We tackle like ****, so Freeman must quit

[BeatSC]

How good was Elko his first year here after the BVG debacle? Better than what we are seeing now. Our Dline missed way too many tackles. They looked weak. How come Wisconsin and Iowa are so much better defensively? Who are their DCs? We were missing Hamilton badly. He have weaknesses at all levels of the D. Not sure if we get anyone drafted in this D this year outside if Hamilton. I also think we are too small overall on this Dline. We need one of those interior game changers like Nix or Tuitt. Hinish does his best but he’s a puffed up 240 pounder. Not sure how effective that other 45 pounds he added around his midsection is. D makes plays then blows it. Giving up way too many big plays. The Oline looked like the best unit in this team yesterday. Will take the win but Virginia offense will no doubt gash the shit out of us. Freeman better get his shit together. This is looking like the zenith of his career.

 

[MacIrish75]

Exactly. Cincinnati has two potential first round picks on their defense that Freeman developed. Give the man a little time.

I agree with this. I’ve already seen better play out of Cam Hart and Clarence this year. We’ve got a safety group that trots out Houston and Pryor for a significant amount of snaps. Our linebackers were literally not built for this. Hinish, god bless him, is not a true two-gap nose.

 

[MacIrish75]

How good was Elko his first year here after the BVG debacle? Better than what we are seeing now. Our Dline missed way too many tackles. They looked weak. How come Wisconsin and Iowa are so much better defensively? Who are their DCs? We were missing Hamilton badly. He have weaknesses at all levels of the D. Not sure if we get anyone drafted in this D this year outside if Hamilton. I also think we are too small overall on this Dline. We need one of those interior game changers like Nix or Tuitt. Hinish does his best but he’s a puffed up 240 pounder. Not sure how effective that other 45 pounds he added around his midsection is. D makes plays then blows it. Giving up way too many big plays. The Oline looked like the best unit in this team yesterday. Will take the win but Virginia offense will no doubt gash the shit out of us. Freeman better get his shit together. This is looking like the zenith of his career.

Probably with the exception of MTA and JAde, I’d argue just about all of our box is ill suited for Freeman’s scheme. They’re built for a Lea defense, not whatever Freeman is attempting to do. I think it becomes less of an excuse as the season has gone on, but early on I could buy the talk on getting used to angles and fits in the new defense. Besides the missed tackles, I was particularly appalled at the run fits on the 50 yard TD run by Chandler. Then again we were out of position on the quick pitch to Chandler on his other TD run. That’s the worrisome part for me. At least get yourselves in the right spot and give yourself a chance to make a play.

 

[ThePiombino]

Something else I wonder the impact on the Defense - When the coaching staff made the full time move to uptempo offense there had to be some talk about the subsequent consequence of the defense being on the field more frequently.

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I would think that the switch to up tempo actually keeps the offense out on the field longer than it had been beforehand, this helping the defense. No? Like I'm sure the defense would prefer a 5-minute scoring drive over the 90 second 3-and-outs.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Navy could be a real problem

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Navy could be a real problem

Since we do not know how to tackle Navy could be a complete crap-fest.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

Navy could be a real problem

Navy was in Cincinnati’s conference so I think he at least has some experience dealing with it. Also that game fits the strengths of our remaining four linebackers. My biggest concern with the game is if we lose another linebacker we may be down to walk ons, position changr players, or true freshman.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Since we do not know how to tackle Navy could be a complete crap-fest.

We are going to seal club Navy.

 

[NDFAN420]

We're not very big on D, very thin depth-wise, and not the most athletic this year - a challenge for any coach. Freeman hasn't been the coaching savant many unfairly expected him to be, but a lot of coaching mistakes are masked by talent and/or players that know and fit your schemes. Clutching at pearls after 8 games seems a little premature.

 

[irishff1014]

We are going to seal club Navy.

We should Navy is terrible.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm sure Navy will give us fits as they often do, they're probably not quite as bad as their record shows. They lost to Cincinnati by one score, if that means anything.

 

[ryno 24]

This is a real dumb take. Have you seen the rest of college football. Other than Georgia teams give up points in college football. Ohio State gave up 24 points. Alabama got beat by A&M. This defense has won us a bunch of games. Freeman was brought in to bring an aggressive style turnover defense. He has already been adjusting quite a bit. I think we are going to keep getting better. As Kirby Smart stated today. This is about recruiting and we are getting freaks on this team.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I'm sure Navy will give us fits as they often do, they're probably not quite as bad as their record shows. They lost to Cincinnati by one score, if that means anything.

Yes. We haven’t had to play a option team this season and I’m certain we will struggle at some point. Que the inevitable fullback run up the gut busted coverage on 3 down lineman complaints. Lol

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Yes. We haven’t had to play a option team this season and I’m certain we will struggle at some point. Que the inevitable fullback run up the gut busted coverage on 3 down lineman complaints. Lol

So help me baby Jesus, if I see 3 down lineman or $ package at anytime Vs. Navy, I will then be full convinced that we were sold a bill of goods with Freeman. I will also pull my toe out and jump head first into the "Luke Fickell" is the real reason for UC's success pool.

 

[stpeteirish]

Navy has played 3 decent to good teams in recent weeks (SMU, Cincy, and Houston) and lost by 7-8 points to all 3. After the Air Force debacle they settled in at QB and are a "typical" Navy team. We should win, but we better not waste any offensive possessions. The spread is 21. That looks way high to me.

