How would you defend against Denard?
Trevor Matich is skeptical of Denard. He says he “knows” how to stop him. He must be smarter than Randy Edsall and Brian Kelly. I get it’s early and I agree with not trusting him to be consistently this good through the Big 10 schedule until he sees more…but to come out and say I know how to stop him? That’s absurd. His brilliant idea is to bring the containment up to prevent him from getting long runs. If containment is safeties, then he must be a retard to contain with his safeties at the line. If his contain is lb’s, then who covers the 5th wr/te? What about the back out of the backfield? I think we are going to hear a lot of “smart-guys” give their elementary opinions on how to stop Denard.
That being said…if you coached against him, how would you attack Michigan’s offense?
September 17th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
September 17th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
Opposing Defensive Cordinator, "Can I use 12 men?"
NCAA, "No."
Opposing DC, "Shit. That was the best thing I came up with."
September 17th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
Unless a team has big time personnel in the front seven to whip our line, I read that they almost have to give up on their normal base defense, go with more dbs, and do man on the outside. Leaves more guys to attack the line and create havoc.
I guess they would take everyone else and just try to overwhelm the running lanes along the line?
We'd annhilate teams that tried that through the air, but so far the ground is clearly our strength. Death by guillotine, lethal injection or hanging?
The teams that will really do better against us are the ones with butt kickers in the front 7.
September 17th, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
Pray while listening to the M.C. Hammer song, "You've got to pray just to make it today". The combined forces may help. Or not.
September 17th, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
the first time they get Denard on the ground, about 8 players pile on top and writhe around. that will provide cover for "stickers" to pull needles out and inject Denard with a dilithium neutralizer and sedative.....
September 17th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
it is called the scrape-exchange. The problem is having the speed to execute it properly. Which not many folks will have.
September 17th, 2010 at 1:23 PM ^
All a scrape exchange is going to do this year is give Denard the option of cutting back into the mammoth holes the line has been producing or going one on one with a linebacker. I will take Denard on that matchup nine out of ten times. Teams are going to have to have their fastest nickel back in the game at all times to "spy" on Denard. That, of course, will help create other mismatches.
Personally, I think there is no stopping this offense with Denard. I recommend hoping for divine intervention, but on Saturday, Touchdown Jesus and the prayers of every Catholic in the country (except those from Ann Arbor or UM) couldn't stop Denard.
If the defense can find a way to become even average against the "big boys," there isn't any team on the schedule that Michigan can't beat this year. This is not a prediction of 13-0, but I think they will surprise a couple of teams this year. I hope one of them is in Columbus.
September 17th, 2010 at 2:33 PM ^
So I guess D's should just pack up and let him score. Scrape exchange will work with the right personel because these "huge cutback" lanes you speak of won't exist against the better D lines/fronts. The offense is good but not unstoppable, come on man. Catholic hopes and prayers held the "unstoppable O" to 28 points, 7 of which were on a 90 yard run. If ND's defense with multiple turnovers by their O can hold UM to 28 points, I will venture to say that they will have games held to less this year. So...yeah, not "unstoppable". Great so far? Without a doubt.
September 17th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
There is a counterpunch to the scrape exchange, which we've used already. Bring an H-back in the backfield and have him take the scraping LB.
September 17th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
Wave a white flag and surrender.
September 17th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
the Waterboy. No other alternatives. Only a well disguised drop kick will slow him down, but that is all it will do.
September 17th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
Denard is playing ---na na na na na na Can't touch this.
September 17th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
Personally, I'd just change all my player ratings to 99's across the board and cross my fingers.
September 17th, 2010 at 12:53 PM ^
Your only hope.
September 17th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
If Trevor Matich knew how to stop Denard then he would probably have a different job other then sitting in a chair reading from a teleprompter stats that have been already been prepared for him by ESPN nerds. Matich -- You don't know anything, you have never done anything, therefore your opinions do not matter.
September 17th, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^
I wish I could set my television to automatically mute the more noxious of ESPN analyst and reporters.
September 17th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^
if i had solid corners and safeties, i'd man up on the receivers, bring everyone else up and force him to throw the ball. i would never have my DE crack down on the tb and give denard a chance to blow up. i would take my chances that the tailbacks could be contained.
fortunately i don't know how many schools have this type of talent-tOSU probably but who else?