In-Depth Podcast w/ Don Brown on Cover 1, Cover 2, Brackets & more
https://soundcloud.com/mdgapod/s02e12-don-brown
Here's a link to a podcast called the Make Defense Great Again Podcast with Don Brown talking in-depth about the defense and schematics. Timestamps from the podcast description:
3:58 BIG Announcement!
7:17 Playing with Maximum Effort
10:02 How Has Defense Changed?
12:45 Constructing 5-Man Pressures
22:34 Breaking Pass Protection
32:50 Cover 1
39:00 "Spinning" the Sniffer vs. Lever-Spill-Lever
46:06 Traveling the Viper
51:28 Cover 2 Zone Dogs
53:48 Take Back Rules on the Number 1 WR in Cover 2
55:30 5-0 Looks aka "Superman"
57:43 Defending 12 Personnel - Wing Twins
63:38 Defending Snug/Squeeze Formations
68:26 How Triple Option Changes Off-Season Prep
1:03:10 Tips on Defending the Triple Option
1:04:53 Hanging Out with Bill Belichick
1:19:07 The Future of Defense (and Offense)
1:21:38 Who Inspires You?
Does he talk about he can't stop Ohio State?
I'd be more interested to hear why he thinks a zero blitz against a 5 wide set on a 3rd and 25 where you leave your middle linebacker in man coverage on a 4.4 slot receiver is a good idea.
It's on the same area of the play sheet where you make your 225lb WILL the nose tackle on the goal line.
Don Brown is going to Don Brown.
Tough pill for many to swallow but Don has poor football tactics.
I don't know why this was downvoted, I'd love to hear him talk about that more than any other topic.
I'm a good guy.
Don’s Defense in one picture.
If there's one thing I learned playing Madden, never under any circumstances, engage eight against Aaron Rogers.
"43 of the his 44 defensive starters at Michigan have earned All-B1G honors."
Impressive accomplishment.
Knowing full well it'll be trolled only by non-Michigan fans.
Right with you and the Uche being the 700th player out of high school was news to me. Then he goes 60th in the NFL draft. Pay will be fun to watch this year as well.
The first pod he did with Vass was great, too. The more I get to hear Don Brown, the more I am certain that he is in the top 5 most knowledgable defensive coaches walking the earth. That includes NFL.
It's also exceedingly clear that this mastery is an obstacle for him. He overthinks things and ,in-turn, overcomplicates for his guys. The only complete defensive install guide I have of his is a few years old and even then size of it is obscene. He repeatedly stated "more is more" and that he keeps adding to it. I really believe he feels like he needs to get a coaching win on every snap. (Brian's RPS in his UFR's).
Cover 1 is gods gift to defense. As long as you aren't a G5 or bottom tier P5 team trying to take down a powerhouse, it's all you need. It's simple in it's philosophy and complicated in it's execution. It relies on intelligence as much as athleticism. Know any schools that might have a leg up in that department? Good news is, when a defense can execute, it becomes a gorgeous dance that fits almost any situation and can combat any offense. Build some pressure packages off of it, have a couple situational change-ups, and bring in some pre-snap trickery. Once the ball is snapped - Cover 1.
Belichick and Saban know this better than anyone. They scale it perfectly for the skill and time commitment of their players. They don't make it any harder than it needs to be. They build a framework that allows their players to win if they execute. They don't try to out-coach the opposition with scheme on every single snap. They rely on their scouting to help their players execute the base coverages as fast and efficient as possible. They know what the opposition is looking for pre-snap and disguise accordingly.
You can say that Saban can be vanilla when he has freaks at every position. Sure, that might be the case. But as long as I don't have The Little Giants roster I would rather play one coverage that can handle just about anything, and play it as well as it can be played, than to have an array of coverages to try and match up uniquely to every situation.
Thanks! Good read and I did not have to find it.
I think calling his defense a cover 2 when OSU has a 4 WR set is the perfect name.
I save all the good stuff for the end of threads that are dead. A real shame.
There's a good quote somewhere about the most righteous toiling unseen.