The Real Solution to Michigan's Defensive Woes

Michigan's defense is bad.

This isn't a comment intended as a blame on the coaching staff, nor is it a "get out of jail free" card for Rodriguez and his staff. It is what it is—a statement of fact for anyone who watches Michigan football, the defense is playing badly right now because it is bad.

We have all been hopeful that the defense would somehow evolve into something better and make us a competitor in the Big Ten. The truth, as we all know, is that it won't in 2009. Most Michigan fans know that even 2010's defense will probably have serious struggles.

Football is a team sport, and even though Donovan Warren and Brandon Graham are future NFL draft picks, there are some glaring holes on this unit. They say you are only as strong as your weakest link, and Michigan has serious problems in the secondary and at linebacker. While I'm at it, its defensive line is awfully small too.

What is the solution, and, even more importantly, is there a solution? I think so. We, as Michigan fans, need to understand the concept of patience, because we are going to have to, while the coaching staff is going to have to be steady. They say the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Ladies and gentleman, there is an elephant in the room...and it is the Michigan Wolverines defense. It's obvious to everyone in the nation, and we aren't just going to make it magically disappear. We can call for different coaching, players, recruiting, etc., but the real answer is consistency and constancy.

In the words of Reverend Lovejoy: constancy—sweet, sweet constancy. Boring and frustrating as it may be, it is necessary.

We have had three defensive coordinators in three years and lost six starters from 2009's defense. Greg Robinson is installing another new system with only four guys starting where they were in 2008. In spite of these facts, Michigan is giving up about three points per game less than last season.

Keep in mind that experience is important at any institution and Michigan is no different. There will be hopefully nine starters returning in 2010. Assuming Warren stays, there will be he and Woolfolk, Williams, Kovacs, and J.T. Floyd returning in the secondary, all of whom will have a lot of experience.

At linebacker, Michigan will return Mouton, Ezeh, Craig Roh, Brandon Herron, and Kevin Leach. On the line, Michigan returns Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen along with the entire second-team defensive line (Patterson, Banks, Sagesse).

Equally important, players like J.B. Fitzgerald, Kenny Demens, and high school All-Americans Brandon Smith and Isaiah Bell strengthen the linebacking corps while William Campbell's 330-pound frame helps to plug up holes and add the much-needed size up front. Justin Turner, Vladimir Emilien, and Teric Jones will no longer be true freshmen.

Just as one or two guys can destroy a defensive performance, sometimes two guys like Turner and Brandon Smith, for example, can add a different dimension to a defensive secondary and back seven. 

Michigan loses Graham and Steve Brown and isn't guaranteed to be much better in 2010. However, I would be shocked if they aren't marginally better simply because of the consistency and experience. Craig Roh will pick up size and become a premier pass rusher, and Will Campbell is the dominant defensive tackle every team craves.

Warren will be complemented by Turner at corner, who is definitely an elite talent. This will give the Wolverines the opportunity to have Woolfolk on the field at the same time as these two getting the best guys in back there.

Look for a return to respectability next year for Michigan's defense, which is really all we can expect right now. If they can reach or even exceed those expectations, Michigan will compete for a Big Ten title.