Wisconsin's tight ends a threat to Michigan football team's defense
Iowa’s Tony Moeaki and Penn State’s Andrew Quarless had their way with Michigan’s defense, and if the Wolverines aren’t careful Wisconsin’s Garrett Graham might, too.
The Michigan football team has struggled to stop opposing tight ends at times this year, and Graham and the Badgers provide a unique test this weekend.
Wisconsin tight end Lance Kendricks (84) is tackled by Purdue's Dwight Mclean on Kendricks' 54-yard run on Oct. 31. Wisconsin won 37-0. (Photo: Associated Press)
Graham ranks second on the team with 30 catches and leads Wisconsin with 4 receiving touchdowns. Kendricks has 18 catches, 2 touchdowns and ran for 91 yards earlier this year against Purdue.
“They play sometimes 3 (tight ends) at a time,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “And they move them around a little bit.
“We know they’re going to come downhill at us, but they do enough movement and trading tight ends and motions and things like that to try to limit what you can do defensively. It’s a concern, and not only that, they’re so big up front and big running backs and we’re a small team, so I’m sure they’re going to come right downhill at us.”
Michigan’s problems defending tight ends have been more about personnel breakdowns than anything. Moeaki beat the Wolverines for gains of 34 and 42 yards on 2 blown assignments, and Quarless’ 60-yard touchdown catch came over top of linebacker Obi Ezeh when safety Jordan Kovacs left his help position.
Tight ends or not, Rich Rodriguez said those plays are unacceptable from his defense.
“It’s been a different thing every time,” Rodriguez said. “We had a man-to-man on a back the last game and didn’t cover him. Some of those major mistakes, those are the things we can’t afford because we’re not good enough defensively to overcome the smaller mistakes, let alone the major mistakes.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
Man in the Mirror
Fri, Nov 13, 2009 : 7:55 a.m.
Just wait until next year or the next year...Rich Rod will get his players and UM will win a BCS Championship. You'll see.
Furious in MI
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 10:21 p.m.
I agree with the above comment "What isn't a threat to this defense?" I think most high school offenses could score all over this defense right now. Only two legitimate players out of 11 on the field. Enough already. Get this one over with and then Tressel can have his fun with us so this disaster can finally be finished.
81wolverine
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
Oh no, Wisconsin has good tight ends?! Great news. Our linebackers and safeties can't cover anyone right now. Our only hopes are we can slow them down at the line of scrimmage or they drop the ball. Every team we've played with any kind of decent player at TE has exploited us. I hope Robinson figures out how to defend this one of these days.
jvlieger
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 2:10 p.m.
this team has had a hard time defending air this season. here's looking toward 2011 because the schedule is going to kill us 2010. only two years till we make it back to a bowl!!!
michboy40
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 11:38 a.m.
Ah..."struggled to stop opposing tight ends "AT TIMES" this year? We have struggled to stop any team fielding an 11 man offense! Good god, make this season go away.
Imaloser
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 9:50 a.m.
What isn't a threat to this defense?
friend12
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 9:36 a.m.
"Michigans problems defending tight ends have been more about personnel breakdowns than anything." What they really mean is lack of coverage on the TEs. Playing the TE off by up to 15 yards at time or not picking them up at all are just a few constants when it comes t0 Michiga's defense.