Four Plays, Part I: the Bomb

[Irish Envy]

Let's talk defense. Specifically: the Fiesta Bowl. That game featured four long touchdown plays by the Buckeyes that had our defense bumbling around like the Keystone Kops. We've got most of the same crew coming back on defense, so if ND is going to make a run at the title this year we're going to have to figure out how to stop plays like these.

For starters, there was Teddy Ginn's 56-yard TD

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[LOVEMYIRISH]

Makes sense. This is a good breakdown. I am not knowledgeable to know where they should have been covering, but when I saw the play unfold, I knew it was not a lack of speed, it was a lack of coverage.

 

[domer88]

I think the point here is that physically, our secondary is a tad slow and therefore we need to eliminate mental errors. To eliminate mental errors we need 3 things...experience (check), excellent coaches (check) and coachable athletes (check).
From SB article Duke will show up at 205-210 down significantly from 230 last year. He says he feels faster and quicker already. I really think the secondary may be a strength this year on D. A ferocious pass rush would also be great.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I think the point here is that physically, our secondary is a tad slow and therefore we need to eliminate mental errors. To eliminate mental errors we need 3 things...experience (check), excellent coaches (check) and coachable athletes (check).
From SB article Duke will show up at 205-210 down significantly from 230 last year. He says he feels faster and quicker already. I really think the secondary may be a strength this year on D. A ferocious pass rush would also be great.

I would not necessarily agree with them being a tad slow...I really would not. However, as Iowa has proven with Ginn...you CAN be slow and still contain someone like him.

 

[chrislw35]

You know what is sad about that whole break down, look at the ref in pictures 7 and 8. He is in the "saftey" position. He has the play pegged way before the dbs see what is going on. That is sad.

 

[rontdtarchala]

your right that is sad, i am no defensive guru but here is the way I see it:
1. we are fast enough in the d backfield, we need to play much smarter.
2. I don't care how much speed you have, if you don't put pressure on the QB, even a mediocure QB will dismantle you.
3. linebackers need to be much more versitile. (ones that can play the pass as well as the run). If they can negate the short passes the DB's can focus on the mid and long balls.
4. We need to get our freshman LB's and DB's up to snuff as quickly as possible. They have the talent and they will be needed immediatley!

 

[rontdtarchala]

your right that is sad, i am no defensive guru but here is the way I see it:
1. we are fast enough in the d backfield, we need to play much smarter.
2. I don't care how much speed you have, if you don't put pressure on the QB, even a mediocure QB will dismantle you.
3. linebackers need to be much more versitile. (ones that can play the pass as well as the run). If they can negate the short passes the DB's can focus on the mid and long balls.
4. We need to get our freshman LB's and DB's up to snuff as quickly as possible. They have the talent and they will be needed immediatley!

 

[rontdtarchala]

sorry about the double post...patients is a virtue

 

[domer88]

I agree that if we play smarter we have enough speed.
Two of the things I love about Weis is that I know the players are getting the best possible coaching, and that he plays the players that give ND the best chance to win - freshmen or seniors. That said, starting as a freshman is very difficult for anyone, even the most elite 5 star recruit.

I love one of Holtz's old quotes when asked about another team's superior speed he said, "I like the fact that we are slower, it takes us that much longer to get out of position."

 

[mirertobrooks]

I'm no defensive guru but if your going to give up big plays you might as well get after the QB. I feel like we sit back to much instead of attack. I'd rather attack, maybe force a big play on defense and give up some big plays, instead of sitting back and reacting and giving up big plays on defense. I know we'd be taken a big risk if a screen or draw is run but there really is no stopping guys like Ginn or Bush, so you might as well gamble a little bit. Just my opinion.

 

[rontdtarchala]

no mirer, that is a good point. I would say there are quite a few folks that frequent this site that would agree with you...I myself would prefer we play like the 85 bears...just maul the heck out of every QB we play. So I would have to agree with you.

 

[rontdtarchala]

domer88 loved the quote, thanks