I'm excited for our new DC

[GoshenGipper]

I think part of the stuggles stem from Charlie having to focus so much of his time and energy on the defense. I think the other part of the problem on offense comes from the type of personel that ND has. The offense has really lacked that "take it the distance"/"homerun hitter" kind of guy the last few seasons, plus the OL didn't really perform up to expectations this year, and in my mind that would greatly effect his playcalling.

 

[leprechaun4life]

I think that Weis made signfiicant progress on offense, but he hasn't arrived. He doesn't have the offense playng lights out, national championship calibre offense yet. When I think back to the Michigan and LSU games, I see that there was equal blame to spread to the offense and the defense.

So would we be a much better team with a better D? Of course. But I still think the offense has more work to do before we are winning titles.

I think with some more talent, and especially more speed arriving on offense, Weis will open the playbook up a little more. He will have multiple options to choose from when deciding who to give the ball to, instead of just Jeff or Rhema, which will open up the offense and keep the defense guessing. Further, with more confidence in the defense, I think the offense will be more creative on first and second downs. During the big games, it seemed as though the offense was tight and they came off as though they HAD to score on every possession. With an improved defense, the offense can have a looser mentality because they know the D has their back.

 

[Vince Young]

I think that Weis made signfiicant progress on offense, but he hasn't arrived. He doesn't have the offense playng lights out, national championship calibre offense yet. When I think back to the Michigan and LSU games, I see that there was equal blame to spread to the offense and the defense.

So would we be a much better team with a better D? Of course. But I still think the offense has more work to do before we are winning titles.

A good defense can make things MUCH easier for your offense. If your D can force the other team into more 3-and-outs, your offense gets much shorter fields and much better field position to start from.

As I've said before, it's a helluva lot harder to score touchdowns when every drive has to go 80+ yards. Our defense left our offense in precisely that situation far too many times this year... and last year, for that matter.

 

[RI Domer]

How does everybody feel about C.B. bringing in the 3-4. Personally I feel confused it could be a good thing to get some more help for ND's corners and linebackers. But then I ask the question is the D line big enough to handle it . Can not fiqure it as yet guess I have to wait for signing day to see if the D line gets any help but right now I don't think they have the size.

 

[kjones]

I think it's far from certain that that is what is happening and that people like to talk about it because it seems exciting. In no way is a 3-4 "better" than a 4-3, each has strengths and weakness, and each can have success. Proper execution is paramount, and personnel is at a premium, for a 3-4 more so than a 4-3. That being said, I don't think we have any where close to the proper personnel to put in a 3-4 this year. We simply don't have 4 linebackers I'd trust on the field at the same time.

To copy a line from Vince Young, I'm not believing this hype about a 3-4 untill i hear it from the horses mouth.

 

[Fighting_Irish9]

I'm indifferent to our new Defensive Cordinator.
He doesn't have the experience I'd like, but he isn't minter...

We shall see

 

[Fighting_Irish9]

I think it's far from certain that that is what is happening and that people like to talk about it because it seems exciting. In no way is a 3-4 "better" than a 4-3, each has strengths and weakness, and each can have success. Proper execution is paramount, and personnel is at a premium, for a 3-4 more so than a 4-3. That being said, I don't think we have any where close to the proper personnel to put in a 3-4 this year. We simply don't have 4 linebackers I'd trust on the field at the same time.

To copy a line from Vince Young, I'm not believing this hype about a 3-4 untill i hear it from the horses mouth.

If you don't have a dominate, and I mean DOMINATE (needs to be double teamed EVERY play, and he still makes plays) Defensive Tackle.....the 3-4 sucks....

 

[ShivaIrish]

I think it's far from certain that that is what is happening and that people like to talk about it because it seems exciting. In no way is a 3-4 "better" than a 4-3, each has strengths and weakness, and each can have success. Proper execution is paramount, and personnel is at a premium, for a 3-4 more so than a 4-3. That being said, I don't think we have any where close to the proper personnel to put in a 3-4 this year. We simply don't have 4 linebackers I'd trust on the field at the same time.

To copy a line from Vince Young, I'm not believing this hype about a 3-4 untill i hear it from the horses mouth.

Another thing some people fail to realize (which kjones, I think, implies here) is that a 3-4 still needs at least two dts, it's just that one of them has to be a nose tackle, and so must be a really big. There is nobody on the d-line roster right now that fits the bill. Talley would be too small.

 

[irishranger]

What a bout taking one of our big hogs on the O line and having him play NT? Just posing the question....

 

[RichardRiot]

There is nobody on the d-line roster right now that fits the bill. Talley would be too small.

Talley's gone; did you mean Laws??

