Optimistic about the defense? Why?

[dressedcheeseside]

If you are optimistic about our defense this year please share your reasons. Last year, frankly, the DB’s sucked, the LB’s sucked and the DL was just OK and we lost all the starters from that unit. On top of that, we have a new scheme with new terminology to learn. We have new coaches who are supposed to be good, but there’s only so much they can do. You know what they say about chicken salad.

I know this sounds harsh, but the D scares the crap out of me and we won’t have a ball control offense to keep possessions down.

 

[g0lftime]

Improvement will come only if we get improved DL play . At least our secondary will practice more against a passing offense. That might help.

 

[THWG]

A secondary of Tre Swilling, Carpenter, Thomas, and Walton/King sounds pretty freaking good. I'm also not worried about the DL since Adams returns and Glanton is better suited for a 4-3 than a 3-4. We have talent at DE with Owens, Dawson, Dingle, and Johns. I have to believe LB will be better with more experience for Charlie Thomas, Quez Jackson, BJS, and Henderson. I'm also hoping Oliver will move to LB to provide more length and athleticism.

 

[RamblinCharger]

If you are optimistic about our defense this year please share your reasons. Last year, frankly, the DB’s sucked, the LB’s sucked and the DL was just OK and we lost all the starters from that unit. On top of that, we have a new scheme with new terminology to learn. We have new coaches who are supposed to be good, but there’s only so much they can do. You know what they say about chicken salad.

I know this sounds harsh, but the D scares the crap out of me and we won’t have a ball control offense to keep possessions down.

Better defensive coaches, and not playing against the option in practice should help, but I don't expect a top notch defense this year. Probably a defense around 35-40 though.

 

[TheSilasSonRising]

Not exceedingly excited about THIS year, but at least feel more confident about the future with the dynamics of the CGC emphasis on D & ST.

 

[dressedcheeseside]

Not exceedingly excited about THIS year, but at least feel more confident about the future with the dynamics of the CGC emphasis on D & ST.

We better see a huge uptick in DL recruiting then.

 

[Gtech50]

The secondary should be one of our strengths as a team this year. The “young talent” we had last year has a year of experience now and CGC has a great track record of developing DBs. That was one of Temple’s strengths. I’m most worried about our front 7 depth. We have enough talent to put together a solid starting lineup but it drops off pretty hard after that and any injuries there could kill our D

 

[Vespidae]

If you are optimistic about our defense this year please share your reasons. Last year, frankly, the DB’s sucked, the LB’s sucked and the DL was just OK and we lost all the starters from that unit. On top of that, we have a new scheme with new terminology to learn. We have new coaches who are supposed to be good, but there’s only so much they can do. You know what they say about chicken salad.

I know this sounds harsh, but the D scares the crap out of me and we won’t have a ball control offense to keep possessions down.

I am pleased that Geoff brings SEC style defensive thinking to Tech. That alone is an improvement.

I recall what Jeremy Pruitt said on arriving at UT. "Yes, our players don't have any talent. But we are going to coach them, recruit them, and develop to play using a system that works ... not adjusting and using one that doesn't."

 

[TheSilasSonRising]

We better see a huge uptick in DL recruiting then.

And LB.

But we will because this staff understands, as Wooden did, championships start with D.

And S/As are going to be more receptive to our recruiting efforts.

 

[smokey_wasp]

More talent on that side, by star rankings, at least. Better coaching. Secondary looks to be a strength and also happens to be Coach Collins' specialty. We have been historically bad against the pass the last couple of years (half decent against the run, actually).

I hope we can generate a pass rush.

 

[gtrower]

Because we have more talent on our defense than at any other point the last decade? That’s a good place to start answering this question.

 

[Oldgoldandwhite]

I’ve been hearing that DB’s are our strength for a decade or more.
3rd and long...........1st down.

 

[gtrower]

I’ve been hearing that DB’s are our strength for a decade or more.
3rd and long...........1st down.

Who has been telling you that? Probably was a year or two in there where it was true.

Also, 3rd and long conversion issues isn’t because of our DB play. It’s because we’ve had exactly 1 legit pass rush threat since ‘09.

 

[stech81]

I think we will be fine on defense , the only thing I worry about is the ( if we do it) fast pace offense if they get to many 3 and outs. But I do think with CGC we will see more players playing keeping them fresh which would help.

 

[iceeater1969]

The game plan on defense has been give them cushion so they throw the wide open short pass. Make them use clock and hope we are ahead at the end due to the offense.

The classic loss was to miami about 4 years ago - they were behind but threw 2 10 yd slants for long TDs. Happened right in front of the gt bench. Our defense was only good Stats at stopping long passes because they didnt try them.


The new defense will have tight corner coverage. The gains by opponents will be small, small, big, oh we got a pic 6!. Until we get a good rush and good coverage GOOD QB S WILL KILL US LIKE THEY ALWAYS HAVE.

 

[UgaBlows]

I think we will be fine on defense , the only thing I worry about is the ( if we do it) fast pace offense if they get to many 3 and outs. But I do think with CGC we will see more players playing keeping them fresh which would help.

I think we will be a run heavy team still next season, play to the strengths of our personnel

 

[684Bee]

Who has been telling you that? Probably was a year or two in there where it was true.

Also, 3rd and long conversion issues isn’t because of our DB play. It’s because we’ve had exactly 1 legit pass rush threat since ‘09.

Yep, no pressure. Can’t cover forever.

 

[Cam]

While I'm not an expert when it comes to defensive scheme, the vast majority of players on our team were recruited to a 4-3 system since Woody only coached one year. I feel like the personnel is there and we have talent at every position. Given Temple's defensive prowess and CGC's history as a top notch DC, I feel like the coaching talent is assembled to be better on that side of the ball. That's where the strength of our team should be moving forward.

But it depends on what we define as "optimistic." We haven't had a top 60 FEI defense rating since those ratings started in 2007. Similarly, in the S&P+ ratings, our highest defensive rating in the last 10 years was 49th. If we break top 50 in either metric, I'd call it a highly successful turnaround. I think it's definitely possible if that's where we start putting our focus.

 

[bobongo]

Because we have more talent on our defense than at any other point the last decade?

We do?

 

[takethepoints]

A secondary of Tre Swilling, Carpenter, Thomas, and Walton/King sounds pretty freaking good. I'm also not worried about the DL since Adams returns and Glanton is better suited for a 4-3 than a 3-4. We have talent at DE with Owens, Dawson, Dingle, and Johns. I have to believe LB will be better with more experience for Charlie Thomas, Quez Jackson, BJS, and Henderson. I'm also hoping Oliver will move to LB to provide more length and athleticism.

Yes, and everybody seems to forget that Coach is a D specialist. That's his particular bailiwick. I expect we'll see more consistency, at least. But we do have to have more speed at LB. We have a start there with Thomas and BJS, but we need to get the rest of the troops in place.