Solutions for the pass rush? Whatchu got?

Submitted by MichiganMan14 on
As most of us have stated in the past 2 weeks...our anemic pass rush has really left our defense without a set of teeth. What is the problem...lack of talent? Ineffective scheme? What do you guys think we need to do to remedy the pass rush? Im wondering if we need to open up the competition and let some more young fellas spin in efforts to find an edge rusher. Taco was supposed to be a force off the edge and obviously Frank was being advertised as a possible All Big Ten guy...but it hasnt materialized. I think the heavy use of blitzing to cover our pass rush is really going to come to a focal point in B1G play. Teams will realize this weakness and dare us to blitz. Our secondary is going to find themselves in lot of one on one situations in space with some quality skill guys....could be interesting. Youve got to think that we have the dline personnel to generate a pass rush with 4 right? This is MiChigan forgodsakes! This Uconn game will be very intriguing to see if we can sprout some sacks and qb pressures b4 heading into B1G play. The maturation of this Dline will be the hinge point to a BCS season or another Outback or Gator bowl.

GoBlueInNYC

September 17th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^

So you're solution is to do nothing and hope it gets better?

Yeah, both lines are going to be huge problems when the competition gets stiffer, but I think it's crazy to not switch around some players and try different things when nothing's working through three games.

GoBlueInNYC

September 17th, 2013 at 11:42 AM ^

It's not "doing nothing," you're right. But it is "doing the same thing they've been doing." I would hope that they've been teaching technique for the past three years, and clearly it isn't making an impact on the field.

GoBlueInNYC

September 17th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^

I brought this up elsewhere in the thread, but the starting D Line isn't young. The NT is a 5th year senior. The starting DT is a 4th year senior. The starting WDE is a 3rd year junior. Unless you think guys who have been in the program for years are going to make a mid-year leap or freshman will eventually supplant the older starters, simply waiting out poor play isn't going to do anything.

EGD

September 17th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^

I do think Ojemudia looks good and will eventually move past Clark.  I haven't been impressed with Wormley this season but he is very young so hopefully he can make a leap.  Godin is another young guy who could get a lot better.  But even the upper classmen have been underperforming relative to their own ability for the most part.

I guess the bottom line is, I don't think making radical changes will help us (see: GERG).  I think the players we have can do better than they've shown.  But if they can't, then I'm not convinced there is some magic bullet scheme that will account for that.  All you can do is put the players in the best possible position to succeed--and after that, it's up to them to make plays.

GoBlueInNYC

September 17th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^

I don't think they should try radical things like throwing out the 4-3 under. But things like replacing the starters (e.g., Clark), rework how they're platooning personnel (e.g., no more freshman 3-Techs on the field together), maybe switch Beyer back to DE, change up blitzes.

Unless I'm misunderstanding your original post, it sounded like you were suggesting that they just roll with what they've been doing and hope that players improve. I guess, I just question how much of an improvement can we really expect, mid-season, from a unit that is relatively veteran among the starters (back-ups are obviously young).

Unfortunately, I think we both are kind of thinking that the defense is just going to be saddled with yet another year of subpar line play.

Sllepy81

September 17th, 2013 at 8:29 AM ^

we played 2 quick short pass teams. if you don't play tight coverage we won't hit the qb. I think we will be fine until we play another quick pass team. tight coverage against those teams is my solution none of the giving receivers space stuff, Taylor needs to cover his Recievers better.

TXmaizeNblue

September 17th, 2013 at 8:33 AM ^

PeeWee and Beyer seem to be the only players providing push at the line.  At this point, who cares what package you are running, put the kid in and let him run loose. 

MGoManBall

September 17th, 2013 at 8:35 AM ^

I absolutely hate how our DBs and LBs show blitz early, the offense audibles and checks out of the current play they're in, and then the guy who showed blitz early still blitzes to the same spot. 

