The defensive scheme is garbage.

[ktuck911]

Didn't expect some folks to actually put players down on this thread. Fact is right now we're not very good on the back end of our D. Personnel clearly need more time to develop awareness in this scheme. Only issue I have is that it's gonna bea tough watch the rest of the way this year knowing our D will be the weak link to what we do when for awhile our D was our bread and butter.

 

[polycom]

We can not compare this team to last year on D. There were NFLers on that team there are none on this team currently.

 

[junglehusky]

I don't think putting players in a different scheme would helped them wrap up tackles or force a turnover once in a while. It might put them in better positions so they aren't 8 yards away from the WR when he catches the ball, but that's not going to be enough.

 

[BlueDogs]

Why you continue to call him a "crock" a "clown" and an "abortion" is beyond me. The scheme is the scheme. I don't blame them for not wanting to change the scheme in year one because we don't have the personnel yet. We're in a rebuild that will probably take half a decade. It's not my fault or theirs that you're impatient and feel entitled.

Because the D is among the very worst by any rational measure and it wasn't and hasnt been with a core of solid players returning. There is nothing entitled in that observation when we haven't done anything in 7 years. Getting burned on occasion is to be expected with a group of young players. Being consistently being outplayed and giving up 500+ game over game is not. The fact that you can defend the indefensible sounds more like a "you problem", but denial and excuse making are fairly standard course if I had to guess your generation.

 

[Devland]

Scheme or no scheme there are a lot of plays where players are in position to make plays and just don't. This is the worst tackling UConn team I have seen.

 

[JMick]

Because the D is among the very worst by any rational measure and it wasn't and hasnt been with a core of solid players returning. There is nothing entitled in that observation when we haven't done anything in 7 years. Getting burned on occasion is to be expected with a group of young players. Being consistently being outplayed and giving up 500+ game over game is not. The fact that you can defend the indefensible sounds more like a "you problem", but denial and excuse making are fairly standard course if I had to guess your generation.

You wouldn't know logic if it smacked you right in the face. "We havent done anything in 7 years so I'm going to cry because we still stink."

You refuse to put any sort of blame on the roster and are attacking crocker because you don't like change. Calling him an "abortion" isn't very Christian of you. You're just another elderly hypocrite and you're mad that you'll probably be dead the next time UConn football is relevant again.

 

[whaler11]

You wouldn't know logic if it smacked you right in the face. "We havent done anything in 7 years so I'm going to cry because we still stink."

You refuse to put any sort of blame on the roster and are attacking crocker because you don't like change. Calling him an "abortion" isn't very Christian of you. You're just another elderly hypocrite and you're mad that you'll probably be dead the next time UConn football is relevant again.

When exactly did you Millenials ruin things so bad that beer now comes in 4 packs?

 

[JMick]

When exactly did you Millenials ruin things so bad that beer now comes in 4 packs?

It makes sense. They're typically pints & beers with a higher alcohol percentage so it's a wash

 

[BlueDogs]

You wouldn't know logic if it smacked you right in the face. "We havent done anything in 7 years so I'm going to cry because we still stink."

You refuse to put any sort of blame on the roster and are attacking crocker because you don't like change. Calling him an "abortion" isn't very Christian of you. You're just another elderly hypocrite and you're mad that you'll probably be dead the next time UConn football is relevant again.

Ha - I knew it. Thanks for validating my supposition.

 

[JMick]

Ha - I knew it. Thanks for validating my supposition.

whatever you say, jesus freak

 

[metsfan2323]

It's only 3 games, but I think we should switch to 4 down lineman the rest of the way. I hate the way this defense conceeds the line of scrimmage. Lets try something else, it can't possibly be any worse. We're making every QB look like a first round draft pick.

 

[Palatine]

We're getting killed in the air left and right. I think that there should be MANY folks on this board who should have a new-found respect for what Melifonwu, Jhavon Williams, and John Green brought to this secondary last year.

Melifonwu was a second rounder for the Raiders
John Green signed a free agent deal with Tennessee
Jhavon Williams didn't get signed but was certainly considered for a free agent deal if you believe what you read on the internet scouting boards.

