How do the Clones get better at Defense?

**CyBobby** · 11-23-2008, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Unlike last year, there was no improvement as the season went on. That was the most frustrating thing. We need to see some improvement next year, or there is going to be lots of grumbling.

GRUMBLE ALL YOU WANT BRIAN BUT....According to Jamie Pollard our coach aka gene chizik is gonna be here for another 3 years...

Looks to me like another 5 year plan...I just hope we can win all our non conference games next year and at least win one measly conference game...Right now five wins seems miles away!!!

**ISU4ME** · 11-23-2008, 07:48 AM

You could start by putting my grandma at strong safety.

**kingcy** · 11-23-2008, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Clonefan94

Sorry, I read this and replied. Do you guys watch our games? Our corners were up, right on the line on almost every play I saw tonight. Well within 4 or 5 yards. I'm not saying playing back is the answer, but please, watch a game before you decide what our defense is doing wrong.

They played 10 to 15 yards off the line a lot. Heck the LBs played 5 to 10 yards off the line a lot. I remember think during the game why are the LBs so deep.

**djkent01** · 11-23-2008, 08:50 AM

I don't pretend to know the schemes and how the individuallayers fit into the schemes. What I see on a more macro level is that the one thing that killed the ISU defense is the over the middle passes. I have to believe that one or two player differences can shore that up. Maybe not to a dominant level, but enough to get the opposing offense off the field more often.

I do think the team improved over the season, but just couldn't find a way to stop the one thing that killed them. I also believe it will be better next year and we'll be bowling in '09.

I'm disappointed in this season. Forget the defensive weakness - even fixinf the mistakes of youth would have yielded two or three more wins in '08. We'll be just fine and I look forward to next season.

**Cyphor** · 11-23-2008, 11:01 AM

Find Jason Berryman. He still has to have some eligibility left.

**CyinCo** · 11-23-2008, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by djkent01

I don't pretend to know the schemes and how the individuallayers fit into the schemes. What I see on a more macro level is that the one thing that killed the ISU defense is the over the middle passes. I have to believe that one or two player differences can shore that up. Maybe not to a dominant level, but enough to get the opposing offense off the field more often.

I do think the team improved over the season, but just couldn't find a way to stop the one thing that killed them. I also believe it will be better next year and we'll be bowling in '09.

I'm disappointed in this season. Forget the defensive weakness - even fixinf the mistakes of youth would have yielded two or three more wins in '08. We'll be just fine and I look forward to next season.

09? Like next year? This team won't make a bowl game next season. They'll win 3 or 4 games max. The defense just won't make a huge change between now and next season. UNLESS there is a massive player upgrade or complete scheme change.

**CYCLNST8** · 11-23-2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by ISU4ME

You could start by putting my grandma at strong safety.

LMAO

Can anyone find a breakdown of Big Twelve defensive statistics? I can only find offense. How many sacks do we have this year? JUCOs will always burn a program in the long run- right Mr. Prince? The only justifiable reason (and it's a tempting one) I can think of for bringing in JUCO defensive linemen is to try and get into a bowl game next year before Oklahoma, TX, & TTU make that impossible for two more years.

**Aclone** · 11-23-2008, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by CYCLNST8

LMAO

Can anyone find a breakdown of Big Twelve defensive statistics? I can only find offense. How many sacks do we have this year? JUCOs will always burn a program in the long run- right Mr. Prince? The only justifiable reason (and it's a tempting one) I can think of for bringing in JUCO defensive linemen is to try and get into a bowl game next year before Oklahoma, TX, & TTU make that impossible for two more years.

There ya go...

Overall Football Stats 11-16-08 - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site

**CyinCo** · 11-23-2008, 12:23 PM

Nothing sticks out as much as Redzone offense and defense. We are bad at the critical times in a game.

**HandSanitizer** · 11-23-2008, 12:35 PM

I will agree with some posters above. Its up to our O and D Line. The rest falls into place. I will also add that we need to have Juniors and seniors playing, not freshmen.

