Looking at the Defense

[J187Money]

I agree. But, when you SS is your leading tackler, that's not a good thing.

And then he goes to the league and where does that leave you?

 

[JMick]

I dunno, but it is time to start thinking outside the box. Example in point: one of Iowa States QBs yesterday played on both sides of the ball (also at LB). They beat the number 3 team in the nation. Maybe it is time to convert a little used TE like Tommy Meyers and make him a middle LB in a 3-4. He's tall and could bat stuff down on a pass rush or on those quick passes up the middle. That would a derivative of what they are doing now, more of a tweak than a scheme change.

 

[huskysupporter]

There is no way he was serious.

 

[kris1]

And then he goes to the league and where does that leave you?

Obi is a freakish athlete. He was drafted on his athletic ability and projected potential, not his collegiate production.

I hate to do this but.....
Obi Melifonwu: Career Stats at NFL.com

What Obi does at the next level is yet to be determined.

 

[RSTuthill]

Wait...what??? I love the kid at Iowa St, but he's a very rare breed. There is nothing about Tommy Meyers that screams LB....and I love Tommy Meyers. Jay Rose....maybe???

OK, pick somebody. Just used him as an example. It also lets your DEs line up just a little wider to get a more unimpeded route to the QB if you want to do that.

 

[Husky68]

Wanted to see stats ECU vs. Temple as compared to ECU vs. UConn for some clues as to why ECU offensive performance so different

ECU vs. UConn ECU vs. Temple

ECU UCONN ECU Temple

QB rating 90.6 64.8 24.8 85.7

ATT/comp 30/39 24/39 20/38 21/33

Pass Yards 426 406 253 344

Rush att/yds 47/170 38/190 22/34 46/179

AYPA 3.6 5.0 1.5 3.9

1st downs 30 27 15 24

3rd/4th downs conver 9/17 7/14 4/15 15/21

1st downs not on 3rd 21 20 11 9

Total Off yardage 596 596 287 523

Off Plays 86 77 60 79

Time of Possession 37:22 22.38 22:40 37:20

Seconds Per Off Play 26.1 17.6 22.7 28.4


Looking at above certain things stand out. QB rating for ECU way lower vs. Temple. Less YPC, lower completion % and less TD’s. Temple completely shut down ECU running game. Time of possession ECU 37+ minutes vs UConn and 23 minutes against Temple (opposite vs. our game).

So what? Got to take away something from opponent offense, UConn takes away nothing.

If I were using Temple game as prelude to as yet to play ECU game: I would make ECU beat me having to go down field (couldn't do it against Temple). Take from the Temple game that UConn defense should crowd line and run blitz and attack QB (more men in box near LOS); play up on short passes and make QB complete deep sideline passes (Memphis QB showed he could do but also did lot of damage over middle). Would it work, if I knew would charge for this; but I do know what doesn’t work is what we are doing.

The way you cut down opponent’s time of possession is stop 3rd downs but can’t give 75% completion % (passes just to easy to complete). Also ECU got 21 1st downs against UConn before 3rd down (good gains on 1st and 2nd downs) and only 11 vs. Temple. What kind of defensive plan is that on 1st and 2nd downs? How easy must it be for QB to attack our scheme of defense on 1st and 2nd downs that 21 out of 38 times get 1st down before even get to 3rd down and then on top of that go 9 of 17 on 3rd down conversions.

Not sure the 17.6 seconds per UConn offensive play is the way I would be running our offense (with our defense). Think I would mix it up a bit more with drag out the time plays just to get into the opponents head. Also, the quick plays UConn runs often are too simple and play into opponent’s base hurry up defenses, if going to hurry up do something opponent won’t be set up for.

I'm not even concerned about base defense, Crocker has 11 guys to use, don't care if he uses 11 DB's. Just put them where they can be of some use. Don't tell me DB's are playing too far off, they play for you, put them where they should be, that's on you.

 

[huskymedic]

I hate to do this but.....
Obi Melifonwu: Career Stats at NFL.com.

I hate to do this but...Obi Melifonwu Placed on IR Due to Surgery on Knee Injury

Till at least week 8

 

[huskyrob1]

I think the most important thing is to find a way to get quick pressure on opposing QBs. Send whatever combination and number of LBs and DBs is necessary to start getting some sacks/fumbles/INTs. Play tighter on the outside to take away the quick passes to the wide outs that have been killing us. The increased numbers crossing the LOS will also blow up some running plays. We will surely get burned a few times each game doing this but at least we will have a chance to be more disruptive and force some turnovers.

