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Thoughts on the D

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FullyERicht

Thunderdome
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Feb 5, 2013
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What I'm really seeing from this D is that we are jack of all trades master of none.

Our front is asked to do so many different things, that they don't excel at any of them. I heard people constantly say "I want to see an attacking DL"...."play single gap".

But when we do exactly that, we don't execute. We are slow to get off, and don't exhibit any speed.

When we play two gap, we mostly just create a wall right in front of the pocket, but we leave massive cut back lanes and no passrush.

I get that NFL teams do both, but honestly only the very best ones do, and those who do usually do it with sub packages on third and long.

Constantly switching fronts down after down is just not something I understand anymore.

Take that Duke big run. What you see there is a 4-3 under, it's really a 2 gap 3-4. And what you have is every DL crashing, leaving an OLB on an island with the TE. McCord is so concerned with contain that he allows a massive cutback lane. But bc we are in a 4-3, it's not an ILB asked to fill, but a freaking flat footed CB who stands zero chance.

Now we can say "well they had a guy to make the play", but it's a nonsensicle way of defending the run.

Want to play 2gap? Run a 3-4, keep it simple. Want to play single gap? Stop wasting precious practice time on 2gap principles and get guys to get up field! These aren't professionals.
 
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It's really tough to evaluate the D cuz it was basically the first team offense against 2nd team D and second team offense against first team D
 
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I really think many of you take too much from a spring game or the spring in general. While I am not a fan of the D currently, I think the spring game is pretty bad way of looking for issues. I posted this earlier:

"I didn't watch the game, I don't care too much for spring scrimmages either. Not sure what the best possible result would be

1. Are the players healthy?

2. Are the players getting bigger, stronger and faster?

3. Are the players getting better?

4. Are the players learning the playbook and getting confident?

In the spring game, they split the squad and the teams go at it. Great, the score is X to Y. If during the season we're having issues going against a real opponent, uh oh! I think like usual our stupid fan base goes to extremes and sees issues where they don't occur. They make issues over plays they see in practice (from a 5 minute clip starring Chip Bererre) and they multiply them when they see them during a scrimmage. I understand there may be issues but calm down and just hope for the items above are happening. As fans we're not getting enough of a sample size to really know."

I am not saying don't discuss, just not sure it is enough to actively evaluate.
 
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I agree with the op, not because of the spring game, but in general to the scheme. The spring game is as vanilla as it gets although I saw a few stunts from the DL. I do not like the 2 gap read & react crap. I did think that outside if 2-3 horribly blown coverages, the secondary coverage was very good. Morris just ****ed all over them with tremendous ball placement. Nate Dortch was on the receivers hip on most plays & the ball was just placed perfectly. I really liked what I saw from him.
 
Well on that long Duke run Henderson simply mauled Ricardo Williams and that's where the problem started. The playside LB got his face stuck in the wash and McCord looked like he had outside contain.

I don't remember if Dortch was blocked or not on that play, but if he wasn't then he needs to make a quick pass/run read and come into the box to help close the vertical cutback seam.
 
Jalen Grimble would have had a sack int the first quarter but there was no whistle.

Chick had a sack

Olsen Pierre got good penetration a few times. Would have been more disruptive if it was full contact.

DHoilett forced a fumble.

Cory King made some tackles at the line of scrimmage.
 
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CANE said:
Jalen Grimble would have had a sack int the first quarter but there was no whistle.

Chick had a sack

Olsen Pierre got good penetration a few times. Would have been more disruptive if it was full contact.

DHoilett forced a fumble.

Cory King made some tackles at the line of scrimmage.
Click to expand...

Def brought a little pop with those tackles too.

Overall I think the defense was hittin out there. I expect to see that more and more as these kids continue to get bigger and stronger, plus with the intensity and physical play that some of freshman are going to bring in the summer. Im optimistic about the physicality of the Defense.

With the continuing influx of talent, I expect us to improve. This defense does take a lot of football knowledge and experience to execute effectively, which is why we've had some growing pains. But I expect to see great improvement this year. I think a lot of people are not taking into account how ****** ridiculous this Offense and OL are. The depth, the talent, the athleticism of this offense, and having to go against them everyday in practice. Top 60 defense in scoring maybe Top 70-80 in total defense with an increase in creating TOs + Top 10-15 explosive offense with big athletic depth upfront = 10+ wins and ACC title appearance.
 
