Secondary - Critical Issues!

[jonesman]

I know everyone is basking in the glory of our major win over Navy, however there are some serious storm clouds hanging over our defense. The storm clouds are in the form of a poor secondary. There is no other way to say it. For those of you who want to say that our guys were concentraating on the run, well our CB's should be able to cover a Navy WR with one eye closed. Instead, Bennett Jackson was spinning the wrong way more than once and K. Russell was just plain lost and struggling. I felt bad for Russel because he was putting forth great effort, but is too green to be playing CB at this point.

I don't care what Kelly says to the media this week, he knows there is a HUGE issue with his defense. We are lacking even one lockdown CB at this point. The guys might mature to become better, but I don't recall seeing these kind of struggles in the past. I remember watching Darrin Walls locked up with Calvin Johnson as a true frosh and he held his own. I remember watching Blanton scraping with many a WR as a frosh.

In my opinion, we might see Slaughter at CB sooner rather than later. That is because I actually am seeing a bright spot with Farley. He could possibly become a solid safety. The kid has a knack for the ball and plays fast.

Until our defense proves we can cover, you are going to see every team we play spread us out with 4-5 WR sets. They will take our defensive strength away by forcing us to play nickel and dime packages, keeping many of our front seven off the field. Watch this happen this week already. Purdue with throw the ball 40+ times.

 

[Cogs]

I know everyone is basking in the glory of our major win over Navy, however there are some serious storm clouds hanging over our defense. The storm clouds are in the form of a poor secondary. There is no other way to say it. For those of you who want to say that our guys were concentraating on the run, well our CB's should be able to cover a Navy WR with one eye closed. Instead, Bennett Jackson was spinning the wrong way more than once and K. Russell was just plain lost and struggling. I felt bad for Russel because he was putting forth great effort, but is too green to be playing CB at this point.

I don't care what Kelly says to the media this week, he knows there is a HUGE issue with his defense. We are lacking even one lockdown CB at this point. The guys might mature to become better, but I don't recall seeing these kind of struggles in the past. I remember watching Darrin Walls locked up with Calvin Johnson as a true frosh and he held his own. I remember watching Blanton scraping with many a WR as a frosh.

In my opinion, we might see Slaughter at CB sooner rather than later. That is because I actually am seeing a bright spot with Farley. He could possibly become a solid safety. The kid has a knack for the ball and plays fast.

Until our defense proves we can cover, you are going to see every team we play spread us out with 4-5 WR sets. They will take our defensive strength away by forcing us to play nickel and dime packages, keeping many of our front seven off the field. Watch this happen this week already. Purdue with throw the ball 40+ times.

We don't know how bad the secondary is just yet, the Purdue game will be a good indicator. But I do agree that putting Slaughter at CB is a good idea. Safety is a lot easier to play than corner, especially in man to man coverage. I see Kelly doing a lot of zone against these pass heavy teams. Edit: Diaco

 

[NDinFL]

We're going to gameplan differently week to week.

The talent is there, and if you think Diaco will run man-to-man against USC or Oklahoma, then you're crazy.

 

[4irishnation]

I hate when people do this after Navy. We don't know how good our oline is or how bad our secondary is. Navy by design will make you look awful if they have a qb that is accurate and he is by far the best passing qb they have had in a while. Get back to me after Purdue!!!

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I know everyone is basking in the glory of our major win over Navy, however there are some serious storm clouds hanging over our defense. The storm clouds are in the form of a poor secondary. There is no other way to say it. For those of you who want to say that our guys were concentraating on the run, well our CB's should be able to cover a Navy WR with one eye closed. Instead, Bennett Jackson was spinning the wrong way more than once and K. Russell was just plain lost and struggling. I felt bad for Russel because he was putting forth great effort, but is too green to be playing CB at this point.