I'm surprised no on is counting the days that EJ is cleared to play. We can get that pressure with him at 100%. He may be listed as a linebacker but he is a big guy, 6'3"-260, he's really a small DL, and he's not slow either. Crocker's defense might work with him in there. Also the Herring-Wilson and Marshe Terry experiment has to end now. We need DB's who can pound the crap out of opposing receivers, don't run like ground sloths, and aren't afraid to steal a pick six. Please put Coyle and Bell back in as starters asap.

 

[kris1]

I hate to do this but...Obi Melifonwu Placed on IR Due to Surgery on Knee Injury

Till at least week 8

I know, so we’ll see how Obi pans out in the NFL.

 

[gopher2]

I'm surprised no on is counting the days that EJ is cleared to play. We can get that pressure with him at 100%. He may be listed as a linebacker but he is a big guy, 6'3"-260, he's really a small DL, and he's not slow either. Crocker's defense might work with him in there. Also the Herring-Wilson and Marshe Terry experiment has to end now. We need DB's who can pound the crap out of opposing receivers, don't run like ground sloths, and aren't afraid to steal a pick six. Please put Coyle and Bell back in as starters asap.

Is Levenberry coming back? For some reason I thought he was out for the year. That will certainly help if he does return. As far as the DBs go I can't tell which ones might be the best 5. Summers had a bunch of picks a couple of years ago and has experience so I presume he is one our 5 best but beyond that I don't know.

 

[huskyrob1]

Is Levenberry coming back? For some reason I thought he was out for the year. That will certainly help if he does return. As far as the DBs go I can't tell which ones might be the best 5. Summers had a bunch of picks a couple of years ago and has experience so I presume he is one our 5 best but beyond that I don't know.

I'm not sure either but I do know that the normal recovery time is about 6 months for a torn ACL, meaning mid October.

 

[kris1]

OK, pick somebody. Just used him as an example. It also lets your DEs line up just a little wider to get a more unimpeded route to the QB if you want to do that.

In the 3-4 DEs don’t line up any wider. If anything, in the 3-4 you can roll a LB up closer to the LOS to the strength of the formation. The DEs are still head up to outside shoulder of the OT, as they would be in a 3-3. So, they wouldn’t rush unimpeded to the QB. The only change in the 3-4 is where the LBs are aligned and adding a 7th defender in the box. In the 3-3 the LBs are almost always stacked. This allows for blitz deception and is suppose keep offensive lineman from free releasing to run block them, if the DL does it’s job. In the 3-4 an OLB is a hybrid defender that can rush or cover. Essentially, he’s a LB with the ability to rush the QB like a DE.

 

[uconnfan68]

You want to propose something different? Sure. But just because it's "different" doesn't exclude it from being mind-numbingly stupid.

If someone wants to play, plenty of open positions on D. What’s to lose?

 

[uconnfan68]

OK, pick somebody. Just used him as an example. It also lets your DEs line up just a little wider to get a more unimpeded route to the QB if you want to do that.

The Dline is getting gashed regularly, and you want bigger gaps on the line?

 

[BlueDogs]

So your solution to getting upfront pressure and leverage on the end is to throw some backup tight ends out there and hope they can do it?

They can do it. It's not that hard to learn that position and outside leverage technique. Most of these kids are football players, I believe. So, the idea of tackling is not a foreign concept. I have faith in these kids as football players. They are not specialists with sacrosanct positions where they turn into jelly in another position. Will it be rough around the edges? Yes, but with reps one or even two might emerge as having the aptitude to be effective. A kid like Rose is riding the bench and his natural athleticism is being grossly under utilized. Give him a shot.

I find it fascinating that some fear change as if we might break what we have. Believe me, we could install a new scheme tomorrow and shuffle personnel and they would fair no worse. It's a tall order to give up 70. It requires a special degree of incompetence. Heck Southern Illinois held them to 44 and La. Monroe to 38. Apparently, we are worse than these second teir schools. No. I don't logically get there. Make changes in the D scheme. We might have a better shot... or do nothing and suffer.

 

[Alum86]

This is the 3rd coach this decade who gets to use the "cupboard is bare" line. I'm exhausted. Each coach took over a squad with talent and made it worse in Y1. We are the only program in the country who can't seem to change coaches and move forward. We had a lot of issues last year, D was not one of them. Overnight we have no talent, no depth, no hitters, no tacklers, no pass coverage guys. I was not expecting a top 10 D, but there is simply no excuse for this.

This is it 2017 in a nutshell. Great post. The D was good last year and have players back, but the cupboard is bare? I am calling bullsh$t

 

[jbdphi]

And there is talent there- young talent. Young talent does not translate into results. Mature talent does. As I said in another thread- Obi was terrible his first two and half years. He had the talent- but once his game caught up to his talent, he became a force. Herring - Wilson, Fortt, Coyle, Swenson have talent.