Akron was a team that checked their play almost every play at the line... so why not show blitz and then drop into coverage where the audibled hot route would be... you know, like actually disguising a defense? Because if Countess is coming off the edge and the offense checks, you know the split end on his side is running one of three hot routes: a slant, a hitch, or a seam.. and a flat drop can take two of these away. 

Bodogblog

September 17th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^

I hate so much that this is true.  Sparty will check, check back out, and back in all day.  It's got to be intimidating to the opposing team's offense, because 1) it gives the impression that they know exactly what you're doing, 2) their D - at least for one more year - has earned the reputation of knowing what you're doing and hitting it.

evenyoubrutus

September 17th, 2013 at 8:37 AM ^

Cryogenically freeze Jake Ryan, don't wake him up for a thousand years, use the technology that is available to instantaneously heal his knee and replace all of his ligaments with elastic steel, then send him back in a time machine to 9/21/13.

GotBlueOnMyMind

September 17th, 2013 at 9:10 AM ^

Ok, guys, I have a great idea, one not even the coaches have likely thought up. As a bull rush and run blocking are basically the same thing, both trying to move your guy backwards, it seems the answer is clear. Move Taylor Lewan to DE on passing downs, duh.Think about it, if he is the best LT in the Big Ten then he should have no problem driving other LTs backwards. Imagine Lewan, driving LTs into the QB on play after play, collapsing the pocket with a ferocity only achieved by the greatest of donkey punchers. Our worries would be over. Boom, problem solved. Next...

CR7

September 17th, 2013 at 9:12 AM ^

You cannot blitz with soft coverage behind it. That defeats the purpose. You have to press and throw off the timing of the hot routes so the rush has time to get home. This is football 101. Either G-Mat has 0 confidence in the corners or safeties or both because if I can see it, I know he can see it.

Elmer

September 17th, 2013 at 1:17 PM ^

Has anyone watched Oklahoma play this year?  Please tell me that their D-Line is nothing special and that the Heininger Certainty Principle didn't just move south with Jerry Montgomery.  I know that's not very likely, but I'm still emotionally vulnerable after watching the Akron game.

hfhmilkman

September 17th, 2013 at 9:44 AM ^

Sacks and getting to the QB are about effort.  I think everyone would agree that the team was not ready to play on Saturday.  We can blame any number of factors.  But remember this was supposed to be a milkrun game.  So I see it very possible that the staffs on both sides did not want to show their their best schemes.  Until I see problems in a serious game I am not going to take too much stock in the failures of the coaching staff.  Regarding the play of individuals that is something worth discussing.  It does not appear that anyone on the defensive front four is able to consistantly beat their man.  What seems to be missing is that insane rush end aka Woodley or Graham.  People said Clark was supposed to be this because he is a workout warrior.  I'm sure that is good for the weight room but you win football games by playing football.  My take is most of these younger players need another year before they can peak.  So were going to have to live with what we have.  The good news is the Big10 is so bad, I do not believe this vulnerability is really going to hurt us.  Our failures are the failures of most of other Big10 teams squared.  MSU and OSU are really the only threats.   Nice situation to be in.  Our defense sucks and were projected to go 10-2 worse case.

graybeaver

September 17th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^

It is pretty easy to answer your question.  If Michigan wants more pressure on the QB they will need to be more aggressive.  A four man front is not going to get the job done.  Apparentlly, coach Mattison would rather drop everyone back and allow the opposing QB the time to eat a sandwich before he throws the ball to a open WR.  I'm not a fan using a prevent defense as your base defense.  Michigan needs to be more aggressive.  Whats up with change of scheme all of a sudden?

HipsterCat

September 17th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^

3rd game of the season, new sophomore saftey and freshmen corner (when in nickel), vanilla game plan for probable cupcake, trying to see if front 4 can make it happen, RS Junior QB throws a billions picks and fumbles so the game stays close the whole time as the offense cant score, defense suddenly becomes the goat because the offense could stay on the field.