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2018 tOSU Defense Discussion

Got to play to the talent man. If they can't do something, try another strategy. Surely they knew when we were getting drilled by OrSU that something wasnt quite right. And, it never got better. Just asking to mix it up on occasion to give them a shot to improve.

You can't make major scheme adjustments mid season in college football. Just not enough practice time to install it.

also, if this group of kids are losing people/blowing assignments in man coverage what do we think more complex coverages are going to result in?
 
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You can't make major scheme adjustments mid season in college football. Just not enough practice time to install it.

also, if this group of kids are losing people/blowing assignments in man coverage what do we think more complex coverages are going to result in?
I dont disagree but different doesnt have to mean more complex. On the contrary actually. Simplify stuff because they look lost
 
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I just do not understand how you are going to take a guy like Harrison and line him up over a slot like Moore and expect him to cover him M-to-M. That is fucking insane. Not to mention how many times have we seen Werner walk out over a WR? Stupid shit.

The corners have been ok in press man. It is the fucking LBs that lack eye discipline and lose their TE or RB constantly. That shit should be rep'd a million times, gone over on film 2 million times, and should be fixed after you fuck it up once. That is what I am tired of watching. Oklahoma killed us with it, Iowa killed us with it, and Purdue killed us with it when they needed it. Different LBs, same fucking problem. That is on the coach.
 
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I just do not understand how you are going to take a guy like Harrison and line him up over a slot like Moore and expect him to cover him M-to-M. That is fucking insane. Not to mention how many times have we seen Werner walk out over a WR? Stupid shit.

The corners have been ok in press man. It is the fucking LBs that lack eye discipline and lose their TE or RB constantly. That shit should be rep'd a million times, gone over on film 2 million times, and should be fixed after you fuck it up once. That is what I am tired of watching. Oklahoma killed us with it, Iowa killed us with it, and Purdue killed us with it when they needed it. Different LBs, same fucking problem. That is on the coach.

It really is insanity at this point. It might work against some of the pro style teams like USC or less creative offenses, but good god it's simply shredded by any spread offense or coaches with any sense of creativity. Not to mention a half-decent run game. I just can't understand why any of the defensive coaches or Meyer thought this was such a brilliant idea.

You can't make major scheme adjustments mid season in college football. Just not enough practice time to install it.

also, if this group of kids are losing people/blowing assignments in man coverage what do we think more complex coverages are going to result in?

That's the scary thing. What do you do now? This is a bare bones defense and you have guys who aren't being taught the correct technique and cannot execute.
 
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The sad thing is that I thought the defense actually played well for 3 Quarters. If you told me they would hold Purdue to 14 points in the first half, I would’ve thought the Buckeyes were up 35 or 42-14. No way did I think they would repeatedly step on their dicks in the red zone like they did.
This. My benchmark for this defense is 24-28 points. It’s on the offense to reach 35-45 points and there should have been no reason that wasn’t possible versus that defense. Again, I’ll save that for the Offense discussion.

They had Purdue at 7 points late into the 2nd quarter. If the offense punches in a score they probably walk out with a halftime lead. Sure, they gave up a big play but they stopped Purdue in the redzone. It should have been 10-3 at half, at worst.

Then...the coaches got absolutely burned going for a blocked kick on a 30 yard FG, from a kicker that had missed 3 XPs (17/20) going into the game. Embarrassing. And it changed the game.

There has to be some urgency from the coaching staff and players that every. single. team. is gameplaning their season to beat the Buckeyes. Fake field goals, reverses, flea-flickers- Brohm was going to throw it all and it’s amazing to think this staff didn’t account for it there. Edge guy rushed, and their punter gets a first down. ST fail.

The late TDs/4th quarter was just a worn down defense against a team that was toying with them. It was Purdue’s night at that point and both sides knew it.

But for all my complaints, this defense gave the offense a shot...and the offense put up a whopping 6 points through 45 minutes of football.
 
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Ok now I'm getting more upset... listening to 97.1 the fan and James has said what most here say.

He said he has defensive coaches texting him asking him why our LBs are at the heels of the DL every play? That that is something normally only done on third down.

Said as a LB you cannot read a play, see your keys, and get washed up in the action up front. Which again has been said here a lot.

So why? Why can everyone see this issue and we continuously keep doing it?
 
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This. My benchmark for this defense is 24-28 points. It’s on the offense to reach 35-45 points and there should have been no reason that wasn’t possible versus that defense. Again, I’ll save that for the Offense discussion.

They had Purdue at 7 points late into the 2nd quarter. If the offense punches in a score they probably walk out with a halftime lead. Sure, they gave up a big play but they stopped Purdue in the redzone. It should have been 10-3 at half, at worst.

Then...the coaches got absolutely burned going for a blocked kick on a 30 yard FG, from a kicker that had missed 3 XPs (17/20) going into the game. Embarrassing. And it changed the game.

There has to be some urgency from the coaching staff and players that every. single. team. is gameplaning their season to beat the Buckeyes. Fake field goals, reverses, flea-flickers- Brohm was going to throw it all and it’s amazing to think this staff didn’t account for it there. Edge guy rushed, and their punter gets a first down. ST fail.

