Everything Michigan LB coach Brian Jean-Mary said during his pre-Central Michigan press conference

On the depth in the room​

I think Coach Moore said it. I know Coach Wink has said it. We feel like we have four starters in that room and two other guys that we feel very, very confident that if we put them in the game, they could perform at a high level. So we knew, obviously, we know what type of player Jaishawn is and what he brings to the table. But we were very, very confident in Jimmy and Cole that they would be able to step in and play our level of defense and play winning defense for us.

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On the issues in coverage against Oklahoma​

I would never say it’s a mismatch. I don’t think we saw somebody catch a ball and run past us. I would say that was a mismatch. There was a couple of times if you broke it down, we were in some — we didn’t execute the defense, I should say. But there was a lot of times it was when the quarterback scrambled. We got out of our zones and lost our eyes. So that’s part of execution. We have people initially covered. And then when the quarterback kind of breaks the pocket, we have to be able to lock on to our receivers on those broken plays. Which we knew is what made him special was those plays, that kind of off-script, which we talked about, all through the preseason. And we kind of let those happen a couple of times. But we didn’t execute, firs third down probably is an example. We didn’t do a good job of executing on that part. And I’m talking we as linebackers.

On how impressive it is for Cole Sullivan to come in and make plays​

Oh, it’s very impressive. And to me, it’s a long season and he’s just building up his resume to gain more and more playing time. We got to find ways to get him on the field more. He’s shown the ability to be a game changer. And that’s what we want. So we think, obviously very, very highly of Cole. And what he’s put on the field the first two games is exactly what he showed in preseason camp. So I would expect his playing time to increase. And he keeps putting out what he’s been doing, I think the skies — we always thought the sky was the limit for him. And we’re going to be better on defense from it.

On how the team simulated John Mateer in practice​

I thought we had a good week going in. Obviously, we can’t hit our quarterbacks. And Jake Garcia did a great job of emulating him as far as the throw game and everything. But that’s the difference between college football and pro football, which I always say we don’t get a chance to actually finish on the quarterback in practice. And we don’t have preseason games. So the live action is your first time really sacking the quarterback. We have to do a better job as a whole unit. When we get back there, we got to be able to get him on the ground. But he’s elusive. We knew that going in. I mean, we went back and watched the tape at Washington State when the number one pick in the draft that just went to the Titans. Cam Ward, he was really the wildcat quarterback when Cam Ward was there. So we saw his running ability and then obviously his ability to throw just adds to it. So we knew what the challenge was. We just, like you said, comes back to execution. Had hands on him, you know, had guys that had a chance to get him on the ground. But testament to him, always give credit to the opponent. He’s a heck of a football player. I know he was highly thought of coming in. He made some plays that show why he was so, so well thought of as a transfer.

On whether Jaishawn Barham is always intense​

I think that depends on who you ask. Right. I used to always we kind of arrived at the same time last year. So I obviously had a little bit more of a comfort level coming in because of working here previously. But I imagine the first month he was here, you might have gotten 10 words out of him and five of them might have been on one day. So he’s just one of those kids that, you know, once you get to know him and he starts to open up, he’s a great, great kid. It’s just, he’s not one of those kids that has to flip the switch. He’s kind of there all the time. And sometimes that can be intimidating. But that’s kind of what makes him, him. He’s definitely one of those guys that, when he takes the field, he’s out there.

On preparing for CMU to play three quarterbacks​

When you watch the tape, there is no rhyme or reason why they would do it where one is the thrower. One is the runner. One is the short yardage guy. I think they’re all equally as good running the ball and throwing the ball. Stats might say one does it better than the other. But all three of the quarterbacks from the Labas, Glasser and Flores, they all operate the offense at a high level to us. And the quarterback run game is probably one of the things that they do well. And it kind of works in their favor because one guy doesn’t get the majority of the tackles and doesn’t get hit. So it probably works out better in his eyes because they’re such a run-heavy team.

On how the group is handling blitzing​

You know, blitzing is we always look at it threefold. Obviously, when you blitz and it’s a run, you feel like you should be in the backfield and you can disrupt the run play where you either make the tackle or make it go in the place that you don’t want it to get to. And the pursuit gets there. And I think we’re doing a good job. There can always be better. And then in the past game, obviously, you want to blitz, you want to get home and get the sack. But we also always tally up how many times we can affect the quarterback as far as making him uncomfortable, whether it’s a hit on the quarterback or he can’t step up. Right. He’s throwing the ball kind of with his feet out of whack. And we have a stat that shows that a lot of the incompletions, example, the three picks that we got versus New Mexico, all three of those were a blitz or pressure where the quarterback could step into the throw. We count all those when we tally up our blitzes because we affected the outcome. So we would say, yes, we like where we are, but we can always get better. As far as blitzes, whether it’s a run blitz or a pass blitz. If you’re not the primary guy making the tackle, I know players wise, they want to be hungry. They want to be the guy making the play. But you can still affect the play positively for the defense if you execute it the way we want you to.

