Let's talk about next year's D

[loweND]

This was posted in the bluegraysky blog comment section under the article of Weis' SBT interview. Interesting stuff if any of it is true:

www.haloscan.com/comments...76/#170270

Several people have emailed me asking me to respond to the Weis comment in the SBT today.

Weis was quoted as saying ""Now there's some things that are going to be drastic changes from where they were in the spring..."


This is what I know.

1) Victor will be moving to the WDE from SDE in order to generate the outside permiter pass rush. This should cause the fullback or tailback to help the LT and allow the starting OLB to blitz off that slot spot.

2) Frome is moving inside to form a 4-man core rotation. Frome knee injury will limit his lateral movement and the thought is that Frome plays bigger than he is. The coaches dont expect much push from Frome but high intensity coupled with Kuntz to really fire the inner rotation with Laws and Landri are out. Hand does not have that intensity.

3) Talley, Brown will still be at WDE but as backups behind Victor. Neither was able to show the line maintain (structure SDE) that is needed- both need bulk. Surprise is that Stevenson Jr. gets that nod going into fall camp. They like his DT training and he can hold the line. Leitko got bigger and is the backup at SDE going into fall.

4) Crum to MLB to no surprize.

5) Thomas starts at OLB. Vernaglia beaten out "by a mile".

6) Duke stays at safety- coaches really believe that communications not speed the reasons for the breakdowns and they dont want to risk Bruton on mental breakdowns having not played much minutes.

7) Lambert the nickel that is expected to be in on most snap counts. Thus the other OLB spot has been diluted. Lambert not playing the bandit spot- that spot now is going to be dimished until the base package is 4-3. In that case- Vernaglia gets the call. Toryian Smith is not going to start at MLB. Defesnse had to be set in spring- this is the title run teams get only every few years.

Offense no changes.

Special Teams is up in air until some freshman come in. West could make move on KR.
Coach's Ear | Email | Homepage | 06.19.06 - 2:05 pm | #

Found this on Notre Dame Nation. Definitely a thought-provoking thread if it's true. A few things in here get me really excited. 1) The idea of getting both Frome and Leitko back next 2) The idea of having Lambert on the field w/ four other DBs on most plays 3) The idea of having West as our returner.

 

[jiggafini19]

I think the defense is going to be better. No question. I thought Thomas was impressive at the BG Game. Vernaglia has got to step it up before he gets on the field.

The D line is a total mess overall. The lack of depth is simply awful

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

So is it safe to call Vernaglia a bust? beaten out by a mile?? ouch

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I think the defense is going to be better. No question. I thought Thomas was impressive at the BG Game. Vernaglia has got to step it up before he gets on the field.

The D line is a total mess overall. The lack of depth is simply awful

I will be honest...I want to be hopeful...but I refuse to delude myself.

They blew last year. "Bend don't break". That's what you say when you are desperately trying to stay in the game.

I would rather hear this style "dominate".

I wish them the best and think they will improve...but I am not betting the house they will.

 

[scooper]

I will be honest...I want to be hopeful...but I refuse to delude myself.

They blew last year. "Bend don't break". That's what you say when you are desperately trying to stay in the game.

I would rather hear this style "dominate".

I wish them the best and think they will improve...but I am not betting the house they will.

They'll improve. It's hard for a defense as young and inexperienced as last year's not to improve if they work hard. A year of weight and speed training alone should help.

But I don't think this unit will be dominant. There is not enough speed or depth in the front 7 to dominate.

In spite of the myths perpetuated by the media and ND boards, the secondary is fast. Technique and play recognition are the problems there. Luckily, those are easier to overcome than lack of speed. But they are doomed without some help from the front 7.

 

[KMac151993]

With Lambert on the field most downs it provides us with 3 CB and 2 Saftey/LB types out there which should help the secondary a ton. Victor is a great DE and we are solid at the two DT spots but behind these guys there are unknowns and wild cards as well as the other DE spot, throw in 2-3 LB's that are less then steller and you have a front 7 that has disaster written all over it. However, come seasons end we may end up talking about how dominant the front 7 was over its oppenents, maybe Crum at MLB will work out great.

 

[jiggafini19]

I will be honest...I want to be hopeful...but I refuse to delude myself.

They blew last year. "Bend don't break". That's what you say when you are desperately trying to stay in the game.

I would rather hear this style "dominate".

I wish them the best and think they will improve...but I am not betting the house they will.

