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Michigan Wolverine Football: Spring Football — Work To Be Done Defense

By Eroc Wolverine

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GBMWolverine Michigan Football TidbitsPosted at 5:15am — 3/26/2015

Michigan Wolverine Football: Spring Football — Work To Be Done Defense

Last discussion, we ventured into the offensive line, a scenario that has since changed again with the suspension of a former starter. The defensive line is deeper than the offensive line, has produced better results the past three years, and has held together without retirements and suspensions.

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The defensive line also has a familiar figure to guide and evaluate them, Coach Greg Mattison. Of all his coaching assignments, Mattison may more enjoy working with the defensive line. He should be a steadying force for the flux that is occurring and will be heavily involved giving advice, feedback, and coordinating with the new staff members.

The defensive backfield may be an area of less feedback for Coach Mattison. Michigan has two new defensive backfield coaches, Greg Jackson and Mike Zordich, both former NFL coaches and NFL players. Both have collegiate coaching experience. Those who are data driven will notice each has shown success on the field and on the sideline.

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With the addition of these two coaches, each having dedicated assignments, Michigan is in excellent shape regarding experience, technique, and scheme, perhaps the best shape in more than 10 years. The ingredient to determine ultimate success will be players who can athletically compete with the high-level offensive skill players college football teams routinely place on a field.

The new defensive coordinator, D.J. Durkin, will also coach linebackers. He held the same posts at Florida. He does not have the years of experience of a Greg Mattison, yet look at how well the Florida defense performed under his guidance the last two years during a time the Florida offense, similar to the offense of Michigan, placed a defense in dire need.

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    • There will be differences of style and scheme preference, but perhaps the end result will be more similarities. Durkin knows that linebacker play is critical in matching up with today’s high-end speed and schemes.

    There has been speculation by observers and public comment by Coach Durkin that Michigan will use multiple fronts and both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. The standup linebacker/rush defensive end 9 technique may come back that was frequent in the 4-3 under, a defense that can resemble an old style 5-2 defense.

    Expect it all, but the promise of variation must be backed up by the availability of strong parts to drive the new machine.

    Next up, a group that could shine next year, the defensive line. With the new alignments, there will be more work than normal to be done.

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    Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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