VanGorder - New DC!

[Bogtrotter07]

That is borderline abysmal, considering how BVG calls his games.

Exactly! Think about what it would be like if the execution was there!

Gilmore will really make a difference and earn his pay this year (from every indication.)

The defense has more players acquainted with their positions, let alone BVG's defense.

The defense has more rounded, and better athletes at more positions, that ever before, even with the loss of Day, Smith, Shumate, and Russell, with noticeable improvements at middle linebacker, and in the defensive backfield.* (Development, with Todd Lyght integrating into the system. In fact, last year the defense had three position coaches all new to their posts.)

* More and more I am looking at KRussell's season through 20/20 hind sight magnifying glasses, realizing his stress fractures were misinterpreted as rust or selfish play. Everything indicates this kid was in real pain for most of the season. It this continues to prove true, KR is going to make it big time in the NFL, and it explains why his play was so erratic, and cost the defense a number of long plays, and deep balls.

 

[kmoose]

Some more stats:

We were # 55 in 3rd down attempts against us. ('bama was # 126, osu # 116)

I'm not sure what you mean by this? Is this the total number of 3rd down plays against us? Meaning that only 54 teams had more 3rd down plays against their defense? You need to put this in some context by telling us what it is based on. The number of 3rd downs that a defense forced is meaningless, without knowing the total number of possessions the opponents had. A ball control team will keep opponents to a minimum number of possessions. An explosive offense often affords opponents more possessions.

I do know that ND was #55 in 3rd down conversion Defense. Opponents converted 3rd downs 35.1% of the time against ND. Conversely, Ohio State's Opponents converted 3rd downs 34.9% of the time. LSU's opponents converted 3rd downs 35.7% of the time. Stanford's: 36.3. Ole Miss: 38.9. Fla State: 39.2.


I do know that the defense needs to get better, or maybe just perform better. Either way, we need more production from the Defense. But let's not act like we were fielding a Jr. High Defense in major D-IA college football.

 

[GBdomer]

Expert: Nyles Morgan Scapegoated To Cover Coach's Weakness - Her Loyal Sons

Sorry if already posted

Joe Schmidit graded out the 3rd worst linebacker in the country last year? He had to have had dirt on the staff. But I can't blame him because it wasn't his fault it was all on BK and BVG for putting him in a shit spot that he didn't deserve. I know that guy gave everything he had but it's damn frustrating

 

[Crazy Balki]

Expert: Nyles Morgan Scapegoated To Cover Coach's Weakness - Her Loyal Sons

Sorry if already posted

Joe Schmidit graded out the 3rd worst linebacker in the country last year? He had to have had dirt on the staff. But I can't blame him because it wasn't his fault it was all on BK and BVG for putting him in a shit spot that he didn't deserve. I know that guy gave everything he had but it's damn frustrating

Apparently, Morgan dealt with a knee injury during the latter part of the season, which affected his ability to contribute. Before that, he wasn't clicking mentally. Given he was passed over by Tevon Coney last spring, I can see why the coaches probably had to stick with Joe.

 

[Luckylucci]

Apparently, Morgan dealt with a knee injury during the latter part of the season, which affected his ability to contribute. Before that, he wasn't clicking mentally. Given he was passed over by Tevon Coney last spring, I can see why the coaches probably had to stick with Joe.

How did Coney pass up Morgan? They play different positions. Coney was backup Will and Morgan backup Mike.

 

[Luckylucci]

I do think it's interesting that BK admitted that they probably undersold Morgan and were loyal to a fault with Schmidt.

 

[NDRock]

Apparently, Morgan dealt with a knee injury during the latter part of the season, which affected his ability to contribute. Before that, he wasn't clicking mentally. Given he was passed over by Tevon Coney last spring, I can see why the coaches probably had to stick with Joe.

It's pretty hard to defend playing Joe all the time when he was so bad. It's almost impossible to grade out worse (well there were two guys who did). It would have been nice to get the young guys more game reps last year.

 

[Luckylucci]

On a positive note Driskell is optimistic, and I tend to agree, that if the scheme continues to center around giving MLB opportunities to make plays. Morgan could be in store for an exciting season. More than likely we'll see more breakdowns than we did with Schmidt, but I feel pretty confident that Morgan makes quite a few plays this season.

