Semi-OT UM practice limits and Its "Spread" resposible for Lions Horrible defense.

Submitted by bcsblue on
I always find it funny when pro coaches talk about how the college game is ruining the pro game. It really doesn't make any sense. Anyone want to know why the Lions D sucks so bad. Read this. http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/12/lions_gunther_cunningham_b… My favorite part: "Cunningham said college programs -- such as the University of Michigan, for example -- have been forced to get away from the classic pro-style, run-first formations. "It takes so much time and it's physical. You've got to spend time at the run game, getting all of those linemen on the same page with the back and how he runs the ball,'' Cunningham said. "It's easier to just drop back and throw it. It's easy. You talk about protection, but if the quarterback takes the snap at five yards (deep) and takes 2 1/2 steps, he's at 9 1/2 yards deep."" // I have seen both RR's playbook at WVU and a Carr playbook from Michigan, I can say there are at least 4 times more running plays and 5 times as many run blocking schemes in the RR "spread" playbook. Stupid Gunther Cunningham.
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scottcha

December 4th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^

By "classic, pro-style, run-first formations," Cunningham means "NFL-style, run-it-into-the-back-of-your-O-line-and-hope-they-push-the-D-a-couple-of-yards-downfield formations." This is where the anti-spread movement gets its fire from. Technically, Rodriguez' system is run-first, even more so than most NFL systems, but he likes to innovate and use the shotgun and apparently make it "easy" to just huck the damn ball somewhere. Pro-style proponents blame all iterations of the spread for ruining the game. In reality, it's just forced it to evolve a little bit as not to get slapped around by something with funny looking schematics. Look at the total mindfuck that a simple little twist like the wildcat can cause...

Joined: 07/05/2008

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bcsblue

December 4th, 2009 at 10:39 PM ^

I also find it funny he blames a lack of teaching fundamentals as to why the defenses now suck. But every NFL team will draft a "RAW" player in the first round if he can run fast and pick up lots of weight. No league puts more of a premium on pure athletic ability and forget fundamentals and college production. I don't know whats better fundamentals or pure speed. But the NFL can't have it both ways. You can't blame Percy Harvin from coming from the spread, and then draft every guy who can run a 4.3 from div 1-aa.

Joined: 11/14/2008

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scottcha

December 4th, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^

Another excellent point against some of what the NFL dictates, but I'd argue that this is more team-specific. For example, the Raiders are notorious for just selecting some quick bastard in the first few rounds (we've seen how well that's served them), but some teams scout and draft tremendously with considerable rookie production. Either way, it's things like this and my earlier comments that make me hate the NFL more and more every week.

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The Fifteenth

December 4th, 2009 at 10:52 PM ^

i think that the point of the article is being missed somewhat. cunningham is saying that nfl defenders nowadays are smaller...because less practice time has necessitated less complex offenses - spread offenses...and in response, defenses have had go get smaller and quicker.

Joined: 12/04/2009

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Tater

December 5th, 2009 at 8:26 AM ^

What Cunningham is really saying is this: "These spread formations are making me sick. Teams aren't just lining up in the middle of the field anymore, and I have to teach finesse now. I hope the spread doesn't get popular up here. It would really suck if everybody started using it. It would be as bad as trying to defend Barry Sanders in the Run and Shoot."

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