Defense Idea

[cycloneevan]

How crazy (or plausible) would it be for the defense to move Freyler to the Mike Linebacker position, kind of like a sub Linebacker in Nickel/Dime sets? We are so young and so banged up at Linebacker and we have very solid guys at Safety to slide into his role. The Freshman Linebackers need time to develop and we should never have to be starting so many true Freshmen and walk-ons. There's a decent chance I don't know what I'm talking about, but I would like to hear others' thoughts.

 

[cydnote]

How crazy (or plausible) would it be for the defense to move Freyler to the Mike Linebacker position, kind of like a sub Linebacker in Nickel/Dime sets? We are so young and so banged up at Linebacker and we have very solid guys at Safety to slide into his role. The Freshman Linebackers need time to develop and we should never have to be starting so many true Freshmen and walk-ons. There's a decent chance I don't know what I'm talking about, but I would like to hear others' thoughts.

I never got the opportunity to play the game so i may know less than most on this board but I believe most coaches (our staff included) subscribe to the idea that you hone your craft by increased reps preforming it. I also trust that if they thought switching players to new positions especially this late in the season were the answer they would have implemented that action already. The new linebackers have preformed admirably given their experience level but are still learning so mistakes will happen, just as could be the case by changing any player's role on the team. Beau is your choice because he is very good at his current position--do we risk losing what he does there for what you assume will translate to a new position, or develop the young guys? Like I stated my knowledge is limited so I will defer to the coaches, not saying that they are infallible, but they are well respected in the coaching circles.

 

[BCClone]

How crazy (or plausible) would it be for the defense to move Freyler to the Mike Linebacker position, kind of like a sub Linebacker in Nickel/Dime sets? We are so young and so banged up at Linebacker and we have very solid guys at Safety to slide into his role. The Freshman Linebackers need time to develop and we should never have to be starting so many true Freshmen and walk-ons. There's a decent chance I don't know what I'm talking about, but I would like to hear others' thoughts.

They started putting 31 at MLB and they moved Beau up to LB some last night. When they thought it was obvious passing. You want your guys at positions they know and have had reps. The LB play last night was not solid. I know you want your middle with the sticker but last night adjustments happened that were being made by someone with a couple games experience. Take that time we had them pinned at the 1 or 2. We came out and at the last second the Mike shifted everyone to the left side of the offense hard. The play was a right off/tackle type and containment was broke. In those type of situations, rarely will they be outside runs so I'm not sure why the LB shifted everyone so much.

 

[MartyFine]

I trust Heacock. Holding the top offense (with the worst defense) in the league to 23 should result in a W.

 

[Fall Creek]

Think we need to add a d lineman. Not getting enough pressure so maybe a 4 - 2 - 5 would maximize the talent we can get out there. Barnes has done a great job, especially as a walk on but we could be a little better against the run.

 

[AuH2O]

Think we need to add a d lineman. Not getting enough pressure so maybe a 4 - 2 - 5 would maximize the talent we can get out there. Barnes has done a great job, especially as a walk on but we could be a little better against the run.

Not sure that adding a DL is as much the answer as just bringing it a bit more from the LBs and DBs.

But again, there are always things the D can do better, but giving up 23 while your offense gives up two TOs and your defense generates two TOs needs to be a W.

I don’t really see the last drive as something the defense needs to do differently. It’s more the case that you aren’t going to hold an offense that good down for too long.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Think we need to add a d lineman. Not getting enough pressure so maybe a 4 - 2 - 5 would maximize the talent we can get out there. Barnes has done a great job, especially as a walk on but we could be a little better against the run.

Every defensive set has its strengths and weaknesses. Given the fact that Heacock's defenses are almost always among the best defenses out there, I'd say we are comfortable with what we're running and what we give up to do so.

 

[KidSilverhair]

I trust Heacock. Holding the top offense (with the worst defense) in the league to 23 should result in a W.

Yeah I think scoring only 22 points against Tech was a far more convincing reason for the loss than whatever the defense did. Although letting TT drive right down the field over the final 1:40 was unexpectedly out-of-character.

 

[NebrClone]

How crazy (or plausible) would it be for the defense to move Freyler to the Mike Linebacker position, kind of like a sub Linebacker in Nickel/Dime sets? We are so young and so banged up at Linebacker and we have very solid guys at Safety to slide into his role. The Freshman Linebackers need time to develop and we should never have to be starting so many true Freshmen and walk-ons. There's a decent chance I don't know what I'm talking about, but I would like to hear others' thoughts.

The linebackers graded out better than the safeties. The safeties were 1 to 2 steps behind receivers all day, fortunately their qb could not hit them. The could easily scored 3 tds on our safeties with better passes.

 

[isucy86]

Not sure that adding a DL is as much the answer as just bringing it a bit more from the LBs and DBs.

But again, there are always things the D can do better, but giving up 23 while your offense gives up two TOs and your defense generates two TOs needs to be a W.

I don’t really see the last drive as something the defense needs to do differently. It’s more the case that you aren’t going to hold an offense that good down for too long.

It seemed against TT it was a 3 man rush or we brought 5 or 6. I just haven't seen our LB's have much impact blitzing. I would think a 260lb would make a better pass rusher than a LB.

I keep telling myself it isn't important whether we have 3 or 4 DL to rush the passer. But we need to bring more than 3 more frequently. And one of those guys can't be a spy. Also, too often it appears our DL aren't pass rushing, but occupying blockers hoping the QB will scramble.

I get that a defense giving up 23 points is actually OK defense. But just like an offense should be measured by being able to score in 2 minute situations. If a defense wants to be considered elite, they need to stop opponents during 2 minute situations at the end of each half. And give the ball back to the offense when special teams downs the ball inside the 10. Unfortunately we gave up 14 points yesterday in those situations.

 

[AuH2O]

It seemed against TT it was a 3 man rush or we brought 5 or 6. I just haven't seen our LB's have much impact blitzing. I would think a 260lb would make a better pass rusher than a LB.

I keep telling myself it isn't important whether we have 3 or 4 DL to rush the passer. But we need to bring more than 3 more frequently. And one of those guys can't be a spy. Also, too often it appears our DL aren't pass rushing, but occupying blockers hoping the QB will scramble.

I get that a defense giving up 23 points is actually OK defense. But just like an offense should be measured by being able to score in 2 minute situations. If a defense wants to be considered elite, they need to stop opponents during 2 minute situations at the end of each half. And give the ball back to the offense when special teams downs the ball inside the 10. Unfortunately we gave up 14 points yesterday in those situations.

I prefer to judge a unit based on how well they do vs typical for the opponent.

ISU outscored only North Texas, who had 21 against TTU.

23 was TTUs lowest point total since the opening game loss to WSU.