The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
gotten in practice. We have a big board in the meeting room, and we're tracking interceptions, fumbles, everything. And they all take pride in that. If they feel like they had one, they'll say, 'Coach, you missed one!' They're arguing and competing about it, saying, 'He dropped an interception, so does that mean you're taking one off?' They're taking pride in it. They want to have the most." It has been one of the biggest areas of focus this offseason. "Interceptions, stripping the ball, safeties and nickels coming off blitzes and getting to the quarterback — we're focusing on creating as many turnovers as we can, any way Cornerback Blake Countess appeared in 12 games in we can," Countess said. 2011, his rookie season, making six starts and notching Since the Wolverines re- 44 tackles. photo by per kjeldsen ported to camp at the beginball thrown. We have to do a better job ning of August, Mallory has brought a football to every secondary of that, breaking on the ball and not getting so tunnel-visioned on the man. team meeting. "You have to play with your eyes. When each player walks into the film room, he has to try to strip it out If you're playing man, you want to drive the man first and then look for of Mallory's hands. "We have to smack the ball, try to the ball. If you're in zone, you want to knock it out," Clark said. "We have to break on the quarterback. We're working hard to improve on that, because get the ball back to the offense." In the pass game, creating turnovers we have to do a better job [at creating requires a level of timing, experience turnovers] than we did last year." and finesse that Mallory is beginning Competition Still to see from his players. Open At Cornerback "When you get comfortable back The Michigan coaches sincerely there, you're not so locked in on a man," Mallory explained. "You're able don't know who will start at cornerto relate to the man and still see the back Aug. 31. But one thing they have