Ryan Van Bergen says there's a 'sense of urgency' for the Michigan football team's defense
How will Denard Robinson adapt to the pro-style sets? Who will emerge as a workhorse tailback? Is there anybody on the roster to play fullback?
Yes, there are plenty of obvious questions on the offensive side of the ball that fans should begin to see answered at the Michigan football team’s spring game at noon Saturday.
But what about on defense? Besides a permanent switch to a four-man front by first-year coach Brady Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, what will be different when the team is on display for the first time at Michigan Stadium?
“There will be subtle differences, you’d have to know football to see it,” senior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen said on a Big Ten teleconference today.
Cynical Michigan fans might say that showing the ability to tackle and cover would be a good start after the Wolverines ranked last in the Big Ten in 2010 in points allowed (35.2) and yards allowed (450.8) per game.
Michigan defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen says there's a sense of urgency for the defense to improve this season.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Scheme-wise, Van Bergen said he thinks this year’s defense will be more aggressive. He said the Wolverines likely will have more players near the line of scrimmage and pressure the quarterback more on third-and-long plays than they have in the past.
In general, he said he’s sensed some urgency to get better from the Wolverines’ players this spring.
“We’ve slowly been getting better over the past couple years, and now we need to do it with a new regime,” Van Bergen said.
Van Bergen says he gets extra motivation from being a senior. But he’s seen the same urgency from players like junior defensive tackle Will Campbell.
Campbell could be a key to the success of Mattison’s 4-3 defense after struggling to find the field - and eventually being moved to the offensive line - during Rich Rodriguez’s tenure in Ann Arbor.
“I think (Campbell’s) main improvement is in work ethic and attitude toward the game,” Van Bergen said. “He’s paying attention to smaller details, he’s just been more coachable and is taking criticism well.”
Van Bergen is more comfortable himself, saying he’s finally lining up at the position that he was recruited to play by former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. He started 12 games at defensive tackle as a redshirt sophomore in 2009 before moving to defensive end in last season’s 3-3-5 alignment.
“I’ve played a lot of schemes since I’ve been here,” Van Bergen said. “But I feel like this is the position I was meant to play when it comes to my ability and body.”
Rich Rezler covers sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at 734-623-2553 or richrezler@annarbor.com.
Comments
Terry Star21
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
Agree David, this defense is more suited for pressure on the QB, and when that happens it disrupts, causes teams changes - something we need. Love the 'sense of urgency' attitude. MgoBlue !
81wolverine
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
I think the D line will be much improved with the 4-3, increased aggressiveness, and players playing in their natural positions. And the defensive backfield will be much better with experienced guys back from injuries, new players, and better coaching. But, I agree with M. Sunset regarding the linebacking. I think that's our shakiest position(s). Not enough experience and talent there. We had a great recruiting class, but most or all of them will not be ready to play this soon. Hopefully, Demens and Fitzgerald can really step up their games this year.
umgoblue47
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.
as long as everyone stay's healthy the defense should be much improved. . . GO BLUE. . .
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 8 p.m.
We'll get a nice test to our defensive improvement at the Notre Dame game.
David Vande Bunte
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
"He said the Wolverines likely will have more players near the line of scrimmage and pressure the quarterback more on third-and-long plays than they have in the past." This was the biggest issue the defense had. Because the 3-3-5 was ill suited towards putting pressure on the QB, the QB had more time to figure out where he was going to send the ball. It doesn't matter how good your secondary is, if the QB has all day to pick and choose, the secondary loses, every time. Essentially, there is a direct inverse correlation between the amount of time the QB has to throw and the efficiency of the secondary in defending it. if Michigan can simply apply more pressure to the QBs, forcing them to throw when they aren't ready, the secondary will benefit directly. More QB pressure equals more QB mistakes equals more opportunity to intercept bad throws, better chance to defend passes.
Dusty
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 7:24 a.m.
Actually, unless something changed in the last week, Campbell was going to play the 3. At least that's what Mattison has been saying.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
The 3-3-5 was invented to torture the quarterback when there's little threat of the the run. In theory it's an attacking defense, but RichRod didn't seem to understand that part of the theory. It's ideally suited to combat the spread, basically daring a team to run with only six in the box and the hint of that extra safety. You need fast, athletic linebackers who move quickly to their assigned gaps. We didn't see that at all last year, either. Desmond Bishop and Clay Matthews are superstars. I don't think Michigan had anyone last year who could play that type of defensive role, so I'm not sure what the RichRod 3-3-5 was intended to do. It popped out where it didn't belong. It didn't generate pressure. It left defensive backs on islands, and we didn't have anyone named Revis back there, either. Michigan is stocked at defensive line, if nowhere else. So a 4-3 makes a lot of sense. Sounds like they're looking at Campbell as the 1-technique, Martin as a 3. This could be very exciting if the ends can bring pressure.
Dusty
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.
The 3-3-5 was INVTENTED to get more pressure on the QB than the 4-3 or even the 3-4. When the 3-3-5 is correctly manned (and coached), it is designed to incorporate blitz angles and disguise coverages much better than the 4-3. But it requires a coach who knows the defense, because it's complex. Rich Rod didn't/doesn't know as much about it as he thought/thinks he does. Rocky Long knows the 3-3-5 and can run it effectively. Jeff Casteel knows the 3-3-5. Rich Rodriguez? Nope. Don't think the 3-3-5 can pressure a QB? Watch Green Bay Packer game film from this past season. They ran it more than any other defense.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
Since the 3-3-5 requires bigger ends and the nose must handle two gaps, and that's a skill you don't see much in college football, I think the change itself will bring some reward. Just let the kids attack one gap and force the offense to make its decision quickly. I think Campbell can be a good 43 tackle. The key to this defense will be the right defensive end. Can he get pressure on the quarterback enough to preclude frequent blitzing, which makes the defense vulnerable to precision passing? My biggest worry is the lack of an obvious athletic MLB who can take away a good-sized zone.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.
Right, it will be either Mike Jones or Kenny Demens, who is injured right now. Gordon will be the Sam.
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 2:21 a.m.
I thought Mike Jones was being project at the MLB. Gordon is supposed to be on the outside.
1bit
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 1:03 a.m.
Agree completely. Is Cam Gordon supposed to be MLB now?