Michigan football coach Brady Hoke displeased with defensive consistency, seeking 'drastic' improvement in passing game
The Michigan defense, shown taking down running back Walter Kazee, had its best performance of the season against San Diego State last Saturday. Still, coach Brady Hoke is seeking more consistency.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
Does Brady Hoke know that?
The first-year coach continues to critique his team, including a defense that has been stout the past two weeks and had its best game of the year in a 28-7 win Saturday against San Diego State.
"We don't play with any consistency," Hoke said Tuesday during his weekly teleconference with reporters. "When you look at runs and big plays and those kinds of things, I think we give up way too many of those things."
After finishing near the bottom of the country in defense last year, Michigan is 54th in total defense and 11th in scoring defense, when including stats accrued in the Western Michigan game (which the NCAA does not do).
Still, Hoke said the unit has a long way to go as his team opens Big Ten play Saturday against Minnesota (noon, BTN).
"I don't think we've been great at the point of attack," he said. "Better last week, but you don't judge by just one game."
Hoke also is concerned about Michigan's depth up front. It has only eight scholarship offensive linemen, and has been fortunate to remain healthy there so far this year.
"We're thin, especially, in my opinion, the areas that matter -- up front offensively and defensively," Hoke said, when asked about his team's depth as a whole. "The reality is, we're just thin there."
Hoke's other main concern entering Big Ten action is the state of Michigan's passing game. Although quarterback Denard Robinson has been rolling on the ground, where he picked up another 200 yards against San Diego State, he also remains below 50-percent accuracy on the season.
Hoke made it clear he doesn't think it's all Robinson's fault.
"I'm not real confident (in the passing game), and I don't think we are as a team," Hoke said. "We have to make sure our route running is crisp and the timing of the passing game and all that, and we didn't do that last week.
"That's one part of our game that needs to improve drastically."
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
XTR
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
The biggest problem in Big Ten play is Denard's one dimensional attack. Denard's style was checked last year and will most likely be checked this year too.
mookienation
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
For the most part, I'd say Denard's style was pretty darn effective against Big Ten teams, as the above poster has pointed out. Michigan lost conference games last year, not because of Denard, but because of an awful defense. Period. End of story. So he's not the greatest passer in the world. Neither was Tim Tebow (just one example). This isn't the NFL. You don't HAVE to be an elite passer to achieve success. If the Michigan defense, tailbacks, and special teams continue to improve, we should be just fine.
Dude
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 : 6:01 a.m.
By "checked" you mean what? Because he wasn't shut down by anybody but OSU last year. He had 100 yards rushing in just the half he played against Iowa (more than they allowed TEAMS in full games last year), he had 190/190 passing/rushing against Penn State, 360 total yards and 4 TDs against Wisconsin, 300 yards passing against Illinois in 3 quarters... I guess "checked" means something different to some people.
heartbreakM
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
I don't blame him. Defense has been fine in terms of points for all teams not named ND, but not exactly a shut down defense. They must improve if they want to be champs. I do believe they'll get better over the season though barring injury, and are certainly better coached than recent years.
aareader
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 7:57 p.m.
Every Michigan Coach I have ever read or heard has ALWAYS noted the defense needs work and wants them to get better. Same is true for the Offense. ( I am sure this strategy is from chapter 2 in the coach's handbook) True.... many of us are aware of real issues in both defense an offense. If a coach comments about how well his team is performing now he is correctly worried the team may think they are great and tend to go lighter the next game. He wants them to play hungry and believe they need to work extra hard to get better every game and ir does work for me. :+}
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
I'm starting to understand what Coach Hoke wants from this defense: Play every down like it's THE most important down of your life. Man up, do your job, be where you're susposed to be with force, and finish. Then do it all again the next snap. This would explain his meaning of lack of depth because if you go all out, and come out for a blow, then next guy can't be a step down. If so the offense will run right over him. Good is nice but not acceptable. Great is acceptable but not the goal. Perfection? Ahhh, now you understand what will make Coach Mattison and Coach Hoke happy. Do it their way and everything will be just fine. TiM Go Blue!
BlueGator
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
Good points, Blu. You are in Florida and I don't know if you recall (or even cared), but that was Urban Meyer's explicit philosophy when he took over the Gators. Paraphrasing Meyer extensively: "I'm not expecting much at all from my players. All I want is their utmost concentration and burst of physical energy in 8-second segments. EVERY play. But you must do it every play during the week in practice too, or you won't even get to see the field on Saturday." He made it sound so simple! As an aside, I trust Hoke will be as demanding in this regard for the offense as he is for the D. GO BLUE!!!
MRunner73
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
About the defense criticism, WOW! I think Brady Hoke wants to see something like the 1997 defensive unit. The defense this season has exceeded my own expectations. If Coach Hoke wants consistency, let's see what happens during the next three games: MN, Northwestern and Sparty. This will be fun. Passing game, I am hopeful it will improve a bit. Not expecting miracles.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Sep 27, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
I'm with you Mrunner73 .. I guess Brady wants a Michigan defense, as he knows it.. good post..