 

[ThePiombino]

On a positive note Driskell is optimistic, and I tend to agree, that if the scheme continues to center around giving MLB opportunities to make plays. Morgan could be in store for an exciting season. More than likely we'll see more breakdowns than we did with Schmidt, but I feel pretty confident that Morgan makes quite a few plays this season.

Thing is this - it's not as though Schmidt was a dependable backer who just couldn't make superhuman plays. Many times, he couldn't even make pedestrian plays. At least in this scenario we get a guy who, while he may swing and miss from time to time, will know the f**king ball out of the park on occasion. I'll take that 8 days a week over what we had last year.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

On a positive note Driskell is optimistic, and I tend to agree, that if the scheme continues to center around giving MLB opportunities to make plays. Morgan could be in store for an exciting season. More than likely we'll see more breakdowns than we did with Schmidt, but I feel pretty confident that Morgan makes quite a few plays this season.

How can we have more breakdowns than the 3rd worst LB in the country? Even if Morgan misdiagnoses plays, he'll likely end in the top half of LBs. I'm having a difficult time understanding how 3rd worst isn't a giant breakdown in itself?

This isn't snark, it's a genuine question.

 

[woolybug25]

How can we have more breakdowns than the 3rd worst LB in the country? Even if Morgan misdiagnoses plays, he'll likely end in the top half of LBs. I'm having a difficult time understanding how 3rd worst isn't a giant breakdown in itself?

This isn't snark, it's a genuine question.

That's what I was thinking. It can't possibly be worse.

In fact, our whole defense better be playing at a higher level or I'm gonna be screaming for Bobby Elliott to rip the reins from BVG and double foot drop kick his ass to the door.

 

[Irish Insanity]

That's what I was thinking. It can't possibly be worse.

In fact, our whole defense better be playing at a higher level or I'm gonna be screaming for Bobby Elliott to rip the reins from BVG and double foot drop kick his ass to the door.

How does one go about a double foot drop kick?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

How does one go about a double foot drop kick?

I got you Wooly:

<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/AINLyKcqy3zb2" width="480" height="264" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/AINLyKcqy3zb2"></a></p>

Or sans sword:

<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/itfktLAC0iaI0" width="480" height="364" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/itfktLAC0iaI0"></a></p>

But since Bobby Elliot is a bada$$, probably like this:

<iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/2OVL0dLCB5nck" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/godzilla-hang-dropkick-2OVL0dLCB5nck"></a></p>

 

[IrishLion]

I'd give him the Bicycle Kick, followed by a quick Fireball.

 

[Irish#1]

Thing is this - it's not as though Schmidt was a dependable backer who just couldn't make superhuman plays. Many times, he couldn't even make pedestrian plays. At least in this scenario we get a guy who, while he may swing and miss from time to time, will know the f**king ball out of the park on occasion. I'll take that 8 days a week over what we had last year.

If Morgan misses, at least he has the speed to get back into the play. Poor Joe never ran down a play from behind.

 

[GBdomer]

Wanna know the most amazing stat from last year? Joe Schmidt had 0 tackles vs Clemson and missed seven. I honestly can't think of a single head coach who would leave his player out to dry quite like we did last year.

Am I am suppose to be somewhat optimistic about the defense this year? How? I can't handle BVG he shined in 2002 or whatever, well BK it's 2016 and you need to quit being so damn loyal and cut the cord

 

[IrishLion]

Am I am suppose to be somewhat optimistic about the defense this year? How?

1. It's year three. Even with losing some studs like Jaylon and Sheldon, another year of continuity for the unit as a whole should help.

2. A new MLB that won't be a complete liability between the whistles. Alignment might suffer, but we have a guy that can cover up his mistakes with athleticismn.

 

[NDdomer2]

Wanna know the most amazing stat from last year? Joe Schmidt had 0 tackles vs Clemson and missed seven. I honestly can't think of a single head coach who would leave his player out to dry quite like we did last year.

Am I am suppose to be somewhat optimistic about the defense this year? How? I can't handle BVG he shined in 2002 or whatever, well BK it's 2016 and you need to quit being so damn loyal and cut the cord

We should fire our DC in July?

 

[House16]

We should fire our DC in July?

Personally I'm hoping for a mid-season firing, which gives us time to examine all candidates before we make the next hire, and also hopefully lets that guy make relationships with recruits before NSD.

That said, I don't think BVG will be fired in the next few years unless our defense starts giving up 50 a game.

