MGoFish: Next DC Expected to be a "3-4 Guru" and a Slamdunk Hire
Team Harbaugh is apparently giving some recruits information on who the next DC will be, and I suspect we will be very happy with the decision based on these rumblings:
#Michigan expected to hire a "3-4 guru" as their next defensive coordinator https://t.co/7dN9QAtBZW
— Garrett Fishaw (@MGoFish) December 15, 2015
Also, MGoFish is hearing positive things about Bush and Walker. While the dude can be over optimistic at times, his sources seem to be fairly solid.
Late Night Update: https://t.co/zzo81mPY4d
— Garrett Fishaw (@MGoFish) December 15, 2015
December 15th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
December 15th, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^
December 15th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^
I heard a story once that while he was in Michigan to interview for the Michigan State job. Marvin Lewis called the Lions to see if he could interview for their HC position since he was in town anyway. They declined. I get it. Marriucci's failure there was really a surprise to everyone but the most cynical Lions fan.
So, back in 2003, MSU hired John L. Smith and the Lions hired Steve Marriucci instead of Marvin Lewis.
Now, I know Marvin Lewis hasn't won a Super Bowl yet, but someone please tell me why Ron Mason and Matt Millen are no longer in their respective positions.
December 15th, 2015 at 1:33 PM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
Yeah, I mean he could live in Ann Arbor and commute to his heart's content.
December 15th, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^
Yes the Lions have been a coaching graveyard. But John already has a Super Bowl and turning the Lions around would be one of the all time coaching achievements in any sport. He would be a God in Detroit in a similar fashion as his brother in Ann Arbor. Also his brother and parents are close by. I really cant see a reason he wouldnt want this challenge.
December 15th, 2015 at 1:37 PM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 9:57 AM ^
December 15th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ^
December 15th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^
I think the HC John Fox, a defensive guy, might have had something to do with that, too.
That, and the Bears aren't exactly playing against the top 10 of the NFL this year. They don't play Carolina, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, or Tom Terrific. They got Denver in their first post-Peyton game. They did play Arizona and gave up 48; played Seattle and gave up 26 earlier in the season. Otherwise it's been Lions, Redskins, Rams, etc.etc.
So I don't think Fangio's performance this year entitles him to HC material. Maybe his past work does.
December 15th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
With these morons running NFL franchises, that will totally get him at least some interest. What will probably keep him from getting one of those HC jobs is these franchises will go with retreads like Ken Whisenhunt, Norv Turner, etc.
I was glad to see the Jets give a chance to a guy like Todd Bowles last year. I wish Teryl Austin would have gotten a chance. However, I understood that a little bit, having only one year as a DC.
If you can't tell, I'm a little cynical when it comes to the NFL. I'm a damaged Lions fan.
December 15th, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^
I usually have no idea what I'm talking about, but isn't our lineup and recruits best set up for a 4-3 under? As in, we don't have an enormous space eater nose tackle and stand up ends to play the outside linebackers, but do have a lot of great NT to play in a 4-3 with a few great 3-techs.
Anyway, if someone more knowledged (not THE KNOWLEDGE) could help me understand how Michigan's personel would fit a 3-4, it'd be appriciated.
Edit: Bambi and Alum beat me to it while I wrote my post.
December 15th, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:01 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
December 15th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
I've always wondered how the 4-3 under even really differs from a 3-4 that doesn't run a one-gap system with a planet-size NT. The 4-3 Buck is essentially an OLB just like the strongside linebacker, as you said.
Plus, we're going to be in nickel for most of our snaps anyway for as long as Peppers in on the team, so who really cares?
December 15th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^
3-4 in a Nickel replaces one of the linebackers with a DB, the NB in modern days being more a third safety than a CB.
In other words, "3-4" in this context really means the anti-spread 3-3-5 with an OLB being an LB/DE hybrid, i.e. "buck".
Which is exactly what we ran all this season.
So, yeah. . . "3-4" is a rather meaningless term these days.
December 15th, 2015 at 4:29 PM ^
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.
