Bend Don't Break
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koonja
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Daresay he's a gangster?
Rhode Irish
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That is also Belichick's approach, which drives fans nuts because it isn't fun to watch and it looks like you are being shredded. But the Patriots consistently finish far better in points against and takeaways than they do in total defense (i.e., yards).
Redbar
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Fans want their defenses to attack the opponent, make negative plays, create turnovers, manufacture field position and score...sorta like a supplemental offense. Defensive coaches want to keep the other team from scoring. Period. All the other stuff is swell, but goal number 1,2, and 3 for defensive coaches is simply to keep the other team's scoring down. A bend but don't break philosophy, that intelligently picks it's spots to attack and apply pressure can be extremely effective in accomplishing goals 1,2, and 3.
greyhammer90
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Lol so now this board likes Diaco. I've seen everything.
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Nah I'm not saying that, at all. In fact I don't think anyone did. I'm just saying it's crazy how OSU can get shredded yardage wise and not give up points. The key is clearly a powerful front 7 that can stop the run in the redzone. If you have that and you make teams kick field goals, the ceiling for points comes way down. If you can't do that, then a lack of negative plays will doom you.
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BVG gets next year before I pass judgement. With that said I've long been a supporter of Diaco has was the DC over the best defensive stretch we've had for a very long time.
pkt77242
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Agreed. I am generally a fan of Diaco's game plans at ND. The jury is still out on BVG.
TheOneWhoKnocks
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Doesn't matter whos running what defense, if your dline doesn't learn to disengage blockers and make plays.
G
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The Cowboys won 3 championships in the 90's with the bend but don't break defense. Jimmy Johnson recruited fast players and taught them to gang tackle, while keeping the plays in front of them. It's a very effective defense.
IrishinSyria
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No, but it would have been easier to fill gaps. The tenuat/van gorder blitzkriegs work great if everyone knows exactly what they're doing and you have corners who can survive on an island and safeties who can patrol the deep field by themselves. It's easier for scrubs to play d when the mentality is keep everything in front of you and rush to the ball.
Yes, you are right. The defense plays fifteen plays, the offense goes three and out; the defense plays fifteen plays, the offense goes three and out, etc
We lose by fifty instead of forty. Great game!
The defense can't stand up by the start of the third quarter, and our walk-ons are worn out
We lose by fifty instead of forty. Great game!
The defense can't stand up by the start of the third quarter, and our walk-ons are worn out
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Crazy Balki
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I'm pretty sure if BVG had a strong front seven too, we wouldn't be questioning him right now. Diaco had it pretty easy with guys like Te'o, Tuitt, Nix, Kappy and Shembo up front for him, and when most of them left, he felt that loss. BVG picked up a bad hand, with almost no experience and very little veteran leadership (all of which went away when Schmidt went down). There's a lot of potential dominant pass rushers in the fold, but they aren't there yet.
returnofthemack
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There were a few knocks I had on Diaco - recruits having to fit a profile, absolutely PITIFUL in-game adjustments, and completely inflexible scheme-wise. It became painfully obvious that his defense wouldn't work in 2012 fashion without an elite MLB, and yet he changed nothing in the scheme to hide that weakness, and as a result, that bend-but-don't-break defense broke more often than not.
We have good athleticism on defense and if they can stay healthy, I think it could be a great defense in BVG's scheme. But if the D-line is getting no push at all, which was what usually happened, you have to blitz like crazy. And that worked for a few games until there was enough film on BVG's defense to gameplan against. If we can shore up that line, I think we'll be good.
We have good athleticism on defense and if they can stay healthy, I think it could be a great defense in BVG's scheme. But if the D-line is getting no push at all, which was what usually happened, you have to blitz like crazy. And that worked for a few games until there was enough film on BVG's defense to gameplan against. If we can shore up that line, I think we'll be good.
phgreek
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Nice to have a running game. Speaking of, After all the Armstead hubabaloo, he is just not a factor. I've watched him a couple times, and he has a good initial push, ok technique to contact, and he draws a double here and there, but he doesn't get off blocks, and he has 0 motor. He's a nice body to have, but not a difference maker at this point...not even close.
IrishinSyria
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I mean, there's a zero percent chance we would have fired Diaco to pick up Van Gorder, so I'm not sure that's objectively right. That being said, I don't think anybody's called BVG garbage or anything like that ITT. Just pointing out that a lot of very successful teams use a bend don't break philosophy.
Also, we averaged well over 30 points a game this year, so I'm not sure why you think the offense would keep going 3 and out?
Redbar
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I never heard anyone say our coaches stink. In fact, most of the earlier posts did not mention any coaches, but we were talking about a philosophy of bend but don't break. The concept of bend but don't break has been, is and will continue to be an effective way to play defense, although many fans will find it statistically boring until they look at the score. The harshest criticism I have heard of BVG is that the verdict is still out on him, which was made by exactly two posters. Which even including the injuries is, I believe, a fair statement and certainly not damning. Relax.
irishff1014
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If the defense is much improved from the 2014 season he should be fired.
greyhammer90
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Wow tough crowd.
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koonja
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If you take him at face value, how's he wrong? Our defense was abysmal and embarassing. That said, there's almost no chance we're not vastly improved barring ridiculous injuries/off the field issues.
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Besides ignoring some quality kids because they were an inch short, my problem with Diaco was his inability to be flexible. You knew ever snap what the D was going to do. How many times did we hear Bama players say they knew exactly what ND would do?
The players you have dictate to an extent what defense you run. BVG is more aggressive because he knows that eventually the D will create bad plays if they can pressure the QB all the time. I like seeing blitzes like the next guy, but I think it's better not to blitz all the time. Offenses become acclimated and adjust to constant blitzing. Need to keep them guessing so they can't pick it up as easy.