Defense?

[TerryTate]

This defense is going to be fun to watch. Big boys on the DL causing havoc, roaming linebackers, hybrid OLB/DE's, stunts and blitzes. PLEASE let this season start.

 

[Rocket89]

I think we could see pretty solid improvement from the defense.

The statistics are kind of misleading though, especially considering ND is playing a very tough schedule with plenty of early rivalry games.

I mean even if we're ranked 45th in overall defense after 6 games, is that much worse than a team like Texas who has the 20th ranked defense but has only played 1 team with an offensive pulse?

I think that's always been a problem for ND, we're not really playing a lot of really really bad teams that we can limit to 175 yds and 3 points...that sure helps the statistics.

We'll get two this year in W. Michigan and Army, but even Tulsa can put points up on the board.

The difference is that we only see two easy games whereas other teams could see twice as many.

 

[iamtrulyblessed]

As my son would say "WERE GONNA BE BEAST"

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

EVERY POST

EVERY POST

As my son would say "WERE GONNA BE BEAST"

Since your son has commited has me so pumped. thanks for blessing us with a talented and great young man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RyCo1983]

Cinci's Defense under Kelly in 2008 was what 37th or 38th ranked?
He can get the job done on that side of the ball.

 

[TerryTate]

He plans on Enrolling Early, correct Truly?

 

[iamtrulyblessed]

Yes he will be a early grad..

 

[TerryTate]

Stud.

 

[iamtrulyblessed]

Lol

 

[IrishLax]

I expect our defense to be MUCH better this year. A 3-4 fits our team perfectly. Plus, not enough people realize how much Charlie & his coordinator-by-committee system absolutely hamstrung our defense. We might still give up a lot of points, but it will be because of the tempo of the game, not because of a soft defense that makes mental errors and gives up big plays.

Oh, and I can't wait for next year's class of stud defenders.

 

[Jerry]

Just a note of caution, by the NCAA statistics, Cincinnati finished ahead of Auburn, California, Michigan State, Michigan, FSU, Notre Dame, Purdue and Stanford. Further, it is hard to compile, but how many defenses that were ranked above the Bearcats spent as much time on the field? As already noted ten starters were replaced, and I am not sure I would get many ND fans that would take a straight up trade, ND for Cinci’s talent.

This brings up my prediction, and the reasoning behind it. I believe ND will have the biggest single season improvement in defensive statistics ever. Speed. Last year’s starting middle linebacker was clocked at a 5.03 second 40. With the lack of conditioning on the part of some athletes, lateral movement and explosiveness were not what they should be. Finally, has anyone looked at last years tapes and seen one defensive player who knew what the hell he was supposed to do and was able to do it? I am to this day not sure the defensive backs, and front seven were playing as part of one or the same defense.

I think that if you have been watching, particularly at the spring game, (where they dialed down the defense so far), that BK is pulling a Lou. Gloom and doom. I think the defense is READY TO ROCK this year. I would not be surprised to see a top ten defense. The kids understand it, are motivated, and are to the man bigger and much faster than last year.

Man I hope you are right. But I just can't get that optimistic till I see it on the field.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

We already know we have some bona fide studs on offense, but the D is where I am expecting the most improvement. We have some great talent coming in next year, but we have some great players already on the roster that I just don't think have been given the tools to really make a name for themselves.

I think the change to this version of the 3-4 will really give some guys an opportunity to shine and turn this in to a really respectable defense - something we have not had in quite a while.

The key for me, more than scheme, is going to be conditioning. No two ways about it, our D is going to be on the field quite a bit - hopefully because the offense is scoring quickly and often. In recent years, our D was on the field a bunch too and it didn't bode too well for us late in many games. I think we have a good mix of upperclass depth and some young bucks that can also contribute.

Our LB's need to shine and I think the potential and athleticism are there. They will have some bumps, but we are going to see a much improved defense. It needs to be improved because I don't know if we can rely solely on the offense outscoring people week in and week out.

