Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown is more than aware the defense had issues in the Wolverines’ final two games, losses at Ohio State and then to Florida in the bowl game.
Ann Arbor — Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown is more than aware the defense had issues in the Wolverines’ final two games, losses at Ohio State and then to Florida in the bowl game.
It’s hard to forget the glaring final scores, 62-39 in Columbus and 41-15 against the Gators. To be fair, there was a punt returned for a touchdown and two interceptions gave Ohio State the ball at the Michigan 22-yard line and 19-yard line for easy scores. And in the bowl game, Michigan was without defensive starters Rashan Gary and Devin Bush, and before the end of the first half, starters Devin Gil and Michael Dwumfour left the game with injuries.
But the bottom line is the bottom line, and Brown has owned it.
He knows the criticisms of the defense, and how it gave up crossing routes to both teams, and even the week before the Ohio State game to Indiana. He knows. He knows. He knows.
“I kinda chuckle because (people say) I’m set in my ways,” Brown said. “Well, can I just make one comment? In this passing thing, we’ve given up since I’ve been here under 2,000 passing yards a year (1,843 yards last season). I know, that’s not a big deal. The last team to do it was Miami (2001-03) when they had 10 first-round draft picks, OK? It’s not the concept. What it is sometimes is, my guys are better than their guys and I’m going to just shove it. Well, you know, sometimes you’ve got to do a little better job.
Brown didn’t quite explain how it has been addressed when asked, but shared that after the Ohio State loss, hitting the road for recruiting probably was a miscalculation.
Last week, Michigan players revealed that coach Jim Harbaugh gave them T-shirts not meant to celebrate a 10-3 season but to motivate by pointing out on the front of the shirt that Michigan was co-Big Ten East Division champions. The point being, there’s no trophy, no chance to play for the Big Ten title with that designation. On the back of the shirt are listed the Wolverines’ three losses and the scores. Those have been seared in their memories and now preserved on the shirts.
Offensive lineman Ben Bredeson said last week he tossed his shirt at the bottom of his locker. He knows what happened and he knows those scores.
Brown is certain the players have all the motivation they need.
“I think it drives us all. Yep,” Brown said. “The thing I really sometimes feel a little is, it’s hard to win 10 games in a row in the Big Ten, I’m just saying. I’ve only been in the league three years, but it’s hard to do that. In fact, nobody’s gone 9-0 since they’ve gone East-West (divisions). It’s hard. But you got to do it, you’ve got to do it. That’s the reality of it. Whatever you gotta do, you do. We have tremendous leadership from the boss. He does everything he possibly humanly can to get us ready each and every weekend. Bad thing is when you let ‘em down, you feel you let the guy down.
Safety Josh Metellus is expected to be a leader on the defense this fall. He wasn’t much interested in discussing how those two final games affected the defense.
Brown said there is plenty to like about this defense that lost a considerable amount of talent in ends Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich, linebacker Devin Bush, cornerback David Long and safety Tyree Kinnel.
Ross started in place of Bush in the bowl game and while he might not yet have those elite qualities that are making Bush a top NFL Draft prospect, he’s impressive as an enforcer in the middle.
They are in the early stages of working Ben Mason, a fullback last season, into roles on offense and defense where he’s playing on the line, but Brown likes his hard-hitting ways. As for the secondary, Brown entered the spring fully expecting to have issues.
What has made Brown even more optimistic is the depth with which he finds this defense as the team enters its second week of spring practice.
March 28, 2019, 5:37 a.m.