Targeting was not an issue for Don Brown’s Michigan defense a year ago, as the Wolverines went through 13 games without a single ejection…
Targeting was not an issue for Don Brown’s Michigan defense a year ago, as the Wolverines went through 13 games without a single ejection due to the rule.
Now, four games into 2018, Brown’s group has had three ejections.
Safety Josh Metellus was ejected during a Week 1 loss at Notre Dame, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson has been ejected in each of the last two weeks. He’ll have to miss the first half of Michigan’s game at Northwestern on Saturday as a result.
Targeting penalties have long been a point of confusion for coaches. Michigan’s defensive coordinator continues to do his best at teaching against it while understanding the new fine line in football.
«It’s something we’re all dealing with. We’ve gone from no targeting penalties a year ago, to all of a sudden, it’s a concern for us. You’ve got to take care of your business,» Brown said during an interview with WXYT-FM (97.1) that aired Wednesday morning. «We hawk tackle every Tuesday, Wednesday. It’s all ‘lead with the shoulder, not with the head.’ Obviously now it’s not just (about) the head, it’s wherever you make contact, you’d better be doing it with the shoulder.»
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The practice of «hawk tackling» features drills that are designed to keep a player’s head out of any tackle that is made in an effort to further prevent head and neck injuries.
The targeting foul in college football is expansive. Per the NCAA rulebook, players are prohibited from leading with the crown of their helmet. But they’re also prohibited from making «forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder.» Players cannot launch themselves into an opponent or make a «crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.»
Officials will now call roughing the passer penalties if a quarterback is hit above the shoulder or below the knee.
There’s a fine line now being walked both in the NFL and college. And Brown says it’s been an ongoing adjustment.
«I’m having a hard time with it. I’m glad I’m at the end of it (and not the start of my career), to be honest with you. It’s a very difficult fine line. We had a big debate on this in staff,» Brown said. «Things happen (fast). You snap your fingers and that play is made, one way or the other. Obviously it’s an adjustment we go through. But I don’t think it’s an easy adjustment.
«We’re an ‘in your face, guns blazing’ (group) and we’re going to play the game in your backfield. That’s the whole mantra. (The new rules are) an issue and it’s an issue moving forward. I think you’ll see it be an issue across the country; it already is. Not an easy task.»
Brown’s defense sits at No. 3 nationally in total yards allowed through four weeks. The Wolverines tied for No. 1 overall in that category his first season at Michigan in 2016 and were No. 3 last year.
This season, he says the basic goal is «17 points or less, if you do that, I think you’re going to win a lot of football games.»
Still, Michigan’s defense has its critics. Some fans have questioned why Brown mostly uses man-to-man coverage, especially in third-and-long situations.
There are high expectations for Michigan’s defense, which returned nine starters from one of the country’s best groups overall last season. Brown was asked about critics who claim his defense is only great against bad teams, and not good teams.
«Of course when you play good teams you’ll be challenged. That’s why they’re good teams. Someone singled out Wisconsin a year ago, gave up 17 points to Wisconsin a year ago (on defense). They’re pretty damn good. I don’t know, I think at times the expectations are so high for our guys that it’s a difficult process to make everybody happy,» Brown says. «To be honest with you, I could care less. We’re trying to fight for our life every Saturday afternoon, prepare as hard as we can. We have a philosophy we believe in and live with.
«We just had our 10th game of giving up less than 100 yards passing since I’ve been here…. Whatever. I just think sometimes reality and what’s really occurring is a difficult balance. But, at least they care. That’s a good thing.»
Brown also touched on why his defense bases everything it does in man-to-man coverage, with some zone sprinkled in.
«Some guys play man coverage because of the (run-pass option) thing, but do it on a limited basis. You’ll stink at it. Because if you don’t put the time and effort and energy into the techniques and fundamentals and getting guys (used to) playing close to people,» Brown said. «If you’re doing that as a part-time job, you’re not going to get comfortable. If it’s your livelihood, then you’ll get comfortable.
«I’m 63 now, but I could make some of these passes now. I could throw it into the flat for five yards that turns into 15. I could throw the hitch, I could throw the out route at 10 — maybe not as good as coach (Jim) Harbaugh, but I could. We don’t allow that. That’s unacceptable in our way of thinking (on defense). That’s the way it is, that’s what we believe in.»
Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.
