2014 Defensive Depth Chart Discussion

[DillonHall]

Thanks, I can't wait to see his defense in action. I liked Diaco but I prefer an attacking style defense so I am ecstatic about this hire.

...until a CB falls down and has no help over the top

 

[Ironman8]

It will be interesting to see what happens with Councell. He was playing great before his injury and could be a candidate to move to MLB with Jaylon locking down the outside.

Springman and Rochelle/Jones/ Day

Jaylon/Councell/Grace/Williams and Okwara

I actually think Councell is more likely to move to a spot on the DL when in 4 man fronts than at MLB, personally. I think the need is greater there, and he has the frame to be utilized there successfully (rankings services ranked him as a SDE coming out of HS).

We actually do have some decent depth at MLB next year if Moore comes back and Grace is healthy, especially if we play more 3 LB sets. Grace, Moore, Deeb, Schmidt, Morgan with Sykes and Martini redshirting? That's pretty solid.

 

[Rhode Irish]

So have we totally given up on the idea of Rabasa ever contributing?

 

[rocket66]

I think Hounshell is the breakout player of the year. Mark it down.

 

[IrishLax]

...until a CB falls down and has no help over the top

Exactly. People bitch about Diaco's defense, but even with his inability to disguise blitzes, it was incredibly effective at many points this season and obviously all of 2012.

Diaco was borderline moronic with how he attacked option teams like Navy, but there was absolutely a method to his madness against other teams... and his scheme was downright dominant against your typical "prostyle" attack that didn't feature a dynamic mobile QB. Everyone wants a more aggressive defense causing turnovers and getting sacks, but after week 2 where Michigan inevitably hits some big plays because a CB was left on an island people will be screaming bloody murder "where was the safety help!?!?"

 

[Cackalacky]

So have we totally given up on the idea of Rabasa ever contributing?

Who's that? Is he kin to Vernaglia or McDonald?

 

[Brooklyn]

I am personally very high on Deeb, I would love to see him get serious PT next year. I am not fond of Moore other than when it is an obvious run play. I would much rather see Deeb get PT than Moore.

I like what I saw from Deeb's highlights also. I think he gets playing time this year also. Not sure how much, but he'll be in there. Liked his closing speed, aggression, instincts to see something and go for it and seemed to move around very well in between the hash marks. What I didn't see (because there wasn't much of it on his highlights) is if he can shed blocks. Also I think he went a little too high on some of his tackles. Would think some of those would get broken at this level. As a Mike he would need to set up the defense also, not sure if he's ready for that. Still very excited since he seems like an extremely hard worker.

On Moore, I think he is decent. He needs to lose a little weight to improve his movement skills, but he is a very good run stuffer and decent in pass coverage. I would bring him back and put him in the rotation.

 

[STLDomer]

Can we talk about the clusterfuck we have at Safety?? Everyone back from last year plus Baratti back from injury and Redfield will see real time

 

[Brooklyn]

So have we totally given up on the idea of Rabasa ever contributing?

You kinda have to show something before people can count on you. I wouldn't count out anyone, but right now he isn't someone you can count on.

 

[Ironman8]

Can we talk about the clusterfuck we have at Safety?? Everyone back from last year plus Baratti back from injury and Redfield will see real time

Competition breeds success. The depth should push everyone to get better. We should also be able to withstand inevitable injuries and have a rotation that keeps everyone fresh for full games and the whole season.

 

[woolybug25]

Competition breeds success. The depth should push everyone to get better. We should also be able to withstand inevitable injuries and have a rotation that keeps everyone fresh for full games and the whole season.

I would also add that safety is a good position to be deep at. Guys outside of the 2 deep can always be converted to LB'ers or Corners.

Far from a "clusterfuck"... we have a nice situation back there.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Exactly. People bitch about Diaco's defense, but even with his inability to disguise blitzes, it was incredibly effective at many points this season and obviously all of 2012.

