I Don't Think It's an Accident that the Defense Looked much Improved...

[PhatOrange]

The issue IMO is that our OL isn't very good at run blocking. It would be one thing if we could open holes, and hand it off effectively -- but we can't do that. We could -- at least a little more effectively -- when teams were forced to D us up honestly to protect against the pass.

Now that they don't, they can key on taking the run away without worrying about getting burned by the pass.

OL needs to be better.

Speaking of which, how do people think Josh Miller did subbing for Collins?

I thought Miller did fine. A couple snaps were rolled back to Carney and I think that may have been Collins. I'd have to go watch again.

 

[richmondcuse03]

The issue IMO is that our OL isn't very good at run blocking. It would be one thing if we could open holes, and hand it off effectively -- but we can't do that. We could -- at least a little more effectively -- when teams were forced to D us up honestly to protect against the pass.

Now that they don't, they can key on taking the run away without worrying about getting burned by the pass.

OL needs to be better.

Speaking of which, how do people think Josh Miller did subbing for Collins?

I think Josh struggled. Got pushed off the line a lot. But Austin was on crutches on sideline so he needs to step up.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I thought Miller did fine. A couple snaps were rolled back to Carney and I think that may have been Collins. I'd have to go watch again.

It was Miller. Collins came out in second half on crutches.

 

[orangepassion]

The issue IMO is that our OL isn't very good at run blocking. It would be one thing if we could open holes, and hand it off effectively -- but we can't do that. We could -- at least a little more effectively -- when teams were forced to D us up honestly to protect against the pass.

Now that they don't, they can key on taking the run away without worrying about getting burned by the pass.

OL needs to be better.

Speaking of which, how do people think Josh Miller did subbing for Collins?

Agree-OL is a much bigger problem than playcalling

 

[GHLF]

after the Don Brown guy showed up. A coach with a ton of defensive experience, and all of a sudden we get what, 8 sacks, and rattle a freshman QB.

I like Nixon. But, he needs the same experienced consulting that Brown appears to have provided on the defensive side. Nixon at this stage is not experienced and creative enough to scheme around our weaknesses.

Then, Fran should stay out of the way on play calls.

Like when did DB show up? you should really pay attention a little bit more, I think coach Fran Brown is the one who decided exactly what we were going to run, it started the previous week in the second half Against SMU, right didn't you hear that. Do you think someone can come in for a week and literally change everything about the scheme, My gosh some of the things that I read on this board utterly ridiculous With literally no football knowledge, at least it seems that way. Like I posted in another board, people will start calling for CFB With these type of results, Sure he better build it and quickly, I trust he can. hard to replace a couple of players with depth issues again for the 15th time in 17 years. Coach Fran Brown is the one who made the defensive scheme change by the way Win lose or draw they did not quit, nor did the offense. I also think it is absolutely detestable when reporters literally ask a 20 year old about their feelings in relation to getting booed, it literally reminds me of so many people on this board, utterly foul. And it is certainly not a reflection of the player who has deficiencies but certainly of the character of the individual asking the question. Character and goodness should count for something, really good coaches know that, but they better recruit, scheme, and most importantly win otherwise they will be gone.

 

[PhatOrange]

It was Miller. Collins came out in second half on crutches.

My bad ;-)

 

[wfschrec]

Like when did DB show up? you should really pay attention a little bit more, I think coach Fran Brown is the one who decided exactly what we were going to run, it started the previous week in the second half Against SMU, right didn't you hear that. Do you think someone can come in for a week and literally change everything about the scheme, My gosh some of the things that I read on this board utterly ridiculous With literally no football knowledge, at least it seems that way. Like I posted in another board, people will start calling for CFB With these type of results, Sure he better build it and quickly, I trust he can. hard to replace a couple of players with depth issues again for the 15th time in 17 years. Coach Fran Brown is the one who made the defensive scheme change by the way Win lose or draw they did not quit, nor did the offense. I also think it is absolutely detestable when reporters literally ask a 20 year old about their feelings in relation to getting booed, it literally reminds me of so many people on this board, utterly foul. And it is certainly not a reflection of the player who has deficiencies but certainly of the character of the individual asking the question. Character and goodness should count for something, really good coaches know that, but they better recruit, scheme, and most importantly win otherwise they will be gone.

Fran was asked about booing Rickie not Rickie himself. And point of fact it’s been two weeks since SMU. It wasn’t noted as a scheme change it was a simplification anyway which a good coach can do.