 

[Irish.Ca]

"I think kelly O is going to put points on the board at such a high and consistant rate that other teams O are going to make mistakes. If we can produce 3 and outs on D we will be fine." (Sorry, need a lesson in quotes)

Doesn't that sound a little too familiar. We just spent the last few years getting burned by it. If we can produce 3 and outs on D we will be fine. That goes without saying.

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Mostly everyone on here assumes that were are going to score a shit ton of points. Can this defense really win a game for us?

I mean Cincy was utterly destroyed by Florida and should not have even scored. I still don't understand how people are so optimistic that there will be such a huge makeover on defense. I think it will take 2-3 years before we see a dramatic improvement. Players have to revert back to the 3-4 and a new scheme, another new defensive coordinator and have to have confidence in the new scheme.

Nobody is even talking about our weakest area of all, the our DBs.

 

[GoingGreen]

Mostly everyone on here assumes that were are going to score a shit ton of points. Can this defense really win a game for us?

I mean Cincy was utterly destroyed by Florida and should not have even scored. I still don't understand how people are so optimistic that there will be such a huge makeover on defense. I think it will take 2-3 years before we see a dramatic improvement. Players have to revert back to the 3-4 and a new scheme, another new defensive coordinator and have to have confidence in the new scheme.

Nobody is even talking about our weakest area of all, the our DBs.

Kelly's Bearcats had one returning starter on defense that year.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Everything hinges on the DL stopping the run. If they can stop the run, our DB's can get help. I'm hoping our new coaching staff develop the defense to read the play, get their hands up and knock down, deflect, tip, intercept and obscure the vision of the QB and receivers.

 

[TerryTate]

Everything hinges on the DL stopping the run. If they can stop the run, our DB's can get help. I'm hoping our new coaching staff develop the defense to read the play, get their hands up and knock down, deflect, tip, intercept and obscure the vision of the QB and receivers.

^^ This

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Kelly's Bearcats had one returning starter on defense that year.

Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

 

[TerryTate]

Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

#1 - It's not an excuse, it's a justification. Experience is essential on defense.

#2 - Not to bring up stars, but Diaco had less talent to work with at Cincinnati. You replace those guys with the talent ND has and having players that are buying into the system (like Cincinnati) and you will have a solid defense.

If I remember correctly, we never got to the QB and our lack of penetration cost us games. A change in scheme will yield better results. Players looked lost last year. I think Diaco will be much more refined.

 

[amgarvey]

Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

Get out of here. Please explain how having an extremely inexperienced defense is a "silly excuse." That is a ridiculous statement, simply ridiculous.

 

[mgriff]

Bad habits are corrected pretty quickly, if discipline and the fear of God are struck into the athletes. It may only take a month or so to correct problems, but definitely by year 3 a good program will be rolling.

I meant it in the context of what these players have missed out on developmental wise. They were clearly the cream of the crop, but they haven't been coached up properly. It is going to take time.

 

[Rocket89]

Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

Just imagine the NY Jets replacing 10 starters on defense. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be very good either.

The demolition of Cincy by UF doesn't bother me. What else did you expect? That Gator team will go down as one of the best in history not to win a title and they were stacked beyond imagination, especially on defense.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Man I hope you are right. But I just can't get that optimistic till I see it on the field.

Okay, here is how it boils down: Last year, defensively, Cinci was rated twenty teams better than ND by NCAA statistics, and their offense spent less time on the field than any other offense that averaged nearly 450 yards per game.

The 3-4 allows BK to get more speed to the edge. Also, when you look at the coaching staff’s attitude, you see two things: a bit of a swagger and some downright nastiness (on the field). You see this in the new recruits, and you notice it in changed attitudes among the veteran players. Improved speed, as Bear Bryant said when they asked him how he was so lucky, "I don't rightly know, I recruit speed and luck follows!" And on how he liked his linebackers, "Agile, Mobile, and Hostile!" You are seeing that transformation for this year and in BK's first recruiting class.

 

[IrishLax]

Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

Can you kick someone off the boards for being stupid?

