Top Billin' talking man and zone concepts for Michigan's defense.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:08 PM ^
I liked the video. I am not an expert but I understood what he was saying. DB said something similar. It shows how a little more pressure from DL and some assignment switches would have worked better. The difficulty is to not have breakdowns on some plays because how good OSU WRs were. But the video shows how we could have had more success. I am optimistic this would be addressed based on what DB was saying. Did he say Banjo? Never heard that before.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:03 PM ^
Did he say Banjo? Never heard that before.
Wow, memories. When I was in college one of my buddies in the physical education program with me also was a middle linebacker on the football team. When he did a peer teaching lesson to the class on flag football he actually taught us "banjo". I had never heard it before either, but it was just to switch with whatever receiver was coming into your area. We yelled it a lot and had fun it. He's now a defensive quality control guy for Nebraska. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:33 PM ^
One of my biggest M football mysteries was how we could get zero pass rush all day with the quality of front seven we had. Cannot understand
August 14th, 2019 at 2:08 PM ^
Three easy pieces IMO.
1) Urban gives "the gipper"
2) the guy who recruited the OSU Oline now coached for the other team, plus they were getting trashed by pundits while Warrinner was being praised
3) Their "leader" ended up on the other teams staff within 2 months
best part is those first two things will squarely be on UofM's side this year.
August 14th, 2019 at 2:38 PM ^
So Urban is going to give Michigan a 'Gipper' speech before the game?
Not sure I like that...
August 14th, 2019 at 3:00 PM ^
Well maybe we can get him to give the "ungipper" speech:
"If you guys don't beat OSU tomorrow. ..I'm your new coach."
If that doesn't scare the fuck outta them ......
August 14th, 2019 at 4:44 PM ^
I completely understand Brian's frustration after the loss, and his consequential, consistent unwillingness to UFR the OSU games that are always soul-crushing losses.
But I really would have liked at least a general rundown on it.
One thing that came up in a recent WTKA roundtable, though, sheds some light: Per Brian, OSU followed Indiana's lead and double-teamed the DEs all game long (there is absolutely no way I am going to watch a replay of the game to confirm this). Michigan's DT weakness, then, was catastrophic. Because the DTs were unable to pressure with single blocking, Michigan's pass rush was hamstrung.
Remember, a lot of the most maddening plays, especially when the game was competitive, were on third down, when the pass rush can work and when OSU was free to execute this double-team without it hurting their run game. It completely explains why the OSU tackles that were getting totally worked by teams like Minnesota earlier in the season were able to hold up against us.
This suggests that Aubrey Solomon being a bust was an even bigger problem than we thought. Because an interior lineman that is a devastating pass-rusher would punish OSU and completely change their outlook. Instead, we got... that.
August 15th, 2019 at 2:07 PM ^
Gary and Winovich were banged up and DTs couldn't win one on one battles. Make the DEs healthy and insert Mo at DT and it looks a lot different. Ultimately 1-2 of the d-line is going to get doubled so one of the other 1-3 d-lineman must be able to win one on one matchups and get home before the WRs get open. That day they couldn't. That and Haskins throws darts and their WRs are really fast.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:18 PM ^
I wonder how banged up UM was from playing IU the week before? The DL did not at all play like they did earlier in the season against OSU, and I think some of that was the cheap shots guys took from playing dirty IU the week before, in addition to just general wear and tear playing as much as guys did all season . Compare to 2016 when UM could rotate guys a lot more and keep DL fresh, the DL was just as good at the end of the season.
IDK, just throwing crap against the wall.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
Good point. We know Chase and Rashan were hurting, and we also know now that Dwumfour was hurt. Bush went out of the game late, and and I believe Long left the game. The biggest issue wasn't guys being hurt, as much as it was Brandon Watson in the trail position the whole game.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:40 PM ^
They were extremely banged up on the D-Line, but our DT's weren't getting much pass rush all year. You can't give a QB like Haskins time to pick you apart, regardless of what's going on down the field. Mesh routes aren't quick hitters, so you have to disrupt the QB along with making some adjustments in the back 7 to tackle this stuff.