 

[MadNY3]

The issue IMO is that our OL isn't very good at run blocking. It would be one thing if we could open holes, and hand it off effectively -- but we can't do that. We could -- at least a little more effectively -- when teams were forced to D us up honestly to protect against the pass.

Now that they don't, they can key on taking the run away without worrying about getting burned by the pass.

OL needs to be better.

Speaking of which, how do people think Josh Miller did subbing for Collins?

Just not sure if they really can’t run block or if defenses are loading up to dare them to pass. Collins is leading college football in picks per 100 passes…

 

[GoSU96]

Just not sure if they really can’t run block or if defenses are loading up to dare them to pass. Collins is leading college football in picks per 100 passes…

They were good at to begin with and when teams can load the box and all they do are inside zone, not a great combination.

 

[shu 49]

Like when did DB show up? you should really pay attention a little bit more, I think coach Fran Brown is the one who decided exactly what we were going to run, it started the previous week in the second half Against SMU, right didn't you hear that. Do you think someone can come in for a week and literally change everything about the scheme, My gosh some of the things that I read on this board utterly ridiculous With literally no football knowledge, at least it seems that way. Like I posted in another board, people will start calling for CFB With these type of results, Sure he better build it and quickly, I trust he can. hard to replace a couple of players with depth issues again for the 15th time in 17 years. Coach Fran Brown is the one who made the defensive scheme change by the way Win lose or draw they did not quit, nor did the offense. I also think it is absolutely detestable when reporters literally ask a 20 year old about their feelings in relation to getting booed, it literally reminds me of so many people on this board, utterly foul. And it is certainly not a reflection of the player who has deficiencies but certainly of the character of the individual asking the question. Character and goodness should count for something, really good coaches know that, but they better recruit, scheme, and most importantly win otherwise they will be gone.

I really do think it was Don Brown. He had Michigan I believe or someone like that as one of top defenses in country. He knows his stuff. Been coaching forever and would give him lots of money. He is aggressive and smart in how he blitzes and attacks offense. If Fran was doing this he should be fined for waiting so long. 99% it was Don who helped make changes and u can definitely learn how to blitz correctly in a week. It’s not rocket science. Hopefully we stay in attack mode.

 

[Cuse On 3]

Pitt was hurt on the OL

8 sacks is 8 sacks

 

[SURules]

after the Don Brown guy showed up. A coach with a ton of defensive experience, and all of a sudden we get what, 8 sacks, and rattle a freshman QB.

I like Nixon. But, he needs the same experienced consulting that Brown appears to have provided on the defensive side. Nixon at this stage is not experienced and creative enough to scheme around our weaknesses.

Then, Fran should stay out of the way on play calls.

When did we add Don Brown to the staff? I clearly missed this one.

 

[PAcuse]

When did we add Don Brown to the staff? I clearly missed this one.

Same I can't find anything on this.

 

[007]

I really do think it was Don Brown. He had Michigan I believe or someone like that as one of top defenses in country. He knows his stuff. Been coaching forever and would give him lots of money. He is aggressive and smart in how he blitzes and attacks offense. If Fran was doing this he should be fined for waiting so long. 99% it was Don who helped make changes and u can definitely learn how to blitz correctly in a week. It’s not rocket science. Hopefully we stay in attack mode.

Per FB, we are going to be an attack the QB defense from now on.

 

[shu 49]

Per FB, we are going to be an attack the QB defense from now on.

For the love of God I hope so.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

after the Don Brown guy showed up. A coach with a ton of defensive experience, and all of a sudden we get what, 8 sacks, and rattle a freshman QB.

I like Nixon. But, he needs the same experienced consulting that Brown appears to have provided on the defensive side. Nixon at this stage is not experienced and creative enough to scheme around our weaknesses.

Then, Fran should stay out of the way on play calls.

Don Brown is working with the Syracuse defense? I did not know that

 

[007]

When did we add Don Brown to the staff? I clearly missed this one.

If we did add Don Brown, the university has keep a cone of silence on the hire.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Don Brown is working with the Syracuse defense? I did not know that

Believe it was referenced on here. Maybe by sudadx2. It was alluded he was a replacement for the advisor he took on the dc role at ucla.

 

[007]

Believe it was referenced on here. Maybe by sudadx2. It was alluded he was a replacement for the advisor he took on the dc role at ucla.

Good call, it was SUDadx2 His intel is right up there with the best on the board.

I’ve heard all of the defensive coaches (who were not on the road recruiting) have been around this week (practices, meetings etc…), so I can only assume some game day roles may have changed.


