There has been a narrative floating around that our d-line sucks and are not getting pressures / sacks, which has contributed to our horrible pass defense stats. Watching live, I believe that this narrative is entirely false and the vast majority of the blame rests on our back seven. The cornerbacks have obviously been horrendous but plenty of times the linebackers aren't covering anyone properly, resulting in short, quick completions with a ton of YAC. As some of the coach types in the Michigan Twitter / blog sphere have said, it's hard to get sacks when the QB can always throw to a 1st read or just throw it up on a sideline fade. I personally think the linebackers playing piss poorly has been one of the underreported storylines of the season.
Part of the reason this narrative exists is simply because most fans don't really know how to watch football - they just see the box scores and lack of stats. I am truly not trying to take shots at anyone - I am also a relatively casual fan that's only tried to take my understanding of the game up in the last two years or so. It is what it is. But I'm also honestly a sick and tired of people just parroting back what someone else says, which is that the d-line sucks, fire Nua, Paye and Hutch are overrated, etc. Paye is up to #4 overall in a mock draft and PFF has him as "simply unblockable."
Note that I am NOT saying that our d-line as a whole are amazing, elite world beaters or anywhere close to the 2016 line. I am not saying that we are Alabama on the d-line. What I am saying is that we are certainly at the very least average and more likely well above average along the line. If we even had average secondary play - and just as importantly average to good linebacker play - we'd easily be 3 - 0.
I don't have access to the full PFF database because I don't pay, but here's MGoBlog's UFR charting of the last three games. Say what you want about Brian and company, but he's done a great job over time with the UFRs and most importantly has a consistent process of grading over hundreds of games. This line absolutely passes the grading system and confirms what should be apparent upon watching - the ends are incredible, All-B10 or AA level players and the DT's are ok / average with potential to be eventually good.
Minnesota:
MSU:
Indiana:
Part of the reason this narrative exists is simply because most fans don't really know how to watch football - they just see the box scores and lack of stats. I am truly not trying to take shots at anyone - I am also a relatively casual fan that's only tried to take my understanding of the game up in the last two years or so. It is what it is. But I'm also honestly a sick and tired of people just parroting back what someone else says, which is that the d-line sucks, fire Nua, Paye and Hutch are overrated, etc. Paye is up to #4 overall in a mock draft and PFF has him as "simply unblockable."
Note that I am NOT saying that our d-line as a whole are amazing, elite world beaters or anywhere close to the 2016 line. I am not saying that we are Alabama on the d-line. What I am saying is that we are certainly at the very least average and more likely well above average along the line. If we even had average secondary play - and just as importantly average to good linebacker play - we'd easily be 3 - 0.
I don't have access to the full PFF database because I don't pay, but here's MGoBlog's UFR charting of the last three games. Say what you want about Brian and company, but he's done a great job over time with the UFRs and most importantly has a consistent process of grading over hundreds of games. This line absolutely passes the grading system and confirms what should be apparent upon watching - the ends are incredible, All-B10 or AA level players and the DT's are ok / average with potential to be eventually good.
Minnesota:
MSU:
Indiana:
