What is the strength of our defense?

[Alsacs]

Honestly I watched the game over again and we force turnovers and do a decent job stopping the run. However, it seems we play a style of defense where we give short passes and hope to get teams to 3rd downs to send blitzes.

I don't see a strength in any particular unit on defense. We have individual talents like Reddish, Lynch etc. and I am not saying they stink either. I would just say we average on the defensive side of the ball.

On offense I see a good OL, decent RBs, young talented WRs, and true freshman QB who has shown some flashes and see strengths. I just look at the defense and say if we don't force turnovers teams will go up and down the field on us.

 

[money3189]

Strength of our defense is our LB's. Cant under estimate proper tackle fit angles, blitz disguising and techniques, proper drops in zone coverage. We have alot of experience there and thats why we are able to do so much and not put limitations on our blitz schemes. Hodge and the reserve LB's are very solid when they are in there. Cam and Dyshawn are good tacklers. Cam is having an all acc type year.

 

[anomander]

Strength of our defense is our LB's. Cant under estimate proper tackle fit angles, blitz disguising and techniques, proper drops in zone coverage. We have alot of experience there and thats why we are able to do so much and not put limitations on our blitz schemes. Hodge and the reserve LB's are very solid when they are in there. Cam and Dyshawn are good tacklers. Cam is having an all acc type year.

I haven't been impressed with Hodge at all. He seems to struggle getting off blocks, and lacks the lateral quickness. I have been much more impressed with Franklin at the MIKE. He has better size, and have been very impressed with his sideline to sideline speed.


But to answer the OP i pretty much agree with Alascs. We are fine against limited offenses like Wake that don't have playmakers on the outside, or a mobile quarterback. Our blitz heavy defense chews up and spits out those type of teams. But anytime we go up against teams that are equal in talent and speed we get beat up pretty good. Against Notre Dame we were fine giving them that bubble screen all night long, and ND gladly accepted the quick hitter and yardage. Against Louisville there were a number of times their qb made a quick dump off to the wide receiver on the side where the blitz came from. We are in a tough spot right now because our DL just can't create any sort of pass rush. Last year we had Bromley, but that's it. I'd like to see how Bullough would approach some of these game plans if he actually had some guys that could rush the passer, and we didn't have to blitz 90% of the time.

 

[money3189]

Thats why I think the LB's are the strength. Our DL is not great. The LB's make up for that. I agree with Hodge and Franklin. I like Franklin more. I also agree with the equal talent thing. This live and die by the blitz style is concerning at times but I do like aggressive pressure schemes. Just wish we can surprise teams by not blitzing at times.