Our D returns...

[skurey]

So getting stops on 3rd down don't count? Come on skurey my friend, you're better than that!

We give up big plays on the other downs but happen to stop them on 3rd down. It's mostly luck.

 

[CuseLifer11]

I know I’m going to be in the minority here - but Zaire has been out of position more often than not over the past 4 games. Great kid. Great player. Wrong scheme for his talent.

This x 10000000
I don't see it. He is far from irreplaceable IMO.

 

[cuse309]

The D has been bailed out by its lucky 3rd down %.

If it's happening consistently, which it had been, then it's a trend. It's not luck.

 

[baggerbob]

I know I’m going to be in the minority here - but Zaire has been out of position more often than not over the past 4 games. Great kid. Great player. Wrong scheme for his talent.

I've said the linebackers miss too many tackles, and seldom make plays at the line or for loss. Watch Clemson, and Miami make plays , and that's what we need to compete.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

A few things -

Whether people think our 3rd down % was a fluke or whatever, it doesn't matter. It happened. They got those stops.

Until Slayton declares, assume he leads our defense next season.

There is talent waiting in the wings at linebacker.

Williams has played well at times at safety this season, however, I think he gets exposed when he's on the field too much. He's been better as a substitute.

To the people that don't believe our defense has improved, look at tape of the team tackling last year vs this year. We've improved on defense.

 

[orange79]

A few things -

Whether people think our 3rd down % was a fluke or whatever, it doesn't matter. It happened. They got those stops.

Until Slayton declares, assume he leads our defense next season.

There is talent waiting in the wings at linebacker.

Williams has played well at times at safety this season, however, I think he gets exposed when he's on the field too much. He's been better as a substitute.

To the people that don't believe our defense has improved, look at tape of the team tackling last year vs this year. We've improved on defense.

I have said this over and over again this year. Early in the year, when they wrapped up and made the tackle, I was almost surprised because I had watched those tackles get missed in recent years. We are bigger and faster. The defense has most definitely improved, yesterday notwithstanding.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I have said this over and over again this year. Early in the year, when they wrapped up and made the tackle, I was almost surprised because I had watched those tackles get missed in recent years. We are bigger and faster. The defense has most definitely improved, yesterday notwithstanding.

100%

 

[SmilinBob]

Slayton looks hurt to me. He doesn't have the drive he had and that is huge for this defense because he is thee impact guy on D. What the NFL/scouts tell him and what goals he has in life will decide what he does.

I see more speed and size coming up and being recruited. Let's add staying as healthy as possible will be very important as well...obvious I know but being banged up at this level makes it so tough to compete when you're not bigger and faster than the other guy.

 

[Cheriehoop]

The D has been bailed out by its lucky 3rd down %.

Sarcasm - I had hoped. Just as logical then that Wake being the aberration was just 'lucky' and we were just 'unlucky'.

 

[bigmike]

Slayton looks hurt to me. He doesn't have the drive he had and that is huge for this defense because he is thee impact guy on D. What the NFL/scouts tell him and what goals he has in life will decide what he does.

I see more speed and size coming up and being recruited. Let's add staying as healthy as possible will be very important as well...obvious I know but being banged up at this level makes it so tough to compete when you're not bigger and faster than the other guy.

FWIW, he was injured and left the field briefly on Saturday, but he did return to the game. Not sure if he has been bothered by anything else.

 

[skurey]

Sarcasm - I had hoped. Just as logical then that Wake being the aberration was just 'lucky' and we were just 'unlucky'.

Our defense, before the Wake game, was average for ypp against. I think they might have been in the 60s. Yet our 3rd down defense was #2 in the country. Don't you think there is some luck involved for that massive discrepancy?

 

[Cheriehoop]

Our defense, before the Wake game, was average for ypp against. I think they might have been in the 60s. Yet our 3rd down defense was #2 in the country. Don't you think there is some luck involved for that massive discrepancy?

I’m no football expert by any means, but it seems to me that we stop teams on 3rd Downs more than almost anyone else but we give up the occasional big play. I don’t think it’s luck when it’s a season long trend backed up by actual numbers. It’s a function of the measurement. If you stop a team 3 straight times on 3rd Downs but give up a 72 yard touchdown, then you have a relatively poor 7.2 ypp. Our numbers are better than the example I used. YPP and 3rd down stats, like most metrics is useful but not without analyzing the limitations and implications of each. Luck? I sure don’t think so but more like a calculated trade off taking into account a defense’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

[SmilinBob]

FWIW, he was injured and left the field briefly on Saturday, but he did return to the game. Not sure if he has been bothered by anything else.

Thanks Mike...I know pretty much every player is beat up to a point at this stage but just watching him play after play, he just doesn't look the same. I hope I'm wrong.