Third Down Defense (Through 10/2)

He did finally figure out that some players needed to sit. So that right there is a positive. I just wish they could have done that in spring or fall camp.... or after the Kentucky game. Better late than never, I guess.

 

And the year before , and the year before that … ground hogs day!

 

Thinking about Tennessee's QB untouched and peeling off huge runs, and USF's wide run lanes. How one week there was no line after the snap(USF) then the next they form a wall in the middle with nobody containing the outside(Tenn).

 

We are 131st in knowing where we are supposed to line-up and what are responsibilities are.......

 

Coaches don’t like to get beat on long big play strikes, that’s what they fear the most on defense. That’s why they don’t play much straight man across the board, most college DB’s aren’t very good at it anyway. So instead they accept death by a thousand cuts, ie long drives for scores. I personally hate that, would much rather see a very aggressive defense, even if they get burnt here and there.

 

Agree, enough talent to stop EWU, Mizzou, etc. yet EWU moved it more than you would think they would.

 

Even against a clearly overmatched EWU? Absolutely no reason to think our DBs can't shut down their WRs. Yet, we played soft coverage all game long.

 

Perhaps, as I once said in a sales meeting “we’re pacing ourselves…”

No, I did not get fired.

 

You all are gonna go nuts worrying about the details. This is a rebuilding year. If recruiting doesn’t improve, if W/L doesn’t improve, ok, next man up. In year 3 or 4 I’m gonna start worrying but not in week 5.

 

True but going to a bowl to get those 15 or so extra practices will be HUGE for this team. And right now the D is the biggest obstacle.

 

We haven't recruited that well on the defensive side of the ball except when Meyer was here

 

Scheme and trajectory is important. The offense looked horrible the first 3 games, yet Napier made adjustments and the offense looks much improved now. Just like Meyer modified his offense in 2005 after the bye week. A staff’s ability to make adjustments is important.

I haven’t seen anything similar from the defense to date. I haven’t seen anything scheme wise so far that gives me hope that we will become an attacking defense. Better technique overall for sure, but the scheme does a meh job of dictating to the opposing offense. QBs in modern college football can easily take advantage of soft zone coverage.

 

When we say “talent” what do we mean ?

Do we mean that our guys lack speed, explosion, agility, etc ? Or do we mean lacking the requisite instincts for football ?

I suspect we’re afraid to to think it’s coaching.

 

Some will say, "but Muschamp", but watch replays of Meyer defenses and it is shocking how far we have fallen. Defense has always been a pride for UF and decent even under Mac. Get back to the proper level of talent and scheme is just details.

 

Yes it can. Did you see Mizzou’s effort vs. UGa.? It was like they were on cocaine! They attacked with a vengeance for 4 qtrs.

 

That’s flat awful. Terrible!

 

CHUMP???? GP - Thats about all he could do though. Plus I will concede CHUMP,while a good defensive side of the ball recruiter, did not recruit as well as Urban on defense - We had SO many studs on defense under crazy Urban......

 

Fox - Agree / UF had a fearsome foresome front 4 reputation until Dan showed up.

 

The stats cited do not include the Eastern Washington game and are against USF and 3 Top 15 teams.

If Florida isn't a Top 15 team right now, with a Top 15 defense, why would anyone expect the stats to indicate otherwise?

Here are others.

Scoring defense (middle of the pack)



Red Zone defense:



Again, these stats are Florida against mostly (75%) Top 15 teams while other teams are mostly against cupcakes.


On penalties . . . Florida is improving.

Fewest penalties per game



Fewest penalty yards per game



Doesn't include any stats about the offense.

Is there room for improvement? Clearly. Is the sky falling? I think it's too early to tell.

 

Good grief folks. We were a 7 loss team last year and our defense has been lacking the last few years. Dan Quinn wouldn't do anything with the talent level and lack of depth we have right now.

So, "death" by a thousand cuts is preferable. Having coached both sides of the ball, it is harder to string together 10 plays drives without screwing up something.

I will say this about some of the complaining on here, specifically about Cox. If you don't know the scheme, you can't really opine. Cox is not the problem. If he is getting up field, the LB or DT has B gap responsibility. When Miller is in there lined up same side as Cox, we don't seem to have a problem. The other LB, well, seems to get blocked more than he should. Phenomenal athlete, but probably hasn't received very good instruction.

My issue with Grantham was the product on the field told us they didn't UNDERSTAND his scheme and often were getting lined up late. Nothing wrong with his scheme per se, but if your players don't understand it, then its on you. Getting lined up late is waiting to see what the offense lines up in and trying to get the perfect D called. I always called the D and tried to force the O to do what I wanted them to do, which was run B gap when I had really good LBs. I played a lot of cover 3 because the DBs and FS could sit back and read the QB and underneath 4 could play a zone/man concept that required them to play man within their zone, IOW, don't run blindly to a spot on the field if no one is there. I have seen that happen a lot this year and tells me the back 7 are still trying to grasp the concepts. LBs running to the flat in zone coverage when no one is threatening the flat. Why?

Tackling is MUCH improved. Getting lined up is MUCH improved. Not being out of position huge play after huge play is much improved sans "that one guy".

YMMV.