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Fixing the defense - what would you do?

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rascon said:
Within our current circumstance. For instance, changing overall defense philosophy is not realistic. But changing positional responsibility could be.
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Simplify the D and let the players think less and just react. They’re barely getting lined up on most plays as it is. Also, teach them how to communicate (specially the DB’s), or play those that are vocal and communicate.

Those are basic quick fixes.
 
Stop reaching on all these mid players and do a better job recruiting elite players. The ****** recruiting on defense has finally caught up us.
 
the defense can't get much worse so maybe we get some positive regression to the mean and more turnover luck in our favor
 
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Sell Ray Ray, Chris Johnson and Wheatley -Humphrey on going across the hall to the DB Coaches meeting room. One of these guys could develop into a decent DB.
What do they have to lose, they don't much action as it is ....
 
Coach Macho said:
I see Quarters or "Special/Stubby" (which is a Quarters variant) versus 3x1 (trips) formations. I've definitely seen some Palms.

Truthfully I don't think we have great players in the backend... but in my opinion Palms/Quarters is NOT the coverage you want to base in if your Safeties are questionable. 🤷🏻‍♂️
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So reading your other responses on here, it seems like you'd favor going to a Cover 3 rip/liz match scheme or something like it. Is there a close cousin of that to the Quarters scheme that Guidry is using? It seems like the defenders over the 2 and 3 receiver are struggling the most with communication while they're running "special/stubby." Like you said, the time investment to teach a new coverage philosophy is pretty much a non-starter at this point of the season. Granted, Guidry was able to pivot from a 4 down front to a bear/mint front and base out of that for half of last season, but that is a completely different aspect of the defense.
 
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smack99 said:
Bench Harris and start Patterson

Mixing in more Moten and Scott on early downs. Stop stunting the DL on early downs. Mix in Alderman and Popo on passing downs. More zone. Literally be a bend but don’t break defense. Keep everything in front of you and stay in position. Clearly they’re not shutting any offense down. Getting 5+ stops a game probably wins us the game. Call it a soft defense but what’s the difference when you’re getting bombs thrown over your head with receivers running wide open. I’d rather them make a tackle after the RB gains 4 yards rather than Guidry stunting the DL on early downs and somebody not filling the gap. Rush your gap and play your assignment.
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Alderman isn't any better at pass coverage, he runs like he has a piano on his back.
 
Coach Macho said:
Get the **** out of all this 2-high ****.

If you have poor/inconsistent Safety play, then take some 💩 off of their plate.
If Safety is a weak position, don't play with 2 of them high all the time.

2-high coverage shells put more stress on the Safety position. They have to make quick 2-to-1 or 3-to-2 reads. They often end up playing man coverage on slot WR's who have 2-way goes. (see Meesh versus Cal)

Get in more single-high (Cover-3 Match) stuff. Cover-3 is symmetrical which means it's easily adjustable and not affected by "eye candy" or motion, and defenders won't be running around like a Chinese fire drill.
It'll put one of our sorry Safeties in the box, where they're not as liable to give up big plays or touchdowns. (Harris actually excelled in the box earlier in the season)

Cover-3 will keep the box tight and healthy, and requires less coverage responsibility from the LB's. Kiko won't be covering RB's out of the backfield as much, it'll be the down Safety.

Cover-3 (Match) protects the middle of the field and forces offenses to take outside throws (which are lower percentage)
It's basically man-to-man on the outside and zone on the inside... with a lot less thinking involved for your CB's and middle field Safety. (just stay down the pipe)
If you have some physical, long coverage guys at CB, Cover-3 Match is hard to beat.

It looks to be like Harris struggles with decision-making and angles. That's not a good recipe for a 2-high Safety. He has good length and plenty enough speed to be a down/box Safety. So does Meesh.

Find yourself a quick Nickel who can carry a slot vertical + one Safety to roam the deep middle and you're cooking with grease.

Our own OC (Dawson) told me it's the best coverage in football and he doesn't know why more DC's don't live in it. It's literally the most popular coverage in the NFL (@ 33.8% usage) and in the NCAA.

The issue is... it's kinda expensive. (aka takes time to teach)
And it's too late for that.View attachment 308001
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If they start playing heavy Cover 3 match now, could they be comfortable with it by the playoffs?
 
I’d seriously switch to a bend don’t break system… play coverage and let the Dline eat. Stop with exotic blitzed or stunts that never pay.

We have an offensive juggernaut on offense you need to not let the opposing team score more than 24… us giving up big play home runs is making these past 3 games feel way closer than they ever should.
 
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