I believe the point above plus the OP makes things pretty clear but for some reason, those advocating for a change in scheme can't recognize it. As the OP made perfectly clear, we recruited for the 3-3-5 by focusing on bringing in a lot of DBs and those recruits are getting significant playing time (and getting burned regularly) already. The decision to recruit this way has effectively limited our ability to run other schemes (see OP's analysis of lack of depth on the DL). While it would have been great to see better results, we don't have much choice other than to take our lumps, give the young guys valuable game-time experience in the scheme that we plan on running longer-term, and see them improve over time. It should reap dividends.

Calling for change is all well and good when there is alternative that would represent improvement. By recruiting the way we did this past year, the decision was made a long time ago.

It isn't a talent issue, it's an experience issue.

 

[RSTuthill]

The Dline is getting gashed regularly, and you want bigger gaps on the line?

Got an extra LB in the middle. Not suggesting that would be a base set. You would do it only if and when you wanted to. Maybe never, who the heck knows. Just gives some extra flexibility.

 

[The Funster]

The people that are focusing more on the box and less on theDBs have got it. QBs have way too much time to find an open receiver and just as importantly, usually have wide open throwing lanes to deliver the ball. Crocker has to find ways to fill gaps against the run so we don't get savaged. Then he has find ways to fill those gaps with pressure and hands when the QB has to pass. If you don't have gap integrity you don't have a defense and we dont have gap integrity. Ever.

 

[scoobydoo]

Just put them where they can be of some use. Don't tell me DB's are playing too far off, they play for you, put them where they should be, that's on you.

You know the difference between real life and Madden, right?

 

[Marbles90]

Calling for change is all well and good when there is alternative that would represent improvement.

Instead of radical change, how about keeping your scheme, keeping your personnel and making coaching adjustments? Isn't that coaching? I am not expecting to shut the other teams out. Heck, I am fine going 1-11 but the lack of coaching, discipline, stressing fundamentals and making adjustments is all on the coach IMO. Not to mention the D giving up on the coach against Memphis. Very bad signs. I am not buying zero talent - young inexperienced talent, yes. But let's see some signs that the DC can coach. That is what has bothered me so far. Not the scheme, not the talent, not the losing.

 

[Marbles90]

This is the 3rd coach this decade who gets to use the "cupboard is bare" line. I'm exhausted. Each coach took over a squad with talent and made it worse in Y1. We are the only program in the country who can't seem to change coaches and move forward. We had a lot of issues last year, D was not one of them. Overnight we have no talent, no depth, no hitters, no tacklers, no pass coverage guys. I was not expecting a top 10 D, but there is simply no excuse for this.

Yep. Exactly how I feel.

 

[BlueDogs]

The Dline is getting gashed regularly, and you want bigger gaps on the line?

I think he was just explaining, not suggesting, and if you roll up an OLB in a 3-4 to the string side to LoS, you effectively get a 4 front with outside leverage.

 

[Tdaley]

I'm surprised no on is counting the days that EJ is cleared to play. We can get that pressure with him at 100%. He may be listed as a linebacker but he is a big guy, 6'3"-260, he's really a small DL, and he's not slow either. Crocker's defense might work with him in there. Also the Herring-Wilson and Marshe Terry experiment has to end now. We need DB's who can pound the crap out of opposing receivers, don't run like ground sloths, and aren't afraid to steal a pick six. Please put Coyle and Bell back in as starters asap.

I agree with you on Coyle vs. Terry. Coyle didn't look all that bad this year until he took out Tre Bell instead of the East Carolina receiver on the 75 yard touchdown pass on the first play in the second half of that game. I haven't seen Coyle on the field since that play other than on special teams. Considering how badly our defense has played since than maybe this was an over reaction by Edsall. Terry looks completely lost out there and has struggled with both tackling and pass coverage.
Bell vs Herring-Wilson I'm not sure about. Bell has been the most disappointing player on the team this year in my mind. He has struggled with both pass coverage and tackling. Herring-Wilson appears to be a better tackler than Bell although like Bell has trouble covering anybody out there.
Omar Fortt has been our most consistent DB this year. Watkins and McAllister are both hard nose tacklers but neither excel in pass coverage.
Hard to really know who to play but since Coyle is supposed to be our best athlete and is only a red shirt freshman I would like see him on the field this week instead of Terry.
Lets see what the depth chart shows this week.

 

[ktuck911]

The Dline is getting gashed regularly, and you want bigger gaps on the line?

We need to get some JUCOs/Grad Transfers to fill in the rotation up front... Edge rushing specialist would be HUGE along with somebody with the size of Foley... We suck up front right now... I know coach says guys are not consistently using technique and all that crap, but fact is we are light in the a## up front... Fact....