All three of those guys got killed on this board. All three of those guys are SORELY missed this year, make no mistake about it...

Yes, they are missed. But their loss isn't the reason we have given up 1,600+ yards in three games.

Did you see the three man line on third and one? Did you see the 10 and 15 yard cushions? Did you watch how easily ECU gained the edge on running downs? Every team loses players. Every team does not drop 91 places in the rankings because they lost players.

Look at the offense. Do you think our players are suddenly much better? No, we just run a much better scheme on offense and it produces points. Scheme means a lot in college. A lot.

 

[JMick]

It's only 3 games, but I think we should switch to 4 down lineman the rest of the way. I hate the way this defense conceeds the line of scrimmage. Lets try something else, it can't possibly be any worse.

I don't see it helping. if they change it, I don't care, but switching from a 3-3-5 to a 4-2-5 isn't going to stop us from blowing coverages or missing tackles.

 

[metsfan2323]

I don't see it helping. if they change it, I don't care, but switching from a 3-3-5 to a 4-2-5 isn't going to stop us from blowing coverages or missing tackles.

It might help tackling.

 

[SubbaBub]

We played a 4-2-5 most of the 2nd half.

Our DL doesn't get a push. Our LB don't cover or tackle all that well. Our DB's are lost. Discussing scheme when the players are getting beat one on one or in some cases 1 on 2 or 3 is folly.

 

[jimva]

Yup. Crocker will have a little more time to correct this mess, but many more games like this and he may not make it to the end of the season.

Really surprised Edsall let the defensive side of the ball get away from him.

Nonsense. When you inherit a sandwich you have nothing else to eat.

Great rebound by O and D in second half. Very optimistic about the future, although this year may be tough to live through at times.

 

[CTMike]

You look at a regression of 90+ spots on the defense ranks and think scheme has nothing to do with it. We suddenly have the 128th defensive personnel in football? Why? Why are they so much worse than last year?

I like to keep an open mind. But I also keep my eyes open. Watch the game. Watch the defense.

It’s not the same players, it’s not the same coaches, it’s not the same scheme. Must only be the scheme!

The scheme is executed successfully by other teams. Crocker ran it successfully Villanova over multiple seasons. Next I suppose you’ll tell me that Holy Cross and ECU are running offenses light years better than the rest of FCS?

ECU’s defense isn’t good. 4-2-5 must be bad! UCLA’s defense isn’t good. 4-3 must be bad! Baylor’s defense isn’t good. 3-4 must be bad!

 

[uconndogs]

Guarantee he's taking control of the situation. Crocker is clueless. It's now been proven over 3 games with the worst D stats in college football.

Could very well go that way. I'm not a "fire the coach" type of guy, but something is wrong here and needs to be addressed. You can't be wed to a scheme to the extent you use it despite your personnel. These QBs have forever to throw.

 

[Chief00]

The telling play to me was the key 3rd down and ECU could run out the clock if they converted. Crocker had guys playing 10 yards deeper than the first down marker. What’s the point of stopping a TD when a first down effectively ends the game. Edsall called a timeout and had everyone inside the first down marker. The defense then held. I just don’t see much intelligence with Crocker’s scheme.

Playing 8 guys 5 to 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage is silly unless you have three Reggie Whites. One of the reasons we are having tackling problems is every back has the luxury of running downhill before they encounter a tackler.

Crocker appears in over his head - Randy needs to focus on the defense - and more than likely Crocker needs to go if a replacement can be found.

Another thing, hopefully we have seen the last of Tre Bell turning into toast.

 

[Woof 101]

Scheme or no scheme there are a lot of plays where players are in position to make plays and just don't. This is the worst tackling UConn team I have seen.

Could not agree more, but having said that I am seeing it in many games. If you hit someone high it could be targeting, if you hit them low it is un-sportsmen like.
They have taken the rules to a point of ridiculous and removed any violence from what is meant to be a violent sport.
Most our defenders look like they are more worried about a flag than making the tackle.

 

[huskymedic]

... and more than likely Crocker needs to go if a replacement can be found.

