Brian Ward: officially the DC

[tep624]

Saying Clark won't make the NFL is ludicrous at this point. The kid is an SEC level talent. Freakin' true freshman playing against Clemson, LSU, FSU etc. can we give him a couple of years in the S&C program and on the field before saying that? it goes both ways, we can't say he is a lock for the NFL either, but I think he has all the tools to get there. Franklin is very undersized, so my guess is he could be a late rounder/UFA.

Agree 100%. Pretty Cavalier to make a definitive statement like that when both are pretty young and 1 was captain as a true sophomore.

 

[RMH44]

Ha. We'll see. I disagree with your assessment. Franklin has the tools. Steven did not get pushed around as much as you say - and when he did, I think you can attribute those things to technique issues not weight/strength. Guy is a bull. He was only a freshman.

Agreed. I watched Clark a lot when he was on the field. He is an absolute beast and definitely wasn't pushed around.

Imo, there is one major area where he needs to improve... and that is generating more of a pass rush up the middle. The way he chased down players from behind was very impressive. To me, this proves the talent is there but he needs more seasoning. It's hard to believe that he is a true frosh.

 

[FrancoPizza]

All I'm saying is temper expectations for the defense. We can't have it both ways saying the dearth of talent was alarming this year and then in the next sentence say we have a new DC that will mine this untapped potential. If we had promising young talent the word would have been out by now. Remember Brandon Reddish? He wasn't all-world his freshman year but word quickly got out that he was going to be a good one. We don't have that vibe with any of the underclassmen, save for maybe Clark.

 

[djorange1989]

Bowling Green's defense ranking went from #122 to #78. I hope people realize he did this with replacing 7 starters and implementing a new defense. We can talk schemes and philosophies all day but numbers don't lie. Cant wait to see what he does with a defense that has 7 returning starters this year.

not to mention playing in an offense crazy conference in the MAC and also considering the time their D has to be on the field because their offense was so quick with scoring drives. It will be really interesting, we are so used to the Shafer-style defense for the past 7 years.

 

[RMH44]

All I'm saying is temper expectations for the defense. We can't have it both ways saying the dearth of talent was alarming this year and then in the next sentence say we have a new DC that will mine this untapped potential. If we had promising young talent the word would have been out by now. Remember Brandon Reddish? He wasn't all-world his freshman year but word quickly got out that he was going to be a good one. We don't have that vibe with any of the underclassmen, save for maybe Clark.

I like all the frosh DL including Cross and Pickard. Hopefully Ealy and Sheppard stick around after their suspensions.

It's way to soon to write-off any of these players considering they're all true frosh. Doaust once said that Cross was the most talented interior DL and, in the long run, I think Pickard will emerge as an NFL prospect.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

All I'm saying is temper expectations for the defense. We can't have it both ways saying the dearth of talent was alarming this year and then in the next sentence say we have a new DC that will mine this untapped potential. If we had promising young talent the word would have been out by now. Remember Brandon Reddish? He wasn't all-world his freshman year but word quickly got out that he was going to be a good one. We don't have that vibe with any of the underclassmen, save for maybe Clark.

Some of us do have that vibe. It's not factual to say that none of us do, or that we don't have any promising young talent. Many names have already been listed. Just because you don't see talent in some of the young defensive players doesn't mean others don't. I think most people knew that we'd take a beating defensively this year due to such a young squad and that proved to be true. I might agree that we had a dearth of talent with regards to the upperclassmen, or a lack of experienced players, but I wouldn't say that overall there is a lack of talent. I think we have some good young talent in our front 7. I also like Cordy and Hudson. Now will they play on Sundays? I doubt it, but I do like the way they play the game.

 

[jekelish]

From the PS article about Ward today:

 

[Pearl309]

All I'm saying is temper expectations for the defense. We can't have it both ways saying the dearth of talent was alarming this year and then in the next sentence say we have a new DC that will mine this untapped potential. If we had promising young talent the word would have been out by now. Remember Brandon Reddish? He wasn't all-world his freshman year but word quickly got out that he was going to be a good one. We don't have that vibe with any of the underclassmen, save for maybe Clark.

This has nothing to do with your post but does your handle refer to north utica's franco's pizza?

 

[SUFaninNJ]

This has nothing to do with your post but does your handle refer to north utica's franco's pizza?

I'm a Ventura's fan myself

 

[Qbobby]

From the PS article about Ward today:

View attachment 54365

That's actually really impressive to achieve that with such drastic turnover.

 

[GoCuse08]

Agreed. I watched Clark a lot when he was on the field. He is an absolute beast and definitely wasn't pushed around.

Imo, there is one major area where he needs to improve... and that is generating more of a pass rush up the middle. The way he chased down players from behind was very impressive. To me, this proves the talent is there but he needs more seasoning. It's hard to believe that he is a true frosh.

