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2014 tOSU Defense Discussion

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pnuts34 said:
IMO we have more talented DBs than LBs, so 4-2 makes more sense and also with more offense running spread schemes, running nickel puts less pressure on our LBs. we have mostly run stopping LBs, and the young guys are the most athletic but need time to mature. 3 LBs is almost asking us to get burned in mismatches with slot guys who are becoming more and more important to offenses in colleges and the nfl, as well as TEs who are becoming more athletic. Just because some of the guys have speed, doesn't mean they can pass cover, since many aren't required to do so in HS
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I doubt we stick with the 4-2 defense much longer. We find it leaves us weak in defending screens and TEs.
 
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C-busBuck said:
I doubt we stick with the 4-2 defense much longer. We find it leaves us weak in defending screens and TEs.
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I doubt we see any less than 5 DBs on the field most of the time. You can't afford to do less than that a lot of the time with the way offenses spread the field. That means you're either playing 4-2 at the front or 3-3. With the depth this team has on the DL and lack of it at LB, I don't see them favoring the latter over the former.

This team didn't stink at defending TEs and screens because they were in 4-2. They stunk at it because The safeties and linebackers couldn't cover and the CBs and STAR played way off the LOS and were terrible at disengaging from blocks. These aren't problems that putting your 3rd best coverage LB on the field will fix.
 
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C-busBuck said:
I believe your defensive alignment is a product of the philosophy of the DC. Let see what this will look like when the new DC is hired.
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But wouldn't any good DC also play/scheme to the teams personnel strengths? Ours is not at LB. We don't have the best LBs at covering in space, and OCs will scheme all day to create those mismatches. 4-2 is our best option against a number of teams who are now spreading out the field. Iowa, scUM and I believe msu used TEs successfully against us, and it would've been worse if we had LBs trying to guard them. And LBs trying to cover slot guys on screens could be a nightmare
 
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C-busBuck said:
I believe your defensive alignment is a product of the philosophy of the DC. Let see what this will look like when the new DC is hired.
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Have to disagree... most would have the philosophy of Mich St.. ultra aggressive with leaving DBs on an island.. because you know they are shut down backs... but then reality hits and you fit the scheme to the talent level of your DBs
 
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Let me know if I have this straight:

- tOSU now has 3 5-star middle linebackers on its rolls
- the LB coach was able to teach a fullback how to play the position well in about 2 weeks
- the LB coach began in 2004, meaning he coached Laurinaitus
- the secondary coach (and DC) was hand picked for being able to teach people how to cover (including LBers)
- Williams will be a junior and now has some experience at the position and is getting better

If so, there "should" be pretty good play from the MLB in 2014.
 
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With Ash switching Burrows to Safety, I'm wondering what other position changes will happen. Especially for tweener guys who can play multiple positions due to size and skills, I.e.: Worley, Bogard, lee, smith, Powell, etc
 
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bigdog3300 said:
Lee is one guy that intrigues me. I've heard a few times that he got work at OLB in bowl practice so that's one guy I'm keeping a close eye on in spring.
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I like Lee too based on hearing about the bowl practices. But honestly Lee, Worley and Bogard are the size of S but can play OLB due to hitting ability. And also able to cover in space as well. They show a good challenge to our defensive coaches
 
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One thing I'm looking at also is who is going to be the leader of the defense, who is going to be the guy that others can gather around and feed off of. We've had some great leaders in the past, Wilhelm, Doss, Jenkins, etc.....last year, we didn't have anyone IMO who was 'that' guy.

Even though he's young, I see Bosa as the most likely option as he's respected by both players and coaches and has the 'it' factor.
 
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ShowMeBuck said:
Can't wait to see how much better our D will be next year. The pieces are in place, we just need somebody to put it all together.
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That......and solid tackles. Of all the things our defense has had issues with over the last couple of years...poor tackling was by far the most excruciating thing to see. A mistake can be made up for with a solid tackle, a great play can be rendered useless without one.
 
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