Defensive Stats

[jiggafini19]

Att: 324
Comp: 167
COMP %: 51.54
Int: 12
YDS: 2408
YDS ATT: 7.43
TD: 12
QB Rating: 118.74

Notre Dame is 46th against the pass. Yards per completion is 14.4

12 TD, 12 INT. Impressive.

Take out the Michigan State game, these guys aren't all that bad. A major improvement from last season, obviously. They've made big plays for the ones they've given up.

All this with another staff's groceries.

I have to admit I was shocked by these numbers. I still want the safeties to play deeper (This may be my signature before all is said and done).

 

[scooper]

The completion percentage is very good number. The yards per attempt is not. That just shows that a good chunk of yardage has been given up on big plays. The MSU game certainly applies there.

 

[domerfor life]

The completion percentage is very good number. The yards per attempt is not. That just shows that a good chunk of yardage has been given up on big plays. The MSU game certainly applies there.

I like the fact that they are stiff in the red zone. I will like it even better when teams fail to actually get into the red zone on a consistent basis. It's really not all the secondary's fault though. A good pass rush is the best pass defense, and our pass rush is not that strong right now. It's not that bad either, which would make it about average. If a quarterback has all day to throw, somebody is bound to get open.

 

[jiggafini19]

Notre Dame has 20 sacks this year as a team.

9 of them are by Hoyte, Mays, Tommy Z and Richardson combined.

The line has the other 11 with Abiamari leading the way with 4.

The kid on Louisville has 20 ON HIS OWN....

 

[domerfor life]

Notre Dame has 20 sacks this year as a team.

9 of them are by Hoyte, Mays, Tommy Z and Richardson combined.

The line has the other 11 with Abiamari leading the way with 4.

The kid on Louisville has 20 ON HIS OWN....

Exactly. If you're getting constant pressure on the quarterback, you throw off the timing of the passing game. All of a sudden, the opposing quarterback doesn't see down the field so well. That allows the secondary to make more plays. I think the secondary has held up well considering that many of the quarterbacks we've faced have had all day to throw. You don't think quarterbacks look for Elvis (Louisville)? That's why we really need at least 2 or 3 top flight defensive linemen in this class. We also need the current players to continue developing. I wish Tuck would have stayed. If Tuck would have stayed, the passing defense would probably be much better because teams would have had to double-team him.

 

[jiggafini19]

As a former safety, my very best friends were those front four. They made my life so much easier. And those guys doing the dirty work often made us look great. Nothing like getting a bull rush on a QB and having him throw early...right into a DBs arms.

DE looks good with Wade, Ryan and Paddy Mullen perhaps.

DT has Hand and Kuntz from last year's class, plus whoever they can snag in the next few months.

There is some great potential on the line and will be even better once ND finds out which DTs are coming aboard.

 

[BGIF]

The kid on Louisville has 20 ON HIS OWN....

Funny, I missed his games against USC, Michigan, Tennessee. Could it be because Louisville doesn't play that caliber of team? ND's entire defense would look better against Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, Kentucky and the rest of the powerful OLines Louisville schedules rather than those ND's played.

Cole Snyder, Idaho, has 117 tackles and leads the NCAA in solo tackles with 83. Just think if ND had LB who could tackle like that! I'm sure lining up agasint UNLV, UW, Nevada, LA Tech, etc had no influence on those numbers.

 

[domerfor life]

As a former safety, my very best friends were those front four. They made my life so much easier. And those guys doing the dirty work often made us look great. Nothing like getting a bull rush on a QB and having him throw early...right into a DBs arms.

DE looks good with Wade, Ryan and Paddy Mullen perhaps.

DT has Hand and Kuntz from last year's class, plus whoever they can snag in the next few months.

There is some great potential on the line and will be even better once ND finds out which DTs are coming aboard.

Yeah, and I'm not saying the front four we have right now are bad. They just don't get enough constant pressure on the quarterback. I want him looking over his shoulder on every play. I want him uncomfortable back there in the pocket. Once you do that, the secondary is bound to come up with a few picks. You start seeing passes thrown too early, too short, too long, etc. If ND can build depth along the line, that will allow the starters to go all out knowing they have a back-up who will come in. However, I would like the safeties to play a couple yards deeper in coverage. There have been too many opportunites for the big play.

 

[BGIF]

Yeah, and I'm not saying the front four we have right now are bad. They just don't get enough constant pressure on the quarterback. I want him looking over his shoulder on every play. I want him uncomfortable back there in the pocket. Once you do that, the secondary is bound to come up with a few picks. You start seeing passes thrown too early, too short, too long, etc. If ND can build depth along the line, that will allow the starters to go all out knowing they have a back-up who will come in. However, I would like the safeties to play a couple yards deeper in coverage. There have been too many opportunites for the big play.

When was the last time ND got "enough constant pressure on the quarterback"? When was the last time an opposing quarterback looked "over his shoulder on every play"?

