Loafing.

[noeynox]

Several years back this became a common term in football where coaches would track and show players on film where they weren't going 100 percent till the whistle on defense.

If there is 1 thing that concerns me is that there seems to be a lot of this of going on with our defense. Guys letting up assuming the 1st man to the ball carrier is going to make the tackle. In his 1st go round, Edsall stressed all 11 guys to the ball. I wonder what is going on right now that the message isn't getting through to the kids. You literally see kids jogging to the play while the play is still live. You know they're jogging because we are so poor at tackling, the 1st guy doesn't usually make the tackle and the trailing jogger will then pick up speed and complete the tackle.

This is the only area of improvement, that realistically I think we should be able to see before seasons end. Will we see it?

 

[storrsroars]

The weird thing is that the "loafing" is happening concurrently with players staying in their roles, closing holes and getting to the ball carrier quicker than they were in first three games. The secondary looks competent at times. There's improvement that's visible. And yet there isn't.

 

[RMS25CT]

The weird thing is that the "loafing" is happening concurrently with players staying in their roles, closing holes and getting to the ball carrier quicker than they were in first three games. The secondary looks competent at times. There's improvement that's visible. And yet there isn't.

Agree. From game 1 on any given play 7 or 8 of the 11 are doing their jobs and going all out. But 3 or 4 aren’t. Problem is that it’s a different 7 or 8 and 3 or 4 every play. There’s not much of a pattern where it can be addressed with a small group because it’s a lot of people.

 

[Dooley]

Not to make up excuses for the "loafing", but some of that *might* be attributed to overmatched and uncertain, inexperienced (read: not confident) FR players not wanting to be trucked or juked on national TV. No question, it does look like some players are giving less than 100% on some plays. I just wonder how much of that can be attributed to lack of hustle and how much of it can be attributed to FR playing in games they have no business playing in in the first place. I know I wouldn't run full speed into a play because I know that there are 100% odds that I will be juked out of my mind or trucked right on over by 100% of FBS level players. That's got to be a lil' poison pill in the backs (or fronts) of our defensive players minds right now.

I'll leave it to the coaches to watch and compare practice and game film and make the necessary adjustments; whether that means personnel changes or just simple "coaching up".

 

[JMick]

Not to make up excuses for the "loafing", but some of that *might* be attributed to overmatched and uncertain, inexperienced (read: not confident) FR players not wanting to be trucked or juked on national TV. No question, it does look like some players are giving less than 100% on some plays. I just wonder how much of that can be attributed to lack of hustle and how much of it can be attributed to FR playing in games they have no business playing in in the first place. I know I wouldn't run full speed into a play because I know that there are 100% odds that I will be juked out of my mind or trucked right on over by 100% of FBS level players. That's got to be a lil' poison pill in the backs (or fronts) of our defensive players minds right now.

I'll leave it to the coaches to watch and compare practice and game film and make the necessary adjustments; whether that means personnel changes or just simple "coaching up".

I really think it's uncertainty more than anything else. A lot of them are just lost out there. It's also tough with the new emphasis on unnecessary roughing calls. Half a second too late and your gang tackle became a personal foul

 

[CL82]

I really think it's uncertainty more than anything else. A lot of them are just lost out there. It's also tough with the new emphasis on unnecessary roughing calls. Half a second too late and your gang tackle became a personal foul

The loss of that hesitancy and the willingness and confidence to commit to a play is probably the thing I'm looking forward to the most for the defense next year. That should I or shouldn't moment is often the difference between making a play and getting beat.

 

[Dooley]

I really think it's uncertainty more than anything else. A lot of them are just lost out there. It's also tough with the new emphasis on unnecessary roughing calls. Half a second too late and your gang tackle became a personal foul

Agree. The combo of uncertainty, zero confidence, and FCS level speed/strength is a terrible cocktail to sip from for a FBS program.

 

[jdb50]

Parcells talked about FOP's. Fall on the pile. This is happening too often. I hope it get's pointed out.

 

[Bubba1957]

I've seen some of this too and it is disturbing. Without mentioning names, I've seen our linebackers just tip toe into a pile even after the guy with the ball was gone. It looked more like a rugby scrum.

 

[freescooter]

Lack of understanding of where you are supposed to be and what you are supposed to do makes guys slower. Being indecisive is a real problem.