 

[rontdtarchala]

I for one am extatic minter is gone!! I think charlie wouldn't have gone in the direction he did if he didn't have complete confidence in him...after minter he must do well or it will all fall on CW's head...I am thinking dominating defense my brothers!~!!!!!!!

 

[BestBIrish47]

I had my reservations about Minter at the beginning, I don't mean to kick him while he is down, but back in the Holtz days, he had so much speed on defense. I really felt like his scheme was questionalble, but his recruiting ability must over shadow the bend but don't break metality. Let's be honest.........or secondary this year wasn't exactly Todd light, Bobby taylor, Jeff Burris etc. Our linebackers were pretty average in talent with Crum being the lone standout, and finally pass rush, pass rush, pass rush! For any solid Defense to work the front 4 have to be able to stop the run and put pressure during the pass. Let's hope that Corwin can put some speed on the field next year so we don't have to blitz to get pressure! If the front 4 can start getting to the QB more, when we do blitz it will be overwhelming instead of getting picked up and gashed for a big gain.

 

[TexasDomer]

I think we have the potential to have the speed to match up well defensively. Minter's schemes were designed to out-think the opponents, and that often leads to a defense thinking instead of reacting quickly or forcing the action. That, to me, was the secondary's achilles heel last year.

 

[rontdtarchala]

completely agree, we want speed players reacting and smashing mouths...we want smart players but lets keep the trig in the classroom. I prefer nasty smashmouth any day of the week...

 

[solo]

I for one am extatic minter is gone!! I think charlie wouldn't have gone in the direction he did if he didn't have complete confidence in him...after minter he must do well or it will all fall on CW's head...I am thinking dominating defense my brothers!~!!!!!!!

I too think that this could be a very good move, though I am not ready to be totally excited about it. I like the NFL connection for recruiting purposes. I like the specialty in the secondary as that is where we need the most help. I like the fact that he is young so that he might be around a while. All positives.

However, part of me wonders if Charlie hired somebody with no experience so that he could mold him his way and have more control? You've go to admit, our OC is not very experienced. Now neither is our DC. In general I believe in winning with rising stars, so hopefully this is the case rather than Charlie wanting more control.

 

[ShivaIrish]

However, part of me wonders if Charlie hired somebody with no experience so that he could mold him his way and have more control? You've go to admit, our OC is not very experienced. Now neither is our DC. In general I believe in winning with rising stars, so hopefully this is the case rather than Charlie wanting more control.

At least based on some of his comments, one of the reasons for Brown's hire is that he doesn't have to be worring about what's going on over on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[TexasDomer]

The transcript indicated that Parcells, Belichek, Crennel, Groh and Mangini all recommended Brown as a DC. Strong references, those.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

At least based on some of his comments, one of the reasons for Brown's hire is that he doesn't have to be worring about what's going on over on the defensive side of the ball.

that's a mistake...

Urban Meyer said that one thing he learned from Lou Holtz was to be involved in ALL aspects of the team.

 

[irishranger]

Make no mistake, CW is going to stay in tune with the defense also. I just think that in the end Minter and CW were not on the same page. CB coming from a similar system helps enormously with that.

 

[goldenlid]

I can't wait to see the new defense. CB has learned from the guys who want the defense to go and attack. I know he wasn't the DC but look at his teachers teams Jets, Cowboy, Pats. Not to mention the new guys coming in and even the guys we have are just as skilled as other top teir teams, if you look at the whole star ratings.

 

[TexasNDFan]

I think it's far from certain that that is what is happening and that people like to talk about it because it seems exciting. In no way is a 3-4 "better" than a 4-3, each has strengths and weakness, and each can have success. Proper execution is paramount, and personnel is at a premium, for a 3-4 more so than a 4-3. That being said, I don't think we have any where close to the proper personnel to put in a 3-4 this year. We simply don't have 4 linebackers I'd trust on the field at the same time.

To copy a line from Vince Young, I'm not believing this hype about a 3-4 untill i hear it from the horses mouth.

I don't see the Irish running only one specific defense, we could see them running multiple schemes depending on personnel and opponents weaknesses. If we look closer at the players that ND has been recruiting this year they've been going after the hybrid DE/LB type of players. Now we haven't had the success at the DL position, now if you look at the 3-4 defenses most of the emphasis is on the LB and having the big DL that can keep the OL off the backers, so to do this the Irish need the big bodies that are more the run stuffers than the pass rushers.

 

[irishranger]

Trust the Weis! he will do right for ND, no matter what. I have just finished his book, and am no longer worried about him leaving or just waiting to get another job. CW loves ND, loves his familiy, and understands what is necessary to be a Champion!