Was it '88 when Zorich, Williams, Stams, and Alm ruled the line of scrimmage? I'm curious what you would use as the benchmark for the Front Four.

 

[weisfaninmass]

Funny, I missed his games against USC, Michigan, Tennessee. Could it be because Louisville doesn't play that caliber of team? ND's entire defense would look better against Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, Kentucky and the rest of the powerful OLines Louisville schedules rather than those ND's played.

Amen. 20 is impressive but let's not confude him with Lawrence Taylor.

 

[bigdon]

Att: 324
Comp: 167
COMP %: 51.54
Int: 12
YDS: 2408
YDS ATT: 7.43
TD: 12
QB Rating: 118.74

Notre Dame is 46th against the pass. Yards per completion is 14.4

12 TD, 12 INT. Impressive.

Take out the Michigan State game, these guys aren't all that bad. A major improvement from last season, obviously. They've made big plays for the ones they've given up.

All this with another staff's groceries.

I have to admit I was shocked by these numbers. I still want the safeties to play deeper (This may be my signature before all is said and done).

If we don't get a lot better than 46th the pass will continue to haunt us. If the safeties move back the short pass will kill us just as the long one has on occasion. Walls, McNeil plus more pressure on the QB will cure.

 

[domerfor life]

When was the last time ND got "enough constant pressure on the quarterback"? When was the last time an opposing quarterback looked "over his shoulder on every play"?

Was it '88 when Zorich, Williams, Stams, and Alm ruled the line of scrimmage? I'm curious what you would use as the benchmark for the Front Four.

Dude, it's really not that serious. LOL! That's just what I want. I'm not saying that it's going to happen. I think any knowledgeable fan knows that you can't get to the quarterback on every play. Anyway, I think that as we continue to add depth to the D-line, the pass rush will continue to get better. The defense has really improved over the course of the season. I thought they put good pressure on Leinart in the SC game. The secondary is starting to make more plays and they play better coverage than they did last year.

 

[PantsB]

Sacks are overrated

Sacks are overrated

"Pressure is much more important than sacks." In the Patriots lockerroom that Weis came from, that was the general thought (the Pats don't get many sacks). Coverage was seen as more important than pressure. This all came from the idea that how many yards you give up per game isn't important. The only thing that matters is how many points you give up, so sometimes altering no pressure, some pressure and an all out blitz is much better than constant some/allout pressure.

 

[BGIF]

Domerfor life,

Dude, "I'm curious what you would use as the benchmark for the Front Four."

Still curious, you raised those points, I was simply asking which ND Front Four met your objectives. What's your reference? If not the '88 Front Four which Front Four? If that's not too serious a question.

 

[jiggafini19]

After watching this Syracuse game, the Irish get no pressure nor do they get sacks.

To say a sack is overrated....well, I'm not sure about that logic at all. A sack puts the opposing offense into a hole. On third down, it can take them out of position.

Auburn sacked Brodie Croyle 11 times today. The results were on the scoreboard.

How about this...let's start with pressure and work up to sacks. Right now, the front four doesn't get anywhere. Small at DT, not quick enough on the ends.

 

[bigdon]

After watching this Syracuse game, the Irish get no pressure nor to they get sacks.

To say a sack is overrated....well, I'm not sure about that logic at all. A sack puts the opposing offense into a hole. On third down, it can take them out of position.

Auburn sacked Brodie Croyle 11 times today. The results were on the scoreboard.

How about this...let's start with pressure and work up to sacks. Right now, the front four doesn't get anywhere. Small at DT, not quick enough on the ends.

Whether it's pressure or sacks, ND is not getting it from their front 4 and consequently is not getting it from their ends either. That has got to change if we're thinking championships. I can't see anyone on this team that's going to cure this. That's why DT is a must in this recruiting cycle.

Let's keep in mind that a sack means minus yardage. Pressure does not.

 

[jiggafini19]

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm sure that will happen, but only Mays and Hoyte depart from Minter's 11 after this season correct?

Mike Richardson is eligible for a fifth year. The secondary returns intact if Richardson comes back. Talley, Abiarmari, Laws and Landri are all back. Crum returns.

This freshman class is going to see field time. Morrice Richardson will play. Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil will play. Wade and Ryan might need a year of fine tuning.

If ND can land two defensive tackles, they're going to see the field. I believe if McCoy comes to ND, he will eventually start by mid season.

 

[bigdon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm sure that will happen, but only Mays and Hoyte depart from Minter's 11 after this season correct?

Mike Richardson is eligible for a fifth year. The secondary returns intact if Richardson comes back. Talley, Abiarmari, Laws and Landri are all back. Crum returns.

This freshman class is going to see field time. Morrice Richardson will play. Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil will play. Wade and Ryan might need a year of fine tuning.

If ND can land two defensive tackles, they're going to see the field. I believe if McCoy comes to ND, he will eventually start by mid season.

I believe Talley and Crum will be juniors, Abiamiri and Laws will be seniors, and Landri will graduate in May ( I could be wrong on Landri but he came in with the 2002 class).

 

[bigdon]

God Jiggs, after all the rotten things I said about the guy, I'm almost hoping we get Kates!!! That's what a six pack before 3PM will do to you.

 

[BGIF]

After watching this Syracuse game, the Irish get no pressure nor do they get sacks.

To say a sack is overrated....well, I'm not sure about that logic at all. A sack puts the opposing offense into a hole. On third down, it can take them out of position.

Auburn sacked Brodie Croyle 11 times today. The results were on the scoreboard.

How about this...let's start with pressure and work up to sacks. Right now, the front four doesn't get anywhere. Small at DT, not quick enough on the ends.

I know I watched a lot of games over 1 2 or 13 hours but didn't ND record 3 sacks and the Cuse QB throw the ball away a couple of times will in the grasp?

Agree completely with Auburn/Croyle/scoreboard comment.

 

[BGIF]

I believe Talley and Crum will be juniors, Abiamiri and Laws will be seniors, and Landri will graduate in May ( I could be wrong on Landri but he came in with the 2002 class).

Landri has a 5th year available and within the past week or so I read an article where he said he would definitely be back.

Also keep in mind Travis Leitko said preseason he planned to be back at ND for the next season (after paying sufficient penance for his unspecified deficiencies) if UND will take him back.

 

[jiggafini19]

I know I watched a lot of games over 1 2 or 13 hours but didn't ND record 3 sacks and the Cuse QB throw the ball away a couple of times will in the grasp?

Agree completely with Auburn/Croyle/scoreboard comment.

He had time to throw.

Cuse didn't trust him to pass much. There were drives when they ran three straight times. The first drive they looked pretty good. His receiver (wide open) dropped a 4th down pass that was right to him.

Hopefully the attack is good on Stanford. These Pac 10 schools wing the ball around like it's a video game. Notre Dame will be out of the comfort zone with their first road game in a while.

Brodie Croyle looked like he really wanted to go home after a while. And THAT is what you must do to a quarterback. The Bears had Jake Delhomme running for his life yesterday. Just don't hit late like Florida State always does.

 

[weisfaninmass]

He had time to throw.

Cuse didn't trust him to pass much. There were drives when they ran three straight times. The first drive they looked pretty good. His receiver (wide open) dropped a 4th down pass that was right to him.

Hopefully the attack is good on Stanford. These Pac 10 schools wing the ball around like it's a video game. Notre Dame will be out of the comfort zone with their first road game in a while.

Brodie Croyle looked like he really wanted to go home after a while. And THAT is what you must do to a quarterback. The Bears had Jake Delhomme running for his life yesterday. Just don't hit late like Florida State always does.

Not sure what game you were watching but the NBC broadcast in HD showed Corey Mays and Brandon Hoyte living in the backfield. Maybe its clearer in HD.

 

[jiggafini19]

I've heard that HD is really cool. Might have to check that out, get Santa Claus on the case.

They had 3 sacks to the QB's 22 pass attempts. You guys win. I can take that ratio.

Are Mays and Hoyte linebackers on HD? I thought we were talking about the front four?

( I am hereby taking the high road and ending this wise ass posts. I find them unnecessary amongst my own people. Hail Charlie.)

 

[jiggafini19]

Stats show Mays with 2 sacks, Landri and Laws splitting the third.

 

[scooper]

Hopefully Landri can pack on 10 solid pounds in the offseason. Injuries have really hurt his strength and conditioning training in the offseasons.

 

[weisfaninmass]

I've heard that HD is really cool. Might have to check that out, get Santa Claus on the case.

They had 3 sacks to the QB's 22 pass attempts. You guys win. I can take that ratio.

Are Mays and Hoyte linebackers on HD? I thought we were talking about the front four?

( I am hereby taking the high road and ending this wise ass posts. I find them unnecessary amongst my own people. Hail Charlie.)

I was talking about pressure on the QB.....not pressure from the front 4. As we both have discussed before, the area of most concern on the D is the lack of consistent pressure on the QB. I just felt important to point out in this Syracuse game, the D did get some heat on the QB. As C-Dub said yesterday "We had three sacks. Unfortunately we had an opportunity for four or five more that we missed on". However he also said "With the amount of pressure we were bringing yesterday, which is a little bit unusual for us" which clearly points to the fact that we are not a sack happy team.

 

[jiggafini19]

The QB had Culpepperish size, even though he wasn't very good.

Aside from the blitz packages, which are pretty good I'll admit, just looking at a straight up 4-3-4 pass rush, the front four doesn't seem to get much of a push. I think they're undersized as a unit.

However, they're "All Day Tough" as the saying goes. I'll give them credit for being relentless and considering there isn't much depth, they're getting the majority of the snaps. Talley has done well in place of Frome. Now Brown may have more of a role if Talley is dinged up.

They're doing the best with their ability. Clearly, Weis will be bringing in more talented recruits than what is already there.