energyblue1

October 24th, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^

Lewan the penalty against indiana was very questionable but the one against iowa the whistle blew and he came 4yds and blew up a guy turned away from him....

Molk had the defenseless player call, wich some of this when the play is beyond you, you just need to let it go. 

Christian vs nd, was going to be called even if the hit was weak, it was over a yd oob by the time he hit the player.  You cannot do that and I don't care if you are a tr fr, you know from little league football oob is oob and you will get a pf for hitting a player oob.

Many others, undisciplined more in play and consistency on defense I would say...

DGDestroys

October 24th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^

With inexperience comes mistakes, a lack of discipline. Certainly, (outside of Ezeh) most of our experienced starters have been disciplined, in position (Martin, RVB, Mouton-ish, Kovacs, Floyd-ish, Schilling, Molk, Odoms, Stonum, Hemingway, Webb, Koger, etc.)

dharmabum

October 24th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^

Chait seems to come to the conclusion that, yes there is some evidence that they are undisciplined.  However, he notes that it is sparse and ill formed.

bluesouth

October 24th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^

but I think young Mr. Lewan in his passion may need to tidy up his game a bit.  I'm not calling him out he does play with great passion just want to see him succeed and not get penalized.  

JClay

October 24th, 2010 at 7:27 PM ^

I agree. I think Lewan is "undisciplined," in some regard, but the rest of the team not so much. There are certain penalties that are characteristic of a lack of discipline, and others that aren't. I attribute most of our offenses problems finishing drives on lack of experience as opposed to a categoric lack of discipline/coaching.

legacyblue

October 24th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^

In conference games UM was the least penalized team in the conference last year, the third least penalized in 08'.  7th this year.

WolverineHistorian

October 24th, 2010 at 8:06 PM ^

The team has been making 15 yard penalties a habit this year.  Back to back 15 yarders against Sparty that helped them score a TD.  A similar situation with Iowa.  A late hit on ND's last drive that put them in position to throw it in the end zone on the last play...although that one was questionable.  Penalties killed possible scoring drives against ND as well where we got the ball at mid-field.  I believe our only penalty in the UConn game was a 15 yard unsportsmanlike call that wiped out a 20 yard run by Denard.  The majority of the time, we can't have just a simple 5 yard penalty.  It always has to be a personal foul.

It's frustrating but still not as frustrating as watching our opponents make every single critical 3rd and long with shocking ease. 

blueheron

October 24th, 2010 at 7:54 PM ^

I'm glad he mentioned that FG.  To hear RichRod's detractors, every Michigan player was clueless and every Iowa player immediately went into "blocked FG" mode.  Far from it ... as Chait noted, only a few guys were clued-in.

Syyk

October 24th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^

I made the mistake of reading the comments after the article.  It made me really appreciate all of you that much more. 

Now, the real question is: Why do I always feel the need to read the comments section when I know the inanity is just going to piss me off?

caup

October 25th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^

Yes this team IS undisciplined on defense.  Numerous players are constantly ignoring their responsibilities, whether it be covering a zone, maintaining proper outside leverage, or fillng the correct gap.

THAT is what I think of when somebody asks if this team is undisciplined.

And I also think Tate often lacks discipline with the ball. 

MDave

October 25th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^

...inexplicably.  Tate, Demens, et al.  Anyway, I highly doubt discipline is a problem in the respect of the team and disciplinary measures.  Rivals is just looking for a subject that no one else has done yet.  With experience comes discipline.  That is a rule rarely broken.  There are very few top notch defensive players that can come out and make a big difference right off the bat.  They need that experience and time.  They need that mentoring.  Even the players that make a difference right away normally have someone with experience helping them along the way.... Michigan doesn't have that.