You writing that $900k check or splitting it w/ BlueDogs

 

[kris1]

It might help tackling.

Scheme doesn’t change poor tackling, practice does. Unfortunately, that’s hard to do with the restrictions on contact during practice. It’s hard to watch the defense get gashed, but it’s a process. Guys are still learning the system, communication, their reads and responsibilities. They are THINKING, rather then REACTING. You can’t replicate game speed in practice. So, the games become teachable moments. The coaches are still looking for the right pieces to make this scheme work. Changing it will only make them THINK more. And....when you have to THINK as an athlete, you STINK.

 

[FDNY99]

I hated the. 3-3-5 the first time I saw it..thought it was a gimick D that was VERY susceptible to giving up large gIns in the rushing game due to the lack of toys in thenkine and the edge being open; and susceptible to giving up big plays in the passing game due to the possibility of blowing coverages. When Edsall brought in Crocker I was one of the few who spoke out against this BS scheme and was hammered for that stance a little bit. After watching today's game and thinking back to the Villanova game last year on my way home I am even more convinced that the 3-3-5 is a BS gimmick Defense that belongs in youth flag football. Time for Crocker to add a 4th down lineman.

 

[Stainmaster]

I hated the. 3-3-5 the first time I saw it..thought it was a gimick D that was VERY susceptible to giving up large gIns in the rushing game due to the lack of toys in thenkine and the edge being open; and susceptible to giving up big plays in the passing game due to the possibility of blowing coverages. When Edsall brought in Crocker I was one of the few who spoke out against this BS scheme and was hammered for that stance a little bit. After watching today's game and thinking back to the Villanova game last year on my way home I am even more convinced that the 3-3-5 is a BS gimmick Defense that belongs in youth flag football. Time for Crocker to add a 4th down lineman.

RichRod says hello. And that fourth down lineman will do nothing to change the lack of speed, awareness, or tackling ability.

 

[The Funster]

meh, I'd rather see the 335 scrapped and see them play a nickel 425. 3 down DL makes it too easy for the RB to get to the 2nd level. If they do stay with 335 they have to find a way to blitz more with DBs on passing downs. Yes there aren't any athletes but the 335 isn't meant to be played vanilla. There has to be an element of attack other wise it just gets picked apart.

 

[uconndogs]

You writing that $900k check or splitting it w/ BlueDogs

You sure that's guaranteed money?

 

[Excalibur]

meh, I'd rather see the 335 scrapped and see them play a nickel 425. 3 down DL makes it too easy for the RB to get to the 2nd level. If they do stay with 335 they have to find a way to blitz more with DBs on passing downs. Yes there aren't any athletes but the 335 isn't meant to be played vanilla. There has to be an element of attack other wise it just gets picked apart.

There were fairly consistent blitzes today. They didn't get through. The scheme doesn't fit the personnel to the extent that it requires speed.

 

[huskymedic]

You sure that's guaranteed money?

I’m not but it’s a three year contract @ $300k per - don’t know what termination w/o cause language is (not sure I’ve seen the actual contract out there).

 

[BlueDogs]

whatever you say, jesus freak

I'm sorry you have issues.

 

[metsfan2323]

Scheme doesn’t change poor tackling, practice does.

- I strongly disagree, going with 4 down lineman changes the gap assigments for the entire front 7

-Our two DE's are undersized to be lineman in the 3-3-5 scheme. Add a second interior lineman and that problem is fixed.

-adding a second interior lineman will also free up Fatukasi to be more of a playmaker.

- our LB's lack the playmaking ability required for the 3-3-5. Add a 4th D-linemen, make JJ your MLB (his natural position), and make Hahn and Beavers your 2 outside LB's (speed).

I also strongly reject this notion that we can't change because the 3-3-5 is here for the long run. Screw that Diacoesque bullcrap. Go with the best scheme for our personnel this year and worry about next year next year. If Crocker is worth keeping he should be smart enough to adjust on the fly and find a scheme that fits this team right now. The mandate is to give the team the best chance to win each week.

It's only September. Fix the Defense and beat SMU.