Will Michigan's defense be running the Arizona Desert Swarm?

Submitted by touchdown chad henne on

Saw this hyperlinked on smart football as a defensive formation and thought I would share it: the Arizona Desert Swarm 4-3 Shift Flex Double Eagle Front.

The personnel seems to coincide with what Michigan will feature this fall (i.e. a strong safety/hybrid player acting as a strongside LB, a three-deep, a "B-gap flex player who is one-part LB and one-part tackle" that sounds like Roh (although I don't think Roh's responsibilities will be for the B-gap...didn't he rush the outside?).

Hoping steve sharik can comment and that others enjoy the look.

Go Blue!

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steve sharik

August 13th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

...no, although GERG is pretty multiple.  But from what little I know about Desert Swarm, it isn't a front and scheme you can just add into your package.  The defense has a whole set of adjustments, so it isn't something that can be incorporated.  As Chris pointed out, the reason Desert Swarm disappeared is when teams starting using mainly 1-back formations. 

As you can see from the diagram in the link, The Swarm is essentially a 5-2 defense.  Some teams use a DT as the flex guy (the T at heels depth on the weakside 3-technique) and some use a LB.  Either way, that guy is a run stuffer who can move side-to-side a little.  And if the Will can't play in space (because he'd be removed from the box against 1-back) you can't run the Swarm against 1-back teams. 

In short, the Swarm is great against I-formation but not 1-back and spread stuff.

Joined: 08/08/2009

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Gerald R. Ford

August 13th, 2010 at 8:06 PM ^

....and I crushed most standardized tests, but goddam that Steve Sharik speaks in a language that might as well be Chinese.  I admit that I am not a true student of the game (I have learned that since frequenting this board daily for 3 years), but I literally don't know what the hell he is saying.  Kudos to you Steve Sharik.  Whatever you do for a living, you are underpaid.

Joined: 12/17/2008

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steve sharik

August 13th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^

I appreciate it.  However, there are a lot of guys out there who know as much as I do, and a good number who know more, and some who know a lot more.

On the other hand...

I have two degrees from Michigan...and I crushed most standardized tests, but goddam that Steve Sharik speaks in a language that might as well be Chinese.
That's what makes me angry when the common man says, "Football players are stupid."  Okay, Gauss, tell me how to defend A-11.  No, scratch that, just tell me what a 3-technique is.
 
In any event...
Whatever you do for a living, you are underpaid.
Feel free to convince any employers out there.
 
Seriously, I am applying to MBA programs for Fall 2011, so hopefully that will cease to be true in the not too distant future.

Joined: 08/08/2009

MGoPoints: 13860

mfandet

August 13th, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^

people get so concerned with formation and schemes.  talent wins, if you fly to the ball and as zach follet says "smoke fools" things will be fine.  I am in the Bruce Feldman camp this team has a shot at 9 wins.

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