ADVERTISEMENT

Defensive Struggles Conversation

You hear coaches talk about how great some of these players are practicing, but that's practice. You have two type players one is a great practice player but disappears during games. You have players who don't practice that great but show up in games.

I admit when I played I was a great practice player and below average game player and I guess I fooled the coaches who only saw what a great practice player I was. I'm not advocating playing all the poor practice players but I'm all for playing kids who show up during games even when it's a small sample size.

All we heard prior to the season was how great Robinson had progressed and how Feist was worthy of a blackshirt and he would surprise everyone, still waiting. I haven't seen too many on our defense who are worthy of blackshirts unless the coaches are going by practice standards, which they probably are. I'm hoping for a heavy dose of Wynn and Drew and let the others spell them, I think a change is needed.
I was the opposite, I sucked at all the individual drills or whatever, but when it came to games, I was able to step up and play well. It's not that I wasn't trying in practice, because I was, and I never felt like I was trying harder in games. I guess I liked the more realistic and team oriented environment of a real game better than practice.

But yeah, there's a difference between practice players and gameday players, and it's easy to tell the difference on Saturdays with this team.
 
I was the opposite, I sucked at all the individual drills or whatever, but when it came to games, I was able to step up and play well. It's not that I wasn't trying in practice, because I was, and I never felt like I was trying harder in games. I guess I liked the more realistic and team oriented environment of a real game better than practice.

But yeah, there's a difference between practice players and gameday players, and it's easy to tell the difference on Saturdays with this team.
I'm not saying I sucked and I'm sure you didn't either, I just wasn't the player in games I was in practice. I think I did well in practice because there was no pressure and I knew every move the receivers would make. That all changed during actual games, should have watch more film and asked more questions I guess. Had a blast anyway as I'm sure you did.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldjar07
What is the cause, how do we fix it? IMO, I think losing the interior D-Line from last year is killing us and need to figure it out in order to try and salvage something. I also think we need to be aggressive as hell. I feel like Chins is so scared to give up big plays that we lack aggression. At this point, move your corners up and dial up all kinds of blitzes. Isn't going to hurt anything because it seems like we play a ton better on D when we are being aggressive and trying to put the pressure on.

CB's - Haven't been bad and still think this is a bit of a strength,
Interior DL - Killing us. Not as bad when aggressive, but killing us
Rush Ends / OLB - A little better, but need to pick up their game. Have some talent there and need to get after it
ILB - Hasn't been good, but I think this has a lot to do with the D-Line play. Need to tackle better
Safety - Buford I like. He struggles at times, but at least plays hard as hell and is making some plays. I think it is time for Farmer to sit and try to get someone else in there
I think Chins has a lot of new faces that he doesn't trust yet, so he has been more conservative than usual, but last week we did play more man coverage, which is what he normally likes to play, and gives us another defender in the box.

Points wise we are at 24ppg defensively (average over 2 games) so it's not that bad.

I think we will get more aggressive as the season moves on and his comfort level rises.

A lot of the tackling issues we have been seeing, is them being too aggressive in trying to jar the ball out and not wrapping up.

The defense is not a glaring issue to me at this time. The offense still needs to pick things up and start averaging in the 40 points per game area for this scheme. (currently at 33ppg on offense) so another touchdown per game of output is needed.
 
Last edited:
I think Chins has a lot of new faces that he doesn't trust yet, so he has been more conservative than usual, but last week we did play more man coverage, which is what he normally likes to play, and gives us another defender in the box.

Points wise we are at 24ppg defensively (average over 2 games) so it's not that bad.

I think we will get more aggressive as the season moves on and his comfort level rises.

A lot of the tackling issues we have been seeing, is them being too aggressive in trying to jar the ball out and not wrapping up.

The defense is not a glaring issue to me at this time. The offense still needs to pick things up and start averaging in the 40 points per game area for this scheme. (currently at 33ppg on offense) so another touchdown per game of output is needed.
Is this serious? Look at who we have played and you are OK with the points given up? We have players running into each other like Keystone cops, not knowing who is responsible. We look incredibly unathletic across the board.

Sure, when Gifford whiffs its because he was trying to blow the guy up! I get that right? He didn't break down and use good fundamentals. Sheez, one would think with all the big hits you are talking about we would get some turnovers but no.

I do agree he has a lot of new faces and yep, he can't trust them, even his own captain. That is a symptom.
 
Is this serious? Look at who we have played and you are OK with the points given up? We have players running into each other like Keystone cops, not knowing who is responsible. We look incredibly unathletic across the board.

Sure, when Gifford whiffs its because he was trying to blow the guy up! I get that right? He didn't break down and use good fundamentals. Sheez, one would think with all the big hits you are talking about we would get some turnovers but no.