On how long it took for Jaishawn Barham to acclimate to Michigan​

I think we talked about it last time. I think Michigan is a unique place for a lot of reasons. And it’s one of those places where where you come in, you have to adjust to what it’s like to be a Wolverine, especially the way this building is structured and the culture that it has. So I don’t think even the most outgoing kid, you have to learn what makes this place what it is and take some kids a little longer than others. But I think, he came in and he was a starter pretty much from day one. I think that helped because he was already looked upon as one of the really good players on the team, which has some leadership qualities in itself. So that helped in the transition. But I would say by the time spring was over, his comfort level, you could see it change a little bit.

On CMU’s offense​

I think they run the ball very, very well. I know Coach Drinkall came from Army. One of my best friends in the profession is Coach Monkin over at Army. And I know what he bases everything off of. You guys have watched them through the years. So I know they want to come in and going to want to establish the run. And they do it in many different ways. We already talked about the quarterbacks. But I think both running backs are really good players. Higgins kid is a good player. And I think, you know, if the essence of what they do and I’m pretty sure what he got hired at Central for is to build toughness. And, as a defensive guy, we know when you talk about toughness, it starts with running the football the same way we build it off of stopping the run. So we know that’s going to be the challenge for us as they come in. We’re going to have to stop the run and that’s with everybody in the backfield because the quarterback such a big part of it. But they do throw the ball well too, when they do drop back to pass. I think they had over 200 yards passing versus Pitt. We have to do a great job of stopping them when they do decide to throw the ball.

On third down defense​

Third down is always a big part of defense. It’s hard to be really good on defense if you’re not able to get off the field on third downs. And it’s always a big point of emphasis for for us. And obviously something we’re going to keep working on. Coach Martindale does as good a job of any coach I’ve ever been around. I’m focusing on what to take away on third down. And like we talked about, a lot of it was execution. We wanted to make sure we got into a groove early. And big part of it was we had our chances in the backfield on third down and didn’t get them on the ground. So that’s a big point of emphasis for us. Like we just talked about with the blitzes was when we get in the backfield, no matter who the player is, we’ve got to be able to execute and get the ball on the ground when we get back there.

On the game day operation without Sherrone Moore​

It’s going to be the same. It’s kind of like the question you asked with Jaishawn. The great part about Michigan and the way we do things here. I know obviously, we’re going to miss Coach Moore. He’s the leader. He’s the guy that kind of sets the table for us. But we have so many veteran guys and so many coaches that have been on staff. We expect it to go as usual. And I think Coach Moore would expect the same.

On whether Moore is trying to pack more into this week than normal due to his suspension​

I think one thing that makes Coach Moore special is he’s the same guy every day he walks in the building. He’s always high energy at practice, and he’s always insightful when he comes into meetings, whether it’s a defensive or offensive meeting, or how he is with the players. So I haven’t noticed any change with him because, like I said, I think that’s one of the things that makes him special, no matter the situation, he’s the same guy every time he enters the room, every time he’s with the players. You know how much the players love him because the special relationship he has with them. But that’s one of his best traits, he’s not on a roller coaster. He’s the same guy every time you talk to him and every time he comes in this building.

On how the defensive line has helped the linebackers play more freely​

Trey’s done a good job. Any good linebacker, and obviously, I’m the linebacker coach, will always give credit to the D-line for any success that they have. If they don’t, they won’t be playing linebacker long behind that D-line. You know what I mean? Because obviously they set the table for everything that we do, whether we’re blitzing or it’s just run defense or pass defense. They’re always the ones that are going to set the table for us. So you’d be hard-pressed to find a good linebacker group that doesn’t believe their D-line is one of the best groups in the country. And I think our guys would feel the same. Those guys are selfless. They take on the double-team blocks for us, keep linemen from climbing for us, and really set the stage for what gaps they’re going to go play. So if they’re not giving them credit, you guys need to get on them because that’s the reason for the success that they’re having.

On Troy Bowles’ development​

I joke with Troy because obviously, he comes from a place that’s very good on defense. And he came in coming out of the portal, and we had a relationship before from a previous place that I was at from recruiting. And Troy, he’s just climbing. I think every week he’s gotten better and better. You see the trust that he’s built with the special team staff and how he’s taken over as being one of the core guys there. And he’s gotten healthy. He’s gotten better. And I think the playing time is going to continue to increase. And I joke with him because, like I said, he comes from a place — obviously, they play high-level defense with a really good room as far as linebackers go. And I’m joking. I was like, you didn’t know we had a pretty good linebacker room ourselves before you came here. And he was like, yeah, it’s probably a little better than what I thought. But he’s fit in the room well, and we think he’s got a chance to be a really good football player. You can see his comfort level getting higher and higher in what we do and his ability to run. He’s a really, really fast linebacker. You kind of see him go. And his aggressiveness is going to really pay dividends for us. I expect him to continue to keep getting on the field and making plays for us as the year goes on.