Forget what game it was but he chased a player down (RB/WR i believe) that was running towards my sideline seats (SU Bench). Was amazed he was able to catch him...remember thinking that he is someone I wouldn't want to piss off...not only does he have 100lbs on me I am pretty sure he could catch me.

 

[FrancoPizza]

This has nothing to do with your post but does your handle refer to north utica's franco's pizza?

Nope - the old Franco's pizza place at the old Camillus mall.

 

[TheCusian]

All I'm saying is temper expectations for the defense. We can't have it both ways saying the dearth of talent was alarming this year and then in the next sentence say we have a new DC that will mine this untapped potential. If we had promising young talent the word would have been out by now. Remember Brandon Reddish? He wasn't all-world his freshman year but word quickly got out that he was going to be a good one. We don't have that vibe with any of the underclassmen, save for maybe Clark.

Cmon. It's a little of all that. In some spots it wasn't a dearth of talent it was youth. The word is out on Clark and Cordy had a fine season. Franklin underperformed my expectations, but they were high. He'll be fine.

Reddish didn't hit on his talent until his senior year, IMO.

Anyways, the answer is likely a bit of everything: talent, experience, scheme

 

[NKR1978]

I've heard nothing but good things about him from people close to the program. I haven't met him personally but I've met Dino a couple times, last spoke to him in January while at a BGSU hockey game.

His defense is built off the Tampa 2 and he'll key on the run on 1st and 2nd down, the defense thrives on 3rd and longs. You'll need to have good safeties and LB who can both defend the run and pass. I'd say it took the defense around 4-5 weeks this year to fully grasp his scheme and the group got markedly better later on in the season.

Wait... defenses are supposed to stop 3rd and longs? I thought it was normal to constantly give up 1st downs on 3rd and 15.

Thanks for stopping by here. We were in your position a few years ago watching a really good coach leave and take our staff. Looks like you have a guy coming in though who will continue to focus on a fast paced and exciting offense. Can't imagine your program is going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Dcuse]

All I'm saying is temper expectations for the defense. We can't have it both ways saying the dearth of talent was alarming this year and then in the next sentence say we have a new DC that will mine this untapped potential. If we had promising young talent the word would have been out by now. Remember Brandon Reddish? He wasn't all-world his freshman year but word quickly got out that he was going to be a good one. We don't have that vibe with any of the underclassmen, save for maybe Clark.

Franklin,Parris,Cordy,Hudson,Slayton. What are you talking about?

 

[BomberOrange]

Nope - the old Franco's pizza place at the old Camillus mall.

Loved that place!!! Plus Record Town and Aladdin's Castle...ahh the 80s!

 

[CuseOnly]

Samuels

 

[rocklloyd]

This has nothing to do with your post but does your handle refer to north utica's franco's pizza?

I worked at Tony's next door to Dandee donuts in the mid 80's.

 

[SmilinBob]

Clark took on double teams from ACC lineman all season long. Thats hard to do as a senior let alone a freshman.

I love his motor.

 

[Finwad32]

Clark, at times was our most recognizable player out of the front 4. Kid is relentless. He beefed up, quickly, this year to handle the rigors of the ACC. He's only going to get better, and that's exciting, because he was really solid this year.

I don't think top end talent was our problem this year, I think it was depth and experience.

 

[SmilinBob]

So we go from the Tampa 2 to the Syracuse 7.

 

[Finwad32]

He has run the Tampa 2 in the past, doesn't mean that's what we'll necessarily run. HCDB made a statement talking about the different schemes he's overseen and how it'll depend on personnel.

Tampa 2 has its merits. I'm interested to see how all three phases are going to change.

 

[007]

He has run the Tampa 2 in the past, doesn't mean that's what we'll necessarily run. HCDB made a statement talking about the different schemes he's overseen and how it'll depend on personnel.

Tampa 2 has its merits. I'm interested to see how all three phases are going to change.

He likely won't use a base Tampa 2 unless he feels we have DLs that can get to the QB. We didn't see a lot of DL pressure this year, apart from Thompson. Then again, the cover 1 zone blitz packages this year were largely ineffective - we just couldn't get there. I think experience was a factor. I also definitely think that size, especially for the LBs, was a factor.

I will be very interested to see how this plays out with the new staff.

 

[upperdeck]

clark consistently drive the oline backwards.. perhaps it led to some gaps, but i think he had the best push of any of the dline.. when his tech catches up look out.

 

[djorange1989]

clark consistently drive the oline backwards.. perhaps it led to some gaps, but i think he had the best push of any of the dline.. when his tech catches up look out.

Yeah, totally agree. Not sure where the "he got pushed around" nonsense came from, the poster must have been watching different games than I was.