I do agree he has a lot of new faces and yep, he can't trust them, even his own captain. That is a symptom.
Yeah, serious.. the defense has always been averaging about 28-30 ppg the past 4 years too. That is the scheme we run, aggressive which gives up big plays, but tries to get the ball back to the offense.

Is everything smooth on D? no, of course not, but it's not the glaring issue that everybody thinks it is. The reality is, the offense is still not scoring enough for this scheme to work. Been the same story for the prior 4 years too.

We aren't going to be fielding a defense that holds people to 7 or 10 points a game.. that is not the scheme that is being run.

What's amazing is how many people still don't understand that.
 
I think so much emphasis has been put on fixing the offense, that everyone glazed over the fact that we have had an average or below average D the entire time and maybe a coaching change was needed there 2 years ago. Yes, the Offense has struggled at times with drives, turnovers, putting the D in bad situations, but I feel like we would be winning the division every year if we had a kickass D. The offense has been plenty good. No, the big plays against us dont happen as much, and we dont get blown out as much, or at all, but we DO allow looong, clock eating drives, shitty shitty 3rd down conversion rates, and too many points. Cant get off the field to give our offense another shot at points. Not sure the answer, but just put some redbull in those dudes waterbottles, or something stronger. I want to see some pissed off D tackles.
Offense has been "plenty good"
Our avg scoring O under SF is 76th

Our avg 2nd half scoring offense is 70th.

For perspective Iowas 2nd half scoring offense is ranked 66th during the same time frame..yes the team whose offense we loudly and hysterically make fun of.

Do either of those two above numbers reflect that our O is anywhere near "plenty good"?

I don't think so sir...
 
Yeah, serious.. the defense has always been averaging about 28-30 ppg the past 4 years too. That is the scheme we run, aggressive which gives up big plays, but tries to get the ball back to the offense.

Is everything smooth on D? no, of course not, but it's not the glaring issue that everybody thinks it is. The reality is, the offense is still not scoring enough for this scheme to work. Been the same story for the prior 4 years too.

We aren't going to be fielding a defense that holds people to 7 or 10 points a game.. that is not the scheme that is being run.

What's amazing is how many people still don't understand that.
There is an understanding issue, but not what you think. You have read too many former headlines about being aggressive, wanting turnovers, getting the ball back, blah blah blah.

Do you really watch the D play, I mean Really watch them. Aggressive isnt a two deep safety that begs "run at me" all day long, and CBs that play a soft zone to keep everything in front of them or a well documented inability to get to the QB. If Chins life depended on pressure he would be dead.

So quit the vlabbwr talk about what you think you read once upon a time and telling me how we just don't get it. Tell me how this D is aggressive and specifically accomplishing it's goals. I will wait. Some schematic outlines, innovative sets, what do you have to back up your claim?
 
There is an understanding issue, but not what you think. You have read too many former headlines about being aggressive, wanting turnovers, getting the ball back, blah blah blah.

Do you really watch the D play, I mean Really watch them. Aggressive isnt a two deep safety that begs "run at me" all day long, and CBs that play a soft zone to keep everything in front of them or a well documented inability to get to the QB. If Chins life depended on pressure he would be dead.

So quit the vlabbwr talk about what you think you read once upon a time and telling me how we just don't get it. Tell me how this D is aggressive and specifically accomplishing it's goals. I will wait. Some schematic outlines, innovative sets, what do you have to back up your claim?
There is an understanding issue, and it is definitely on your end.

Nothing has changed in the past 5 years, other than some new guys on D, and they are getting up to speed. It's no different that what it has been in the past.

The defense sure as hell didn't lose the game to Northwestern.

Mr Choke Thompson had an opportunity to win that game, but couldn't do it when it mattered. Those are the facts.

The defense will be fine.
 
There is an understanding issue, and it is definitely on your end.

Nothing has changed in the past 5 years, other than some new guys on D, and they are getting up to speed. It's no different that what it has been in the past.

The defense sure as hell didn't lose the game to Northwestern.

Mr Choke Thompson had an opportunity to win that game, but couldn't do it when it mattered. Those are the facts.

The defense will be fine.
Yep. We need to score 35+ to win
 
There is an understanding issue, and it is definitely on your end.

Nothing has changed in the past 5 years, other than some new guys on D, and they are getting up to speed. It's no different that what it has been in the past.

The defense sure as hell didn't lose the game to Northwestern.

Mr Choke Thompson had an opportunity to win that game, but couldn't do it when it mattered. Those are the facts.

The defense will be fine.
Defense gave up 527 yards to Northwestern who was the worst P5 offense last year....but go on.
 
