ND Defense

[Kingbish01]

Calabrese is a BULL, he runs around like he has a refrigerator strapped to his back...LOL...I love watching him play!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

DEs = Good
NTs = Good
OLBs = Okay
ILBs = Te'o is spectacular, Calabrese good
CBs = Good
S = Okay

The player who needs the most work on the defense, IMO, is Jamoris Slaughter. He misses a lot of assignments. He was the safety who missed Jonathan Baldwin and let him slip free for a deep touchdown against Pittsburgh (although he showed impressive speed catching up to a guy who was 15 yards behind him), and the guy who missed his assignment and allowed the 3rd and 26 against Tulsa.

I agree with you, but Jamoris missed a lot of time due to injury. I think this is why he missed so many assignments, because he missed a ton of practice and game time. He sure has the athletic ability, no he needs to stay healthy and get the reps.

 

[irishff1014]

Bob and chuck will coach these DB's up and they will be better next year have faith in the staff.

 

[Riddickulous]

The LBs I think will be elite next season.

The DL if they can get quality NT play will be close to elite if not completely elite.

The DBs look to be the biggest question mark. HSmith and Gray returning would make the DBs close to elite.

One more year of experience and comfort level with Diaco's defense will make a big difference, too. They are very close to being an elite defense, the kind that wins titles.

Exciting times.

2012 will be a challenge. We lose Gary Gray, Robert Blanton and Harrison Smith and are left with Lo Wood and a plethora of sophomore and freshman defensive backs. Possibly E.J. Banks, as well. Expect Wood to see a lot of playing time in 2011 as a nickel back to prepare him.

 

[Kingbish01]

2012 will be a challenge. We lose Gary Gray, Robert Blanton and Harrison Smith and are left with Lo Wood and a plethora of sophomore and freshman defensive backs. Possibly E.J. Banks, as well. Expect Wood to see a lot of playing time in 2011 as a nickel back to prepare him.

I watched EJ Banks in high school..Same conf as my high school...Great athlete

 

[irishff1014]

I am pretty sure that Blanton and Smith will be back next year.

 

[Kingbish01]

I am pretty sure that Blanton and Smith will be back next year.

100% Blanton is not built for the NFL yet, and Smith needs his degree.

 

[lookingdeadred]

One of many reasons why 2012 will be a challenge

One of many reasons why 2012 will be a challenge

But if the front seven plays like an elite unit, it will take a ton of pressure off the DBs.

2012 will be a challenge. We lose Gary Gray, Robert Blanton and Harrison Smith and are left with Lo Wood and a plethora of sophomore and freshman defensive backs. Possibly E.J. Banks, as well. Expect Wood to see a lot of playing time in 2011 as a nickel back to prepare him.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

The LBs I think will be elite next season.

The DL if they can get quality NT play will be close to elite if not completely elite.

The DBs look to be the biggest question mark. HSmith and Gray returning would make the DBs close to elite.

One more year of experience and comfort level with Diaco's defense will make a big difference, too. They are very close to being an elite defense, the kind that wins titles.

Exciting times.

I think Cywnar has played admirably in the place of Williams at NT.

 

[military_irish]

their was a play in the USC game where Hafis Williams drove, I believe either the center or guard, almost right into the QB. He looked like a force out their.

I know alot of people get caught up in the up and coming recruits or freshmen and the potential they bring but the upper class guys are no chumps. My prediction would be Cwynar and Williams will get the bulk of the time.

 

[roc351w]

their was a play in the USC game where Hafis Williams drove, I believe either the center or guard, almost right into the QB. He looked like a force out their.

I know alot of people get caught up in the up and coming recruits or freshmen and the potential they bring but the upper class guys are no chumps. My prediction would be Cwynar and Williams will get the bulk of the time.

exactly right, we do get amped for incoming highly rated freshman to make an impact. but the guys we have were also highly rated at one time i just dont think the staff we used to have developed very well. now with one system in place and the guys getting the coaching they needed i think anyone that steps on campus will just compliment whats going to happen. transitions from year to year wont be huge loses because the underclassmen will already be developed enough to step in rather we all hold our breathe the first kick-off of the season and see who left and where the holes are... The next man in will become the playmaker.....

