BVG Fired

[ndfi78]

Honestly, stop watching ESPN. Watch the Fox Sports show instead.

 

[ulukinatme]

In my opinion all three of them need to stop. The whole shtick is annoying.

This may be Lou's last year. I know he's said it in the past, but in all likelihood he will hang it up once this season is over. May will need someone else to keep his persona going, otherwise he'll struggle imo. Lou provides the perfect foil for him.

 

[BobD]

Honestly, stop watching ESPN. Watch the Fox Sports show instead.

ESPN thinks they're talking about a coach's pole instead of a poll.

They have some good and some bad info, but I take ESPN' s info just like all media....with a grain of salt.

 

[yankeeND]

Honestly, stop watching ESPN. Watch the Fox Sports show instead.

Yeah, but then what else am I supposed to bitch about?

I will give the Fox show a chance, it just kind of sucks the mothership devotes all of this time to college football, but then they get to our team and shit all over them. Whether people agree or not, that is how the broadcasts are perceived and it just annoys me. I don't think it should be all praise, but there is usually no merit to what they are saying. 3-7 Charlie Weis teams yes. 42-15 Brian Kelly coached teams, not so much.

 

[KPENN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This week in crazy VanGorder formations: Trumbetti + Rochell as ILBs, Smith + Schmidt as DEs. Only Smith didn't rush. <a href="http://t.co/mjOJVGqDHK">pic.twitter.com/mjOJVGqDHK</a></p>— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) <a href="https://twitter.com/TJamesNDI/status/519650605971685377">October 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[irishfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This week in crazy VanGorder formations: Trumbetti + Rochell as ILBs, Smith + Schmidt as DEs. Only Smith didn't rush. <a href="http://t.co/mjOJVGqDHK">pic.twitter.com/mjOJVGqDHK</a></p>— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) <a href="https://twitter.com/TJamesNDI/status/519650605971685377">October 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Do we know what play this was? Just based on field position, it looks like it could be that deep flag pattern they hit against Farley before their final TD?

Funky formation to say the least.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Irish Turning Point's Coach Thiel just published an article titled "This Is What Over-Achieving Looks like: Part I":

I expected the Notre Dame defense to be this good… Just not in 2014! The bottom line is that Brian Vangorder has this defense playing at an incredibly high level, and way ahead of schedule. Five games isn’t an anomaly. It’s not even a trend anyomore either. Notre Dame’s defensive performance in 2014 against a wide array of offenses is quickly becoming a body of work. This week, we’ll examine the reasons why, beginning with the front 7.

DL Fit: A funny thing happened on Bob Diaco’s way to building a two-gap 3-4 defense, he ended up with defensive linemen who are a much better fit for a one-gap 4-3 defense! If you read any of my gripes dating back to November of 2013, I was screaming (to anyone who would listen) that if/when Diaco left, ND would immediately become a 4-3 defense because we had 4-3 DL personnel. Notre Dame’s best defensive lineman, Sheldon Day possesses a skill set based on shooting gaps. His first step is incredibly quick which allows him to beat opposing offensive lineman to a spot where his strength and size allows him to control the gap and make plays. This entire skill set is mostly marginalized in a two-gap 3-4 where instead of attacking and controlling gaps, his responsibility is to attack and control and offensive lineman. This may account for the rumors that Diaco didn’t want to recruit Day for his defense, but was instructed to recruit him anyway. Sheldon Day is a pure 4-3 3-Technique, and any other defensive framework is a misuse of his skills. The same is true of Isaac Rochell who certainly has the strength to two-gap, but is best suited to play a shaded technique (SDE or 3T) with the responsibility for one gap. These one-gap assignments against primarily one-on-one blocking have allowed Rochell to be outstanding in backside pursuit where he’s made a lot of tackles against RBs near the LOS. Jarron Jones is the only DL starter who could probably be equally effective in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 but he has certainly benefited from the amount of slanting and stunting within BVG’s framework, which has freed him up from the abuse of constant double teams.

Perhaps most importantly however, has been the ability of BVG’s defense to incorporate freshmen and backups. There is simply no way that Trumbetti and Blankenship would be physically ready to compete in a two-gap framework which forced them to engage the opposing OL, control that OL, read the blocking, disengage from the OL, and then make the play. Instead, we have seen both players compete, and even thrive in many instances because this defense allows them to maximize their abilities and doesn’t require them to play with the physical strength/maturity of a Kapron Lewis-Moore. Justin Utupo provides another great example of this success. Utupo is not even remotely equipped to play 3T in a 3-4. While not as talented as Day, Utupo is also more than proficient at shooting gaps and maintaining gap control as a 3T in a 4-3. He has truly been remarkable in relief of Day and while the defense loses some play making ability when Day takes a breather, Utupo is far from being liability at 3T in the run game. BVG is a master at finding where his players can be successful, and then playing them in those positions with those distinct responsibilities where they can thrive.