Yeah, serious.. the defense has always been averaging about 28-30 ppg the past 4 years too. That is the scheme we run, aggressive which gives up big plays, but tries to get the ball back to the offense.

Is everything smooth on D? no, of course not, but it's not the glaring issue that everybody thinks it is. The reality is, the offense is still not scoring enough for this scheme to work. Been the same story for the prior 4 years too.

We aren't going to be fielding a defense that holds people to 7 or 10 points a game.. that is not the scheme that is being run.

What's amazing is how many people still don't understand that.
It’s more the sloppy play/missed tackles I think everyone is complaining about. This goes back to how they practice.
 
Yeah, serious.. the defense has always been averaging about 28-30 ppg the past 4 years too. That is the scheme we run, aggressive which gives up big plays, but tries to get the ball back to the offense.

Is everything smooth on D? no, of course not, but it's not the glaring issue that everybody thinks it is. The reality is, the offense is still not scoring enough for this scheme to work. Been the same story for the prior 4 years too.

We aren't going to be fielding a defense that holds people to 7 or 10 points a game.. that is not the scheme that is being run.

What's amazing is how many people still don't understand that.
It’s a bad scheme for the Big Ten.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NikkiSixx
There is an understanding issue, and it is definitely on your end.

Nothing has changed in the past 5 years, other than some new guys on D, and they are getting up to speed. It's no different that what it has been in the past.

The defense sure as hell didn't lose the game to Northwestern.

Mr Choke Thompson had an opportunity to win that game, but couldn't do it when it mattered. Those are the facts.

The defense will be fine.
Umm, I can sit and watch film with college coaches anytime I want. I can see differences, it isn't difficult if you have a clue what you are seeing and don't have some narrative in your head. You obviously have no clue what you are looking at, just believe a narrative that was general, oh we are aggressive and want to create turnovers like they are the only ones who do. Frost also said the league would need to adjust to them, still believe that one too? I asked for specifics about what they are doing that is aggressive to create turnovers, nothing. Your answer is it my understanding. Good grief.

Remember when Chins got here and Bootle was getting I handed to him on man coverage? Well, now we see zone a lot. We don't play a 3-4 and haven't.

I never said a word about who lost the NW game, you seem to feel a need to vindicate the D. It's their job to stop the other team and they didn't, end of rational discussion. You play a soft two deep zone with slow backers chasing the flats and that's what you get. Oh, I forgot, that's being aggressive isn't it.

So are you going to tell me what our D does to be so aggressive or not? You keep talking about so I assume you know it when you see it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hford
I think Chins has a lot of new faces that he doesn't trust yet, so he has been more conservative than usual, but last week we did play more man coverage, which is what he normally likes to play, and gives us another defender in the box.

Points wise we are at 24ppg defensively (average over 2 games) so it's not that bad.

I think we will get more aggressive as the season moves on and his comfort level rises.

A lot of the tackling issues we have been seeing, is them being too aggressive in trying to jar the ball out and not wrapping up.

The defense is not a glaring issue to me at this time. The offense still needs to pick things up and start averaging in the 40 points per game area for this scheme. (currently at 33ppg on offense) so another touchdown per game of output is needed.
Nebraska is not going to average 40 ppg in the Big Ten. Giving up 28 ppg in this league is terrible. The defense is the issue not the offense, not that the offense is perfect.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jsachisler
Nebraska is not going to average 40 ppg in the Big Ten. Giving up 28 ppg in this league is terrible. The defense is the issue not the offense, not that the offense is perfect.
I agree that giving up that many points in this conference is terrible. I am not a fan of this scheme at all, but the reason the scheme isn't working has been because the offense isn't scoring enough.
 
Umm, I can sit and watch film with college coaches anytime I want. I can see differences, it isn't difficult if you have a clue what you are seeing and don't have some narrative in your head. You obviously have no clue what you are looking at, just believe a narrative that was general, oh we are aggressive and want to create turnovers like they are the only ones who do. Frost also said the league would need to adjust to them, still believe that one too? I asked for specifics about what they are doing that is aggressive to create turnovers, nothing. Your answer is it my understanding. Good grief.

Remember when Chins got here and Bootle was getting I handed to him on man coverage? Well, now we see zone a lot. We don't play a 3-4 and haven't.

I never said a word about who lost the NW game, you seem to feel a need to vindicate the D. It's their job to stop the other team and they didn't, end of rational discussion. You play a soft two deep zone with slow backers chasing the flats and that's what you get. Oh, I forgot, that's being aggressive isn't it.

So are you going to tell me what our D does to be so aggressive or not? You keep talking about so I assume you know it when you see it.
We are getting torched playing zone.. wtf are you talking about?

Chins likes to play more man, but I assume he is playing a lot more zone because he doesn't trust his guys yet.

