ATTN: Xs and Os folks — Run defense?

[kcsu]

I think part of the problem is having no real system.

If you have no real system, why not play a 4-3 this game? 3-3-5 was just asking for it.

I don’t get how we use Diggs. Kid has talent but has no defined role.

We seem to play just straight up on the DL. We will never have the talent to pull that off. By blind luck you should be able to get some penetration every now and then. Hard to do though when you just line 3 DL up and have them simply run into the OL.

We never have anyone closing in from the edge. Whether against the run or pass rush. Never seen a D like this. BC ran a bunch of delay and we never even tried coming from a DE or OLB spot.

We are just way too passive on D.

We are decimated up front. We are literally out of bodies, playing an OL there.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

We are decimated up front. We are literally out of bodies, playing an OL there.

you totally didn’t get a thing I just said, did you?

 

[kcsu]

you totally didn’t get a thing I just said, did you?

Yes.

 

[JKinPhilly]

You're not wrong, and maybe faster players make it seem like the angle works, but it's been noticeable all year that guys are angling themselves out of tackles.

When you’re used to tackling other slow players in practice you get used to those angles. Hard to adjust when you run into guys with actual speed which requires different angles.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

When you’re used to tackling other slow players in practice you get used to those angles. Hard to adjust when you run into guys with actual speed which requires different angles.

I don't think it's that.

 

[SmilinBob]

Honestly if our DBs just took better angles on the plays that bust the defense would be a whole lot better.

I don't love the scheme either but as shaky as it is some stuff gets cleaned up and it performs a lot better.

It's discouraging that our HC is a former DB coach and this is a huge problem tho.

Agree and not only poor angles but this no wrap or tackle too high stuff has got to stop.

I'm thinking too many of the SU O players are too easy to tackle it looks like the D can actually tackle in practice. Yes, Meeks and Allen (sometimes) are tough to bring down but the rest of them fall way too easily,

 

[baggerbob]

It really does help that we have 3 DL out for the season

And the fact that we really hadn't recruited many quality DL players in the past 3 years. Starting out from the fact we have played a 3 man line for years, you aren't going to adjust that in 1 year.
Didn't have enough quality to start the year, and losing 3 players, didn't help things.

 

[Scooch]

It will be interesting to see how FB handles the off season with respect to staff (coaching and support). I wouldn't be surprised to see a staff move or two, and/or additional consultants.

It's not hard to point fingers from the couch (this not aimed at you). The coaches know what the issues are. Fran will not throw players, coaches or staff under the bus publically. But, I think those who "know" what we see on the field is mostly related to questionable coaching decisions are underestimating the relative lack of talent, playmakers, and depth. Improvements are needed across the board.

I get it, and that’s precisely why I started this thread. I can’t imagine this staff doesn’t see the obvious issues all over the D.

Identifying them is only part of the equation though. I’m just not sure the staff we have is capable of fixing those issues.

 

[JimBoston]

I sat behind the Syracuse bench on Saturday. On TV, you don't always recognize some issues, but they were pretty clear to me and I would assume the coaching staff. Syracuse's DL appears small and they were playing against a decent physical line and they were completely pushed around and couldn't hold the line or set an edge. Brown came from Georgia so he knows what a DL needs to be and he has to get more and better DL.

 

[shu 49]

I sat behind the Syracuse bench on Saturday. On TV, you don't always recognize some issues, but they were pretty clear to me and I would assume the coaching staff. Syracuse's DL appears small and they were playing against a decent physical line and they were completely pushed around and couldn't hold the line or set an edge. Brown came from Georgia so he knows what a DL needs to be and he has to get more and better DL.

I have said this before and will again our perfect 1 shade looks like 6'1-3" inch guy who has huge legs and weighs about 325 but is extremely quick in a short distance. 3 shade should look like Michigans guy from last year. 6'5" and 345 who ran a 4.8 forty and change. That kid was an animal. Now everybody wants these guys and now it takes money for that. Guys that big and quick need to be double teamed all the time so it leaves every one else open to do their jobs.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Running the ball seems much more important toward the end of a season. Everyone is banged up and more opportunities to exploit mismatches as a result. This has to be at least part of the reason for our late season swoons, we get matched up with teams that just run over us.