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Message: [QUOTE="ivorytower, post: 4242580, member: 6888"] Different schemes .Bomberry was certainly underrated as was Cunnigham (and Helmer) but neither was considered top defenders . As g theyroup were very experienced playing together for four years t which was of great benefit and each had and knew their role. TB had a tremendous stick and his physicality was certainly a deterrent .Cunnigham was very sound fundamentally, very disciplined in his help which was overlooked. Both were rarely out of place and TB played a role in transition with Kennedy and Dearth up top. Under Petro there are significant differences in current defensive approach that Fetterly discussed in recent interview with Axe on radio. Desko was not a fan of slides and his defenses under Rogers employed few and rules were simple. Mellen was excellent on ball against most but hardly provided any help to others . His sole role was to limit his cover. I would say that our current close on ball d is as strong or better especially on defending X dodges if you recall past play around crease. Larger d issue today is mostly off ball breakdowns coming off slides . Maybe better in short term to slide and switch less but Fetterly explained various slide packages are needed these days to keep up agaisnt the offenses that he considers deeper than ever . Felt is was necessary change to keep up. Gave Petro kudos ion for instruction but said schemes will take some time to get the timing and coordination down especially on 2nd and 3rd slides which has not yet happened on a consistent basis. Sliding is what top defenses such as ND and Georgetown do well and best . Passing off or doubling offensive players with rest of D knowing where to go. Byrne who is consider the defensive architect of ND system brought his principles to Harvard and now seeing improvement. Better to judge changes next year when a influx of talented d recruits come in which Petro will have from day one of their careers to coach them up..Also help that all our dm's and ism's will return with a year of instruction under their belt . Doubt ways will be dumbed down andbelieve better execution will be seen . As far as goaltending, is it chicken or egg . Staff should be able to tell after season film but 42% doesnt cut it however sliced. Difference of 10% ithere s huge. Cuse has played a top schedule, if you look at team stats, this is not a 4-8 team by any means . Just a year where anything that can go wrong has. It can easily be a ten win team next year with a few enhancements. [/QUOTE]

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