GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Final Grades -- Defense

Posted at 6:00am — 1/20/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Final Grades — Defense

Please do not consider this a distraction from the melodrama presently securing the attention of Michigan football fans. This is not a planned deception, we simply thought it was time for the final report card, albeit one that will never get to the parent to be signed and returned to the principal.

Note:
GBMWolverine hereby tenders a small disclaimer, more of a reminder, to our readers. Some of our guys, maybe all actually, are pretty tough on game grades. We watch the game and later go back and further dissect the action, looking for details that a lot of fans miss or overlook when watching a game.

Again, here is our grading scale, simple but typical, intended to provide a general summary judgment based on specific instances collectively observed.

A = Great – everything went well, execution was very notable.
B = Good – success was achieved but nothing was exemplary.
C = Average/Okay – a normal day with ups and downs.
D = Poor/Need Help – a clear weakness, obvious problems.
F = Hope and Pray for a great recruiting class at that position.

Another Note:
Out of respect, there will be no attempt at humor regarding the defensive grade card for 2011.

Defensive Line:
Starters Mike Martin NT, Ryan Van Bergen DE, and Greg Banks/Key Back Ups- Adam Patterson NT, Jibrel Black and Craig Roh DE.

When healthy Mike Martin is a quality NT. Tough and physical, he can command the double team. He is not a huge NT and bigger stronger interior O Linemen were a challenge. RVB and Banks were basically clones, a bit undersized DE’s with average athletic ability who always gave 100%. The numbers don’t lie here. Eleven sacks and only 15 TFL are just not enough. Football games are and always will be won in the trenches and if the UM defense is to improve it has to start upfront.

Final grade C-

Linebackers:
Starters Ken Demens MLB’er, Jonas Mouton WLB’er, Craig Roh SLB’er/ Key backups, Obi Ezeh MLBer, Fitzgerald SLB’er, and Mark Moundros WLB’er.

Definitely improved against the run with Kenny Demens starting at MLB’er. Demens added a physical presence and strenth between the OT’s the defense needed. Jonas Mouton had his best season at UM. We still think Roh at SLB’er is playing out of position. Fitzgerald did a competent job filling in when Roh moved to DE. The LB’ers were among the teams leading tacklers as they should be. They recorded over 250 tackles, including 7 sacks and 20 TFL. Where we think the Lb’ers had problems is on counters, cutbacks, and playing in space. They have particular difficulty shedding pulling linemen and have to be better in coverage.

Final grade C-

Bandit and Spur:Starters Jordan Kovacs Bandit and Thomas Gordon and Spur. Key back up Cam Gordon and Carvin Johnson.

Jordan Kovacs is a kid we really like. He always gives 100% and is always around the ball. He led the team in tackles in 2009 and finished 2nd in 2010. Jordan also chipped in 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. Not bad for a walk on. He is also one of the smarter kids on the team. That said his lack of overall athletic ability really hurt at times in space. He was over-matched too many times in coverage. Jordan was also overmatched by big linemen that attacked the edge providing backs with a chance to break big runs. Thomas Gordon greeness at Spur showed. Remember, he spent his true freshmen year on offense.

Final grade C-

Defensive Backs:
Starters- CB JT Floyd, Cam Gordon and Ray Vinapol at Safety, and James Rogers at CB. Key back ups Carvin Johnson Safety, Christian Cullen CB, Courtney Avery CB

This group got off to a bad start losing Troy Woolfolk during the summer. Things went downhill from there. Six true freshmen played in the secondary this season. Also, two 1st time starters changed positions to help in the secondary. The lack of experience showed. The freshmens’ physical immaturity also played a factor. The group had 10 interceptions and 4 of the top 8 tacklers. Any time 4 of your top 8 tacklers are DB’s it is not a good thing. Teams exploited our DB’s often and in many ways. UM played with big cushions and opponents simple hit slants, curls, and hitches in front of the DB’s to move the chains. The lack of experience also lead to way too many big plays.

Final grade D

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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