When can we expect the defense to get better and be consistent?
It is obvious that today was not one of our better games defensively. In fact it was down right bad. Our best defense in this game was our offense. I'm wondering at what point can we expect this defense to play up to a Big Ten level defense? Its obvious we're young and inexperienced but we fell for the same plays all day long and were gashed all day by a UMass offense that prior to the game no one was worried about. Do you guys think we slept on UMass to some degree? Or is the defense really this bad?
September 18th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^
September 18th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
if youre expecting us to get better get ready for a depressing fall
September 18th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
Can't get any worse
September 18th, 2010 at 3:24 PM ^
We're 3-0, it definitely could have been worse.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:02 PM ^
Just my opinion, I think it won't happen until we get our young talent more experience. I don't mean 4 or 5 games into the season and they gel. I mean the true freshmen and RS freshmen have 2 years under their belt. It's something to worry about. We'll be young this year and next and then maybe we'll see it. Hopefully we can recruit and KEEP some good talent to gain experience without having to be starters for that time.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^
1-2 years was going to be my answer
September 18th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^
September 18th, 2010 at 3:05 PM ^
My take on this is that the coaches know we lack experience and play makers at key positions so they seem to be doing what makes the most sense. Play conservatively, and keep things basic. Make the other team execute long drives and hope for mistakes, turnovers, dropped passes, etc. Then score a lot of points! It's not going to be pretty, but I don't think there's a better option until the talent and experience is there to run more aggressive, complicated schemes.
Don't panic. It's going to be an exciting year. Hopefully exciting enough to get some talented recruits on the defense! Please!
September 18th, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^
really part of our equation or are we on path to becoming a single dimension, high octane offensive team? At the end fo the day, do we just want to have more points on the board than our opponent?
September 18th, 2010 at 3:27 PM ^
why are these goals mutually exclusive?
September 18th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^
that strategy will work in a real conference.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
I'd rather that be the case than that we lose.
I mean, a great defense and a balanced team is clearly choice number one, but since that doesn't seem to be the case, I'll take explosive offense carrying the load over losing.
September 18th, 2010 at 11:09 PM ^
i absolutely agree. i was asking my buddy (or maybe trying to ask myself or convince myself that our talent really was not that bad) whether he thought our "D" problems today was lack of talent/ lack of experience or scheme/lack of experience? honestely i am hoping scheme/lack of experience for obvious reasons. i sat in the southeast corner and continually watched our dline/ends get pushed back, trap blocked, cut back blocked, out run to the corners, etc. i kept looking at the 3-3-5 and wondering if it made sense. i know that we switched several times to what looked like a 5-2 and still did not get pressure or make run stops at LOS! i am frustrated and concerned for our "D" getting trapped on the field for long periods of time 1) because of our trouble tackling and staying disciplined and 2) because opossing "o" will not want to be so quick to allow DR and our O back on the field! thoughts? am i way off base? i still believe in a good come back season though...
September 18th, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^
us to get better on defense anytime soon.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:12 PM ^
This defense is absolutely atrocious!!!!! That is all. I would say Gerg is being outcoached but all theyre doing is running effing draws!!!!! Not much coaching to that
September 18th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
I would say the biggest problem is the talent level he is dealing with. Until they consistantly recruit Big 10 level talent on the D and stop the attrition from occuring on the D side of the ball, things are going to be ugly.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:12 PM ^
Fuckin SHIT, keep the D off the field, put the Cheerleaders in on D, I'm sure they'll play better..FFS
September 18th, 2010 at 3:16 PM ^
It is really sad that we are this bad.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:17 PM ^
Brandon
September 18th, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^
in two years......maybe
September 18th, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^
Fire this fucking defensive coaching staff. fucking terrible on every fucking level.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
Next time you have a thought, just stop. Most of our defense isn't old enough to shave yet. Do you really want to keep the DC carousel going? Or, are you having a classic douche overraction? Seriously, your expectations don't match what we have on the field...
September 18th, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^
It will get better with a new coach. We're destined for a crushing beatdown from the Big Ten. At best, we're looking at 5-7; hopefully the new staff next year can figure out SOMETHING to do to make this defense give a shred of fucking effort. I don't give a shit about attrition or youth, he's had three years to figure something out and the defense has gotten worse, to the point of being absolutely pathetic. There are no excuses at Michigan, perform or get the fuck out.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
but think we can pull 7-5 out of this season. anythign more is gravy, anything less ....
September 18th, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
Take your own advice and "get the fuck out" troll.
You're already writing off the season and our coach WHEN WE'RE 3-0! Oh, and when Michigan is back on top, do me a favor and stay off the bandwagon.
