Greg Mattison will use 'two starting lineups' in an effort to improve Michigan football team's defense
Michigan defensive end Will Heininger stretches during warm ups at practice on Tuesday. The fifth-year senior has impressed the coaching staff with his ability to understand and play each of the positions across the defensive line.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
They each have two things in common: Both play defense, both offer flexibility.
Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has emphasized the need for his players to be versatile to give his new 4-3 scheme bite. He plans to employ several complex packages, but also needs to keep guys fresh.
“We’re not going to go out there and play one defense,” Mattison said after Tuesday’s practice. “We need to give our guys opportunities to make plays.”
Mattison calls those opportunities “bullets,” and says his players require enough of them to be effective against quarterbacks such as Western Michigan’s Alex Carder, whom he thinks is talented enough to play in the NFL.
“When he says ‘enough bullets,’ he means he’s never going to put us in a situation where we can’t defend something or that we don’t have an answer for something,” Heininger said.
THURSDAY LIVE CHAT
The fifth-year senior from Ann Arbor had only three tackles last year, but has impressed the coaching staff with his ability to understand and play each of the positions across the defensive line.
It earned him a starting job at defensive end.
But for Mattison, that doesn’t mean a whole lot. He anticipates playing as many as 22 players on defense, and holds his reserves highly enough that he refers to his two-deep as “two starting lineups.”
“Whoever’s not in after that opening kickoff, whenever that next group of guys comes in, they’re just as valuable as the one’s that are there,” he said. “(You need to) play as hard as you can, and you can’t do that 75 plays a game. You can’t do it.
“So we have to have guys behind them -- the guy goes in and he goes as hard as he can. He may not be as good, but going hard is good enough.”
Mattison said some players will play six plays, then sit two. At other positions, it might be four plays in, four plays out. Those decisions will be predicated on talent gaps between starting units and reserves, as well the units themselves.
For example, he anticipates cycling through players quicker on the defensive line, where a rotation of six or even seven players could be employed. That means someone such as sophomore walk-on Nathan Brink, who was heralded throughout camp but lost out on a starting spot at its conclusion, still plays a paramount role in Michigan’s defensive plans.
“(Heininger’s) a big, strong physical kid,” Mattison said. “He’s a senior, a fifth-year senior, and he’s been around a long time. That’s what we’re looking for.
“We’re looking for, all right, ‘The two of them, (Brink and Heininger), make one.’ ”
Mattison also mentioned sophomore Quinton Washington and junior Will Campbell as players who will see time in the rotation on the defensive line, particularly if opposing teams pass a lot.
Western Michigan -- which finished 16th in passing offense last year and returns its quarterback, Carder, and record-setting sixth-year receiver, Jordan White -- is expected to pass a lot.
“There’s no point in going 80 percent,” Heininger said. “You’ve got to go 100 percent and that’s why you have to have depth and guys who can play.”
In the secondary, reserves will be used less frequently, but still are important. Flexible players such as Gordon, who will start at safety, are vital to ensuring Mattison’s complex packages can be executed.
Gordon said he feels most comfortable at free safety.
“It makes me feel like a ball-hawk,” he said. “When I came in under coach (Rich Rodriguez), I was a spur, but now I’m back there and I feel like a natural.”
However, it is his ability to play several positions, in various roles, that enticed the coaching staff into naming him a starter.
“He can be in some of our packages where he can be almost like a linebacker at times, and then he can go be a safety, and then he can go be a nickel,” Mattison said. “He’s understood the defense, and he’s been a real student and his flexibility has really helped us.”
Starter or not, there are 22 guys who will be charged with ensuring Michigan doesn't finish 110th in defense anytime soon.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Dean edwards
Thu, Sep 1, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
If we have the same defensive players witch we pritty much do i think with all that rotation on the field will cause alot of defensive time outs or alot of to many men on the field calls.but almost anything is better than what we had the last couple of years.the coaches are under a huge amount of presure to win this year (unfair exspectations).To win with rods squad is going to be tough as it is hopefully they will be up to the task GO BIG BLUE D YOUR MY BOY NOT TO SWIFT BUT MY PRIDE AND JOY
mike
Thu, Sep 1, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
good luck coach mattison. if you motivate these players like the kids in football camp michigan will have a tougher defense and much to be proud of. my son has decided to switch sides of the ball....defense!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ChelseaBob
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.
Mattison is a great D coach, and what was lacking past three years was coaching. Fundamentals were ignored, and that alone would have made a huge difference. I keep hearing about a lack of talent, but that was just RR's excuse. Watch these guys Saturday. D will sack the quarterback, pick off passes and this game will be over by 3rd qtr. Western is in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's time for our boys to demonstrate they are back. Go Blue!
RWBill
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
Just a minor disagreement, the lack of talent wasn't just RR's excuse, rather a widely acknowledged fact, whether it was Larry Foote's "I was stunned at the level of talent" or NFL scout and advisor Chris Landry "There are at least 5 schools in the Big 10 with more athletic ability than Michigan". I'm hoping with some experience and staying healthy, plus better coaching we'll see a measurable improvement this year that continues as their defensive oriented recruiting classes grow from teenagers to young men.