**Wesley** · 11-23-2008, 12:37 PM

Our players need to avoid dumb mistakes. If your talent is less, you do not want to tackle like Indiana which we do on many occasions.

**CyCloned** · 11-23-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

09? Like next year? This team won't make a bowl game next season. They'll win 3 or 4 games max. The defense just won't make a huge change between now and next season. UNLESS there is a massive player upgrade or complete scheme change.

I don't think you can start looking at wins at this point. This year the team was really ugly, but the games against CU, KSU, UNLV and even Iowa were very winable, ISU just couldn't make a play when they needed. The first thing that needs to happen is the defense needs to improve a little and the offense needs to stop turning the ball over and figure out howw to make a 3 and 1. The one thing that ISU has going for it next year is that most of the marginal teams on the schedule are playing in the Jack. Playing good teams at home does ISU no good until they get much better.

**Aclone** · 11-23-2008, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by djkent01

I'm disappointed in this season. Forget the defensive weakness - even fixing the mistakes of youth would have yielded two or three more wins in '08. We'll be just fine and I look forward to next season.

Ah, sanity.

Originally Posted by CyinCo

The defense just won't make a huge change between now and next season. UNLESS there is a massive player upgrade or complete scheme change.

Bingo. Cornerback saw a complete revolution last offseason, safety should see a similar influx of talent.

To get better?

1. Better safety play
I can't say how many times I saw a safety out of position, or simply sidestepped/circled by a receiver for a big gainer, usually a touchdown. Some of our safeties don't have the agility/quickness needed, perhaps simply having bulked up too much. They struggle with change of direction.

Then there's the fact that without an injured Chris Brown, the defense went from fifth in the conference in pass defense (254 ypg) in '07 to dead last, 276 ypg (before K-State), in '08.

Wrap up with the fact that the safety is the last line of defense, and we need to contain those long touchdowns, no matter who the offensive player got past in the first place.

2. Consistency
Lots of young players, and while they might make big plays, they also make mistakes. Blown coverages, anyone?

3. Strength
Lots of complaints about poor tackling, but many of those young players haven't yet spent an off season in the weight room. It won't solve all of the tackling problems, but it'll help. Of course, another year of coaching and technique work will help as well.

4. More speed at middle linebacker
I'm not sure how this will work, since Jesse Smith will be a senior. He is scrappy, but has his limitations, which the rest of the defense is stretching to cover on passing downs. Derec Schmidgall helps, and it's not as if, with two seniors, you rush out and grab a juco player. Or is it? To me, a player like Mike Marry might offer the best solution, a youngster who can see a lot of action while learning the position.

5. Defensive line play
Some of you think this is the primary problem, but when the quarterback is making completions on a two- or three-step drop, the rush just isn't going to have a chance to get there, even if Jared Allen were at end. First step is to disrupt the wideouts and have some effective downfield coverage, so that you have the quarterback standing in the pocket long enough to sack him.

Frankly, I like Chris Lyle, and he and Rashawn Parker should make an effective senior duo at rush end. Nate Frere is a senior anchor to build around at tackle, Ruempolhamer got valuable experience, and it will help to have Bailey Johnson, Austin Alburtis and Jerrod Black fully healthy. I'm a little worried about the strongside end spot, but I trust that Chizik will take care of it.

If anything, it's encouraging to me that time and again the defense managed to get offenses into third and long. They just couldn't close the deal. Well, guess what the next step in improvement is?

Now, a lot of my optimism about the defense is pending the completion of recruiting, but right now it looks like we have a good start. At least for immediate help, I'd like to see Marry, a couple of defensive ends, a tackle, and another safety or two. But it's happening. Chizik is doing a nice job.

And as an aside, the offense? We finish with 626 total yards, and people are complaining about the offense? That's another place where the young guys will be better. Especially on the offensive line. Which means keeping the ball out of the opposing offense's hands.

**CyCy** · 11-23-2008, 03:29 PM

The dominant game-changing defensive lineman that we need next year. Are they:

A) Already here on the team
B) Will be part of this years recruiting class
C) Probably won't be here next year