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Date Title Body
29 weeks 1 day ago Trying to agree with you here

@Bellanca, re: "I don't understand the comment, below, i.e., that the differences between cover-2 and cover-4 comprise distinctions without a difference..."

If that's my comment you're referring to, read it again: I said that for casual fans, the differences are minor.

I'm not trying to disagree with you. I'm only trying to explain to some of the other readers here that (a) they probably are misinterpreting your use of "quarters" as "four deep zones", and (b) that it is easy to mistake quarters coverage for cover-2 man if you're not paying attention to shading and how the safeties are reacting to routes. In quarters, if the DBs make a "clue" check on one side and an "alert" check on the other, to most casual observers and fans it will look exactly like cover-2 man.

I am quite sure that Al Borges and Greg Mattison are fully aware of what defense Iowa runs, and that's really all that's important.
29 weeks 1 day ago Not much difference

Just to clarify and hopefully make some peace here: what is described by modern DC's as "quarters" is not a four-deep zone coverage (which is kind of an old-school definition of the term), but rather something quite similar to a cover-2 in most situations. The difference with quarters is that (a) there are specific pre-snap reads that the corners and safeties make, often causing them to change their responsibilities, and (b) the corners rarely will chase receivers inside, instead staying with the widest receiver. It's quite possible that Iowa does run quarters but it's hard to tell with most TV camera angles. And anyway, the difference for most casual fans is small enough that whether you call it "quarters" or "a cover-2 variant" is not really going to matter.
32 weeks 2 days ago Footwork

When Al and Denard talk about bad footwork, it's not just about throwing off the wrong foot. A pro quarterback in this situation (facing a free rusher charging up the middle) moves laterally in the pocket to buy an extra second for the receiver to come free, and also to get a clear view of the passing lane. The chuck-it-up reaction from Denard is basically panic. If Denard scrambles a bit first, the safeties are the ones who have to panic and come up in run-support; if that had happened, Koger would have been hand-wavingly open at the back of the end zone. Fortunately this is something that is correctable with time and practice; it's not a systemic problem and it's not beyond Denard's abilities.
37 weeks 2 days ago Strange coverage scheme or Herron out of position?

Does anyone have an explanation for the defensive alignment where Herron is sprinting out from an interior linebacker position to cover the split end on the opposite side of the field? I think I saw this at least three times, with each result being an easy completion for Carder.

Herron Poor Coverage
39 weeks 11 hours ago Numbering convention

It's based on the numbering scheme given to defensive line positions. You could look at the UFR FAQ, but you may find a better diagram here:

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2011/4/11/2082375/draft-terminology-the-thr...

Numbering schemes vary by coach and team, but the term "five-technique" generally refers to the position outside the offensive tackle's shoulder (not head-up on the tackle), particularly in a 4-3 alignment.
39 weeks 2 days ago APR?

Any word on his academic standing? I would hate to see this hit our APR.
39 weeks 3 days ago Reminds me of something...

Here in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes have a similarly dreadful arena-rock theme song. The chorus is "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, let's go, C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, let's go, C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, let's go Canes." The first line of the first verse is "Carolina has a fun hockey team". I cringe and apologize every time I bring my Red Wings friends into the arena and that songs starts to play. If Michigan ever adopts anything like this, I really will want to die.
42 weeks 6 days ago HIT?

"Reps to failure"? Does that mean High Intensity Training is back? Did we hire back Gittleson too?
1 year 19 weeks ago When was the last time the fanbase was united?

I sure remember a lot of grumpy FIRE LLOYD CARR people and the "sackcarr.com" web site a few years ago. Even Bo had his critics as he neared the twilight of his career.

The fact is, as long as Michigan loses more than zero games per season, there will always be angry alumni and fans who complain the current coach isn't good enough. Those will be the guys who make the most noise and start campaigns to get the coach fired. It's up to the athletic director to tune the loudmouths out... and perhaps not change coaches every three years.

I am irked that David Brandon is saying "be happy with whatever I decide". There will always be critics of his decision, and he needs to be able to answer that criticism.
1 year 19 weeks ago Parting Gift?

I wonder if we could send him some sort of medal or trophy, or at least a note... you know, as a gesture for putting up with all the crap he's had to deal with. It would be nice for him to know that a lot of us did appreciate him and what he did during his time at Michigan. I doubt he'll read MGoBlog and see this post.
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