We'll play like we've always played with some adjustments like the one's Brown made to take away the slot fade. It's not a simple as the people who scream "LETS PLAY ZONE" would want it to be. We need better athletes, better coverage adjustments, and better pass rush. But we'll still be out there in man coverage and getting after the QB. Here's to hoping Justin Fields sucks.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:49 PM ^
Of course Justin Fields sucks. The real question is whether he is a decent qb.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:05 PM ^
I think it's wishful thinking that he'll suck. If you watch his film it's pretty easy to see he's a phenomenal runner and a big guy too. But, he also probably isn't going to carve us up with his arm and quick release the way Haskins did. From my perspective he's more beatable than Haskins was for our defense, but Barrett was still able to beat us so it won't be easy.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^
Barrett did beat us twice, but I don't think he was ever the reason it happened. In 2017 we had effectively stuffed Barrett, holding him to 3 completions and 97 total yards before he went out. Haskins came in and provided the spark they needed. In 2016 we held Barrett's offense to under 300 yards and 17 points in regulation. Those were outstanding defensive performances against elite teams in both cases. Our offense stinking it up was the problem in both cases.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
This line of thinking is why I don’t think what happened last year is a good barometer for whats likely to happen this season. Brown has been successful stopping mobile QBs. It’s pocket passers who can consistently hit intermediate routes that have given his Ds the most trouble. That isn’t Fields strength.
August 15th, 2019 at 2:20 PM ^
Agreed, not a good barometer. It won't be like last year, but that's still a far cry from a sure victory for UM. We'll also have to be much better than last year to win.
August 14th, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^
Well, Fields is taller than Barrett ......maybe this time they won't actually be short ;)
August 15th, 2019 at 2:23 PM ^
Agreed, Barrett didn't beat us but he gave them enough to win. Fields may do the same. But, we still need someone to step up and beat them. We need a Desmond, Braylon, Woodson performance from someone. DPJ...I'm talking to you :)
August 14th, 2019 at 2:40 PM ^
"I think it's wishful thinking that he'll suck."
That whoosh you heard above you? That was the joke...
August 14th, 2019 at 4:55 PM ^
I watched that game, it is not as simple as zone but in the same breath it is, we had kids trailing the play after wrs caught a drag across a vacated middle, urban had bush occupied so the middle would be wide open. we had zero push from the d line it was like they said f-- it I wasnt at the defensive meetings but it felt like brown was stubborn and refused to adapt, there would be no way in hell I would sit in man against a coach with such offensive prowess as day and urban, after they saw the IU game. hopefully this works because I promise every team will try to repeat this
August 14th, 2019 at 1:02 PM ^
OP or whoever would be open to the question:
What's up with the Top Billin' alerts? He seems like an OK guy, but the videos generally aren't that great. I've seen better work from relatively anonymous Michigan-specific people (like Fan Named Ozzy).
August 14th, 2019 at 1:08 PM ^
OK, you don't like it, move on, or post some shit you like. Very simple. Right now we have: Most Tigers moment, Issues with Magnus' website, Is Gattis a good hire, and Old Website.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:13 PM ^
Don't undersell the old website where everything is covered in dicks.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:18 PM ^
Is "scorched earth" always your first response to any criticism, however indirect it might be?
August 14th, 2019 at 1:32 PM ^
Top Billin is in the title. If you don't like baby seals being killed, and a person say's baby seals are being killed in the title, don't open it, and then complain. If you think that's "scorched earth" so be it. If someone posts something you don't like, don't open it. I don't look at everything that is posted.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
So... yes.
For the record, I appreciated the video. I'm a neophyte as it relates to football tactics and approaches, so I don't demand that everything meets some unrealistic standard. That said, your response to a singular complaint was, heavy handed. A simple shrug and a comment pointing out that it's an otherwise slow football content day would have been more than sufficient. But by all means, if comin' out swinging is your bag, enjoy.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:27 PM ^
Pretty obvious that Top Billin is basking in the glow of the Michigan Money Canon. I’m actually thinking of making some shitty videos of my own and then spamming you guys into clicking my links.
