The defense played like crap in both games. The reason why they looked worse against U(sic)GA was because they had more offensive weapons behind Stafford, Moreno, and Massaquoi who are probably all going to picked quickly in the NFL draft.
Grading Offense and Defense
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The defense played like crap in both games. The reason why they looked worse against U(sic)GA was because they had more offensive weapons behind Stafford, Moreno, and Massaquoi who are probably all going to picked quickly in the NFL draft.
BuzzLaw
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Some of the reason I'm worried about our DC is:
(1) We started giving up a bunch of points the 2nd half of the season.
(2) With a DL like we had, I don't know why we weren't in the backfield on every play. If our DL is supposed to be top 3 in the country, what's gonna happen when its just top 25?
(3) Burnett leads us in tackles, right? I know he's the man, but why is a safety leading us in tackles?
There are more, but I'm opposed to posts that are too long, and this one is close.
I'm no football genius, and I don't have the answers, and I'm not saying fire DW. I'm just saying I'm concerned.
Read through the thread man. Our LBs were weak this year and our DBs were young. We were essentially playing with 5 DBs most of the time since we were having so much trouble finding 3 LBs who could make plays. That's why Burnett led in tackles. LBs should get the bulk of the tackles in any defense.
The DL wasn't in the backfield every play because 1) teams knew that was our strong point and they double teamed as much as possible. 2) they knew our DL could get pressure so used quick throws often (3 step drops instead of 5 or 7).
The point is our defense was ranked #22 in the country before the bowl game. That's right in line with any of Tenuta's units, plus we were tied for 12th in takeaways with 29, better than any of Tenuta's teams over the last 4 years.
The DL wasn't in the backfield every play because 1) teams knew that was our strong point and they double teamed as much as possible. 2) they knew our DL could get pressure so used quick throws often (3 step drops instead of 5 or 7).
The point is our defense was ranked #22 in the country before the bowl game. That's right in line with any of Tenuta's units, plus we were tied for 12th in takeaways with 29, better than any of Tenuta's teams over the last 4 years.
You should be concerned, as any GT fan should. You don't give up as many points as our defense did the last few games and start making excuses. The bottomline is our defense stunk the last few games. Giving up 42 and 38 points the last 2 games. A few more games like that and Wommack should get heat. It is a very big concern headed into the 2009 season.
BuzzLaw
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W
wombat
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Let's not forget the concerns going into the season:
- Young, inexperienced LBs
- Young, inexperienced DBs
Both were magnified by injuries early and throughout the season.
2009 will be a flip-flop, with the concern moving to a young, inexperienced DL. However, we won't be nearly as thin on the DL as we were at LB and DB this year. It seems that we have two big run-stoppers in the middle, and we know Morgan will keep the pressure on QBs.
All in all, I'm pretty optimistic about '09. I think we're more balanced.
- Young, inexperienced LBs
- Young, inexperienced DBs
Both were magnified by injuries early and throughout the season.
2009 will be a flip-flop, with the concern moving to a young, inexperienced DL. However, we won't be nearly as thin on the DL as we were at LB and DB this year. It seems that we have two big run-stoppers in the middle, and we know Morgan will keep the pressure on QBs.
All in all, I'm pretty optimistic about '09. I think we're more balanced.
stinger78
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I see those stats, GoldZ, but I must disagree on a semantic issue:
They were not a "terrible defensive team." They were a MNC quality defensive team playing terribly most of the season. I believe they had a 'come to Jesus meetin' and decided they had one more opportunity to redeem themselves this year, in order to position themselves for a top 10 year in 2009, and they rose to the occasion and took it.
Agree with you, Stinger. LSU was by far the most talented team we faced this year. Burnett and MJ are the only 2 on our D that would start for them. And on Offense, look at how much depth they have in starting the 4th string QB who torched us.
WracerX
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I don't think LSU was more talented than UGa. LSU is talented, no doubt, but I think UGa had the edge on them.
Our O stunk in the bowl game. Our D stunk once JWD pulled his hamstring.