LB Function: This is the level of the defense where most of my preseason concerns resided. As of today, I think we could say with a great deal of confidence that those concerns have been addressed. My first priority was getting Jaylon Smith out of that ridiculous SAM (“DOG”) creation of Bob Diaco and into a position where he could have a much greater impact on the outcome of the game. Jaylon played a marginal position in 2013 which allowed offenses to easily scheme away from using offensive personnel formations and play calls. By the 2014 Spring Game, it was clear that Jaylon was finally playing the correct position, the WILL LB. In the WILL, Jaylon has the ability to influence nearly every play and can no longer be effectively schemed away from. In many defensive alignments, Jaylon is now protected by alignment meaning that he is playing over covered OL who are unable to get to LB level at the snap. When he plays over uncovered OL, Jaylon’s athleticism is making many OL look silly as they lunge for air, often without laying a hand on Jaylon. But Jaylon is by no means finesse only, he has defeated the blocks of several offensive guards as well, including a key play last Saturday vs. Stanford. Whether Jaylon is making tackles in the box, chasing down RBs in the boundary, blitzing interior/exterior gaps, or covering WRs in the slot, Jaylon is playing fast and with confidence in the knowledge of his assignments.

The season’s most pleasant surprise has been the play of Joe Schmidt. Ask yourself this, did the previous LB position coach/DC have an ILB (not named Teo) play at anywhere close to this level? Maybe for a game or two (Brian Smith vs. USC in ’10) but certainly not this consistently. The work that BVG has done as a LB coach is an incredible accomplishment. He has maximized the abilities of Joe Schmidt and is getting production from the MIKE position beyond any realistic expectations for the level of 4-3 MLB talent he had on-hand. Vangorder has allowed his MIKE to attack downhill, which mitigates much of the liability of playing a MIKE that lacks ideal size. Instead of allowing his MIKE to be engaged 3-4 yards off the LOS, he directs his MIKE to attack downhill and read his keys as he moves down his track. It does lead to some mistakes, but those mistakes are aggressive and often allows him to get a piece of the ball carrier, slowing them down so teammates can flow to the ball and clean the play up. Schmidt isn’t the best in coverage, but he’s blitzing just as often as he’s in coverage, which masks that weakness to a degree.

Thus far, I would evaluate the SAM play as adequate but not much better than that. In Onwaulu’s defense, he had his best game against Stanford and he appears to be playing with more confidence, but there is work to be done. As I’ve said in the past, it’s not a position that is on the field for more than 50% of the snaps. Over the course of the season, it would benefit the team to get an injection of play-making ability there. Perhaps Onwaulu is that guy, but I’d love to see Tranquill get an opportunity to take the starting role there over the offseason.

Bringing it together: BVG’s role in making this defense work cannot be overstated. He is a master-motivator and perhaps an even better teacher, that has broken his vision and concepts down into easily consumed bites for his players. There is nothing particularly exotic about what BVG has the players doling on early downs. He runs a combination of Under and Over 4-man DL alignments in front of creative LB alignments which don’t always match what you would expect based on the look the DL is showing. On 3rd downs or obvious passing situations however, Rex Ryan’s fingerprints are all over what BVG does here. Not only has BVG been able to teach zone and overload blitz concepts over one offseason, but he shows enough variety in his 4-2-5 / 3-3-5 / 3-2-6 pressure packages that there is no way to discern true tendencies. The player(s) blitzing from a particular look on one play, may not look anything like the player(s) blitzing from the same look on a future down. This creates problems for both the QB trying to analyze the situation under play clock constraints, and also the OC who has been breaking down film the entire week prior. Variety out of multiple looks makes 3rd down very difficult for both parties.

 

[MNIrishman]

Irish Turning Point's Coach Thiel just published an article titled "This Is What Over-Achieving Looks like: Part I":

I love BVG. I think one thing that has made our games painful to watch the last few years was the "boring" nature of offense and defense. With Golson back and BVG deciding that opposing QBs need less sleep and more screaming, the team is fun to watch again (winning helps too).

 

[Emcee77]

I love BVG. I think one thing that has made our games painful to watch the last few years was the "boring" nature of offense and defense. With Golson back and BVG deciding that opposing QBs need less sleep and more screaming, the team is fun to watch again (winning helps too).

I agree, very fun to watch.

