ANN ARBOR, MI — When Michigan State football brought in Wink Martindale to replace Jesse Minter, who coached under Martindale with the Baltimore Ravens, the idea was that not much would change. That would be a continuation of the defense the Wolverines have run under Minter and Martindale.
But if you ask fifth-year safety Makari Page, less than a week into spring practice, he doesn't think so.
Wolverines Wire asked Paige on Monday about the similarities and differences between the two defensive coordinators' schemes, and Paige answered it very succinctly.
“Absolutely not,” Page said. “It's completely different. Everything is different.”
Yes, then.
Page isn't one to explain much, but it certainly could have been confusing, so we asked him again. But he insists, “No, that's a completely different defense.”
“No, I'm serious. Not at all,” Page said. “The play, his way of thinking, not his way of thinking, but his philosophy, I guess?”
Well, then let's get a second opinion.
He also had the opportunity to hear from junior defensive tackle Mason Graham. Although he didn't elaborate, he said there are different ways of defending, even though they are similar mentally. As Graham says, there will be subtle differences, but probably not a total change.
“So everyone just has their own mix, their own little splash of ideas that they bring,” Graham said. “So I feel like Coach Minter and Coach Wink have different philosophies within the same structure, but there’s just a little difference when it comes to defense.”
It's hard to know for sure what's true here, but it adds intrigue to the defense moving forward.
Fans will at least get their first glimpse of it on April 20, when Michigan football hosts its annual spring game in the Big House. It will be held at noon and will be broadcast nationally on Fox.
