus, is an inside LB. As for the "under," we're not an under team. True, we do play some under, but we also play some over (and some other stuff here and there, too). We're really a field/boundary front, so the offense determines if we're over/under. Truly, though, we're a multiple front with Gerg having the ability to call field/boundary, over/under, or whatever. I would define us as a multiple hybrid 40 defense. What to know: 1. DE's are C-gap (gap outside of OT or b/w OT and TE) players in our defense, with the End (BG) going to the call and the Quick (Roh) going away. 2. Tackle (RVB) goes to the call and lines up in a 3 technique (outside shade of OG). So, if the call is "field," Tackle will play 3 technique to the field. If the offense is also strong to the field, then we're in "over." If the offense is strong to the boundary, we end up in "under." 3. Nose (MM) goes away from the call and lines up in a 1 technique (inside shade of OG) or a weak shade of the C. 4. LBs align to passing strength; i.e., the side of the ball with the greater # of eligible receivers, not including RBs in the backfield. Mike (OE) lines to strength, Will (JM) lines away from it. 5. Safeties also align to passing strength, with the strong safety aligning to strength and the free safety away. 6. Corners I'm not sure on, since I've seen us line up left/right, field/boundary, and to pass strength. IIRC, I don't think we huddle on D, so the corners pretty much have to pick a side when they go out for each series.

Joined: 08/08/2009

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