Successful defenses that extensively use the slant
This may seem like a strange post, but I can't seem to recall a defense that extensively uses line slants and is also dominant. A proxy would be a team like Pittsburgh (Steelers not Panthers) that blitzes more frequently. Slanting is a good tool to mix up reads or disrupt offensive tendencies, but a big gamble when you are not allowed to read and have committed before the play develops.
The reason for the question is that I am not sure we can play a good line straight up. Yes, we make these halftime adjustments which seem to be more slant and blitz packages where we are going for broke. Granted that has worked the last three games, but then the entire first halves have left a lot to be desired. We could blitz more, but IMO it seems we are most effective when we slant more which takes advantage of our speed and deemphasizes our smaller size.
However, slanting is a pre-snap gamble and I don't know if you can continually use it over an entire game since you will be running yourself out of plays (better than getting run over I guess). I just don't see an alternative at this point considering the rushing yardage we are giving up. Granted, better LB play would help the problem and we have pretty much given up hope for any quick turn around based on some recent posts. You just can't cover up dudes getting pushed around (BG not included).
I would like any of the defensive gurus on the board to weigh in.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:52 PM ^
somebody get this guy greg robinson's number.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:42 PM ^
does a lot slanting. Watch how the defense play especially the DL. DL slants quite a few times. USC defense are always among the top in the country. Of course, it helps to have 4* and 5* talents all over the field.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^
I have not seen enough of USC to comment, but it would be the model if that is the case. You are not the god-father of Pete's kid and not get to share notes. Again, we also have the mentioned talent and experience gap which could be why it is hard to emulate.
September 25th, 2009 at 1:48 AM ^
at least the base is very similar to USC's scheme(4-3 under). Michigan needs more talents on defense as well as depth especially the depth part since it's very little depth in most positions.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:54 PM ^
While obviously it was another era, Bo's Defenses slanted on darn near every play...and they were often quite good.
Aug
September 24th, 2009 at 11:58 PM ^
can be a gamble, but generally speaking, all gaps are still filled.
September 25th, 2009 at 12:41 AM ^
This is a really interesting thought (plus 1 to you). Slanting would (seemingly) take advantage of the the speed of Michigan's d-line (Roh and Van Bergen in particular) rather than forcing them to take on lineman straight-up. Also, I would think if the line is slanting, the linebackers are doing less read-and-react and instead they would be filling the gaps not covered by the slanting lineman. Ezeh tends to react slowly, but is a physical beast so this would probably play to his strength as well. I'm sure if slanting was the cure-all I'm making it out to be, Gerg would've been using it already. I would like to hear someone with a better grasp of x's and o's talk about this.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:59 AM ^
The fact that Petey Carroll and Gerg are good friends and bounce ideas off each other it makes sense that we may see some similarities between USC and Michigan.