I think our D will be better next year. Going from Tenuta's scheme to one most similar to VT's defense isn't an easy transition. The change is more than just who rushes and who doesn’t. Individual technique is different too. Look at the changes in body placement and footwork our corners went through. It is probably best that our defensive line is so young next year. We won't have to spend so much time reprogramming them to then new scheme. Tenuta’s scheme had the DL locking up the OL so the LB’s could roam. Wommack’s scheme has the DL wider, with the LB covering gaps.
MeatWrench
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I really didnt expect much from the Jackets til at least 2010 and I will try to keep that in mind again next year. I admit the press swept me up after the Nole game and away I went to get humbled at Chapel Hill (nice place btw). I dont mind the loss to LSU, they were a play or two away from bein 10-2 this year. Being completely pants'ed on the nat'l stage I do mind. If nothing less that final score will be good locker room motivation for next year. So will having beaten Clem'p'son, Tha WhU, UGAg, and the Criminoles in the same season for the first time since ever
Not much difference talent wise if you look at recruiting rankings. Over the last 5 classes LSU averaged #8 and ugag just over #7. The biggest difference though is size. LSU has much bigger OL and DL than ugag, which is what hurt us so badly. I mean, LSU has a 290# DE and we have a 275# OT. Not good.
stinger78
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LSU has FAR, FAR better OL/DL than UGAG did this year. No one but Texas and USC have recruited OL/DL like LSU has the past 5 years.
WracerX
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This I can agree with. We did far, far better against fast DLs like UGa, FSU, and Miami. The heavy lines like BC and LSU kicked our butts up front. I think it is mostly an issue with our Oline not using proper technique. Our Oline was off balance most of the year. They did better if the DL tried to avoid their blocks rather than run over our Oline. I saw our left guard on his back several times against LSU. Hopefully, another spring practice will work out some off the kinks in technique.
gtownjacket
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I think its fair to say that whenever we face big
athletic OLs & DLs in the future, everyone should be
put on upset alert. Big DLs are too slow to get out of
the way thus clogging up the holes, unlike the fast
over reacting lines at Miami, FSU, & UGA.
The big OLs tend to eliminate our pass rush all
together thus exposing our swiss cheese secondary.
athletic OLs & DLs in the future, everyone should be
put on upset alert. Big DLs are too slow to get out of
the way thus clogging up the holes, unlike the fast
over reacting lines at Miami, FSU, & UGA.
The big OLs tend to eliminate our pass rush all
together thus exposing our swiss cheese secondary.
WracerX
Dr. Dunkingstein
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We’ll do better against big offensive lines in the future. Our DL is getting a whole lot bigger than it was under Tenuta’s scheme.
We aren’t going to zone blitz nearly as much, so we aren’t going to ask the DL to do any sort of coverage. We also aren’t going to ask every player to be able to speed rush the QB. A good old fashion bull rush will work if you have 7 guys dropped back in coverage (assuming our coverage improves). The new scheme, as far as I can tell, is the mirror of the old scheme. Give the QB more time, but put more guys in coverage to generate some turnovers. Blitz less often, so that when you do, it comes as a surprise.
GTLiebs
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I also think it's important to point out that after Reese and Word-Daniels got injured we didn't have much consistency in position for our secondary except for Burnett. Anyone else notice how Mario Butler, Cooper Taylor and Rashaad Reid had been moving around at the cornerback and safety positions? Definitely saw Taylor at both safety and cornerback positions at different times. As far as the Peach Bowl goes, can't entirely blame the offense on that one. Our first two possesions were a punt and a field goal. That was a fairly similar start as the Miami game. Next time the offense touched the ball was after the whole onside kick/punt fumble happened. Even the best of teams would have problems coming off that and our team hadn't really shown up to begin with, so what followed wasn't surprising. What scares me is that, after seeing the game in person, our guys apparently stopped caring after beating UGA. I don't think we'll be able to even get an ACC title until we stop thinking a 1-11 season is fine as long as we beat Georgia. I mean I understand our team was young, but getting older doesn't mean these things will improve. Maryland was the most veteran team in the conference and they were the most inconsistant.
stinger78
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Understand, but that great D played like crappola for most of the year - except for against UA and us. Part of it is that great D was vulnerable through the air, and tough on the run. We matched up horribly with them, and UGAG favorably.
ramblinwise1
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Ding Ding Ding. Its also why a "run first to set up the pass" team like Bama struggled against them.