I don't care what Kelly says to the media this week, he knows there is a HUGE issue with his defense. We are lacking even one lockdown CB at this point. The guys might mature to become better, but I don't recall seeing these kind of struggles in the past. I remember watching Darrin Walls locked up with Calvin Johnson as a true frosh and he held his own. I remember watching Blanton scraping with many a WR as a frosh.

In my opinion, we might see Slaughter at CB sooner rather than later. That is because I actually am seeing a bright spot with Farley. He could possibly become a solid safety. The kid has a knack for the ball and plays fast.

Until our defense proves we can cover, you are going to see every team we play spread us out with 4-5 WR sets. They will take our defensive strength away by forcing us to play nickel and dime packages, keeping many of our front seven off the field. Watch this happen this week already. Purdue with throw the ball 40+ times.

Relax. Let's see how they play against a team that drops back and throws the ball. We will not be playing man coverage, or putting our corners on islands. Also, to say that the option offense doesn't lull the CB's to sleep is flat out wrong especially when your so focused on assignment football to defend that option. Let's see how they do this weak before we freak out.

 

[RyCo1983]

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

Navy is not the team to give a grade on our secondary. When they run the ball 46 times out of the 60 plays they ran all day, I think our secondary did a pretty good job of only giving up that one TD pass. I mean when your the DB lining up against the WR, and 46/60 times they run the ball, I think the other 14 plays are probably going to catch any DB off guard, atleast one play, they just happened to score a mediocre touchdown on us.

Purdue will give us a definite warm-up game to sort of offenses we're going to be facing all year, we'll learn from any mistakes from the Purdue game and be that much better come the Mich St game.

 

[Irishman77]

If they split us out with 4-5 wide the qb has 3 seconds at the most with a 5 man protection scheme. That equals a lot of bad decisions by a qb. We got a lot of work to do but we haven't seen any of what our base d will look like the rest of the year yet...

 

[tommyIRISH23]

If they split us out with 4-5 wide the qb has 3 seconds at the most with a 5 man protection scheme. That equals a lot of bad decisions by a qb. We got a lot of work to do but we haven't seen any of what our base d will look like the rest of the year yet...

That scheme seems probable for Michigan bc of Denards escape ability. But, we have the speed on our edges to control him and also the power to blow up the middle of their offensive line. You're right, a good zone coverage scheme will result in many forced throws. We just can't lose composure when that runt gets his yards, because he will.

 

[pkt77242]

First off jonesman, you are a negative nancy.

Second, the reason that I think that you can't judge the CBs after Navy is that they spent all week working on stopping the run, not on pass defense. Our CBs are seeing their first reall time at CB (Jackson mostly played special teams last year). This week will tell us much more. Plus they will continue to improve throughout the year and as many have stated, I expect to see us doing more Zone against Purdue while against Navy we almost always came out in man to man.

I found that the biggest issue I noticed against Navy was that Motta looked slow and out of place. I think that Farley might end up getting put in to replace him.

 

[irishtrain]

It ( pass defense )wont be pretty against southern cal/Okla/Miami/Mich and maybe Purdue. Mich State should run it down our throats. Forgot about Stanford/BYU passing games-doesnt look good. I was a real drink the kool-aid glass half full guy until recently. Now I see this football program for what it is-once proud tradition/zazzy unis once or twice a year for attention/accentuate the brand like a corporate entity/substance pretty much gone/Ivy League/MAC level football and get ready to have your asses handed to you by the top 20 pro/college programs in the country. The Notre Dame that I grew up with has left the building. Prove me wrong guys ( Notre Dame football player )please prove me wrong! I dont want to watch southern cal beat you again by 40/chasing Denard Robinson down the field/intimidated by the crowd in Norman/stubbing your toe to Wake/ pounded by Mich State's run game and so on.