LOVEMYIRISH, don't mistake my optimism for any lack of concern or questions. Believe me, I'm not 100% sold on this group. I don't trust the coordinator leading them nor do I trust the personnel much either. Depth is a HUGE concern. They'd better stay healthy.

Weis is going to have to eat up clock on offense. Bottom line. The strategy they used against USC was brilliant...and they still allowed five TDs.

I would much rather be stifling that opportunistic. I agrew with all that you've said above. But I still feel that as long as they stay healthy up front they'll be a solid unit.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

In spite of the myths perpetuated by the media and ND boards, the secondary is fast. Technique and play recognition are the problems there. Luckily, those are easier to overcome than lack of speed. But they are doomed without some help from the front 7.

This is EXACTLY my concern. You are spot on...

Ndukwe and Zibby are NOT slow. They can catch almost ANYBODY.

The biggest problems are that:
1) They bite on the play action
2) They get out of position
3) The front line desperately needs to put more pressure on the QB

 

[rontdtarchala]

you are exactly right on...we must get more pressure from the front line or we are dead in our tracks. We need our backfield to play smarter, they have the speed now they need to use their heads. The backfield bit on play action so many times I started coaching from the couch!! I also think there will still be position changes once fall practice gets under way. We have too much talent coming in for that not to happen somewhere through the season.

 

[bigdon]

LOVEMYIRISH, don't mistake my optimism for any lack of concern or questions. Believe me, I'm not 100% sold on this group. I don't trust the coordinator leading them nor do I trust the personnel much either. Depth is a HUGE concern. They'd better stay healthy.

Weis is going to have to eat up clock on offense. Bottom line. The strategy they used against USC was brilliant...and they still allowed five TDs.

I would much rather be stifling that opportunistic. I agrew with all that you've said above. But I still feel that as long as they stay healthy up front they'll be a solid unit.

Thanks Jiggs and LOVEMYIRISH for injecting a bit of realism into the sorry state of the ND defense. While "hope springs eternal" it is difficult to see this defense much improved over last year. I am sure that Weis will make some significant changes because he can't help it. To go into a new year with the same defense that collapsed last year would be inviting defeat.

But the fact that he must consider such changes alone makes me suspect. Abiamiri at a new position as a senior? Maybe all will work out but I doubt it. Anyhow we will know very early whether or not there is any great improvement. The schedule will tell us that.

There has been very little discussion about the offense. Like everyone else I look forward to the best we've seen in a long time at ND. There is one factor that will keep me on the edge of my seat, however. If Quinn does not stay healthy we will see significant deficiency in this offense. I do not think there is a better QB coach than Weis but he gave vertually no playing time to any backup for Quinn and it would be folly to expect that any replacement would be anything more than adequate. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Finally, there has been many posts regarding the ND run for the NC this year. Can that happen? Sure, but I don't think so. It is not realistic to think we can win the title against the likes of USC,Florida, and Texas with the defense as it stands now. The lack of any depth is as telling as the lack of size and experience in the DT area. Our failure to attract any recruits last year (and so far this year) will keep ND from any run this year. I hope this deficiency can be repaired this year so a run can be made in 2007 or 2008. A lot of D holes have got to be plugged before a NC is realistic.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[scooper]

Thanks Jiggs and LOVEMYIRISH for injecting a bit of realism into the sorry state of the ND defense. While "hope springs eternal" it is difficult to see this defense much improved over last year. I am sure that Weis will make some significant changes because he can't help it. To go into a new year with the same defense that collapsed last year would be inviting defeat.

But the fact that he must consider such changes alone makes me suspect. Abiamiri at a new position as a senior? Maybe all will work out but I doubt it. Anyhow we will know very early whether or not there is any great improvement. The schedule will tell us that.

There has been very little discussion about the offense. Like everyone else I look forward to the best we've seen in a long time at ND. There is one factor that will keep me on the edge of my seat, however. If Quinn does not stay healthy we will see significant deficiency in this offense. I do not think there is a better QB coach than Weis but he gave vertually no playing time to any backup for Quinn and it would be folly to expect that any replacement would be anything more than adequate. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Finally, there has been many posts regarding the ND run for the NC this year. Can that happen? Sure, but I don't think so. It is not realistic to think we can win the title against the likes of USC,Florida, and Texas with the defense as it stands now. The lack of any depth is as telling as the lack of size and experience in the DT area. Our failure to attract any recruits last year (and so far this year) will keep ND from any run this year. I hope this deficiency can be repaired this year so a run can be made in 2007 or 2008. A lot of D holes have got to be plugged before a NC is realistic.

