Defensive Line-one fan's perspective

71YellowJacket

71YellowJacket

Damn Good Rat
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Jul 10, 2002
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Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

We returned two seniors and one junior defensive linemen this year. For various reasons they are now listed as back-ups on the depth chart to two redshirt freshmen and a redshirt sophmore.

Henderson (RS-Fr), Hargrove (Soph), Parker (RS-Fr), and Malone (RS-Soph)are doing a fine job but they are young and light for Div-1A.

These kids are giving up 30/40 pounds per man to the better offensive lines we've played against and its showed in the second half.

Lots of potential here, but this isn't the first year we have had problems on the defensive line.

Perhaps the problem has been recruiting not coaching....
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

My gosh you shouldn't have said that now BW will be all over this post telling how CG doesn't know how to use the talent!
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

What really worries me about that is NC State dominated Clemson up front. We are lighter than Clemson. We will probably get dominated too. Parker is great for 3rd downs....but he got pushed around pretty bad by Wake and BYU and I think that might happen again. On one particular play he got turned 180...that was bad. We need to put Gary Johnson and Al Malone in on 1st and 2nd down. They have the size to help clogg the holes and help on run D. They might not get the penetration parker does on pass D...but I think they will do a better job occupying blockers.
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

71, that should not even be a consideration or problem. As much energy as it takes for defensive linemen to penetrate the offensive line and to rush the passer, there should be at least three sets of defensive linemen playing equally throughout the entire game.

If the defensive coaches substitute freely on the defensive line, as they should, there is no problem with the difference in weights between the first, second, and third sets of defensive linemen. The biggest problem arises due to a lack of proper substitution to keep the defensive linemen fresh.

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Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

ahsoisee,

On the issue of weight, I think I understand where you're coming from but wouldn't the lack of weight still be a concern for inside tackles?

Let's see what was that physics equation about mass and velocity.....
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

Ahso...I think you meant 33...I'll reply. I agree we substitute. I disagree that the backups get as much time as the starters. Parker played 80% of the snaps against UVA and Wake. Believe I was paying attention solely on him to see if he got pushed around. And he did. Fact is in the third quarter...that extra 40 pounds helps. Maybe not the first few snaps...but eventually.
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

71, there is no doubt physics plays a part in the weights of the defensive line, however, quickness also plays a big part. A quicker smaller player can sometimes get past the offensive blockers better than a slower bigger lineman.

Over a period of time the bigger offensive linemen begin to wear down a smaller lineman by continuosly pushing on him.

The secret is in the coaching. The coach should substitute freely and keep the players fresh. I will agree with 33jacket on a point. Each person has their own degree of metabolism and stamina.

Some people tire quicker than others, and some people have an enormous amount of renewable energy. Again, it is up to the coaches to monitor the situation. It is still far better to substitute freely and keep fresh meat in the game.

I will use this analogy again. Two weight lifters at a weight lifting bench, and one is the top lifter. Take the weakest lifter and place him in line behind the top man.

The top man performs his reps until he can do no more. He is through, spent, kaput. The weakest lifter cannot come within 100 reps of the top lifter, but at than instant in time he is extremely more effective than the top lifter.

Most coaches get involved in the game, and at crunch time, the coach leaves the aces in, but they are not effective because they are tired. The coach has thrown smartness out the window.

His remarks are, "suck it up". The most foolish remark in coaching is the "suck it up" one. The smartest move in the business is to substitute to keep the players fresh.

Everything goes back to the coaches and their management of the athletes.

"A football team and the play of the athletes are a mirror of the coaching they receive".

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Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

I've got another twist on the light DL.---If you emphasize speed over weight/bulk then you have utilize an aggressive Def approach so the guys are shooting gaps and moving to take advantage of quickness.This has to be done with the LBs to maximize the effect.If they just "play through their man" then they will overwhelmed after a while giving up 30+lbs per man.
In Md game ,the DT/DE were taking double teams and the backside LBs were not filling from behind a pulling Md Off lineman.Happened continously in 2nd half.Little stunting I saw.
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

Our ineptitude at DL to me cries out for a 5 man line against run situations and probably go with 3 man line in passing situations with at least 1 blitzing backer/safety.

Schaub read our corner/nickel britzes and burned us on them, dropping the ball just over the blitzer. Very often to a slotman (mcMullen) who ran his route untouched.

On passing downs I'd play the 3 down lineman, 3 backers but the outsides backer/strong safety up in the face of a slot man or tight end and smash in the face at the line. The corners on the wideouts and the nickel back and free safety providing backup allowing the corners to be more aggressive against the short routes.
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

71Bee brings up a valid point and clear weakness in our recruiting approach under GOL. GOL accomplished goal number one - upgrade our athletiscm and speed. Failed in the second category, which has kept our program from reaching higher levels- recruit quality lineman. You can look at any barometer, draft choices, all-conference selection, etc. and in the 80's and 90's we are missing the outstanding lineman - especially on the defensive front. There have been a few - Swilling, Rudolph, etc. but by and large year in and year out, we are outmanned by Georgia, FSU, Clemson, etc. Hopefully this coaching change will be an upgrade in approach with the goal of getting some size and depth on the front of the defense.
 
Re: Defensive Line-one fan\'s perspective

ramblinwise1 I agree for the most part, but with today's offenses it's much harder to predict passing downs versus running downs. Your approach to defensing the short routes also seems sound but it would open up the long pass more IMO. It's all just part of the chess match coaches play.
 
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