 

[NDinFL]

It ( pass defense )wont be pretty against southern cal/Okla/Miami/Mich and maybe Purdue. Mich State should run it down our throats. Forgot about Stanford/BYU passing games-doesnt look good. I was a real drink the kool-aid glass half full guy until recently. Now I see this football program for what it is-once proud tradition/zazzy unis once or twice a year for attention/accentuate the brand like a corporate entity/substance pretty much gone/Ivy League/MAC level football and get ready to have your asses handed to you by the top 20 pro/college programs in the country. The Notre Dame that I grew up with has left the building. Prove me wrong guys ( Notre Dame football player )please prove me wrong! I dont want to watch southern cal beat you again by 40/chasing Denard Robinson down the field/intimidated by the crowd in Norman/stubbing your toe to Wake/ pounded by Mich State's run game and so on.

You're lying through your ****ing teeth.

I don't have the time or patience to dig up your ****** posts, but you've been nothing but unsubstantiated negativity lately.

If that's you "drinking the kool aid", then you must usually predict 3 win seasons for ND every year.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

It ( pass defense )wont be pretty against southern cal/Okla/Miami/Mich and maybe Purdue. Mich State should run it down our throats. Forgot about Stanford/BYU passing games-doesnt look good. I was a real drink the kool-aid glass half full guy until recently. Now I see this football program for what it is-once proud tradition/zazzy unis once or twice a year for attention/accentuate the brand like a corporate entity/substance pretty much gone/Ivy League/MAC level football and get ready to have your asses handed to you by the top 20 pro/college programs in the country. The Notre Dame that I grew up with has left the building. Prove me wrong guys ( Notre Dame football player )please prove me wrong! I dont want to watch southern cal beat you again by 40/chasing Denard Robinson down the field/intimidated by the crowd in Norman/stubbing your toe to Wake/ pounded by Mich State's run game and so on.

Oklahoma's offensive line couldnt handle the vaunted UTEP Miners defensive line, how will they fare against our line?

 

[PANDFAN]

rew up with has left the building. Prove me wrong guys ( Notre

It ( pass defense )wont be pretty against southern cal/Okla/Miami/Mich and maybe Purdue. Mich State should run it down our throats. Forgot about Stanford/BYU passing games-doesnt look good. I was a real drink the kool-aid glass half full guy until recently. Now I see this football program for what it is-once proud tradition/zazzy unis once or twice a year for attention/accentuate the brand like a corporate entity/substance pretty much gone/Ivy League/MAC level football and get ready to have your asses handed to you by the top 20 pro/college programs in the country. The Notre Dame that I grew up with has left the building. Prove me wrong guys ( Notre Dame football player )please prove me wrong! I dont want to watch southern cal beat you again by 40/chasing Denard Robinson down the field/intimidated by the crowd in Norman/stubbing your toe to Wake/ pounded by Mich State's run game and so on.

Man you sound like sitting on the edge of a building thinking about ending life everytime u post....everything is ND right now is nothing like the ND you used to enjoy...we get it! We all feel somewhat the same but at the same time realize things have as a whole team wise improved greatly...we are building something that not only had to be built from the bottom up...but we had to destroy the housing development that was before BK

 

[PraetorianND]

Someone explain to me why these CBs we're recruiting aren't jumping on board? Where else are they going to get a chance to play early on a nearly complete team?

It boggles my mind.

 

[tdbaum1]

Relax. Let's see how they play against a team that drops back and throws the ball. We will not be playing man coverage, or putting our corners on islands. Also, to say that the option offense doesn't lull the CB's to sleep is flat out wrong especially when your so focused on assignment football to defend that option. Let's see how they do this weak before we freak out.

Agreed. Just chill out. The kids are athletic and know how to play or they wouldn't be here. Let's just see how it pans out.

 

[NDinFL]

train has been on this bullshit kick since about 2 weeks before the season started.

Troll on troll

 

[tommyIRISH23]

train has been on this bullshit kick since about 2 weeks before the season started.

Troll on troll

I remember him being a decent poster in the past? Man, I guess the shitshow from last season really knocked him down

 

[anarin]

Because all of these teams will abandon their gameplan to spread the ball out and become an air raid offense.

