Kudos to Coach Ward

[Crusty]

I have to admit I thought he was not up to the job, but I was clearly wrong. He has built a first rate P5 defense and calls a solid game.
His secondary is the best in a long time and the dline looks Clemson like. The line backers are like sharks teeth with a new row every year.
Sounds like he has recruited well and may not dip too much after this year's massive graduation.
Man, was I wrong! Should have known better than to wonder about a guy that has Dino's respect. Nice job coach.

 

[721Comstock]

Props for owning up to it.

Yeah, he’s done a helluva job.
Who’d a ever thunk it that Dino’s team at Syracuse would be winning games due to dominant D and ST’s??

We all assumed we’d have to outscore everybody all the time.

Just wait until the O gets back up to speed again...

/ insert maniacal evil laugh here.

 

[syrBossHogg]

Defense has come a long way since 2016

 

[Atlcuse44]

Yep, I remember a lot of us (me included) wanting him replaced. Boy, was I wrong. So glad we have him. Never doubt Dino.

I also remember some people (me not included) wanting Shafer back as D-coordinator. Shafer was a very good Defensive coordinator under Marrone but Ward has this D on another level.

 

[Briancuse]

Wards done a heck of a job also the the talent level has gone up big time.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yeah, he has definitely turned perception around.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Yes... I remember a lot of those fire Ward posts in some of the game threads.
I think there might be are few more of y'all that need to do a mea culpa.
Thank you for starting this thread Crusty.

 

[AAM62]

Well most systems work better with a senior laden front 7 that’s super talented. We need to take full advantage this season because next season will be tough.

 

[Cuse'91]

Wasn't a significant issue early on with Ward was his refusal to bring additional rushers to generate pressure? He has definitely changed his philosophy on that...
Guthrie, Armstrong, Foster, Trill...
Wouldn't mind even seeing corner Iffy suprise blitz...

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Props for owning up to it.

Yeah, he’s done a helluva job.
Who’d a ever thunk it that Dino’s team at Syracuse would be winning games due to dominant D and ST’s??

We all assumed we’d have to outscore everybody all the time.

Just wait until the O gets back up to speed again...

/ insert maniacal evil laugh here.

The dominant D played 1 game vs a team UConn’s level lets pump the brakes here.

Now Kicker and Punter are world class and I don’t think I’m being over the top calling either better than what most NFL teams have especially Andre.

 

[nzm136]

Defense has come a long way since 2016

The defense was never bad under Dino. We only looked bad on a per game basis, but per game stats are meaningless when you approach the game in a radically different way.

We were, at worst, middle of the road on a per possession basis, which is far more telling/relevant.

The same goes for the offense, but the other way around. (But I think that this could be the breakout year for the O, which will be ... exciting.)

 

[qdawgg]

I guess my comparison of how his cover 2 was similar to how the Bears had run theirs under Lovie Smith wasn’t too far off. Using very similar player personal as well, although in a cover 2 some of that personal are necessity in order for things to works.

 

[PhatOrange]

Yes indeed. Ward got it together when he started bringing pressure. It’s nice that this staff will adjust to the game around them.

 

[Chip]

Yes indeed. Ward got it together when he started bringing pressure.

And got players taller than 5 foot 8.

 

[PhatOrange]

And got players taller than 5 foot 8.

Yeah that to...lol

 

[djorange1989]

The dominant D played 1 game vs a team UConn’s level lets pump the brakes here.

Now Kicker and Punter are world class and I don’t think I’m being over the top calling either better than what most NFL teams have especially Andre.

No one is saying Liberty is Clemson but comparing a 6-6 team that added Freeze and a bunch of good transfers to that crap show at U Conn is stupid. Plus our D was pretty solid last year and we return the highest number of sacks in the country. No argument with your kicker and punter comment

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

No one is saying Liberty is Clemson but comparing a 6-6 team that added Freeze and a bunch of good transfers to that crap show at U Conn is stupid. Plus our D was pretty solid last year and we return the highest number of sacks in the country. No argument with your kicker and punter comment

Were they even eligible for a bowl last year? They might have played too many FCS teams and were transitioning. They could win 10 games and not get invited to a bowl thats their status. Love that next years game vs them is late in the year and can serve as a bye wish 2021 was later than week 4 (and we weren't starting the third straight season on the friggen road.)

Anyways we'll see whats up next week as our D performance equals what Marylands O did. I'm sure plenty of their guys looked 'dominant' on the way to 79 points. Just saying.