 

[stpeteirish]

So help me baby Jesus, if I see 3 down lineman or $ package at anytime Vs. Navy, I will then be full convinced that we were sold a bill of goods with Freeman. I will also pull my toe out and jump head first into the "Luke Fickell" is the real reason for UC's success pool.

If we play 3 down vs Navy it'll be on 3rd and 21 after they're penalized for a chop block.

Seriously, that defense makes no sense vs an option team and would be coaching malpractice. 8 in the box, make them pitch it. And hope we have a free safety who can tackle in space.

 

[IRISHMAN]

So help me baby Jesus, if I see 3 down lineman or $ package at anytime Vs. Navy, I will then be full convinced that we were sold a bill of goods with Freeman. I will also pull my toe out and jump head first into the "Luke Fickell" is the real reason for UC's success pool.

you now the 3 man defensive front is coming freeman just can't help himself, but dont worry he'll realize its not working by the 3rd quarter.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

The game will be short as well. As they almost always are. There will be limited snaps and possessions

 

[zelezo vlk]

Freeman ran a 4-4 in the Sconny game, no? Would that be good vs the option?

 

[DONTH8]

Freeman did play agains tNavy every year when he was in Cincy. I think I read an article where it mentioned the first time he played them, he struggled a ton aganst the option. But then went back to the drawing baord, adn did a lot better the next 2 times they played. I think he should be fine with the strategy end of things. The biggest question will be has our tackling improved? The option is easy to attack when you can put a man on a man and everyone tackles soundly. That is the part that has me nervous.

 

[RDU Irish]

I enjoyed the part where CBK chewed in to Freeman on the sideline after the busted coverage, wide open TD pass. Surprised that was not raised in here yet.

Really sick of the "wait until he gets his guys" line. Good coaches will work with what they have to find the best path for success. May not be what he wants to run but the best for talent at hand. Lots of "round peg in square hole" feelings this year that is quite concerning.

 

[NDohio]

I enjoyed the part where CBK chewed in to Freeman on the sideline after the busted coverage, wide open TD pass. Surprised that was not raised in here yet.

Really sick of the "wait until he gets his guys" line. Good coaches will work with what they have to find the best path for success. May not be what he wants to run but the best for talent at hand. Lots of "round peg in square hole" feelings this year that is quite concerning.

I thought that was Mike Mickens that BK was talking to in that moment?

 

[tko]

I'd love a 2012 game over Navy this week, but no way that'll be in the cards. Will Freeman make the line stand up in order to get their knees detached? What sort of attack did he run while at Cincy?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I thought that was Mike Mickens that BK was talking to in that moment?

It was. 9:22:

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/1455559044362555393?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[MTLIrish]

Probably with the exception of MTA and JAde, I’d argue just about all of our box is ill suited for Freeman’s scheme. They’re built for a Lea defense, not whatever Freeman is attempting to do. I think it becomes less of an excuse as the season has gone on, but early on I could buy the talk on getting used to angles and fits in the new defense. Besides the missed tackles, I was particularly appalled at the run fits on the 50 yard TD run by Chandler. Then again we were out of position on the quick pitch to Chandler on his other TD run. That’s the worrisome part for me. At least get yourselves in the right spot and give yourself a chance to make a play.

I couldn’t agree more, and I don’t understand how when they go over film the staff doesn’t see it. Freeman has his own scheme and that’s perfect but if you don’t have the pieces to run that scheme why throw away what has been working until you have the type of players you need?

 

[IrishLax]

FWIW -- Freeman has already abandoned a lot of his "scheme" to run something closer to what we saw from Lea. Especially since Hamilton went out. Even then, we have so many injuries relative to last year (plus departures) that it's ugly.

I think it will take a full two seasons or some transfers to have the defense playing at a high level. LBs will be better next year, DL should be about the same, DBs will still probably be pretty bad. But Bertrand + Liufau + Kollie looks like a good core on paper, and there are enough emerging players on the DL that they will be able to hold up against anyone. The problem is Freeman wants to play 5 DBs and you basically have zero good DBs right now. So you either need young guys to take huge steps forward this offseason, or you need to go get some transfers, or both.

 

[ulukinatme]

Two full seasons to have the defense playing at a high level? That's not good news for us, nor for Freeman. He may not make it past much more than two full seasons if the players don't start picking it up by next. year. BVG got 2 seasons and some change, and that was after an impressive start. If we're giving up this many points and yards to mediocre teams by midseason next year his seat will start getting hot.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Just to grab one stat, in Van Gorder’s three seasons with ND they were 55th, 54th, and 48th in Defensive FEI.

For 2021, Notre Dame is 21st. Last year the Irish were 10th.

EDIT: I forgot BVG was there for three(ish) years.

 

[ulukinatme]

Just to grab one stat, in Van Gorder’s three seasons with ND they were 55th, 54th, and 48th in Defensive FEI.

For 2021, Notre Dame is 21st. Last year the Irish were 10th.

EDIT: I forgot BVG was there for three(ish) years.

BVG started 2014 giving up an average of 12.0 points a game, famously shutting out Michigan. In the 6th game we gave up 43 points and 500+ yards, effectively getting exposed. BVG struggled mightily to keep the points below 30+ from them on. The flood gates were open at that point, so to speak. Funny enough, North Carolina was the same team that ran up all those points.