Blue1st
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
GO BLUE!!!!! I can't wait till Saturday!!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
DVB I agree only to the point that they will have "good" experience as oppose to "bad" which was brought forward from last years' "hearding cats defense" (that's for Bg97). I wouldn't usually have to point that out but there are some revisionists out there who will claim that these players were defrosted after the winter ready to play football based on what they learned from the WCiMFH. So now they can't unless they want to prove their lack of football knowledge. So the more the young guys play, and play well with good to great technique, the better next years' team should be. Otherwise we will be very disappointed. (Like getting a blind date with the girl who has a "nice personality and who is a good dancer"). TiM Go Blue!
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
Yep. It's just so much easier to transition from backup to starter when your time comes if you already have plenty of playing time, as opposed to coming in cold with no practical playing experience.
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
I will happily accept respectable, after being #108. In addition to the obvious, that it will keep players fresher this year, I think there is something very important that is being overlooked. This is only half about this year, it is also half about next year. By playing as many defensive players as they can, what Hoke and Mattison are doing is building up experience, so that when the upperclassmen are gone, he has an experienced group of underclassmen ready, with plenty of playing time under their belts already. Essentially, that "new" defensive starter for next year won't be "new" at all. This is building for the future, not just accommodating the present.
umgoblue47
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
the defense won't be perfect but i think it will suprise and will get better has the game goes on. we will see improvement thru the season! keep your glass half full and GO BLUE!!!
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
The most telling comment from the whole article is the Mattison's statement about "two equaling one". IMO, this means he, and probably Hoke, think that the defensive talent level is really low and their trying to scrape together something that will not be an embarrassement on Saturdays. I think most of us realized this was probably the case after the devestation of the last few years, but I know that I thought, with the right coaching, we could be respectable. It's hard to say that now, based upon what we've heard. Still, they haven't played a game yet, so until that happens, hope spring eternal. Let's go boys! Time to wash that bad taste out of everyone's mouths.
Blu-dogg97
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
Coach Mattison, has the right idea here.. Keep them Fresh,because we all know when a player gets really fatigued, the chance of injury is apparent ,plus the constant shuffle of D players,could confuse o-lines and QB's at times and maybe the double teaming specific players (Mike Martin).. Last 3 yrs either D-Rob scored really quick,or the drive would stall,and the D was on the field too much,and would eventually got worn down."There's no point in going 80 percent," Heininger said. makes alot sense, you want your D going 100% on every play !! Plus its gives under class-men a chance to prove themselves ,and Mattison keeps preaching that his D is going to play Michigan Defense,and IMO will produce more NFL talent like years past ... Won't be long, I can smell the flavors of game day in A2, aahh in the thick smoke the smell of Brats and burgers burning on the grill is in the air, a super cold & delicious beer foaming over..the Victors blasting out of the someone car stereo speakers,and the new song by Pop Evil "In The Big House" blaring..The Michigan band sharpening they're notes in the background.. there's a very loud hum to the gathering crowd,all in anticipation of the re-newed Michigan football team,and they're field generals Hoke,Mattison and Big Al... Should be Grand.. can't wait !! TiM.. GO BLUE..
MRunner73
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
Very good news. This should keep the entire defensive unit fresher and hopefully, reduce the injury risk. It sounds like there will be plenty of opportunity for second stringers to prove themselvves as well. This defense should be much better than last year. They gave up 35 points per game in 2010 and my hope is they can bring that down to the low 20s this year. I am very encourgaed by this. I also believe Rich Rod left Hoke and Mattison with a stable of good players on defense, but RR faileld to develop them. Also note, while seemingly mismatched a lot year, this group pf players fought hard and played their guts out but had poor results. They have a lot of heart and will give the 105% effort again this year. GO BLUE!!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 9:56 a.m.
If this defense looks better organized and plays with more focus then that will be an improvement over last year's "hearding cats defense". I'm not asking that these young me look like the Marine Corps drill team out on the field but I hope the days of "F Troop" are over. TiM Go Blue!
Blu-dogg97
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 2 p.m.
"hearding cats defense". now thats funny Blu n Tpa.. !!
Mick
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 6:22 a.m.
I'll try this again. I'm really glad we'll be playing a lot of guys on D, it will keep guys fresh, keep morale high and it will help us with reloading as opposed to rebuilding every year like teams of years past. It will also help tremendously that the players are being coached and led wayyyyyy better now. The last guy, who will remain unnamed knew nothing about this apparently.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 6:05 a.m.
Retrospective: Aug. 25, 2010: Coach Rodriguez held a press conference to talk about the team as they prepared for the first game. The topic of Michigan's defense was brought up. Coach RR talked about the defense, for about 1 minute, then moved on to the next question. Do we see a difference between last August and this one? You can see what RR said for yourself here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkbBW6qTYyg&feature=related" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkbBW6qTYyg&feature=related</a> "We hope" "We think" "We have a few guys..." This year, by contrast, we have Coach Hoke and Coach Mattison talking in details and in specifics about what they're doing and HOW the defense unit players are doing. Last year we also heard the repetitious, "We just want the guys to be doing things on their own without someone standing there telling them what to do." Then on game days it was always, "We just didn't execute. They were fine in practice." I have a strong intuition that, come Saturday, there will be no post-game "We just didn't execute. They were fine in practice."
10dz
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:22 a.m.
wow, 22 guys playing defense. I like that. keep em fresh and keep em focused all week knowing they will play on Saturday!
Blu-dogg97
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.
and some will also play on Sundays down the road..