What Mink Thinks: Mike Macdonald Is Solid for a Harbaugh Sequel

When Jim Harbaugh was once taking a look to show round his Michigan protection, he sought the suggest of one in every of his maximum relied on confidants – his brother.

John Harbaugh had simply the man – a wise, passionate, younger trainer by way of the title of Mike Macdonald. He hadn’t been a coordinator or play-caller but, however, John knew Macdonald had a vivid long run.

Jim took John’s advice, bringing Macdonald to Ann Arbor and giving him the reins of protection that was once ranked a few of the worst in faculty soccer. In only one yr, Michigan became some of the absolute best. John anticipated Macdonald to be just right – however that just right!?

Are you able to consider the dialog when John referred to as Jim after the Ravens’ 2021 season ended with Baltimore ranked twenty-fifth within the league in protection? “Sooooo, I am gonna want him again now.”

Macdonald has been solid for the Harbaugh sequel. Do the similar factor you probably did at Michigan again “house” in Baltimore. The process description is quite identical:

Diversify a blitz-heavy assault

At Michigan, Macdonald took over for Don Brown, a person nicknamed “Dr. Blitz” for his pressure-heavy tactics. Macdonald confirmed an extra varied assault that left groups guessing extra frequently.

Again in Baltimore, Macdonald replaces Wink Martindale, some of the league’s maximum competitive blitzes who believes if you are now not getting stress, convey extra. Martindale’s heavy blitzes were given beat too time and again and did not include sufficient payoff of sacks and turnovers.

Macdonald was given a reward from Michigan newshounds for blending up his assault, holding warring parties on their feet.

Decelerate high-powered offensive opponents/QBs

At Michigan, Macdonald was once tasked with slowing down Ohio State, who had scored 118 issues and rolled up greater than 1,100 yards in its earlier two conferences. This previous yr, Michigan beat Ohio State for the primary time since 2011 and gave up simply 27 issues within the procedure.

In Baltimore, Macdonald will search for tactics to decelerate one of the vital AFC’s best younger quarterbacks and their dynamic offenses. Cincinnati posted 82 issues in two blowouts this season, and Joe Burrow threw for 941 yards and 7 touchdowns.

In 4 video games towards the Ravens, Kansas Town Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has averaged 370 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mahomes beats as regards to everybody, however, that is nonetheless about 70 yards and a half-touchdown over his occupation moderate.

Even the Browns’ Baker Mayfield, who has averaged 235 passing yards consistent with sport over his occupation, has published 278 consistent with sport towards Baltimore. And regardless of how time and again the Ravens stored Ben Roethlisberger down for many of the sports, he too frequently discovered a technique to win in any case.

The Ravens know that if they’ll get to the Tremendous Bowl, they’ve to do a greater process towards their best threats, who may not be going away anytime quickly.

Increase younger ability

At Michigan, this system was once recruiting blue-chip potentialities however now not getting blue-chip effects. Now they’ll have two of the highest alternatives on this yr’s draft with EDGEs Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. Hutchinson not too long ago credited Macdonald along with his breakout season.

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n Baltimore, the Ravens have linebackers Odafe Oweh and Patrick Queen simply scratching the skin, in addition to every other younger ability. Plus, the Ravens’ protection may obtain a big infusion of juveniles this offseason with many veterans standing unsure. Macdonald’s participant construction abilities can be given an exercise.

The Ravens protection was once No. 1 in total protection from 2018-2020, the 3 years when Macdonald was once the linebackers trainer. In fact, there have been a large number of causes for that luck.

However, after a difficult season on protection, even if taking into consideration the entire accidents the unit sustained, it was once time for a transformation. Jim Harbaugh knew it was closing offseason for his program. John Harbaugh knew it this offseason. And so they each noticed the similar man as the solution.