December 15th, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^
Can we do a 1 - 9 -1? I feel like we need to really take advantage of our LB depth.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
December 15th, 2015 at 11:21 AM ^
Or run the N-Peppers-N. Doesn't matter who the other 10 are out there. Put them anywhere. Just put Jabrill in the middle and let him do whatever he wants. Boom, twelve donuts in a row!
December 15th, 2015 at 4:14 PM ^
Actually, I think it does matter. Wouldn't it be better to have a half dozen Peppers? 4 or 5 out on the field with the rest for rotation.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:00 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:58 AM ^
Ideally, it puts more athletes on the field while taking advantage of a dominant nose tackle who can eat blockers and disrupt the middle of the line. However, it depends on how you run a 3-4, which can look like a 4-3 in some ways.
December 15th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^
But where does it put the rest of the line? Hurst, Henry? Wormley & Charlton?
And where would Gary fit in? Would he be excited about this?
Just curious because I really don't know
December 15th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
Mone is one option at NT. Glasgow is also capable. Onwenu could get there if he plays defense.
Gary is being recruited to play a position much like you saw Willie Henry playing for most of the year - a SDE position with packages where he moves inside.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:01 AM ^
His message says the DC will be NFL tested... Does Aranda or Anderson either have NFL experience?
December 15th, 2015 at 10:04 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
on twitter
December 15th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
All 3 Flanagan kids were set to visit Colo on an official visit per a Dec 3 note on Bush's 247 page. Then their playoff run caused them to cancel.
December 15th, 2015 at 4:30 PM ^
It has to be. Especially given that Bush started following him on Twitter last night.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^
FWIW. Jim Leavitt shifted Colorado from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this year and coached LBs under Harbaugh when the niners ran 3-4.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:04 AM ^
Man if its him that would be a serious test of what UM administration is willing to stomach to placate Harbaugh. He has a major incident in his past that just would be very atypical for UM to hire.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
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December 15th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
in regards to that incident, and the school did end up paying him a couple million $ after firing him.
If Mgofish is correct it sounds to me like he's the guy.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
He has a controversial past but I'm sure Harbaugh likes working with him. The niners had some stud linebackers.
Also, Leavitt headbutts players in the facemask.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
So it stands to reason that he would hire him again. I'm assuming that the AD has pretty much given JH free reign when it comes to his staff.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^
The dishonesty part really bothers me. But it has been almost six years; hopefully he has learned from the incident and changed his ways.
December 15th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
This is not a guy who would be a good hire for U of M. First, yeah, the dishonesty thing is a big damn deal. You yourself may "misremember" an incident, but asking other people especially those you are in a position of power over to lie to cover you is double plus ungood.
Also how is recruiting going to go? You thinks parents aren't going o be concerned that there child is going to be slapped around by the DC? Or asked to lie to cover up his misdeeds?
No thanks, I don't really care how good he is at Xs and Os, character is at least as important as football ability.
December 15th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
Leavitt maintains he was truthful through the entire process. Won $2.x Million in a lawsuit, and was vetted by Colorado before his hire.
December 15th, 2015 at 12:57 PM ^
"Won $2.x Million in a lawsuit"
...no, settled for $2.x Million in a lawsuit
December 15th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
wrong but I am not so sure this time that the situation is clear cut. After all, he did win a wrongful termination lawsuit.
December 15th, 2015 at 1:47 PM ^
Didnt the school settle a wrongful termination lawsuit with Leavitt? I know the allegations were ugly but maybe the story that went public is quite different from the truth in light of that.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
Anderson has 0 NFL experience.
If its a NFL experience guy you could be talking about people from the ravens staff?
Martindale woked with his dad but I'd fail to see that as a "slam dunk" in perception even if he could be a great coach.
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/coaches/Don_Martindale/e76c9485-110…
December 15th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
shows that devin bush is now following michigan football and jim leavitt fwiw (read: who knows)
edit: trueblue beat me to it
December 15th, 2015 at 10:02 AM ^
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