September 18th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
My "troll" ass has been here longer than you, shut up. And yes, clearly our 3-0 record is the only thing we should discuss; there are no major problems with our team and we will soon be riding the top of the polls. Our defense has not gotten worse the past 3 years, and we do not have something going on with our program that is forcing a mass defection of players from the school. Also, anyone who points out these issues is clearly a troll and only desires the complete failure and demise of Michigan football.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^
When can we expect the defense to get better and be consistent?
2012
September 18th, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^
Defense will get better as they get better players. Mark May currently talking out of his a$$ about firing DC. Man, he's just an idiot.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
really disagree w/ him. At this point, the most important opinion is Brandon's. I'm putting my faith in him. Go Blue.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:36 PM ^
Mark May calling for the D-coordinate to be fired seems ludicrous to me. Let's say the defense comes out next week and shuts down BGSU? will May say keep GERG? I just think it is irresponsible to respond like a dumb talking head when you are supposed to be a bit more professional/
September 18th, 2010 at 3:54 PM ^
to beat the teams we are supposed to beat - UMass, UConn, BG, Indiana. This is Michigan we are talking about, not Indiana or MSU or PSU. If we can't do that, we are doing something wrong. Especially in rebuilding year 3.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
Eh, May's just doing his job. I don't think nuanced coverage is really what they're going for on that program.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
Im really scared to play big ten teams now.
September 18th, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^
What team does Im play for?
September 18th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
The problem I saw today - and it's been brought up for a while now - was how the 3-3-5 reacted to power running plays. The majority of first down plays by UMass saw them come to the LOS with a 2-TE look and run the ball up the gut. Consistently, they were able to get push on the Michigan line for 5+ yard gains, making a call on 2nd down easy.
By the MSU, Iowa and Wisconsin game, I hope we've found a way to combat a power running game or those games could see the D on the field for an awfully long time.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
The only thing that will save us is...
1. A miraculous learning curve.
2. A miraculous continuance of producing turnovers.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
But that's just like my opinion man.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:53 PM ^
September 18th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
Why the meltdown? Everyone who has been paying attention knew that this was going to be the case. We're going to have score, and the D is going to have to be opportunistic--they're simply not going to out-talent any offenses this year. Getting rid of GERG would be a terrible decision--I know, I know!!!!!! Let's switch our defensive system yet again when we don't have the talent out out-defense UMass--it's genius!!!!!
September 18th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
Well, actually, yeah it does make sense. If Michigan can't stop UMass, heads need to fucking roll.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
SERIOUSLY?
UMass has probably prepped for this game for weeks. We held ND to 24 points and UConn to 10.
If you think that we need ANOTHER defensive coordinator and you want Gerg fired YOUR FUCKING HEAD SHOULD ROLL!
In sum YOU ARE A FUCKING IDIOT!
September 18th, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
Then everyone is headless, and that's just gross.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^
September 18th, 2010 at 3:39 PM ^
I think what hurts most of us is the fact that umass did lineup in two TE's and go right up the gut....had they had a few broken plays on missed tackles and such most of us might feel a little better about it, but 5 or 6 yds a pop hurts. If you wanna keep your secondary safe...
How about a 4-2-5, you add the extra beef and you can always bring a safety down into the box, just give me something to give martin some help on the inside, the guy defeats his blocker and no one else is out there with him.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
For three years the D has gotten consistently worse.
With this defense and kicking game....pray for five wins.
Michigan is now FUCKED.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^
Wow... Really?
Yeah last week Michigan was the king of the world. Now we are fucked.
CAN YOU SAY MANIC FUCKING DEPRESSIVE. BIPOLAR.
GET A FUCKING GRIP.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:41 PM ^
5 fucking wins?
You do realize that we have BGSU next (let's assume that tha'ts a win). So we need 1 more win in 8 games and we should pray for that?
PUT DOWN THE BOOZE, THE POT WHATEVER DRUGS YOU ARE DOING.
You're pathetic.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
but are we in a position to assume a BSU win? I'm guessing no, but point taken nonetheless.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:54 PM ^
If you don't think that all of the teams that we've played are better than BGSU then I don't know what to say.
I think that this was great for our team. They get their heads on straight they start thinking that they aren't unbeatable and they take BGSU to the woodshed next week.
Book it.
September 18th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
I hope Rich Rodriguez takes some responsibility for the defensive performance/effort. I don't care if he is the "offensive guru," he is the head coach and I hope he really acts like it instead of pushing the blame over to his Greg Robinson. I would respect him so much more if he does this.