The late TDs/4th quarter was just a worn down defense against a team that was toying with them. It was Purdue’s night at that point and both sides knew it.

But for all my complaints, this defense gave the offense a shot...and the offense put up a whopping 6 points through 45 minutes of football.

Someone understands Meyers philosophy and what happens when it goes wrong.

He leads with his offense. His defenses have given up 15-23 points a game for every season he's been here. If the thing you lead with falters, things get out of hand quick.

People screaming for consistency should think about this and hopefully it helps them deal with their anxiety. It doesn't happen often but when the other team can shut down Meyer's offense it ends up being an ass kicking because the defense gives out.

Using a baseball metaphor;

Tressel ball is like a crafty veteran pitcher who doesn't blow any one away and gets most of his outs via the groundball or the pop up because he disrupted the hitters timing. The downside to this style is that every at bat, every game is full out battle because you can't put people away very easy. Very small margin of error because if hitters can stay patient they can stay back on all those breaking balls and eventually they get to you.

Meyer's style is like a flame throwing power pitcher. He is going to take the surest path to victory and that is blowing it right by you. Big margin for error because only a few guys can turn around your fastball but when they do......it's a tape measure home run.

Nothing works all the time. It helps to understand the nature of the teams philosophy and what you can expect to happen when it goes well and when it doesn't go well.

I will take the the power pitcher philosophy 100 times out of 100. Meyer having the 3rd highest winning percentage in the history of college football is the data point I will point to support my argument.
 
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Someone understands Meyers philosophy and what happens when it goes wrong.

He leads with his offense. His defenses have given up 15-23 points a game for every season he's been here. If the thing you lead with falters, things get out of hand quick.

People screaming for consistency should think about this and hopefully it helps them deal with their anxiety. It doesn't happen often but when the other team can shut down Meyer's offense it ends up being an ass kicking because the defense gives out.

Using a baseball metaphor;

Tressel ball is like a crafty veteran pitcher who doesn't blow any one away and gets most of his outs via the groundball or the pop up because he disrupted the hitters timing. The downside to this style is that every at bat, every game is full out battle because you can't put people away very easy. Very small margin of error because if hitters can stay patient they can stay back on all those breaking balls and eventually they get to you.

Meyer's style is like a flame throwing power pitcher. He is going to take the surest path to victory and that is blowing it right by you. Big margin for error because only a few guys can turn around your fastball but when they do......it's a tape measure home run.

Nothing works all the time. It helps to understand the nature of the teams philosophy and what you can expect to happen when it goes well and when it doesn't go well.

I will take the the power pitcher philosophy 100 times out of 100. Meyer having the 3rd highest winning percentage in the history of college football is the data point I will point to support my argument.

Good metaphor. I like this philosophy and it has worked way more often than not. I still think you can have a defense that is much better than what they're putting out there now though, while still being aggressive and maintaining his philosophy.

When talking about consistency I'm referring to needless changes such as going from a defense that seemed to be working fairly well to another one that's so simple and risky that it defeats itself more often than not. Meyer's core philosophy has stayed consistent, but in his tenure at OSU he's changed the ways in which to achieve this philosophy more often than he needs to.
 
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Good metaphor. I like this philosophy and it has worked way more often than not. I still think you can have a defense that is much better than what they're putting out there now though, while still being aggressive and maintaining his philosophy.

When talking about consistency I'm referring to needless changes such as going from a defense that seemed to be working fairly well to another one that's so simple and risky that it defeats itself more often than not. Meyer's core philosophy has stayed consistent, but in his tenure at OSU he's changed the ways in which to achieve this philosophy more often than he needs to.

I have no problems with people questioning some of the "how" stuff. Obviously there is always room for improvement on how you execute tactical decisions.

Drives me crazy when people are freaking out/acting shocked about/demanding fundamental changes to the "what" and "why".

To continue the pitching metaphor; some days even the best of pitchers doesn't have his A stuff. The good ones find a way to battle through it anyway.

That is what we are seeing this year imo. The bullets they are working with in this years reload just don't have the same grain count as previous years. That is on offense as well as defense. Is what it is, it may end up being ugly but the primary goals you (should) be starting a season with at OSU are still on the table. Win The Game, win the East, win the B1G.

So in my best pitching coach voice I would say this to my clearly tired and frustrated pitcher during my mound visit; The no hitter is gone but you can still win the god damned game. Bear down and get this next cocksucker out. No one is coming from the bullpen to help you. Find a way. You have the talent. Stay calm and do it.
 
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Why is James Laurinaitis not on the defensive coaching staff?

He was watching the Nebraska game with Kevin Kugler on Saturday. The question is - WHAT defensive coaches were texting him?!?

You guys have other issues other than defense, though. I can't put my finger on it, but the D was doing well until that 99 yard drive.

Where in the hell did your special teams go? ST hurt you in that game. Two penalties on punts?!? A fake field goal? Hill fielding a punt at the six???

Never seen that in all the years I've been watching the Buckeyes. That was kind of the dam breaking and it got worse after that.

EDIT: Rewatching highlights. It was 14 - 6 until that roughing the punter penalty. They got the ball back, scored. Wheels fell off at that point.

Also - THREE DROPPED TDs by receivers. Ouch.
 
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