Why Jesse Minter has R.J. Moten taking linebacker reps
Michigan and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will be facing an explosive TCU offense Saturday in the Fiesta Bowl, one different than any the Wolverines have seen this year. Minter understands the differences and has been preparing for weeks, looking for ways to combat some outstanding skill players.
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Quarterback Max Duggan is “elite,” he said when asked for one word to describe him. Co-coordinator Steve Clinkscale called Horned Frogs running back Kendre Miller (1,342 yards, 17 touchdowns) “special,” and there are NFL receivers on the roster, too.
“We go against J.J. McCarthy all the time in practice. As much good-on-good as we do is great work for this type of guy,” Minter said of Duggan. “We’ve seen a couple — certainly not the last two. The last two passers have been more sit-in-the-pocket type of guys, so it’s a different test here.
“It will test our discipline as pass rushers. It will test our discipline in coverage to be able to stay in coverage when he extends plays, so it will be a great test … hopefully we’ve studied all the different things they can do. Also, knowing you’ve got extra time, they’re going to do stuff they haven’t even put on tape yet. So, it’s a training camp-mentality game for us in a sense that you can’t prepare for everything.”
Minter, Michigan defense getting ready for the unexpected
Like Purdue, TCU will have its gadget plays and trick plays, as well. There are new ways to create new formations to create certain matchups, certain routes, Minter added, so they’ll have to adjust as the game progresses.
The Horned Frogs also have ways of spreading out a defense to take advantage and create space for the running game, co-coordinator Steve Clinkscale noted. That puts a lot of pressure on the tacklers in space and might necessitate some different personnel moves.
That might explain junior safety R.J. Moten working with the linebackers in practice Tuesday. He’s got the frame at 6-0, 223, and with Kalel Mullings working at running back, it’s another capable body at the position.
“All year, R.J. has played all over the defense for us,” Minter said. “He repped at safety yesterday. He reps as a dime linebacker for us in certain packages. I said it from the very first game on — he’s like a chess piece.
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“So, he’s a guy that we’re moving around. He’s providing us depth at a lot of different spots, and still capable of playing really all over the field. We’re excited about his opportunity to play in this game.”
Senior captain Mike Sainristil called him “a leader on this defense, for sure,” saying he can do a lot of different things. That includes making sure they’re in the right situations and good positions when they line up.
More than that, Minter said, he’s a guy who can stay on the field on all downs.
“He’s got a body that you can play anywhere from safety, dime, linebacker, nickel,” Minter said. “He’s played all those different spots for us this year throughout the course of the year.
“I think as a chess piece, when teams are throwing the ball more and spread out, he’s better closer to the line of scrimmage. But he’s also capable of playing back at safety, and he’s done that all year for us. As you gain more time and prep between the last game and playoff game, you say, ‘okay — where do we need depth? Where do we need to create value for guys?’ And his ability to play multiple positions has really upped his value throughout our defense.”
We’ll know for sure what his role will be Saturday. It’s clear he’ll have one, though, and be a big part of the game plan for one of the Michigan defense’s biggest tests of the year.