GTFO

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Because all of these teams will abandon their gameplan to spread the ball out and become an air raid offense.

GTFO

We play teams that like to air it out like USC, Oklahoma, Purdue, Michigan sort of.

 

[NYMIKE6]

We could go undefeated and win a NC and some guys would still bitch here.....lol

 

[tko]

i have two eyes on Zeke Motta this week. i hope to see slightly better recognition and reaction. who teaches proper angles on this coaching staff, just wondering?

 

[NDinFL]

I remember him being a decent poster in the past? Man, I guess the shitshow from last season really knocked him down

Another gem

Thanks for the lighthearted stuff but you guys can see I'm in the dumper on this program. Other places can just reload even if they are on probation but at Notre Dame the school hamstrings a coach from playing the game that the top 25 teams play. Look at what has happened at southern cal and ohio state-didnt miss a beat still doing the same old crap and winning games. Yeh a little sanction from bowls and schollies but either one of those teams would blast Notre Dame. The program makes $$$ and until the $$$ stops what you see is what you are going to get. In the mean time young kids dont even consider playing for Notre Dame because they are not relevant. I never ever thought I would say that but there it is-Notre Dame at this point in time is not relelvant. Dress 'em up in whatever screwball uniform you want/play it anyway you want this program has now turned to the carny atmosphere. Win a damn football game and then tell me how good you are. This comes from someone who loves Notre Dame not some wiseguy troll from another school. They are staring 6-6/7-5 in the face and people are worrying about jubotrons and clown uniforms.

And yet another

I've told a few friends that I think Notre Dame starts the season 1-1. I favor them getting beat more by Navy than Purdue but I'd bet $$$ that my beloved Irish lose one of these first 2 games. Bigger question is how is the fan base going to react. This is not a strong program anymore. Call me negative Nacy or whatever but a realistic view of this football program is much needed. Then maybe the administration will have to decide what they want to do. Its not the coach its what they make the coach play with and right now Notre Dame is second tier. They need players.

 

[irishff1014]

I know everyone is basking in the glory of our major win over Navy, however there are some serious storm clouds hanging over our defense. The storm clouds are in the form of a poor secondary. There is no other way to say it. For those of you who want to say that our guys were concentraating on the run, well our CB's should be able to cover a Navy WR with one eye closed. Instead, Bennett Jackson was spinning the wrong way more than once and K. Russell was just plain lost and struggling. I felt bad for Russel because he was putting forth great effort, but is too green to be playing CB at this point.

I don't care what Kelly says to the media this week, he knows there is a HUGE issue with his defense. We are lacking even one lockdown CB at this point. The guys might mature to become better, but I don't recall seeing these kind of struggles in the past. I remember watching Darrin Walls locked up with Calvin Johnson as a true frosh and he held his own. I remember watching Blanton scraping with many a WR as a frosh.

In my opinion, we might see Slaughter at CB sooner rather than later. That is because I actually am seeing a bright spot with Farley. He could possibly become a solid safety. The kid has a knack for the ball and plays fast.

Until our defense proves we can cover, you are going to see every team we play spread us out with 4-5 WR sets. They will take our defensive strength away by forcing us to play nickel and dime packages, keeping many of our front seven off the field. Watch this happen this week already. Purdue with throw the ball 40+ times.

Relax it was Navy. And all that you say about Russell you don't even mention that he still almost had an INT.

 

[stlnd01]

We play teams that like to air it out like USC, Oklahoma, Purdue, Michigan sort of.

USC and Oklahoma, yes. Also BYU. I don't think Purdue guns it as much anymore as they did under Tiller, though they still throw alot. But I don't know that they can hold back our pass rush, or stop our offense consistently. Michigan's a big "sort of." Denard's still not much of a pocket passer. Key with him is not getting beat on foot, and playing assignment D (something we did very well on Saturday).

Saturday makes me worry a little more more about BYU than I was. Otherwise I don't think it changes much. We knew none of these guys was Charles Woodson.

