Warren on GERG (i.e. Better than last year)
For those of you who don't (at least partially) blame Shafer for our horrid defense last year... Maybe Warren can add some insight...
Michigan DBs helped by Robinson's system
August 3, 2009 10:15 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
As the last line of defense, Michigan's cornerbacks and safeties have a heightened sense of accountability.
There will be times this fall when Donovan Warren or one of his secondary mates either must make a play or watch six points go up on the scoreboard. But first-year defensive coordinator Greg Robinson has crafted a scheme that minimizes the plays when a defensive back gets left alone on an island.
After a season when Michigan's defense often felt deserted, it's a welcome change for Warren.
"Coach Robinson's all about playing to your help and not just playing your game alone," Warren said. "You have to play to your help. That's what defense is all about."
Warren, a true junior who enters his third season as a starter, will be playing in his third defensive scheme this fall. Fortunately, Robinson's system reminds him of the one employed by former coordinator and current Eastern Michigan coach Ron English, who remains very popular with veteran Wolverines defenders.
Like the rest of the team, Michigan's back four struggled last season, finishing ninth in the league in both pass defense (230 ypg) and interceptions (nine). Warren is one of the Big Ten's most-experienced cornerbacks, but he'll be surrounded by youth this fall. Michigan loses corner Morgan Trent and safety Brandon Harrison, and safety Stevie Brown has moved down to linebacker this fall.
"We have a lot of unproven guys and guys that haven't been on the field," Warren said.
If Robinson's system works correctly, Michigan's young players won't be feeling green too often.
"It's using your leverage and knowing where your help is and what guys can do to you in certain situations," Warren said. "Coach Robinson, he breaks it down so much more mentally, so you know what to expect."
I am not trying to say that Ezeh will not be a good player. I'm saying that, to this point, he has not been a good player.
his biggest problem is trying to hold verticals.. if he;s not asked to cover much, i think he could be a good one..
i had really high expectations of him going into last year, but within the first half of the first game ugh..
You've pointed that out before. I was stunned by how much pass coverage they asked him to do last year. He sure did take his lumps.
Ideally, do you want your MLB to be doing a lot of coverage? I am not so sure. Literally, I dont know.
Ezeh can be a real good sideline to sideline player. And he's already shown that part of his game. Very interested in seeing how he progresses this season.
sat donw and worked things out i think shafer would have had big time successess at michigan. knowing how long it takes to really put in sophisticated defensive systems, and coach up technique..
I don't understand the negging on this thread???
Do people just neg. stuff they disagree with? Is that just the way to show someone you disagree with them without getting into an argument?
Nice!
i neg you for that!! my first neg or pos ever!
I'm just waiting for someone to misspell Neg for the entertaining racist bashing!
It seems like any thread that generates any degree of a dust-up on here is now littered with virtually everyone getting negative points. Personally, I only neg people for trolling, or for being patently offensive. A disagreement, in my mind, doesn't justify it.
I also think that for whatever reason, there are people out there who seem to loathe anyone associated with the WLA. That's why I'm getting negged, and why people like jamiemac and gsimms - people who hang out on our comment threads - get negged as well.
the WLA causes all the worlds wars
and controls the money
The WLA are "The Illuminated Ones."
These threads tend to balance out. I, for one, have been +1ing your comments if I see a negative for no reason. By the way, are you the same chitownblue that used to post under that name without the number. Why the change? Did you get the banhammer or something?
I am.
I didn't get the banhammer - I intentionally locked myself out of my login, but couldn't resist the siren call, clearly.
I thought so. Glad you came back.
It's the internet equivalent of passive agressiveness.
it is my first MGoBirthday! I didn't want to make a new thread for something like that, but I just realized it! Wahoo! 20 years until I can have an MGoBeer. Or do you get that with a certain amount of points?
You know football season is about to start when the threads become interesting again.
under the Mgoblog radar! Players vs schemes vs coaching. gsimmon85-welcome back!
I just upvoted every post on the thread that had a negative value. Nothing happened here that deserved negs.
This is the kind of discussion that is both fun and enlightening.
We need more stuff like this, not less.
if you are going to zone blitz, your mlb hasgot to be able to cover, if you are going to play a tampa 2 system your mlb has got to be able to cover..
if your corners and safeties can cover 1 on 1, and your dl can pressure without blitzing, then your mlb can roam sideline to sideline. see florida now , fsu of the 90's
3-9 Win as a team lose as a team. Plenty of blame to go round. Special teams, Defense, Offense were all atrocious. Defense was made to look even worse because they are dependent to a degree on the competency of the O and Special team.