- Joined
- Oct 7, 2012
- Messages
- 17,196
To me, it's points allowed. You can give up 400 yards, but if you give up 14 points, in the end, that's all that really matters. People keep saying Coach D was bad last year, and that the scheme was bad last year too. Well, I contend that this scheme, while not perfect, actually worked well enough last year with better players than we have this year. We didn't have great players last year, and Ray Ray and Vernon were suspended for 4 and 6 games, and a lot of others for 1 game (Maryland). With Coach D's "horrible" scheme last year, the defense gave up 20.1 points per game, which was good for #17 in the nation. That said, Maryland scored 2 TDs directly off of turnovers (13 points since they missed an XP), FSU scored 7 from a punt return, and BC had an INT for a TD. That's 27 points the defense didn't give up, but was "charged with." Take that away and the defense actually gave up 17.8 points per game, which is very good in this day and age. That's not even taking into account the short fields opponents had to work with on occasion after a turnover.
Now, can you honestly tell me you wouldn't be happy with a defense giving up 17 points per game? Or even 20? Now if that's ok, how is it that Coach D's scheme didn't work last year? If the point is to stop the other team from scoring? It wasn't always pretty, and we did look bad at times, but with the players we had last year, I'd say Coach D actually got a good effort and results from the defense overall, and they won the Ohio State, GT, and USF games, and you could argue UNC as well with key stops on 4th down and late in the game. They also kept us in the FSU game. That was with one great player, Spence, one good player Vernon, and the rest young and inexperienced, or just not that talented.
This year we have even less talent and experience than last year. Coach D's numbers on defense are horrendous this year, but I think it's a combination of things. I agree that even with the lack of talent and experience we have, we shouldn't be this bad, but since we weren't that bad last year, in spite of what people say, or remember (selective memory is common on message boards), I'm willing to take this year for what it is, a rebuilding year, and hold off on the fire Coach D banners until next year. I know this won't make me popular with a lot on here, especially the ones who are better coaches than the coaches we have, but that's where I am right now. I'm going to watch the last 6 games (hopefully 7 or 8) of the year, and try to have fun. I'm not expecting much, so I hope I won't get crushed when we don't get much.
Now, can you honestly tell me you wouldn't be happy with a defense giving up 17 points per game? Or even 20? Now if that's ok, how is it that Coach D's scheme didn't work last year? If the point is to stop the other team from scoring? It wasn't always pretty, and we did look bad at times, but with the players we had last year, I'd say Coach D actually got a good effort and results from the defense overall, and they won the Ohio State, GT, and USF games, and you could argue UNC as well with key stops on 4th down and late in the game. They also kept us in the FSU game. That was with one great player, Spence, one good player Vernon, and the rest young and inexperienced, or just not that talented.
This year we have even less talent and experience than last year. Coach D's numbers on defense are horrendous this year, but I think it's a combination of things. I agree that even with the lack of talent and experience we have, we shouldn't be this bad, but since we weren't that bad last year, in spite of what people say, or remember (selective memory is common on message boards), I'm willing to take this year for what it is, a rebuilding year, and hold off on the fire Coach D banners until next year. I know this won't make me popular with a lot on here, especially the ones who are better coaches than the coaches we have, but that's where I am right now. I'm going to watch the last 6 games (hopefully 7 or 8) of the year, and try to have fun. I'm not expecting much, so I hope I won't get crushed when we don't get much.