Just one man's opinion.

Even with last year's D, we were two plays away from playing for the title. The offense should be as good, if not improved. By experience and training alone, the D should be somewhat better. To say a title run is unrealistic is a bit short sighted.

You cite USC, Florida and Texas as examples. USC's D was no big step up from ours and look what they lose on offense. Yes, they are loaded with talent, but it is unproven inexperienced talent right now. And you don't just replace two Heisman winners just like that.

Florida? Their offense was what our defense was-bad. Some expect them to improve through another year of training and work in the system. So, can't our defense?

Texas is probably in the strongest position of the teams you mentioned, but even they couldn't reach the pinnacle until Superman took them there. He'll be in Tennessee next year.

Some other title contenders being discussed out there-Ohio St, Oklahoma, Auburn, LSU all have some big questions to answer. There is no team that is rock solid from top to bottom. It is wide open, so why can't a team with arguably the nation's best returning offense be considered a true contender?

Granted, for sustained long term success, the defense will have to get much better, but that's not out of the question either.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Finally, there has been many posts regarding the ND run for the NC this year. Can that happen? Sure, but I don't think so. It is not realistic to think we can win the title against the likes of USC,Florida, and Texas with the defense as it stands now. The lack of any depth is as telling as the lack of size and experience in the DT area. Our failure to attract any recruits last year (and so far this year) will keep ND from any run this year. I hope this deficiency can be repaired this year so a run can be made in 2007 or 2008. A lot of D holes have got to be plugged before a NC is realistic.

Just one man's opinion.

We cannot win without an average D. We have a shot at that.

But if they are as bad as last year, we will be 11-1 or 10-2...AT BEST

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Even with last year's D, we were two plays away from playing for the title. The offense should be as good, if not improved. By experience and training alone, the D should be somewhat better. To say a title run is unrealistic is a bit short sighted.

Not to be too sarcastic...but... Did you happen to miss the Fiesta Bowl? ND did not look very good there. Outcoached and outplayed.

Yeah, we were two plays away from playing for NC...but we got pretty hammered when we played a "lesser team".

This year people WILL specifically pick on the secondary. They won't bother trying to run...if they can have success against the secondary. We will get torn up if the secondary does not step up. We will NOT win 9 games unless the secondary changes a lot.

 

[irishwavend]

Actually, our team didn't show up...Outcoached?? I don't know that it was a matter of that.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Actually, our team didn't show up...Outcoached?? I don't know that it was a matter of that.

A team showing up is coaching...even Weis said that.

And frankly, after the first series or two, Tressel left 4 guys on the line and dropped 7 into coverage. We were unable to pass. He knew we could not run against them, so he was able to shut us down in the running and passing game.

Tressel may dress like a prep-school nancy-boy, but he has one hell of a good record as coach at OSU.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

We have a legitimate shot. The defense will be improved, with Weis paying more attention to the D (he paid very little a year ago) and the tutorial by the Panthers coaches, along with some good freshmen, we'll be right where we need to be. the first three games will tell, although I think we'll spank penn st. anyway

 

[rontdtarchala]

I agree the secondary must get better...but it is not all on the back field. We need pressure on the QB people. I don't care how good your secondary is...if the QB has all day to pass you are going to get your butts whooped...bottom line

 

[mirertobrooks]

I think this is garbage guys. I mean our 3 losses were to very good offensive teams. So we couldn't stop USC, well nobody did for 3 years! OSU has tons of speed, and a hot quarterback, Michigan State was unstoppable in there first 5 games last year, and remember Brady gave them 7 of their points. So Stanford hit some homerun balls on us, they probably didn't have much more then 125 yards outside of those plays. We held Michigan without a touchdown for 55 minutes, and shutout Purdue in the first half. This is not a bad unit, just up against some really good offenses.

 

[jiggafini19]

So Stanford hit some homerun balls on us, they probably didn't have much more then 125 yards outside of those plays

It is this kind of attitude that will get you a December bowl game. It is in the same ballpark as the bend but don't break, opportunistic description of a defense. They are capable of more.

Being good on first and second down, then flopping on third doesn't get the job done. We're not talking one or two big plays here....we're talking several. I, for one, happen to think those big plays will decrease and this defense will get better.

They'll have a great chance to prove it against Reggie Ball's legs, Calvin Johnson, the PSU receiving corps and a nice Michigan offense to start out the season.

 

[jiggafini19]

Good to see you, Big Don.

 

[jiggafini19]

Good to see you, Big Don.