 

[NDdomer2]

Personally I'm hoping for a mid-season firing, which gives us time to examine all candidates before we make the next hire, and also hopefully lets that guy make relationships with recruits before NSD.

That said, I don't think BVG will be fired in the next few years unless our defense starts giving up 50 a game.

If we're having a mid season DC canning, the season went to shit eeeeeeeaaaarly, so no thanks. BK did say that a 70th ranked rush D would not cut it after this season.

 

[stlnd01]

Yeah. Not hoping for a mid-season firing. Hoping for a good enough season that some fool program offers BVG a head coach job.
But if our defense is so complicated that our most talented 11 defenders can't get on the field and make plays, it's too complicated, and that's on the DC.

 

[Luckylucci]

If we're having a mid season DC canning, the season went to shit eeeeeeeaaaarly, so no thanks. BK did say that a 70th ranked rush D would not cut it after this season.

Yea, I thought it was great that he finally acknowledge that this isn't acceptable. I agree with another year and relatively optimistic we could see improvement. However, if we don't, it's time to move on.

 

[woolybug25]

I am by no means saying that I believe that this will happen, but if we are skating by each week on the back of an electric offense, but are giving up 30+ a game. Then I would have a hard time not wanting to fire BVG if we drop a close one to MSU or Stanford in the first half of the season.

If we get to the bye with a one loss record and a horrid defense risking every game, then I don't see why you don't let Elliott take over (stability) and give us a defense that is rejuvenated for a playoff push. Letting BVG continue to trot out a bad defense with our talent would be wasting an opportunity for our program.

But watch that happen, then have an injury ridden team limp into a 9-10 win season and a pinstripe bowl.

 

[Irish YJ]

I am by no means saying that I believe that this will happen, but if we are skating by each week on the back of an electric offense, but are giving up 30+ a game. Then I would have a hard time not wanting to fire BVG if we drop a close one to MSU or Stanford in the first half of the season.

If we get to the bye with a one loss record and a horrid defense risking every game, then I don't see why you don't let Elliott take over (stability) and give us a defense that is rejuvenated for a playoff push. Letting BVG continue to trot out a bad defense with our talent would be wasting an opportunity for our program.

But watch that happen, then have an injury ridden team limp into a 9-10 win season and a pinstripe bowl.

YUP

 

[GBdomer]

We should fire our DC in July?

please show me where I said that?

 

[woolybug25]

please show me where I said that?

Fire BVG now... Which by the way, it's currently July...

I don't know... Looks pretty clear to me.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Honestly, at the end of the day, it's all about what Kelly wants out of his DC. He feels the injuries and drastic scheme changes have made for a difficult transition, I buy it. It's not easy making these kind of changes, especially when most of your experienced personnel have spent years studying a defense that is pretty much the polar opposite of yours.

I think we can't make any assumptions to early one way or another. We've all seen that things aren't what they seem when the season begins.

I'll say that BVG has his guys now, so there shouldn't be any excuses. It's definitely the put up or shut up year for him and Kelly probably knows it. I don't mind giving him that at the very least.

 

[ThePiombino]

I don't know... Looks pretty clear to me.

lololol

 

[IrishLax]

It's pretty tough reading BK's comments and other stuff and seeing a way the defense is much better this year. We lost a LOT of talent. KVR, Sheldon Day, and Jaylon Smith are not chopped liver... and Okwara/Shumate were solid.

I think these five things need to happen for the defense to improve (ordered based on likelihood):
1. Defensive line plays stout against the run based on sheer size... Rochelle + Jones + Cage/Tillery + Jay Hayes is a big group of linemen that should hold up at point of attack. Don't worry about pass rush, get that by creating free blitzers.
2. Shaun Crawford is a revelation at nickel.
3. Drue Tranquill returns to 100% and stays healthy the whole year.
4. Nyles Morgan is so good at MLB that it compensates for losing Smith.
5. After three years of being terrible Max Redfield somehow becomes not-terrible.

If all five of those things don't happen, the team is probably going to suck because there is going to be a huge deficiency somewhere. The only caveats would be true freshman like Studstill or Daelin Hayes or somebody playing out of their mind.

 

[rocket66]

The whole Schmidt thing pales in comparison to BVG's horrible track record on the recruiting trail. I hope I'm wrong but the lack of talent in several key areas on the defense is really going to show this year.


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