Replies: 13
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CU Guru [1278]
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And encouragement for those worried about the Defense
Aug 15, 2016, 4:54 PM
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I know this is going to sound crazy to some of you, but guess what? We actually don't have to have elite players in the secondary on defense to have a great season and win the national championship. Crazy, right? Let me explain.
Throughout the history of football, both college and NFL, all solid defenses began where? Up front. The key to a GOOD secondary is a GREAT d-line. When you have monsters up the middle (and we do), fast and powerful edge rushers (and we do) and fundamentally-sound LB's (and we absolutely do), guess what that does? It takes the pressure off the secondary to have to perform at an elite level. When everybody does their job up front from the DL to the LB's, the opposing team's run game usually gets stifled, and the opposing QB is pressured and has to make quick decisions. At this point, all a secondary has to do is simply be in position and execute the right coverage. The rest will take care of itself. Why does this matter? Because when you think about it, all of this talk about our desperate need to find another elite corner, and our secondary being not just suspect at times; but the big question mark all throughout this off-season, really isn't that big of a problem as I think most of us being told it is, or are making it out to be.
Still not encouraged? Please allow me to provide specific examples of what I mean. A. Bryant and C. Wilkens are both proven players who are productive, highly skilled, and will take on increased leadership roles the season. Oh and Wilkens can still play DT if needed. Not to mention, C. Ferrill and R. Yeargin are both freak athletes who have completely transformed their bodies, and are ridiculously fast. Oh, and they've been given rave reviews by their position coaches all off-season. For DT, we have the reliable, strong, experienced, and veteran leadership of C. Watkins and S. Pagano. Add in freshmen phenom D. Lawrence and, as long as this interior group does it's job, the DE's will have a field day this season because they'll consistently have a wide-open lane straight to the QB. For LB's, once again we have the proven, talented, and experience of Boulware, and K. Joseph (who the coaches said could've easily started last year). Add in D. O'Daniel and J. Williams- both of whom are well-versed and experienced in Venables' system- and we'll be just fine up the middle. And so, frankly, even if the rest of our secondary is simply "average": look at everything we have up-front. The secondary won't have near as much pressure to perform as you might think. Yes, at times, they'll certainly be called on to step up. But as Dabo and Co. often preach, as long as everybody just does their job, the rest will take care of itself.
Tiger fans, we're going to be just fine this year. Don't allow yourself to overthink, and get too worried. Russ the coaches' preparation process and their analysis of the player's development. See you in three weeks. Spot the ****ball.
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All-TigerNet [14233]
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We'll be fine***
Aug 15, 2016, 5:10 PM
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110%er [5123]
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didn't read OP - but ^^^^^THIS^^^^^^***
Aug 15, 2016, 6:08 PM
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Varsity [202]
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Re: And encouragement for those worried about the Defense
Aug 15, 2016, 6:17 PM
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This is 2014's defense with way more talent. We'll be fine. Experience grows during the season...
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Trainer [46]
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Re: And encouragement for those worried about the Defense
Aug 15, 2016, 6:50 PM
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Sorry but i dont agree.dont get me wrong i think we will be fine but you dont win a championship with average secondary play. U need no more proof than last years game against alabama. Once alexander went down it was over. Im not saying that was the sole reason for losing but having sub par results from our secondary killed us. That said we have a lot of very talented guys in the secondary. The only problem is lack of real experience. Im not worried because i trust the coaches and the athletes will get it rolling by game time. I dont think were top 5 defense but i think it will be a more consistent top 10 def this year. The competitive depth cds talks about means more rotation between starter and backup with little to no dropoff. That is great news. Oh and we played several teams with bery stout defensive lines last year and yet watson had field days with them. There were a lot of reasons for that but my point is just because your dline is great doesnt mean your secondary wont get tested and burned if they arent up to the task
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110%er [5262]
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Close, but not quite....
Aug 15, 2016, 6:56 PM
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* You're correct that championship football starts with a good front 7.
* You're correct that when the run is stuffed, the offense looks to pass.
You're not correct about what happens next:
* If all the secondary needs to do is be in the right spot and coverage when the passing starts, then that requires a well-disciplined secondary. So, if they can do it when they need to, they can dang well do it from the git-go..... which means that you have a good front 7 AND a good secondary. If they aren't doing it before, they ain't going to do it when the pressure's on them.
* What IS true, is that with a good front 7 that is stuffing the run, when the passing starts, they put pressure on the QB, causing him to hurry his throw or hit the check-down short receiver. A hurried throw sometimes is a floater or a bit off-target, which CAN (but not guaranteed) allow a DB to catch up or make an interception where at other times he might allow a TD. A check-down short pass can often fall short or sail over the receiver's head, causing a defender to sometimes be in the right spot accidentally. The same throw (if completed) is often short of a 1st down, which allows the defender to make a stop before the recieiver can make the needed 1st down yardage.
So, while it's better to have a good front 7 AND a good secondary, it's possible that a team can scrape by with a good front 7 and a less than good secondary - but they'd better score a bunch - which I think we'll be able to do against Auburn and the next 2 games. Louisville may be another story.
But in any event, we cannot expect a secondary to suddenly start playing good football when the air raid starts (see ND 2015 in the rain). If you want the catfish dinner, you have to have a good secondary for the entire 60 minutes (see 'Bama 2016).
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Trainer [46]
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Re: Close, but not quite....
Aug 15, 2016, 7:05 PM
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Well said and do you live in columbia? If so i feel sorry for you. Im from darlington and even that was too close to the other college in south carolina.
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110%er [5262]
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Re: Close, but not quite....
Aug 15, 2016, 7:21 PM
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I do live in Columbia - but even though my next door neighbor is a USuC alum, it doesn't bother me. I enjoy the looks I get every time I leave home for a game with the magnetic Tiger paws and tail on my 911. Lately, I've enjoyed it even more on the return home and ask him "So, how'd the Gamecocks do this week?".
The University in Columbia is OK - how much fun could we have without it?
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All-In [38478]
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Re: And encouragement for those worried about the Defense
Aug 15, 2016, 7:14 PM
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I didn't read your entire post ... but I used the force to determine that you're right about that ... whatever it was that you were trying to be encouraging about .
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Orange Blooded [2972]
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Re: And encouragement for those worried about the Defense
Aug 15, 2016, 7:20 PM
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Who is this Russ you speak of?
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Walk-On [125]
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Re: And encouragement for those worried about the Defense
Aug 15, 2016, 7:38 PM
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It's called a post, not multiple paragraphs... Moron
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Orange Blooded [3576]
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has anybody given thought to the fact our "young" secondary
Aug 15, 2016, 7:59 PM
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is practicing and scrimmaging against arguably the most talent laden offense in the country? Our offense is going to make a lot of so called good defenses look really average this year. We put up a ton of yards on Saban's "best ever defense."
Our defense is only going to get better because they are literally practicing against the best of the best day in and day out.
We will be fine.
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Trainer [46]
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Re: has anybody given thought to the fact our "young" secondary
Aug 15, 2016, 8:33 PM
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Yes they are going up against one of the best offenses in country but thats the point. To win the big one they are gonna go up against several more of the best offenses in the country so whether its ours or someone else offense they have to be able to hold their own and limit big plays. Asking them to hold the standards of our senior laden experienced defense from a couple years ago is unreasonable but if they contain and play sound defense then all will be well.
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Head Coach [781]
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We do have elite players in the secondary
Aug 15, 2016, 8:04 PM
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they're just young and inexperienced, at least at 1 corner spot. Everywhere else we have elite players that are experienced. Next question.
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Replies: 13
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