 

[mlcspinner]

The New England Patriots won 3 superbowls with a defense that has always played " bend don't break" defense. What the Patriots did when they won those Superbowls was they did not give up the big play. It was the big plays that got ND last year. Not playing "Bend don't Break" defense.

 

[jiggafini19]

Any defensive coordinator that advocates a bend but don't break philosophy should be fired. There is no way Rick Minter is on the sidelines saying, "It's okay that they drive all the way down field, we'll just force a fumble on the goal line." Get the offense off of the field. Sack the quarterback. Do not miss tackles. Don't wait for the opportunity to cause a mistake, SEIZE IT. Weis and Minter themselves have stated they HATE the term itself.

Three and out. Three and out. Three and out. Don't wait for the offense to make a mistake. Kick them right in the nuts and then go kill their punter. No big plays, no small plays, no nothing. Kill.

 

[mlcspinner]

I don't care what any team does between the 20 yard lines. It matters what happens inside the 20. Sure I would love every defense stand to end with 3 and out. That is not going to happen. If you are going to give up points give up FG not TD's, and don't give up the big plays.

 

[jiggafini19]

Spinner, with the kids Weis is bringing in they won't be giving up much of anything in these next few years.

Getting across midfield should require a pep rally for your opponent. Defense is attitude, effort and mental approach right along with scheme and talent. Those 11 guys should not want to give up one inch to anybody.

Walk the walk, but talk the talk.

They're starting to load the cupboard up with guys that are going to melt people's faces off and keep the punter busy all day.

 

[rontdtarchala]

jigga, I love the way you think. If you played any ball you had to be on the D. Guys he's right on point. You do not give an inch to any of those &*(^%$$&(*$#^^....smash them and make them go home crying to mamma. Take a look back to some of ND's old school d. break them into pieces and call for the body bags. Dominate dang it!!!

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I think this is garbage guys. I mean our 3 losses were to very good offensive teams. So we couldn't stop USC, well nobody did for 3 years! OSU has tons of speed, and a hot quarterback, Michigan State was unstoppable in there first 5 games last year, and remember Brady gave them 7 of their points. So Stanford hit some homerun balls on us, they probably didn't have much more then 125 yards outside of those plays. We held Michigan without a touchdown for 55 minutes, and shutout Purdue in the first half. This is not a bad unit, just up against some really good offenses.

Yards don't matter...points on the board do.

Last year we gave up 24.5 ppg (avg)...that's awful.

From 1986-2001 (Holtz and Davie years) we gave up that many points on average in only 1 season!!! (1999)

2005 24.5
2004 24.1
2003 26.3
2002 18.1
2001 17.9
2000 22.3
1999 27.6
1998 20.7
1997 22.1
1996 15.1
1995 20.6
1994 23.3
1993 17.9
1992 15.1
1991 24.1
1990 21.6
1989 15.8
1988 13.0
1987 18.2
1986 18.3

The way I think of it is this way... YES, we can hang 30-40 points on average to bad teams. But when we come up against the best, we won't. We need to be able to have a defense that covers the other team and can be counted on in close games.

We do NOT have that now.

MSU and Stanford sucked last year. Sucked.

MSU was not hot...cmon. Kent State, Hawaii, and Illinois...those where their BIG POINTS games. They were HORRIBLE last year.

 

[KMac151993]

1988 13.0

Defense wins championships!

 

[loweND]

Guys, if these defensive changes are true, it's pretty obvious that we're taking a very different philosphy to defense this year. Switching Lambert in for a lineback is going to add a lot of emphasis on pass defense and stopping the run. Especially now that Crum will be playing up the middle, and we know he's pretty good as far as LBs go at playing against the pass.

This is a big thing, because it's been our pass defense in recent years that's killed us. This is like the coaches saying "okay, we're going to load up against the pass and hope that you don't beat us with the run" which I think is smart.

I've always wanted to see more of Lambert. Whenever he's come in later in games I've been impressed by his coverage. I have the feeling that until this year, he hasn't been one hundred percent healthy. This guy could be a huge difference maker this season.

And, if either Walls or McNeil can step up, we can might have a solid dime package this season.

 

[knute]

This thread is very interesting and has generated a lot of discussion. It's always cool to get some idea of what's in store for next year. I wanted to do a bit more digging to see where the information came from. I clicked the original link, but it's dead. Luckily Google found it for me. It's at:

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/bluegraysky/115065069230036976/

Not really much more information than what's been posted, so for now we'll just have to wonder whether this is real or imagined.