Martindale hired as DC
February 9th, 2024 at 5:22 AM ^
I see I'm not the only one up at this hour.
February 9th, 2024 at 5:47 AM ^
Nope. My internal rooster starts clucking at 4:30. It’s a blessing and a curse!
February 9th, 2024 at 6:13 AM ^
Early to bed and early to rise…
The initial concern is to wonder if this is a guy who just wanted a job more than this job. Is this a Jim Harbaugh type situation all over again where every off-season we are waiting for his NFL interviews?
February 9th, 2024 at 6:32 AM ^
I finally got to sleep in today and woke up at 5. Last week my clock has be up at 3-3:30!
I think most people are going to be skeptical on this. Some will be pissed. I think/hoping this is Wink being used next year for continuity purposes and Clink will learn under his tutelage the Ravens system so he can be groomed into the next DC. I will remain skeptical on this hire. Recruiting will be interesting with this team coming up.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:49 AM ^
As long as Moore puts in place a comprehensive recruiting department, it might not be bad to have an, *ahem* experienced coach on this otherwise very young coaching staff.
February 9th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
Continuity? The Macdonald or Minter defenses are very different than the blitz heavy Martindale defense.
February 9th, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
Maybe he runs the defense that suits his personnel. The Minter defense won't work forever. Teams will figure it out and it will need to evolve.
February 9th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
Most of all, we needed to guard against transfers out. It sounds like this was the hire that gets that done.
February 9th, 2024 at 11:49 AM ^
Not saying it's a bad hire, just saying it's not likely going to bring schematic continuity.
https://theathletic.com/3373244/2022/06/22/ravens-defense-mike-macdonald-philosophy/
Though Macdonald had a role in developing the system that Martindale deployed with the Ravens in 2018, the Ravens will be transitioning philosophically and schematically.
No defensive scheme is perfect and counters will eventually be found but we're not there yet.
February 9th, 2024 at 12:19 PM ^
I think there will be definitely be continuity but Wink is also just going to be different compared to Minter in terms of what he decides to emphasize. Just like Minter was different from Macdonald.
February 9th, 2024 at 9:00 PM ^
Different emphasis kind of sounds like different scheme to me.
February 9th, 2024 at 1:12 PM ^
Mahomes and Andy Reid picked apart McDonald’s D pretty well. Eventually that happens. Kind of how the spread was indefensible and now Manball is where it’s at. Things change quite often.
February 9th, 2024 at 1:19 PM ^
Yes,
Now find me a Mahomes-Reid duo in college. Maybe when Lane Kiffin has the best QB in CFB?
Until then, I like our chances with this scheme against 95% of our opponents.
Also, in fairness, Mcdonald's defense shut out the Chiefs in the 2nd half, no?
February 9th, 2024 at 1:20 PM ^
They had 17 points.
February 9th, 2024 at 2:29 PM ^
Right, TDs on the first two possessions, an EOH drive for a FG, and nothing after that. Chiefs never had great field position. The three Ravens TOs were all in Chiefs territory.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:15 AM ^
Listen to the discussion on the Roundtable yesterday. Brian was very skeptical initially; then, after hearing other points of view, it seemed like he could go with the hire.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:43 AM ^
Brian? Skeptical? Nah ... never.
February 9th, 2024 at 8:23 AM ^
Cumong, man.
February 9th, 2024 at 10:08 AM ^
I mean, Minter and Macdonald both left for the NFL not long after arriving here.
February 9th, 2024 at 11:05 AM ^
Yes. I don't think we should expect him to stick around for a considerable amount of time. But that's what we have Clink for right?
February 9th, 2024 at 6:59 AM ^
The vast network never sleeps
February 9th, 2024 at 7:39 AM ^
Early to bed...
February 9th, 2024 at 5:27 AM ^
If the dudes on defense like this hire then I like this hire.
Now let’s add a couple understudies with recruiting chops and let’s get to work.
February 9th, 2024 at 6:40 AM ^
I like the hire. Especially considering both Harbaughs and Macdonald are trying to build defensive staffs right now. In two years if Wink decides to go back to the NFL, Michigan will have his understudies plus up and coming coaches/analysts from three NFL teams that know the Ravens system to recruit from. I think this could be really good in the mid to long term.
February 9th, 2024 at 6:58 AM ^
It’s a solution. I don’t think it’s a long term solution. It don’t think it needs to be a long term solution.
