The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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senior Quinton Washington and redshirt freshman Willie Henry will also provide Michigan with robust efforts. "I think we're closer now to being a real football defense," Mattison said. "Now what we do in the spring and in the fall, we'll find out, but we don't think we have to blitz every down or come up with exotic blitzes. Those are great when they work, but you make your defense vulnerable every time you bring pressure, and when you don't get to the quarterback, then you're in trouble. "We still aren't a Michigan team where you say, 'That's a five-star. That's a first-round pick.' It's coming, but if you need to do this to get closer to realizing that potential, do it. And we have a lot of guys that are buying in." Linebackers Bring Versatility To Defense Fifth-year senior linebacker Cam Gordon had three tackles for loss among 17 stops in 2012. Photo by Lon Horwedel the speed and quickness to be aboveaverage pass rushers. Mattison also has high expectations for his interior linemen, believing senior Jibreel Black is poised for a breakout campaign after transitioning from end to tackle in 2012, while sophomore Ondre Pipkins, fifth-year In a review of every snap from the 2012 season, Mattison came to a realization — he should have played Cam Gordon more. The fifth-year senior had three tackles for loss among 17 stops (17.6 percent). Only Ryan (18.1 percent of his 88 stops), who plays the same strongside (Sam) linebacker position, was more efficient at bringing ball carriers down behind the line of scrimmage. The 6-3, 233-pound Gordon was so impressive that his coordinator is determined to play him more, and doing so could juggle the lineup. "We've had a long talk in the offseason, and I've told Cam if he continues to improve and keeps doing what I've seen him doing, then he's