GS is absolutely taking advantage of it, just like NW did.

They have to start playing more man coverage and keep extra defenders in the box.
 
Farmer is soooo bad but we still start and play him, boggles my mind. Chinander never adjusts. Dude is clueless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: headcard
I said earlier the d needs to:
1. get to the ball
2. tackle
not sure why this is confusing...
I think farmer slapped their rb on the ass as he ran by for a td...
 
Mostly this.

Funny how the answer is always blitz more, like that helps when we are already trying it. If you were watching, that is what really caused some of the problems last week. Blitzing is fine but our history of doing it the last 4+ years is terrible. When we do run a zone blitz, it gets picked up easily and we give plenty of space to operate. Sure, everyone remembers when we bring a safety off the edge and down the line and when Doman was making plays from the edge but those were much fewer in reality but still stand out in our minds.

I harken back to the interview with McBride a few years ago where he seemed very frustrated with what Chins was doing and how it was putting stress on the players with no support. He seemed to catch himself before going too deep into what he was seeing based on TV as he couldn't see the entire field - that was his reason for stopping. He was clearly frustrated with what he saw.

Teams know how to attack Chins D and it will never change. Crossing paterns underneath and to the outside that put pressure on our LB's. Corners are not great in run support, when was the last great tackling DB we had? Our safety play is more prevent, two deep which totally invites the teams to run on us. Teams get RB's and slot receivers isolated on a safety of LB and when the QB sees that their eyes light up. Go back and watch the NW film, the QB knew exactly where to go with the ball every time. If not for their drops it would have been much worse.

A few questions or points:
Who doesn't want more take aways on D? That is like asking a guy if he wants more.... well,
When was the last time you saw our LB's meet the RB in the hole straight up?
Or even behind the line of scrimmage?
Or stringing a play out and cutting in behind the blockers? It just doesn't happen.
Tackling has always been a problem for this team, especially in our secondary.
Watch almost any other team and then watch Nebraska's front 7. We do not appear to be athletic, flexible and able to get off a block. Something is terribly wrong there.
When was the last time you saw a DL come clean through the line?
When was the last time you saw gang tackling either up the middle or to the outside?
When was the last time you saw the DL string a play out to the sideline with waves of players coming to make the tackle?

Putting different players in the same places with the same responsibilities is NOT going to solve the problem, sorry. That is just silly thinking. It is schematic. People complained about Bo's D and how difficult it was, well, that play with all the confusion against SD was a typical example of how difficult it can be to make the right read and right play. A false step here or there and you are a goner.

OK, so where are all of you who were touting Chins as the next HC?
Good post, and I never once in my life advocated for Chin to move up. I'm not even sure he'd be a good position coach.
 
Hopefully the boo birds didn't hurt their whittle feelings again
 
We are getting torched playing zone.. wtf are you talking about?

Chins likes to play more man, but I assume he is playing a lot more zone because he doesn't trust his guys yet.

GS is absolutely taking advantage of it, just like NW did.

They have to start playing more man coverage and keep extra defenders in the box.
Your answer: the D is fine, it's the O that aucks, just needs to score every single time.

Go back and read again, I said Chins originally played man to man but has gone to more soft zone.

Got one for you since you can't seem to think things are the same since Chins came here - remember when we had a nose tackle/guard, where are they now? Hint: different front.

Then you say the scheme is the same, just getting used to new faces and say you hate this scheme. Huh?
 
Your answer: the D is fine, it's the O that aucks, just needs to score every single time.

Go back and read again, I said Chins originally played man to man but has gone to more soft zone.

Got one for you since you can't seem to think things are the same since Chins came here - remember when we had a nose tackle/guard, where are they now? Hint: different front.

Then you say the scheme is the same, just getting used to new faces and say you hate this scheme. Huh?
the basic scheme is the same, same ideology. The are putting 4 on the line, but are all those guys true Defensive Linemen? I don't think so. The lack of a NG doesn't change anything.

We are dropping 6 in coverage, rushing 4, leaving 1 linebacker to try to stop the run.

I never said I was a fan of this scheme, but the principles haven't changed, just new players and we are running a different front, which allows us to get blasted by the run game, because this QB is really good and has a great group of wideouts.

If we play man, we will get burned, but we will also start getting pressure and shut down the run game.
 
Yeah not good. The whole defense is just a shit show. Chinander has never, ever in his career fielded a top level defense. Even our defense last year, though improved, was just a slightly above average defense. You certainly could not rely on them when it counted. And Nelson is garnering all kinds of praise for his play on the field, but I think it it is only because he is the best player on an awful defense. In 1992-99 he would not have even been on the two deep.
frost and friends might be out kicking rocks.
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT