Does Diaco need to learn??

[FLDomer]

If something isnt broke, dont fix it...right? We pressured with blitzes, stunts, and agressive defense, caused poor throws and crushed the run....and than stopped! Played bend dont break Defense and a sh!tty FSU offense was able to take advantage of our weak secondary and win in the 4th....remind anyone of the Michigan game?
I have supported the 3-4 and actually like it but to be successful in it one needs to be agressive. I put this loss on the shoulders of Rees, and Diaco (along with some poor execution). We can bench Rees, should Diaco go? He needed to keep his ears pinned back and keep stepping on FSU's throats...and he pussed out again. Phew....I got it off my chest! Discuss.

 

[PANDFAN]

no i think that would be a bit overboard...however we took the foot off the gas w/ a 14 point lead and again we saw Michigan 2.0

 

[Jozodog1201]

If something isnt broke, dont fix it...right? We pressured with blitzes, stunts, and agressive defense, caused poor throws and crushed the run....and than stopped! Played bend dont break Defense and a sh!tty FSU offense was able to take advantage of our weak secondary and win in the 4th....remind anyone of the Michigan game?
I have supported the 3-4 and actually like it but to be successful in it one needs to be agressive. I put this loss on the shoulders of Rees, and Diaco (along with some poor execution). We can bench Rees, should Diaco go? He needed to keep his ears pinned back and keep stepping on FSU's throats...and he pussed out again. Phew....I got it off my chest! Discuss.

Couldn't agree with you more. The announcer said the same thing about only rushing 3 and so did Lou Holtz after the game. You said it best, If it isn't broke, don't fix it!

 

[notredomer23]

We gave up 18 points... half the time thanks to a short field because of Tommy Turnover or Hendrix. I only really remember FSU having one sustaining drive not aided by cheap penalties or bad calls from the refs.

all we had to do was score 3 TD's and we win...

That said though, I was pissed we were only rushing 3...

 

[BleedBlueGold]

If something isnt broke, dont fix it...right? We pressured with blitzes, stunts, and agressive defense, caused poor throws and crushed the run....and than stopped! Played bend dont break Defense and a sh!tty FSU offense was able to take advantage of our weak secondary and win in the 4th....remind anyone of the Michigan game?
I have supported the 3-4 and actually like it but to be successful in it one needs to be agressive. I put this loss on the shoulders of Rees, and Diaco (along with some poor execution). We can bench Rees, should Diaco go? He needed to keep his ears pinned back and keep stepping on FSU's throats...and he pussed out again. Phew....I got it off my chest! Discuss.

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say he needs to be fired. He and the rest of the staff have fielded one of the best defenses ND has seen in a very long time. You are right when you say he needed to keep the pressure coming. That irks me to no end when I see a team do that (and then lose). Note: I'm a Bears fan and had to watch the same thing happen a few weeks ago against the Denver Tebows. The bend but don't break scheme, IMO, is only applicable when the lead-to-time left ratio is favorable. For example, if you're only up 11 points with a full quarter to play - stay on the gas! If you're up 11 points with less than a minute to play, perhaps that's a time to make that call. Very frustrating. Diaco needs to get that through his head. Great effort by the defense last night until the 4th qtr (again, unfortunately).

 

[beryirish]

Really??! So let's fire the guy. Gimme a break.

His defense gave up 18 points.
His defense caused a fumble and returned it for a TD
His defense had 4+ sacks

Let's fire the guy. Grab your pitchforks.

Anytime your defense puts those numbers up you win the game everytime....unless you have Tommy throwing floaters in double coverage.

 

[CoachB]

No offense, but you do realize that is a ridiculous comment, don'
t you? Diaco's defense is the best Notre Dame has seen since the days of Holtz, with the possible exception of the Shane Walton year. In fact, in my eyes, Diaco had a great game plan. FSU had the definitive speed advantage all over the field, yet ND's scheme held them mostly in check. I was one that was questioning the lack of blitz packages in the second half and I think, after watching it back, that it was a two-fold decision on Diaco's part. One, is I think he started sitting on the lead a bit as to not give up the big play. However, just as much of a factor is FSU started doing a better job of picking up the pressures. By my count, ND blitzed in some variety 6 times in the second half and FSU picked it up much better. The problem then becomes leaving athletic mismatches one on one with our corners with no over the top help. On some of FSU's big plays, ND brought pressure and FSU picked it up. Sorry for being long-winded, I just think Diaco had a really good gameplan, i.e. how he used Slaughter at the overhang, and doesn't deserve to be bashed. However, it is a message board, and I guess that is what happens here.

 

[ohara831]

No, he does not need to be fired. And yes, it seems he erred when not keeping the pressure on the QB like we did early in the game. He made a great move before the game by moving our man Slaughter from Safety up to where he could rush the passer so often, and he had a solid game. But I did not think Diaco deserved to be made a Head Coach after that great move. Some moves work, and sometimes they dont.

 

[InKellyITrust]

I'm really looking forward to the development of our young defense over the course of next year

 

[FLDomer]

Really??! So let's fire the guy. Gimme a break.

His defense gave up 18 points.
His defense caused a fumble and returned it for a TD
His defense had 4+ sacks

Let's fire the guy. Grab your pitchforks.

Anytime your defense puts those numbers up you win the game everytime....unless you have Tommy throwing floaters in double coverage.

I never said the defense played poorly, I only mentioned this is not the first time that he has failed to come thru and finish a team when what they were doing was working. Clearly our offense wasnt gonna put points up so why sit back and not do what was working! GIVE ME A BREAK!!! Congrats Diaco you called a great half of football! I wasn't saying the offense didnt stink but a lot of that is due to lack of execution and the defense giving up 15pts in the 4th was play calling! I dont want to be a negative nancy and have supported Diaco but he had a sh!tty d at cinnci, really not sure if he can turn it around at ND. He allowed 4 freshmen olinemen (3 with 1 start) to give EJ time to kill the our sub par DBs.

Also i didnt say he need to be fired! I just simply asked a question, no pitchforks here. Just want us to win like everyone of us here.

 

[FLDomer]

I'm really looking forward to the development of our young defense over the course of next year

It was great to see what our defense can and could be. I hope the d is called like the first half for entire games next year!! Our front 7 will be scary good and hopefully these new dbs coming back will be awesome!

 

[phork]

Fired, no. Explanation as to why everyone in the world was asking about the lack of pressure, yes.

 

[FLDomer]

No offense, but you do realize that is a ridiculous comment, don'
t you? Diaco's defense is the best Notre Dame has seen since the days of Holtz, with the possible exception of the Shane Walton year. In fact, in my eyes, Diaco had a great game plan. FSU had the definitive speed advantage all over the field, yet ND's scheme held them mostly in check. I was one that was questioning the lack of blitz packages in the second half and I think, after watching it back, that it was a two-fold decision on Diaco's part. One, is I think he started sitting on the lead a bit as to not give up the big play. However, just as much of a factor is FSU started doing a better job of picking up the pressures. By my count, ND blitzed in some variety 6 times in the second half and FSU picked it up much better. The problem then becomes leaving athletic mismatches one on one with our corners with no over the top help. On some of FSU's big plays, ND brought pressure and FSU picked it up. Sorry for being long-winded, I just think Diaco had a really good gameplan, i.e. how he used Slaughter at the overhang, and doesn't deserve to be bashed. However, it is a message board, and I guess that is what happens here.

Diaco did have a good/great 1st half game plan! Blitzes they ran in the 2nd half were vanilla (not sending multiple guys to same gap). I would rather go down swinging than waiting for them to come at me and pick me apart but thats just my opinion. AND FOR THE RECORD I THINK DIACO COULD BE GREAT IF HE DOESNT GET SOFT, and he seems to have trouble putting his foot on the throat and having that kill....

 

[IrishUte]

Diaco is okay, the offense is what needs to be gutted. Until then Diacos defense will always get wore down and allow 4th quarter comebacks.

 

[chadder20]

Does anyone here look at the entire picture? Drill down to the root cause here.
Q1: Why was there limited blitzing in the second half?
A1: The defense was out of gas in the second half because the offense was not on the field long enough to give them a break.

Q2: Why was the defense out of gas?
A1: The defense hurt all season because they have no depth. Actually both sides of the ball hurt because of this.

Q3: Why is there no depth?
A3: They have no depth because they have not been able to recruit and develop young players.

Q4: Why are they not able to recruit depth?
A4: Most of the recruits during the past two seasons are starting and playing with raw skill, not developed skill because there is no time to develop them since they are thrown into the fire.

The root cause is the Irish not only have holes to fill in the key starting roles, they have one huge sink hole in the second and third teams. Its not the coaching staff. If anyone here has tried to rebuild a struggling company, its the same deal. You have to weigh getting rid of experience with bad habits and reluctant to change vs. hiring no experience with good habits and have no idea about the change. Either way you go, its a long road and long term gains might mean short term loss and the exact opposite of short term gain always means long term loss.

I think everyone here forgets just how bad the teams since Lou have been. Short term gains have caused huge long term loss. Its going to take a long time to turn the ship. Taking your bumps along the way only make you stronger in the long run.

 

[FLDomer]

Does anyone here look at the entire picture? Drill down to the root cause here.
Q1: Why was there limited blitzing in the second half?
A1: The defense was out of gas in the second half because the offense was not on the field long enough to give them a break.

Q2: Why was the defense out of gas?
A1: The defense hurt all season because they have no depth. Actually both sides of the ball hurt because of this.

Q3: Why is there no depth?
A3: They have no depth because they have not been able to recruit and develop young players.

Q4: Why are they not able to recruit depth?
A4: Most of the recruits during the past two seasons are starting and playing with raw skill, not developed skill because there is no time to develop them since they are thrown into the fire.

The root cause is the Irish not only have holes to fill in the key starting roles, they have one huge sink hole in the second and third teams. Its not the coaching staff. If anyone here has tried to rebuild a struggling company, its the same deal. You have to weigh getting rid of experience with bad habits and reluctant to change vs. hiring no experience with good habits and have no idea about the change. Either way you go, its a long road and long term gains might mean short term loss and the exact opposite of short term gain always means long term loss.

I think everyone here forgets just how bad the teams since Lou have been. Short term gains have caused huge long term loss. Its going to take a long time to turn the ship. Taking your bumps along the way only make you stronger in the long run.

Good point! I am open minded enough to see your view and it makes sense. Exellent points. Its easy being a Couch Coach! GO IRISH

WE ARE ND!

 

[CoachB]

Diaco did have a good/great 1st half game plan! Blitzes they ran in the 2nd half were vanilla (not sending multiple guys to same gap). I would rather go down swinging than waiting for them to come at me and pick me apart but thats just my opinion. AND FOR THE RECORD I THINK DIACO COULD BE GREAT IF HE DOESNT GET SOFT, and he seems to have trouble putting his foot on the throat and having that kill....

Not that I don't agree with you. I was just trying to get inside his head as to what he might be thinking. I personally would have kept up the attacking style. IMO, when you have a mismatch like that on the edge, your best bet is to keep attacking and not let the QB set his feet. My only thought is that Diaco must not have felt like he could get to Manuel anymore and that left his guys on an island. We all know that blitzing puts you at a serious disadvantage if you don't get to the QB. Not that I agree, I would have kept attacking. However, that is probably why he is ND's d-coordinator and I am only a D3 one. Just my two cents.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I have a hard time giving any respect whatsoever to the thought that Coach Diaco should be fired. .... kind of thing which makes me think I've entered an insane universe momentarily. But I guess just after a nerve-rending loss [caused by everything ELSE but the defense], any sort of commentary can be expected. Te'o by the way took some offense when asked why they didn't keep pressure via blitzes late in the game. His point-of-view, obviously disregarded by people closer to the game than Manti [sarcasm+] was that they got pressure in the first half often rushing three. But, hey, what does he know?

Diaco is struggling with a linebacking corps which is poorly manned in its ability to defend the spread offenses. He has just recently installed Slaughter as a makeshift [and effective] drop linebacker, and shifted Shembo to Cat. He's doing everything he can to make do with the pieces he has, and has done very well.

Manti said that they missed some small things that FSU did in the second half and that will motivate him and his returning buddies to work out what he felt were "details" and produce a defense that gives up even less points. Kelly did nothing but praise the defense for a great effort. What-in-the-he!l is this thread all about??? Lord there's a lot more to gripe about than Coach Diaco.

 

[Patulski]

I think this was the toughest, most competitive defense ND has had since the 2002 defense.
I'd give Diaco a raise.

 

[Zibby32]

The defense was great...outside of limiting them too 18 points, they scored 7 points on their own. IMO an great to excellent performance.

Out offense is in question here. In fact it is extremely suspect. Inconsistent QB play, questionable decision making by BK (really? putting Hendrix in too throw was awful), not to mention turnovers...turnovers...turnovers....

BALL GAME

 

[rtrn2glory]

without reading the entire thread...once fla st adjusted to the blitz scheme it was apparent we had to stop bringing as much pressure. our corners cannot stop anyone on an island and when we brought pressure later that was picked up we were in big trouble.

 

[beryirish]

I have a hard time giving any respect whatsoever to the thought that Coach Diaco should be fired. .... kind of thing which makes me think I've entered an insane universe momentarily. But I guess just after a nerve-rending loss [caused by everything ELSE but the defense], any sort of commentary can be expected. Te'o by the way took some offense when asked why they didn't keep pressure via blitzes late in the game. His point-of-view, obviously disregarded by people closer to the game than Manti [sarcasm+] was that they got pressure in the first half often rushing three. But, hey, what does he know?

Diaco is struggling with a linebacking corps which is poorly manned in its ability to defend the spread offenses. He has just recently installed Slaughter as a makeshift [and effective] drop linebacker, and shifted Shembo to Cat. He's doing everything he can to make do with the pieces he has, and has done very well.

Manti said that they missed some small things that FSU did in the second half and that will motivate him and his returning buddies to work out what he felt were "details" and produce a defense that gives up even less points. Kelly did nothing but praise the defense for a great effort. What-in-the-he!l is this thread all about??? Lord there's a lot more to gripe about than Coach Diaco.

Good lord thank you.

 

[rtrn2glory]

just think if we had a charlie weis/tenuta defense last night...we would have lost by 40 maybe 50...our defense could only do so much and they were gassed at the end.

face it fellas offense/offensive staff lost this game. period

 

[IrishLax]

without reading the entire thread...once fla st adjusted to the blitz scheme it was apparent we had to stop bringing as much pressure. our corners cannot stop anyone on an island and when we brought pressure later that was picked up we were in big trouble.

See, I kinda thought the same thing... but then I started thinking about it more.... and I'm a bit confused.

The beauty of the 3-4 is that you can throw a bajillion different pressures at a team. Are you saying that after they stopped the inside stunts that we had nothing left we could throw at them? Why not fake the inside LB blitz and bring both OLBs? Chances are at least one comes off unblocked.

I dunno... last night was very confusing to me. Very, very confusing.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Did you not notice the number of screen passes in the second half?

Did you not notice that Manti was in position to stop those screens from going to the house every time in the second half?

So you're saying continue to blitz, even though they are throwing screens every 3 plays?

Makes a ton of sense....

Oh and the argument about FSU's 4 freshmen olinemen is complete BS! ND had Tuitt, Lynch, Hounshell, Williams, and redshirt freshman Nix taking those guys on. Get real. It was a freshman battle up front. No one at ESPN cared to mention that during the game, though.

 

[Jerry]

Did you not notice the number of screen passes in the second half?

Did you not notice that Manti was in position to stop those screens from going to the house every time in the second half?

So you're saying continue to blitz, even though they are throwing screens every 3 plays?

Makes a ton of sense....

Oh and the argument about FSU's 4 freshmen olinemen is complete BS! ND had Tuitt, Lynch, Hounshell, Williams, and redshirt freshman Nix taking those guys on. Get real. It was a freshman battle up front. No one at ESPN cared to mention that during the game, though.

Right? I kept thinking that in the first half (second half at the bar and couldn't hear the broadcast) but those poor FSU freshman were getting so much pity for basically getting manhandled by the ND freshman. Great broadcast.......

 

[CarrollVermin]

He has brought us leaps and bounds from Tenuta...remember what that looked like a few years ago?

He works hard and learns from his mistakes. I think be learned a few this year and will correct them going forward.

 

[Grahambo]

Diaco is the absolute furthest from our problems. If we had a half decent QB, we would be talking up a January bowl game right now.

 

[IrishLax]

Diaco is the absolute furthest from our problems. If we had a half decent QB, we would be talking up a January bowl game right now.

Agreed. Diaco is the SOLUTION if anything. Kelly inherited a bad QB situation (thanks to Dayne's injuries) and then he has, IMO, totally mismanaged it to this point making it even worse.

It needs to be full steam ahead with Golson or Hendrix next year and don't look back.

 

[Veer option]

Defense was not the issue last night, it was the offense continually sharting the bed.