A Work In PROGRESS
In The U-M Linebacking Corps
Emergence Of Young Players Helps Build Depth
M
First, they had to take on Alabama, which has at least three NFL-ready offensive linemen. Then, they had a
36 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2012
ichigan's linebackers had a tough task during the non- conference portion of the schedule.
BY ANDY REID
short week to turn around and get ready for a quirky offensive scheme in Air Force. From there, they were forced to do a 180 to defend the spread schemes of Massachusetts and Notre Dame.
That's about as much diversity in offensive philosophies as the Wol-
Through four games, redshirt sophomore strong side linebacker Jake Ryan ranked third
on the team in tackles, with 25. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL
verines could have possibly seen in a four-week span.
But Michigan linebackers coach Mark Smith said it should not have been a problem for the linebacking corps.
"It has been three different types of animals that we had to prepare for every week, but the basic fundamen- tals of the position don't change from week to week," he said. "You have a set alignment that you're supposed to be in, a specific person or key that you're supposed to be looking at. It might change a little bit, but it's still the same idea week to week: 'This is my alignment, this is my stance, this is my key.' Now, how do you react?" The bottom line is this: the Wolver-