I am hearing the vacancy on the defensive staff created when Coach Coyle left for UCLA may have been filled with Don Brown the former HC at UMass and former DC at Michigan. He has a ton of experience coaching football in the northeast.


Go Orange!

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Good call, it was SUDadx2 His intel is right up there with the best on the board.

Brown was always known for an aggressive blitzing scheme. Makes sense now. Would not be surprised if his role continues to elevate

 

[007]

Brown was always known for an aggressive blitzing scheme. Makes sense know. Would not be surprised if his role continues to elevate

Yup. Literally referred to as "Dr. Blitz" throughout his career.

Fran talked about remaking the "identity" of the defense to the style they played in the Pitt game (and 2nd half of SMU).

Big step in the right direction, IMO.

 

[Crusty]

Agreed. People were thinking Fran took over the D but imo it was Don Brown. We went into the game with 8 total sacks. Last night We got 7 sacks and 12 TFLs. I even saw us stunting and running delayed blitz into gaps. There's no way that was ERobs doing. A guy stuck in his ways just doesn't flip a switch.

I'll maintain that Nixon is overrated. He's an ok OC and nothing more. He's light on scheme and feel and isnt playing to player strengths. He's the typical trying to jam a square peg into a round hole OC. He could start to maybe get a little creative in the run game.

What exactly are our offensive strengths?
We don't have a serviceable quarterback and our oline can't block.
What exactly do you expect Nixon to call?

 

[DomeHolmes]

Agreed. People were thinking Fran took over the D but imo it was Don Brown. We went into the game with 8 total sacks. Last night We got 7 sacks and 12 TFLs. I even saw us stunting and running delayed blitz into gaps. There's no way that was ERobs doing. A guy stuck in his ways just doesn't flip a switch.

I'll maintain that Nixon is overrated. He's an ok OC and nothing more. He's light on scheme and feel and isnt playing to player strengths. He's the typical trying to jam a square peg into a round hole OC. He could start to maybe get a little creative in the run game.

I think you are right in both opinions. For people who don’t know who Don Brown is, and whether you can overhaul a defense in a week, DB is a 1000x times the Defensive mind Erob is, and blitz schemes are much more easily plugged in than scheming the back 7 with multiple different coverages and responsibilities. With blitz heavy schemes, MTM secondary responsibilities are easy concepts, and then just need to know who drops out of the front 7 potential rushers on a given blitz, (if anyone). It’s fairly easy, and actually requires much less thought than read and react, and is how we have over achieved in the past with less or equal talent as we now have.

With Nixon, he called great games last year, and is probably the best OC since the Marrone years, but if he was really a “guru” we would not be as hapless running as we are now. I don’t buy that our O line and Willis are really the worst group in college football. Crap teams with crap talent figure out how to run efficiently. We haven’t.

We went 10-3 with Dungey and MCcord. 3-1 with Angeli. Those teams are likely 6-6 and (1-3 this year) without those guys. When teams have great QBs, they overachive, and when they don’t the OC becomes more important. YTD without McCord or Angeli, Nixon has not been impressive IMO.

 

[GHLF]

Fran was asked about booing Rickie not Rickie himself. And point of fact it’s been two weeks since SMU. It wasn’t noted as a scheme change it was a simplification anyway which a good coach can do.

The reporter then asked RC himself, watch the interview, low class, you could tell he looked taken aback, real life though. Concerning Coach Don Brown, 100% very glad he is here, honestly a Legend. Very much appreciate assistance with scheme for sure, however this is what coach Fran Brown has wanted to run and he stated that we did not do that in the first half against SMU, more than likely because of the play calling which was directed by him in relation to what scheme to run including blitz packages, that is what he said, concerning changes in formation, input from analyst, that worked, great, better keep doing it and do it better as well. Still certainly comes from the top and that is him.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

The reporter then asked RC himself, watch the interview, low class, you could tell he looked taken aback, real life though. Concerning Coach Don Brown, 100% very glad he is here, honestly a Legend. Very much appreciate assistance with scheme for sure, however this is what coach Fran Brown has wanted to run and he stated that we did not do that in the first half against SMU, more than likely because of the play calling which was directed by him in relation to what scheme to run including blitz packages, that is what he said, concerning changes in formation, input from analyst, that worked, great, better keep doing it and do it better as well. Still certainly comes from the top and that is him.

I give Fran credit for being open to having a guy like Don Brown come in and help. And, it certainly seemed like it did help. That shows that he is able to ask for help when he needs it. Many people in all walks of life are unable to admit they need help and ask for it.