Posted at 8:00am — 9/9/2010
Coach’s Corner: Notre Dame Defense
Notre Dame coaches have already seen the film of Denard Robinson’s Genghis Khan like conquering of the UConn defense. Just as likely the defensive game plan has been finalized and the “cure” will be put forward in practice. Here then is a look at the 2010 Notre Dame defense.
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is a proponent of 3-4 defenses. It is not an aggressive three-man front like Michigan uses under Coach Robinson, but instead instills a 2-gap, control the linemen philosophy.
The front seven should be the strength of the Notre Dame defense. This scheme relies on aggressive, attacking linebackers to make plays and the Irish have a good one that is for sure.
Notre Dame’s front three will provide a much different challenge than UConn’s 4-3 did.
Notre Dame has potential NFL’ers in Ian Williams at nose tackle and Ethan Johnson at defensive end. Kapron Lewis-Moore rounds out the front and he is also very good.
The linebackers will be tough. The Irish return the top recruit from last year, Mont Te’o, as well as Darius Fleming. Expect linebacker Brian Smith to play a key leadership role.
In the Irish scheme the outside linebackers have a chance to be defensive stars and make big plays blitzing off the edge.
At Cincinnati the outside linebackers did a great job of harassing the quarterbacks. For this defense to be better than average the outside linebackers will need to be very good.
An area that Notre Dame will need to improve at is secondary play. In an effort to bolster the secondary, linebacker Harrison Smith has moved back to safety, and that should be a great help.
One key question concerns some top recruits like Walls and Blanton. Will they live up to the hype or continue to under perform?
Notre Dame knows Denard Robinson will be the starter going into Saturday’s the game, so they can prepare for him, and perhaps him alone.
The GBMWolverine staff assumes Notre Dame, unlike UConn, will try and stack the box, put pressure on Denard to stay in the pocket and try and force mistakes and turnovers from Denard. One strategy will be to pressure him into throwing the ball before needed. Last week Denard had ample time to make good decisions.
The staff strongly believes Notre Dame will try and pressure the Michigan receivers to get them off rhythm, disrupting timing and making Denard change what he set out to do at the onset of the play.
Notre Dame will employ a controlled type of defense and look for someone to be assigned as a spy on Denard for the purpose of keeping him in front of the defense.
One thing for certain, Notre Dame will not be passive and protect against the home run as did UConn. The guys here (our staff) do not expect to see safeties 12 yards back every play and 8 yards off the receivers.
With Roundtree injured, the Michigan offensive staff will need to come up with strategies to compensate. The offensive line will be working overtime this week on pass pro.
Notre Dame is collecting a basket full of high-level talent that will be ready to challenge for the top in a short time span. Better get them now may apply.
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!