Mailbag question: Defensive scheme with Martin and Campbell

Mailbag question: Defensive scheme and lining up

Posted at 8:00am — 7/26/2010

Mailbag question: Defensive scheme with Martin and Campbell

Hey guys,

First off, love the new site…no offense to the old one, but this looks so much cleaner. Good work!

Anyway, there has been some good discussion regarding the defense as of late so I wanted to “piggy-back” off those quotes/blogs. Regarding Mike Martin, who to me is the X factor, because of where he could line up: why not play Campbell at NG, Martin at DT (which would be on the outside) and Van Bergen at DE? You’d still have Roh and/or a safety to provide a pass rush, and you’d be MUCH bigger/more physical up front than if you went Banks-Martin-RVB. On passing downs you can take Campbell out for a breather and move Martin inside and bring Banks in to replace him.

To me, this seems like the best fit and makes the most sense. Martin and Campbell BOTH have to play in order for us to stop the run, to me, that’s without question. But do you see it that way? More importantly, do our coaches? I think Martin is athletic enough to get some sort of rush off the edge, or at least take up two linemen so a LB or S can come in unblocked. When you look at NFL 3-4 schemes, the majority, if not all have a HUGE NG, a big DT and a big DE, they allow the LB’s to make plays.

Thanks for your thoughts,
ForeverYost

Thanks for the question and the comment about the new site.

Our staff actually prefers Mike Martin at nose tackle and Will Campbell at defensive tackle. We simply believe Mike Martin is a better fit at nose tackle compared to Will Campbell. In any three- man front the nose tackle is the lynchpin of the entire line.

We also conclude that Will Campbell, with his greater height (6’ 5”) is a better fit at the 5-technique, lined up on an offensive tackle.

We are not sure, at this point in time, that Will Campbell is a better overall defender than Greg Banks, especially against the run.

There is still a question about how well Will Campbell will play in contain from the 5-technique, or how he will be able to handle the tight end and offensive tackle double teams.

The results of the Martin at nose tackle scenario in the new defense is an unknown going into the season, obviously because Mike Martin was out this spring. So, this begs the questions of how will the coaches use everybody in the defensive line group (still very thin overall), if healthy, along with what type of rotation will be used?

One thing coaches do not want to do is confuse players or put more on their plate than they can handle. So, if players are constantly shifting positions, will they understand and execute the new roles?

We have seen in the past with the Michigan defense, the simpler the better, it seems. Now if the players can handle multiple roles, then sure rotation and shifting down players could work, but sometimes a second group defender might be better because he plays one position all the time and better understands his responsibilities.

Mike Martin will indeed be a big factor, and he is good enough to fulfill the need on the line.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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