August 14th, 2019 at 3:06 PM ^
I actually think he explains it in this video, it's not Michigan fans watching theses videos about Michigan, but OSU fans.
And he's wondering why they keep commenting on the videos if they ain't scuuured. Cuz they scuuured.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:12 PM ^
eye bleach please
August 14th, 2019 at 1:24 PM ^
I could only get through the first play. IMHO I saw 2 fairly obvious offensive penalties. Illegal pick downfield (never usually call on crossing routes, but #14 clearly lowers his pads to make contact) & hands to the face by #59 against Uche.
August 14th, 2019 at 2:46 PM ^
I noticed that too.
One thing that gets overlooked a lot I think is that Harbaugh's 2 best M teams had to play in Columbus, and we know we're never going to get a fair whistle there.
Hopefully this will be his best squad yet when we get those fucks at home.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^
I hope The OSU doesn't watch this video. Else we're fuuuuucked.
August 14th, 2019 at 2:18 PM ^
I love top billin!
Especially when he makes fun of all the reactionaries around here:
"we got to go to zone" lol
And he got you clowns with "score scouters" especially since he kept showing that play with the 24-19 score at the start of the third.
Looking forward to Banjo! making UofM's opponents "squeal like a pig" :)
August 15th, 2019 at 11:07 PM ^
I enjoy the Top Billin videos. This one was great. It’s good stuff and fun to watch.
August 14th, 2019 at 4:14 PM ^
Fans see a TD scored in man and scream for zone, but when a TD is scored against the zone, they scream for man to man. Defense is more difficult than offense, simple as that.
Fans paint Brown and Harbaugh with a broad and unwarranted brush of stubbornness. It’s year 3 under Brown, and but for a few games — and as Coach said himself, but for a few minutes within those games — his defense have been elite. Brown is making adjustments and getting input from fresh faces — like Nua — as to how to best defend modern offenses. Football is an “arms race” of sorts and with every adaptation come a counter and so on ad infinitum.
Every defense gets got, especially as the physical side of the unit breaks down. No excuses, just simple sports logic. Brown’s task this season, IMO, is to do a better job dealing with RPO’s and we heard that from Nua in his comment about DL recognition. I think DB figured out how to defend spread running QB’s just in time for the RPO appearing, and I have no doubt that his brilliant defensive mind will figure that out as well. I think it’s really going to help that he gets to see it every day now.
August 14th, 2019 at 4:43 PM ^
I coached high school football in Georgia and South Carolina for 25 years. This is an excellent assessment of the Bucks scheme to pick UM apart and exploit the mismatches in man to man coverage. Urban and company did an excellent job preparing that week and really did their film homework. It is now in the past and has no bearing on this season other than Harbaugh hiring Gattis to finally use the athletes he recruited. Michigan will be fine this year and so will the defense. Go Blue!!!!
August 14th, 2019 at 5:03 PM ^
yeah but the issue is the guy who orchestrated that offense is formerly the OC, and now Head coach of osu, you think he wont run that again ???
August 15th, 2019 at 2:22 AM ^
I don't know why people complain about Top Billin. His videos are fun to watch. I'm not expecting a full game analysis. And I wouldn't even have time for it. 13 minutes of Top Billin a couple times a week, that's fine.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:00 AM ^
I think three things hurt us:
1). No push from the interior line man - have to make Haskins reset his feet...we never did
2), Inability to use misdirection on offense - OSU was vulnerable to that
3). Did not blitz up the middle effectively at all - give OSU credit they knew this would be the only counter and protected the interior well
I thought we might pull Gary inside in the 2nd half but we never did. Thought we would look at zone blitzing and drop Gary or Uche in space but we didn’t.
plus honestly Haskins is so insanely accurate - without pressure in his face he will pick you apart
August 16th, 2019 at 1:55 AM ^
That slot throwing the pick should have been flagged. I think Ryan Day had the pick thrown where the refs would be out of position to see it. He didn't have a receiver in easy view of the refs do a pick.