I watched the Stanford game with my pops, who has been watching ND football for a lot longer than most of us, and as we walked out of the stadium all he could talk about were (1) the gutsy blitz at the end of the game that inspired this thread, and (2) the "swagger" ND defensive backs are playing with right now. I couldn't have agreed more. We have confident, athletic DBs who are playing incredible football right now. BVG deserves a lot of the credit for that, imo. You can just tell what a great teacher he is. Everyone seems to know his job. We always knew our guys had the athleticism to succeed; BVG puts them in a position to capitalize on it.

To put it more succinctly, swagger comes with confidence, which comes with proper preparation, and BVG deserves the credit for getting these kids prepared.

 

[irishfan]

I'm slowly starting to not be petrified of facing a spread offense or a mobile QB like I was with Diaco.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm slowly starting to not be petrified of facing a spread offense or a mobile QB like I was with Diaco.

Navy.


Soon.

 

[Wild Bill]

Make it simple for your players and keep their offensive coordinator guessing. Brilliant.

 

[IrishLion]

I know we've got the UNC game to watch on Saturday...

But I can't wait to see what kind of stuff Brian "The Mad Scientist" Van Gorder cooks up for Jameis Winston. Can't wait to see Winston go into panic mode when he sees Jarron Jones lined up at safety and Kyle Brindza playing nose tackle.

 

[IrishLax]

I know we've got the UNC game to watch on Saturday...

But I can't wait to see what kind of stuff Brian "The Mad Scientist" Van Gorder cooks up for Jameis Winston. Can't wait to see Winston go into panic mode when he sees Jarron Jones lined up at safety and Kyle Brindza playing nose tackle.

Jaylon Smith clones. Everywhere.

 

[ryno 24]

Jaylon Smith clones. Everywhere.

The crazy thing is he is talented enough he could play 9 of the 11 defensive positions with his skill set. I wish we could have more Jaylon Smiths on our team

 

[IrishLion]

Jaylon Smith clones. Everywhere.

Would be a truly effective defense. No italics.

Stopping the power run from the DT position would be the only question, but that's why they teach you to drive into the ground and create a pile if you're getting beat by a double team.

 

[GBdomer]

nvm

 

[Junkhead]

I think this thread needs to be closed and deleted after today.

 

[GBdomer]

Amazing how everyone reacts to playing an awful Stanford QB and average O. 43 points to UNC. What is FSU gonna do?

 

[Wild Bill]

Amazing how everyone reacts to playing an awful Stanford QB and average O. 43 points to UNC. What is FSU gonna do?

Hopefully score less than us.

 

[Irish YJ]

I think this thread needs to be closed and deleted after today.

In my best Cack voice... "Agree. Back to the VanGorder new DC" thread."

Was definitely not gangsta today. Pour effort in so many areas, not just the D. It is a W however and we live to fight another day. IMO TCU jumps us after this showing.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Apparently Gangsta only lasts one week.

 

[ACamp1900]

This is where the stupid, imo, 'play everyone we can' monster schedule peps show their low football IQ... When you play the schedule ND does you usually lose games you shouldn't bc the grind kills you, no game is played in a vaccum... With that said, you still have to take it a challenge a time and hope the grind doesn't kill NDs title chances.

 

[GowerND11]

This is where the stupid, imo, 'play everyone we can' monster schedule idiots show their low football IQ... When you play the schedule ND does you usually lose games you shouldn't bc the grunt kills you, no game is played in a vaccum... With that said, you still have to take it a challenge a time and hope the grind doesn't kill NDs title chances... But it

Exactly. We could cause 4 turnovers and allow 17 points.... or it could be a shoot out. You never know in college football, and you never know when facing a mobile QB. We have some talent on defense. We play some tough opponents every week, sans 1 or 2 a season, and even those games, the team is really pumped to play us. Let's celebrate a win, and focus on FSU.

 

[ACamp1900]

Point is, we are asking more of bvg than most d cos get asked so just deal... Lol

 

[IrishJayhawk]

This is where the stupid, imo, 'play everyone we can' monster schedule peps show their low football IQ... When you play the schedule ND does you usually lose games you shouldn't bc the grind kills you, no game is played in a vaccum... With that said, you still have to take it a challenge a time and hope the grind doesn't kill NDs title chances.

Yes.

 

[JughedJones]

Hopefully score less than us.

Word.


Buncha idiots like to over-react.


We'll be just fine, I for one am calling an ND victory next week.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I'm slowly starting to not be petrified of facing a spread offense or a mobile QB like I was with Diaco.

Care to edit this post?

Williams was a beast today.

 

[JughedJones]

Care to edit this post?

Williams was a beast today.

Lord Tarean was a beast today.

We had plenty of beasts.


ND 28

FSU 24


Mark it.

 

[tko]

I was at a soccer tourney all day and couldn't watch the game. I figured there would be 5 threads about firing BVG. ND is 6-0 heading to Tallahassee, next.