 

[PraetorianND]

Saturday makes me worry a little more more about BYU than I was. Otherwise I don't think it changes much. We knew none of these guys was Charles Woodson.

You never know....

 

[kmoose]

I know everyone is basking in the glory of our major win over Navy, however there are some serious storm clouds hanging over our defense. The storm clouds are in the form of a poor secondary. There is no other way to say it. For those of you who want to say that our guys were concentraating on the run, well our CB's should be able to cover a Navy WR with one eye closed. Instead, Bennett Jackson was spinning the wrong way more than once and K. Russell was just plain lost and struggling. I felt bad for Russel because he was putting forth great effort, but is too green to be playing CB at this point.

I don't care what Kelly says to the media this week, he knows there is a HUGE issue with his defense. We are lacking even one lockdown CB at this point. The guys might mature to become better, but I don't recall seeing these kind of struggles in the past. I remember watching Darrin Walls locked up with Calvin Johnson as a true frosh and he held his own. I remember watching Blanton scraping with many a WR as a frosh.

In my opinion, we might see Slaughter at CB sooner rather than later. That is because I actually am seeing a bright spot with Farley. He could possibly become a solid safety. The kid has a knack for the ball and plays fast.

Until our defense proves we can cover, you are going to see every team we play spread us out with 4-5 WR sets. They will take our defensive strength away by forcing us to play nickel and dime packages, keeping many of our front seven off the field. Watch this happen this week already. Purdue with throw the ball 40+ times.

It's not so much that the secondary was concentrating on the run, it's that half of the secondary was devoted to stopping the run. Against an option team like Navy, your safeties come up and become primarily run-stoppers. They are NOT in position to help your corners, leaving said corners out on an island, in man-to-man coverage. Against the more traditional offenses on our schedule, the safeties will be back in their normal alignment, where they will be in position to provide help to the corners. There aren't really that many teams that have one, let alone two, lock-down corners on their D. And many of those teams go on to have stellar seasons. It's not time to panic yet. It's something to watch, for sure; but let's put the crack pipe down, and back slowly away from the big red button, ok?

 

[woolybug25]

You practice all week to defend the veer and they air it out a little bit on us. I'm not surprised that a young secondary had problems adjusting to that while still not getting ate up in their role of holding the edge for the veer.

While I was thoroughly unimpressed by their coverage ability in this game, I understand why it would be difficult to make that adjustment.

Purdue is a great second game for these guys. Against Navy, they did a great job in role assignment in the run game. They got ate up in the pass game, but see above. This week they will get more experience against a team that will most likely attack them in the air. They will game plan all week for it and I expect them to do better. While they will certainly be tested, but Purdue is a poor football team and a good first exposure to a more pass heavy team. One which they should get the taste of success with... hopefully.

 

[PraetorianND]

It's not so much that the secondary was concentrating on the run, it's that half of the secondary was devoted to stopping the run. Against an option team like Navy, your safeties come up and become primarily run-stoppers. They are NOT in position to help your corners, leaving said corners out on an island, in man-to-man coverage. Against the more traditional offenses on our schedule, the safeties will be back in their normal alignment, where they will be in position to provide help to the corners. There aren't really that many teams that have one, let alone two, lock-down corners on their D. And many of those teams go on to have stellar seasons. It's not time to panic yet. It's something to watch, for sure; but let's put the crack pipe down, and back slowly away from the big red button, ok?

... and pick up the Kool-Aid!

 

[anarin]

We play teams that like to air it out like USC, Oklahoma, Purdue, Michigan sort of.

He said every team.

And even with the teams you listed, USC runs a pro style offense, so the chances they up and decide to go 5 wide and throw 50 times are pretty low. Oklahoma isnt out if the question because they run a spread offense. Purdue will spread it out, but they'll keep people home because their front line isnt good enough to hold off nd's front line all game long without getting serious pressure. And i would love to see denard throw it alot, his ducks and jump balls are always a chance for turnovers.