It can play better, but it doesn't look like they can get to the level needed to make another run at a State title. Secondary should be a strength but it hasn't been. Linebackers aren't plugging holes, and defensive line not getting pressure on qb. Offensively they have a dynamic running game, and a good intermediate passing game using play action. Also great kicking game. But defense is not at a great team level.
Can Salem's defense be fixed?
- Thread starter southbottomU
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Nope. Nothing up front, nothing in the middle, nothing in the secondary. It's bad from top to bottom. You don't fix things this bad in week 8. Finish the season and try again next year.
I think it all starts with the DL and LB's. As you said they need to be getting more pressure on the QB and plugging the running lanes. I think if they can fix the problems up front it will really improve the play of the secondary. As it is, the secondary is cheating up and that's why they're getting beat over the top. It's getting closer to playoff time and if they can improve in those areas of the defense they have a good opportunity to make some noise. The OL seems to be making strides and giving the RB's lanes to run and the QB time to throw it. Hopefully the defense can make similar improvement. There are a lot of good players on this team, they just need to put it all together on both sides of the ball for a full game. I think they can do it and make a good playoff push.
On a side note, I had to wait for my transportation after the game and I got to meet and talk to 3 of the PH coaches for quite a while. I'd like to thank them for waiting with me and let them know that I enjoyed hanging out with them. They were class guys and PH is fortunate to have such a good group of coaches to teach the boys football and about overcoming obstacles in life. Good luck on the rest of the year Patriots!
This post makes me furious! Are you a Salem fan?
Cry all you want, just face reality. Salem D is bad this year. PH passing for 400 yards? 50 points to Blacksburg? 24 points in a quarter to Amherst? How many different ways do you need to see they're not good?
Sick of fans who can't cope with reality. We've had down years with Mags before, we will continue to have them under him because nobody is up forever in sports. The good times are great, the bad times aren't usually as bad as everyone else, but they are unquestionably different from the good times.
I've been going to games at Salem Stadium since that thing was built and I didn't wander upon Preps a few years ago (when Salem was playing better football) either. Been at games when Salem is good, been at games when Salem is bad, post here when Salem is good, post here when Salem is bad. But then again, when someone here says something I don't agree with I don't question their fandom either.
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Couldn't disagree with you more hokie.... sounds like you've thrown the towel in on the boys no matter what...
I just think they still have a few players out of position to maximize the effort. Mike makes a valid point with the secondary cheating up front and it hurts giving up the big plays.. which I have said all along is what hurts us the most. In the past they give up the big play, come back and punch you in the mouth and move on. Now it seems to deflate them when they give up the big play with no response.. I still say they show almost no excitement when things go right kinda like a ho hum attitude when they do make a big play. I would love to see a lot more enthusiasm from the team especially as fired up as the fans get but we are not on the field. I'm not ready to give up yet though they still have work to do. But that seems to be the theme for this year.
Not questioning your fandom. I just was wondering if you were a Salem fan or if you rooted for another team.
Zero leadership on D has killed them. They don't play for each other, they play because they're on the field and the ball is moving. Salem's rallied far lesser groups of talent behind a cause and some leaders and gotten them to play excellent defense ('00 title team comes to mind) but that isn't happening and I don't see it changing.
There's absolutely something to the front 7 hurting the secondary but that only goes so far. There's entirely too much experience and talent to just point the blame elsewhere entirely.
It's early Oct . Still plenty of time to adjust and gel. New season starts in mid Nov.
Play Ramsey every snap on D and things change for the better in a big way.
I'm not throwing in the towel yet. Ramsey was a beast as a Soph on defense. Maybe he can be the spark if they go that route. I think we are missing the kid that transferred to Blue Ridge School at the backer spot. He's a monster. We've got the kids that have the potential to get the job done, they just have to step up and start making plays.
I love the fact that the players don't get too excited. The coaches at Salem always talk about not getting too high or too low emotionally and this is no different from last year or the year before.
Not sure what you mean in regards to fans. Sure we have plenty show up but we are far from a rowdy or fired up fanbase as a whole. Most fans sit and watch the game and maybe clap along when the fight song is played.
I'm not going to post details on here but it that isn't as feasible of an option as it might seem.
Of course Salem’s D can get better, y’all need to chill . Hard to be champs every year. Salem is a great program, but some years other teams are going to pounce and catch up. That’s 4A football.
I believe the defense can and will improve! I know their potential. It will take the kids playing as a unit with trust in each other. One person can't carry a team on either side of the ball. It takes a cohesive unit. I expect great things after the bye week.
Not sure where you are sitting but as a whole I guess you could be right.. Where I have been the whole section is into every play and is up yelling and screaming the whole game. Even during kickoffs by the kicker!
I'm glad I've been too busy to read the boards lately! I just caught up on reading some posts. Are people really serious? Yes, Salem has lost 2 games. 2 games to two VERY good teams. But to jump in and say Salem's defense is terrible is a bit much. No there was not a great defensive showing against Blacksburg and the secondary struggled against a speedy PH crew, but to say they are beyond improvement? C'mon! Did you know in all of those games they've been missing players on defense or players have been playing who were not 100%? That will affect your unit's play. Salem will improve. The kids want to win. They work hard every day. They need an army of fans around them that believes in them.
Well said Hammy. You are right that is class 4 football. Enrollment numbers keep many teams from being dominate year after year.
Salem has only lost two games. Most teams would die to have that record. I realize as a fan of a consistently good team we get spoiled, but both Sherando and Dinwiddie went through after their run in 2013. Even the mighty Lake Taylor is struggling this season.
Can people just give credit to PH for having a good game plan? Y'all kill me whenever Salem doesn't blow a team out.. The world isn't going to end just because a team scored 42 points on you. Looked in the RT and thought Owens' comments in the were arrogant and took all credit away from PH. "It shouldn't have been close as it was".. PH had a good game plan. Enjoy the win and move on.
PH did have a good game plan. They played to their strengths and took advantage of opportunities.