Diaco was borderline moronic with how he attacked option teams like Navy, but there was absolutely a method to his madness against other teams... and his scheme was downright dominant against your typical "prostyle" attack that didn't feature a dynamic mobile QB. Everyone wants a more aggressive defense causing turnovers and getting sacks, but after week 2 where Michigan inevitably hits some big plays because a CB was left on an island people will be screaming bloody murder "where was the safety help!?!?"

You have to be willing to give up a few plays in order to be aggressive. The battle for field position is pretty important. Statistical analysis shows that if you have better field position your chances of scoring increases pretty dramatically. Same with turnovers. Create turnovers and win that margin your chances of winning the game increases. The bend and don't break Diaco defense was effective for most of the Irish opponents but that style will not work against elite teams consistently. If the CB falls down then he needs to learn to stay on his feet. If he can't cover man on man, then find one that can. Ultimately, a combination of an aggresive defense combined with a willingness to adjust to what the offense you are facing is best. But, that requires a defensive coordinator to be willing to do it. Even the best Irish defense in the last 20 years was "very simple and basic" according to the Bama players. Effective... yes. But easily outschemed at times.

 

[Rhode Irish]

You kinda have to show something before people can count on you. I wouldn't count out anyone, but right now he isn't someone you can count on.

I basically agree, but I'd point out that we haven't seen anything from a couple of the players that are on our projected depth charts and we are projecting them based on pedigree and potential. Rabasa has certainly been quiet so far in his ND career, but he came in as a pretty respected talent. It seems like his biggest problem may be not having a true position, at least in the outgoing scheme. I'm not saying I am expecting big things from him or that people are wrong to not mention him, I was just curious if he is being omitted because he's been quiet and forgotten about or if I had missed some news that he is unlikely to contribute for a particular reason.

 

[Brooklyn]

I basically agree, but I'd point out that we haven't seen anything from a couple of the players that are on our projected depth charts and we are projecting them based on pedigree and potential. Rabasa has certainly been quiet so far in his ND career, but he came in as a pretty respected talent. It seems like his biggest problem may be not having a true position, at least in the outgoing scheme. I'm not saying I am expecting big things from him or that people are wrong to not mention him, I was just curious if he is being omitted because he's been quiet and forgotten about or if I had missed some news that he is unlikely to contribute for a particular reason.

Definitely understand where you are coming from and definitely agree as it pertains to Rabasa. To me its easier to put someone in your projections that haven't really failed to make an impact at a certain position yet, than someone who has though. For whatever reason Rabasa hasn't really been much of a contributor on defense.

 

[Green Mountains]

You have to be willing to give up a few plays in order to be aggressive. The battle for field position is pretty important. Statistical analysis shows that if you have better field position your chances of scoring increases pretty dramatically. Same with turnovers. Create turnovers and win that margin your chances of winning the game increases. The bend and don't break Diaco defense was effective for most of the Irish opponents but that style will not work against elite teams consistently. If the CB falls down then he needs to learn to stay on his feet. If he can't cover man on man, then find one that can. Ultimately, a combination of an aggresive defense combined with a willingness to adjust to what the offense you are facing is best. But, that requires a defensive coordinator to be willing to do it. Even the best Irish defense in the last 20 years was "very simple and basic" according to the Bama players. Effective... yes. But easily outschemed at times.

But remember in 2012 the Irish were dealing with a new QB whose job was to not lose the game. In 2013, it was a QB with limitations (I don't want to get into a Tommy debate) which prevented a high powered offense. The Defense's job was to make sure there was a grinding effort by the opponent to score. ND simply didn't have the "luxury" of taking big risks and giving up quick TD's.

In 2014, if the offensive is as dynamic as we all hope, I expect that the D will take a lot more risks. However, with this group of O-line, TE's and RB's, a smash mouth running game is not the worst option. ND should out physical almost everyone it plays offensively. What I think we all want to see is tempo, regardless of run or pass. I hope the ND offense plays Oregon like tempo (asking a lot). I think BK wants to play with tempo and EG can do it now.

 

[50milesSE ND]

WOW CAN'T WAIT!!!