 

[Old Man Mike]

Someone can educate me on this, but it seemed to me that Diaco changed a bit of his philosophy about simply filling gaps with the D-line and OLBs and allowed them to change the position of the line of scrimmage [i.e. more aggressive bulling of the opponents' O-line] over our last three games---and we looked better big time. Part of our DEs increased success seemed related to taking their muzzles off.

 

[roc351w]

it seemed early in the year we stayed in a base 3-4 even against 3 wrs. now were seeing more nickle packages where one or even two outside linebackers with there hand down rushing the edge. if the offense uses two tight ends (usc) we are still in a 3-4 just one outside linebacker has his hand down on the line usually flemming or shembo. thats just to get more drive under linemen on running plays also gives separation for our inside backers to make a play.

 

[irish1958]

Someone can educate me on this, but it seemed to me that Diaco changed a bit of his philosophy about simply filling gaps with the D-line and OLBs and allowed them to change the position of the line of scrimmage [i.e. more aggressive bulling of the opponents' O-line] over our last three games---and we looked better big time. Part of our DEs increased success seemed related to taking their muzzles off.

I am afraid I can't educate you; my impression is that the players have developed and now can do more than just hold the fort.
Early on, the defense was no better than past years; they tried but were out of position a lot and couldn't make plays.
That seemed to have changed.
I can't wait for the bowl game and next year.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Don't forget about the huge addition of Tuitt at defensive end. Not only are the starters really, really good, but there is a bunch of depth. Gotta hand it to Charlie there. I hated his coaching, but he left the cupboard pretty full (probably an easy fat joke in there)

 

[roc351w]

majority of the d-line will be back with the addition of nix and schwenke and if heggie developes with a chip on his shoulder look out. Add in this years recruits and our depth should be relentless... keep rotating and hurting teams feelings..... and as far as our backers go, ones already known for "wanting to bite noses off" and the other should be called K.O. instead of Te'o next to him is "meatball" my god sounds more like a biker gang then a football team and thats the way defenses should be known. were a catholic school so whats wrong with striking the fear of god into teams.......

 

[Bogtrotter07]

One of the biggest changes this November seems to be, that all of a sudden, we loose much less with our starters out.

 

[jason_h537]

I find it funny how quickly people are to anoint freshman the second coming. Nix and Hendrix have lots of talent but we have no idea how good they are outside of them being highly ranked (stars don't matter remember)

Also Shembo is Brian Smith right now. A freshman who came in and did only 1 thing, rush the passer. He is NOT Te'o. He may be a great payer but do not start acting like he is the next Te'o

Te'o won the starting job midway thru the season and played like a veteran as a freshman.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Our defense has me very excited. It was getting old watching opposing offenses push us around all over the place and constantly get those big yards and big plays. This November has been a true joy to watch. I cannot remember the last time I felt this good about this unit. They will only get better in my opinion. You can see them gel together as a cohesive unit now. That took some time, but I think it was worth the wait and the longer they are in Diaco's system the better they will be.

 

[jmurphy75]

I don't think anyone is trying to take anything away from our starters they have done a great job. As for the play of Kona and Prince they add a level of depth that we were missing, they can come in off the bench in certain schemes and have just as much of an impact as our starters. They all compliment each other and bring different strong points to the table.....and they all play as a single squad.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I don't think anyone is trying to take anything away from our starters they have done a great job. As for the play of Kona and Prince they add a level of depth that we were missing, they can come in off the bench in certain schemes and have just as much of an impact as our starters. They all compliment each other and bring different strong points to the table.....and they all play as a single squad.

Bingo! You are right about these young kids coming off the bench and being able to play effectively. It is really nice to have some depth for a change. These kids are really playing well as a unit and the results the past few games speak for themselves. Being able to keep players fresh and rotate personnel in and out keeps a certain energy level on the field that we have not seen in a long time.

 

[roc351w]

i also find it funny when people dont realize how hard it is for a freshman to get playing time in college football, there is no second coming hasnt been since the 80's, so much time has passed since we've been on the map. so whatever players do from here on out is the first coming.... its one thing to give props to a freshmen that has played its crazy to give props to a kid that hasn't even practiced with us yet......