Whoa, that's a strong statement. I do think we should give Phil Parker and the defensive coaches a raise though.
Give it up for the defense
- Thread starter herkeye
- Start date
Whoa, that's a strong statement. I do think we should give Phil Parker and the defensive coaches a raise though.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Ummm...everyone does realize we were playing Purdue right? Pittsburgh shredded our defense in the first half then promptly loses to Akron this past week. That doesn't bode well for us.
We haven't played anything near a top ten team. Let's see how they do when we face a really good offense or at least one with a major pulse. Indiana will test them...but I still wouldn't say they are a top 20 offense. We may have to wait until Wisconsin to see a good offense and depending on what Nebraska does this week...we may have to wait until Thanksgiving. Although Maryland may surprise us...they have some athletes.
I think the defense is definitely getting better and Ott is exactly who we thought he would be. A freaking beast. He's playing better than anyone on the DL. He's been amazing. The jury is still out on Meier for me right now...he made some really nice plays against the boilers, but if I'm a good running team, I'm running right at him most of the time. He's been caught inside a lot also and has lost contain. I'm sure he will improve...he's got a motor, but an Alabama/Georgia would recognize the size issue and attack his side...and pound it in a very physical manner.
The other thing...those anointing CJ the savior of the offense also need to see him play against a great defense. Rudock has faced MSU, Wisky, and LSU and struggled mightily...Beathard got snaps against Wisky and LSU and didn't exactly light it up either. I love Sunshine's arm though I have to admit. It's a shiny new toy that's for sure and a legitimate D1 cannon. It's a whole new ball game though when you face an MSU defense that has put in new wrinkles for you not only in their blitz packages, but also disguising their coverages. Let's see him reason through that before we get all excited. Our offense has a long, long way to go.
We haven't played anything near a top ten team. Let's see how they do when we face a really good offense or at least one with a major pulse. Indiana will test them...but I still wouldn't say they are a top 20 offense. We may have to wait until Wisconsin to see a good offense and depending on what Nebraska does this week...we may have to wait until Thanksgiving. Although Maryland may surprise us...they have some athletes.
I think the defense is definitely getting better and Ott is exactly who we thought he would be. A freaking beast. He's playing better than anyone on the DL. He's been amazing. The jury is still out on Meier for me right now...he made some really nice plays against the boilers, but if I'm a good running team, I'm running right at him most of the time. He's been caught inside a lot also and has lost contain. I'm sure he will improve...he's got a motor, but an Alabama/Georgia would recognize the size issue and attack his side...and pound it in a very physical manner.
The other thing...those anointing CJ the savior of the offense also need to see him play against a great defense. Rudock has faced MSU, Wisky, and LSU and struggled mightily...Beathard got snaps against Wisky and LSU and didn't exactly light it up either. I love Sunshine's arm though I have to admit. It's a shiny new toy that's for sure and a legitimate D1 cannon. It's a whole new ball game though when you face an MSU defense that has put in new wrinkles for you not only in their blitz packages, but also disguising their coverages. Let's see him reason through that before we get all excited. Our offense has a long, long way to go.
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
Its mostly a position and over pursuit issue. If Alston and Spearman can get better at cutback and gap fill, that would make a huge improvement. Hooefully , game experience and reps can get it done....it will be imperative against Minny, Indiana, Whisky, and nebby...as they are all living on the run game and all the backs thrive on cutbacks...especially nebby...who runs a similar zone blocking scheme as the Hawks