When FAU puts up 21 points I want to see what excuses are created. We didn't even have our starting OL in the game. Dorsett and Hurns were out. Every aspect of the defense during the scrimmage was pathetic honestly except for OP and DP. Linebackers seemed clueless in coverage yet again. Corners 10 yards off giving big chunk catches. Bush was invisible and Highsmith should never see the field again. I don't care how hard the kid works-- he is a terrible athlete. If we are hoping the incoming guys are gonna be the difference, we are in a ****load of trouble. Kamalu(no offers) is gonna make a difference? Bond and AQM have to learn the system over summer which will be difficult. Buns could start immediately at either corner or Safety. The development of a few groups is very troubling. DL overall including recruiting is god awful. LB just can't get right (EJ, Witt, Terry) CB remains a problem..Howard is all hype at this point. Gets burned regularly. Everyone behind Morris is straight trash. This 2014 needs to be a major success or we are ****ed.
 
Trilla said:
When FAU puts up 21 points I want to see what excuses are created. We didn't even have our starting OL in the game. Dorsett and Hurns were out. Every aspect of the defense during the scrimmage was pathetic honestly except for OP and DP. Linebackers seemed clueless in coverage yet again. Corners 10 yards off giving big chunk catches. Bush was invisible and Highsmith should never see the field again. I don't care how hard the kid works-- he is a terrible athlete. If we are hoping the incoming guys are gonna be the difference, we are in a ****load of trouble. Kamalu(no offers) is gonna make a difference? Bond and AQM have to learn the system over summer which will be difficult. Buns could start immediately at either corner or Safety. The development of a few groups is very troubling. DL overall including recruiting is god awful. LB just can't get right (EJ, Witt, Terry) CB remains a problem..Howard is all hype at this point. Gets burned regularly. Everyone behind Morris is straight trash. This 2014 needs to be a major success or we are ****ed.
Click to expand...

On almost every catch the CB was all over the WR. Other than 2-3 plays, it was tremendous ball placement by the QB. Go back & watch again
 
Trilla said:
When FAU puts up 21 points I want to see what excuses are created. We didn't even have our starting OL in the game. Dorsett and Hurns were out. Every aspect of the defense during the scrimmage was pathetic honestly except for OP and DP. Linebackers seemed clueless in coverage yet again. Corners 10 yards off giving big chunk catches. Bush was invisible and Highsmith should never see the field again. I don't care how hard the kid works-- he is a terrible athlete. If we are hoping the incoming guys are gonna be the difference, we are in a ****load of trouble. Kamalu(no offers) is gonna make a difference? Bond and AQM have to learn the system over summer which will be difficult. Buns could start immediately at either corner or Safety. The development of a few groups is very troubling. DL overall including recruiting is god awful. LB just can't get right (EJ, Witt, Terry) CB remains a problem..Howard is all hype at this point. Gets burned regularly. Everyone behind Morris is straight trash. This 2014 needs to be a major success or we are ****ed.
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What happens if they put up 21 points against our 2nd string? Wow you are impatient. Freshman remain hype, that is usually expected.

While I think the Defense isn't looking to good (to say the least) it is a SPRING SCRIMMAGE. Many of you have no clue what the point of spring football is about.

So the 2014 class needs to bring in an elite talent or we are ****ed for 2014. That makes sense. How many freshman did we play in 2012? Didn't we have the most in college football? The answer is not replacing freshman with freshman. The answer is development. I am sorry if you don't understand that.
 
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WildcatDefense said:
Well on that long Duke run Henderson simply mauled Ricardo Williams and that's where the problem started. The playside LB got his face stuck in the wash and McCord looked like he had outside contain.

I don't remember if Dortch was blocked or not on that play, but if he wasn't then he needs to make a quick pass/run read and come into the box to help close the vertical cutback seam.
Click to expand...

On the long run by Duke, Dortch had a clean chance to fill, leaned inside, and got smoked by a cutback toward the sideline.
 
Cash said:
Trilla said:
When FAU puts up 21 points I want to see what excuses are created. We didn't even have our starting OL in the game. Dorsett and Hurns were out. Every aspect of the defense during the scrimmage was pathetic honestly except for OP and DP. Linebackers seemed clueless in coverage yet again. Corners 10 yards off giving big chunk catches. Bush was invisible and Highsmith should never see the field again. I don't care how hard the kid works-- he is a terrible athlete. If we are hoping the incoming guys are gonna be the difference, we are in a ****load of trouble. Kamalu(no offers) is gonna make a difference? Bond and AQM have to learn the system over summer which will be difficult. Buns could start immediately at either corner or Safety. The development of a few groups is very troubling. DL overall including recruiting is god awful. LB just can't get right (EJ, Witt, Terry) CB remains a problem..Howard is all hype at this point. Gets burned regularly. Everyone behind Morris is straight trash. This 2014 needs to be a major success or we are ****ed.
Click to expand...

On almost every catch the CB was all over the WR. Other than 2-3 plays, it was tremendous ball placement by the QB. Go back & watch again
Click to expand...

Dortch was in hip pocket all afternoon, but never made a play on the ball except for end zone ball thrown to Jontavious. I understand there was tight coverage, but we didn't make any plays on the ball. What's the difference between giving up 40 yard pass blanketed or not? Fact was we gave up a tone of chunk plays. Morris seems to be playing at high level and I get that, but we can't use his competence as an excuse for our defense. Maybe you should watch the game again
 
Trilla said:
Cash said:
Trilla said:
When FAU puts up 21 points I want to see what excuses are created. We didn't even have our starting OL in the game. Dorsett and Hurns were out. Every aspect of the defense during the scrimmage was pathetic honestly except for OP and DP. Linebackers seemed clueless in coverage yet again. Corners 10 yards off giving big chunk catches. Bush was invisible and Highsmith should never see the field again. I don't care how hard the kid works-- he is a terrible athlete. If we are hoping the incoming guys are gonna be the difference, we are in a ****load of trouble. Kamalu(no offers) is gonna make a difference? Bond and AQM have to learn the system over summer which will be difficult. Buns could start immediately at either corner or Safety. The development of a few groups is very troubling. DL overall including recruiting is god awful. LB just can't get right (EJ, Witt, Terry) CB remains a problem..Howard is all hype at this point. Gets burned regularly. Everyone behind Morris is straight trash. This 2014 needs to be a major success or we are ****ed.
Click to expand...

On almost every catch the CB was all over the WR. Other than 2-3 plays, it was tremendous ball placement by the QB. Go back & watch again
Click to expand...

Dortch was in hip pocket all afternoon, but never made a play on the ball except for end zone ball thrown to Jontavious. I understand there was tight coverage, but we didn't make any plays on the ball. What's the difference between giving up 40 yard pass blanketed or not? Fact was we gave up a tone of chunk plays. Morris seems to be playing at high level and I get that, but we can't use his competence as an excuse for our defense. Maybe you should watch the game again
Click to expand...

The point is that most quarterbacks we face can't fit the ball into that tight of a window and that Dortch is our #4 or #5 cb anyway, so he won't get a lot of playing time.
 
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How can you judge based on this "game"? Are you really grading our defense based on the play of 2nd/3rd/4th stringers against mostly starters on offense? Is there any criticism of the first team defense? Or, are you going to say that you can't judge them because they should dominate against 2nd/3rd/4th stringers?
 
No doubt that Morris is extremely difficult to defend.

But as far as the Dortch play on Duke: there is no reason why a two gap front should have the primary cut back lane responsibility left to a CB. Yes, technically the scheme put a guy in position, but it's a bad matchup. I want my CBs flowing to the outside on a run play, not plugging holes. It's essentially a man LOS yet there is a lane you can literally fit a car through, and we saw this countless times last year.

My whole issue is that these guys are clearly caught in between. Not even Bama runs such diverse fronts. They play a basic 2-gap until third and long where they then take the NT off and rush four faster DL and possible blitzers.

Miami is switching from 4-3 over, 4-3 under, 3-4, and adding in zone blitzes and various stunts (which btw often are our biggest issue on big cut back runs), and they show any of these looks on any down. This would be fun if it was an NFL team but these are college kids and we are seeing them struggle bc they have too many things they are asked to do.

Contrast that with the simplicity of "beat the man in front of you and attack this gap" all game a la FSU.

If you have to split already limited practice time between four styles of DL play, plus games/stunts, you are not going to be as good at anything as the kids who spend all their practice time mastering one or maybe two skills. It's just common sense.
 
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