I’m just glad we. Have that role filled and filled with a decent coach.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:38 AM ^
Clink will be our long term solution, give it a year, maybe two...
February 9th, 2024 at 8:03 AM ^
Maybe it is a long term solution, but just a bit more complicated.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:11 AM ^
Sources say Martindale arrived in Ann Arbor early Thursday afternoon and quickly established rapport with Moore. That same favorable vibe is said to have been established with many of Michigan’s top defensive players when they all sat together to watch film of U-M’s victory over Ohio State last season. Bonding with their would-be coordinator over their latest Buckeye beatdown was part of indoctrinating him with the program's primary mission.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:41 AM ^
Love that he brought the players into the interview.
February 9th, 2024 at 8:10 AM ^
This would be easier to believe if there an actual player named or quoted...
February 9th, 2024 at 9:12 AM ^
Is it actually hard to believe though? I mean this isn't signgate here, it's a group of people watching a football game.
February 9th, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
It sounds like a reasonable, even likely, move by Sharon to see how the candidate interacts with the current key D players. Why would he lie about doing that. That is an idiotic take.
February 9th, 2024 at 11:13 AM ^
If we can believe in a 600 page manifesto we can believe Moore right?
February 9th, 2024 at 7:00 PM ^
THREE Ohio State University did the same with Chip Kelly, but the film was in black and white.
February 9th, 2024 at 8:55 AM ^
One of us…one of us….
February 9th, 2024 at 11:03 AM ^
First day he gets them together to watch film of the osu win....now THAT is the right first move.
Tip of the cap Wink
February 9th, 2024 at 11:35 AM ^
Think that hat tip should be for Coach Moore...shows just how well he gets the rivalry. Had to be insightful to get Winks take on what he was seeing and see how he interacts w the players involved.
February 9th, 2024 at 5:29 AM ^
I like keeping the NFL atmosphere. Hope he can recruit.
Now to fill out the LB and DL coaching positions.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:37 AM ^
I doubt he’s gonna be a good recruiter but that’s not why he’s here.
February 9th, 2024 at 9:51 AM ^
Agree with not what he's here for, but I'd throw out there that his background should resonate with recruits.
We have some D coaches that are recruiters, need a couple openings filled with younger energy guys.
Sort of like a few Jedi apprentices, presenting candidates to Yoda, for validation.
He's definitely not here to do the legwork, more of a NFL trainer/ get you to the league DC.
February 9th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
Not his raison d'etre but it would be a nice bonus if he had an ability to establish a good relations with recruits.
February 9th, 2024 at 7:10 PM ^
That's a haiku...
February 9th, 2024 at 8:23 AM ^
Someone Id be interested in bringing back is Ryan Osborn. He was the analyst who essentially coached and recruited our DEs in 2021, went with Macdonald to the Ravens staff in 2022, and is currently the DC for Charlotte
February 9th, 2024 at 9:51 AM ^
Ryan Osborne is the DL coach for the ravens why would he come back to college for the same role? He’s not an analyst and his mento McDonald just got a HC job. He could be onto Seattle with a pseudo coordinator title in play for all we know.
February 9th, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
How many times do you need to be corrected on this before you understand? Do you not read the replies to all of your comments. You have stated this multiple times and each time have been corrected. He IS NOT now nor ever has been the DL coach for the Ravens.
February 9th, 2024 at 5:35 AM ^
All things considered this is a really good hire. Wink does not covet the head coaching job so Moore can be the man without fear of a mutiny. Wink can serve as a mentor to all the defensive coaches without making them feel like they were passed over by some young hotshot while helping to groom a successor. He is also a known NFL commodity with years of success, something the future NFL players on the team undoubtedly respect. Keeping Graham, Grant, and Johnson was paramount. Hard to believe those guys will leave a great thing at Michigan, where they can continue learning under an established NFL guy with serious coaching chops, for some mid-ass guy at a place like Texas. First time coaches often have an old head on staff to bounce ideas off and Wink fits that bill. There has been a lot of complaining about his inability to recruit but everything I have seen suggests he is a well liked coach, that could translate. Don't assume the worst.
February 9th, 2024 at 5:50 AM ^
Well said. I was in the camp of wanting a younger go getter who could recruit but this solidifies that our D should chug along, business as usual. No real schematic changes and for the most part, continuity.