Diaco is Building Something Special

[CanadianIrish]

A few weeks ago people were ready to tar and feather him, but it's now clear that Bob Diaco is building something special with this defense. They have given up one TD in the last three games, and even then U$C started inside the 15. They stuffed Utah, Army and USC. Most of the season they have had to carry a struggling offense, and in terms of recruiting talent, they have way less than the offense. We're missing our Nose Tackle, and it doesn't seem to matter. We got significant penetration against U$C's five star OLs throughout the game on running plays, and we did the same against Utah and Army.

Most of the defense is coming back next year, we really have the potential to do something significant. This is a team that very easily could have been 10-2 (just three plays go differently we beat Michigan St., Michigan and Tulsa), and the defense is only going to get better. Give us Nix next year to replace (the injured) Ian Williams, and this unit is going to be SCARY.

 

[TerryTate]

When I'm sober tomorrow, I will make a list of all the posters who wanted to crucify him...

You all should be ashamed.

A lot of respect should also go out to

Mike Elston (D Line)
Chuck Martin (Secondary)
Kerry Cooks (Outside Linebackers)

 

[irishff1014]

Wow he has turned this defense in to a mean figthing machine.

 

[zemaniak]

secondary still needs help, we're a cover safety short as well as another corner to back up BLanton

but i really like the improvement, especially the physicality in the front 7

 

[CanadianIrish]

A list needs to be made. Our defense looks great for next year. I'm confident we will finish 8-5 with a good head of steam for next year.

 

[IrishLax]

I have always defended and supported Diaco and feel especially vindicated by these recent performances. If I was a recruit watching these last couple performances... I would be chomping at the bit to come play for him.

I also want to shout out to Brian Smith playing freaking amazing at ILB the last couple weeks. What a difference his individual performances have made.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Secondary still REALLY needs help. Sad to say that I think if Barkley started this game would've turned out quite different.
but about Diaco. YOu can't punish anyone for getting down on him! Look at the first half of our season. Our D was AWFUL.
it was ONLY when his Job was on the line that he stepped up and DID some good!
it makes me angry thats what it takes to have him coach to his potential...but for now its all HUGS FOR DIACO! haha



81

 

[Junkhead]

The D against Navy was pathetic, since then, it has been outstanding. I would put our D against anyone the past few games. How does the switch get flipped on so quick though?!

 

[eNDzone]

D has been tough since the Stanford game. Navy game was the only exception. The Tulsa game was lost by our special teams and the O.

 

[JayRock]

The D against Navy was pathetic, since then, it has been outstanding. I would put our D against anyone the past few games. How does the switch get flipped on so quick though?!

Oregon would carve our defense like it was turkey on Thanksgiving.

Hell yeah, simile.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I didn't feel bad about our D all game. I was confident in them. Can you say that about the Weis era?

 

[IrishBlood81]

Secondary still REALLY needs help. Sad to say that I think if Barkley started this game would've turned out quite different.
but about Diaco. YOu can't punish anyone for getting down on him! Look at the first half of our season. Our D was AWFUL.
it was ONLY when his Job was on the line that he stepped up and DID some good!
it makes me angry thats what it takes to have him coach to his potential...but for now its all HUGS FOR DIACO! haha



81

 

[Junkhead]

Oregon would carve our defense like it was turkey on Thanksgiving.

Hell yeah, simile.

Maybe, but after having a D ranked near the bottom last year, it is an improvement. And after the past 3 games, I would put our D in the top 10 nationally. Oregon might carve them, but not many other teams. It's been forever since we've seen such fight out of the D.

 

[Jonstradamus]

I'm liking the play of the linebackers. Last drive was scary, U$C had it barring those 2 drops. Let's go bowlin'...

 

[Jerry]

I feel like going and posting on all the dip **** Bleacher Report articles calling for Diaco's head a few weeks ago. Morons.

 

[Jerry]

Maybe, but after having a D ranked near the bottom last year, it is an improvement. And after the past 3 games, I would put our D in the top 10 nationally. Oregon might carve them, but not many other teams. It's been forever since we've seen such fight out of the D.

Isn't great? Nothing worse than cheering for a team with a terrible defense. The great part is the D is pretty young. Only going to get better next year.

 

[Riddickulous]

He has done a phenomenal job, but let's give it up to Chuck Martin for the outstanding job he has done with the secondary.

 

[JayRock]

Maybe, but after having a D ranked near the bottom last year, it is an improvement. And after the past 3 games, I would put our D in the top 10 nationally. Oregon might carve them, but not many other teams. It's been forever since we've seen such fight out of the D.

The Notre Dame fan in me wants to agree.

The analyst in me says we played a discouraged Utah team that didn't show up, a poor Army team, and USC without their quarterback.

While this is the most we've seen from ND's defense in 10947043591873 years, I don't think they are a top 10 defense in the country.

 

[chyrspchuck]

Really happy for Brian Smith, KC native, a buddy of mine has met his father a couple of times, just good to see him do so well tonight. I used to think he got too high before the games getting so pumped and not really doing anything, tonight, he was so sound in his performance. Just awesome.

 

[chyrspchuck]

The Notre Dame fan in me wants to agree.

The analyst in me says we played a discouraged Utah team that didn't show up, a poor Army team, and USC without their quarterback.

While this is the most we've seen from ND's defense in 10947043591873 years, I don't think they are a top 10 defense in the country.

I agree, with a few more studs like Manti, next year we could be Top 20. We gotta get the O rolling now.

 

[BurningRiver]

This is the kind of identity i want kelly's future ND teams to have. great, passionate defense with a good front 7, a grinding running game, and a serviceable quarterback.

watching our defense shut them down for much of the game and then robert hughes shove it right down their throats on that last drive was a thing of beauty.

go irish! 8-5 baby!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Anyone else worried that Diaco might leave to be a head coach after the 2011 season

 

[Riddickulous]

Anyway else worry that Diaco might leave to be a head coach after the 2011 season

Not really.

 

[Irish.Ca]

They've really showed improvement. Proud of them and all the work the coaching staff has done on that side of the ball. Hayseed and BSmith have looked all world in the last few games. Hope it helps them with D Recruiting as we've got holes to fill, thanks to Miami we have some new options (if they meed admit standards). GO D

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Brian Smith on twitter has a picture of him with his eye swelling shut. Awesome.. sometimes you gotta collect some battle wounds.

 

[chyrspchuck]

just awesome....

 

[chyrspchuck]

even Louis Nix is fired up on twitter, I think him and Stockton are going to play well for us next year....

 

[WabashFalcon]

So... who here is ready to blow Manti to get him to put off his mission again?


ME! ME!

 

[chyrspchuck]

So... who here is ready to blow Manti to get him to put off his mission again?


ME! ME!

he has already said it is postponed until after college, i believe. no need to blow him wabash. man you're the gayest straight guy i know.......

 

[irishff1014]

Not really.

No i think he likes the pressure of being ND's defensive Cord. and caoching for Brian Kelly