Or maybe he is trolling..... hmmm....

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

SC's defense was average last year because they were young, and inexpierenced. The consensus is that SC will have a top 25 (atleast) defense this year, most likely top 15.

That "push" you are talking about comes with strength that comes from games, physical and mental. A defense loaded with expierenced seniors and juniors has been well-groomed and conditioned by the program, and by the virtue of playing for 2/3 years as a unit.

Kellys defense was young and inexpierenced, but still went undefeated in the regular season. They excelled in come areas, and lacked in others. I bet Cinci's defense will be pretty good this season.

ND has talent, and expierence on defense. Will it be top 10? No, I dont see that happening. Top 25? Eh probably nothing. My quess is somewhere between 30-40, probably right around 35.

 

[Jerry]

Okay, here is how it boils down: Last year, defensively, Cinci was rated twenty teams better than ND by NCAA statistics, and their offense spent less time on the field than any other offense that averaged nearly 450 yards per game.

The 3-4 allows BK to get more speed to the edge. Also, when you look at the coaching staff’s attitude, you see two things: a bit of a swagger and some downright nastiness (on the field). You see this in the new recruits, and you notice it in changed attitudes among the veteran players. Improved speed, as Bear Bryant said when they asked him how he was so lucky, "I don't rightly know, I recruit speed and luck follows!" And on how he liked his linebackers, "Agile, Mobile, and Hostile!" You are seeing that transformation for this year and in BK's first recruiting class.

Everything you say makes sense but sometimes I go back and look at old NDnation posts from before '08 and '09 and the Defense's attitude was always being adjusted and the past problems were being fixed and I always bought into it. I do believe Kelly will be a better coach than Weis. He already is. But I'll wait to see the huge strides made on defense.

 

[BirdmanND06]

The way Diaco runs the 3-4 defense is amazing, it's not the typical 3-4.

Hey Truly, could you elaborate? I know his system is more of a hybrid than a traditional 3-4, but how does it differ philosophically? Do they use more stunting from the DL and rely less on the zone blitz, or is it a different approach? I tried to watch Cincinnati a lot last year, but living in California as I do, only a few games were shown, so I don't have a great grasp on how Diaco runs his particular brand of the 3-4.

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

#1 - It's not an excuse, it's a justification. Experience is essential on defense.

#2 - Not to bring up stars, but Diaco had less talent to work with at Cincinnati. You replace those guys with the talent ND has and having players that are buying into the system (like Cincinnati) and you will have a solid defense.

If I remember correctly, we never got to the QB and our lack of penetration cost us games. A change in scheme will yield better results. Players looked lost last year. I think Diaco will be much more refined.

It seems as though many are using it as an excuse. Part of great coaching is having guys step in for starters and get them the experience. It WAS the fault of Pete Carroll for not getting his players experience which resulted in a poor defense. How is it not Kelly's or any of the coaching staff's fault for this lapse?

Who is to blame then for the poor defense? Players? Coaching? That is what I am getting at.

Saban is losing 9 starters on his defense and it would be his and the coaching staff's fault if they failed to get stops.

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Can you kick someone off the boards for being stupid?

Or maybe he is trolling..... hmmm....

Stupid? Okay so let me ask a simple question. Whose fault was it for Cincy's poor defense last year.

Whose fault was it for USC's poor defense last year?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggie Bush
Cmon that is a silly excuse. That does not excuse him from having a sub par defense.

I actually thought Cincy defended the run pretty well at crucial times last year, but they simply did not have that push from the dline to stop the run and get to the QB.

Can you kick someone off the boards for being stupid?

No. They still let me post. Besides, you guys aren't that far apart in your outlooks. You both have had some good posts. (I still say we are looking at a top ten defense. A) Uglynastymean attitude; B) Great coaching and scheme; C) High expectations; D) Effort; E) Attention to detail; F) Conditioning and strength; G) The right players in the right position; H) Resolve; AND Roman Numeral IX) Great improvement in team speed!