I want a defense where it's not a surprise to get a stop. How we get there doesn't really matter to me.
Unless we can come up with about 3 talented D-Lineman that average 300+ lbs each, and unless we can have 3 similar guys backing them up, it would probably be a good idea to scrap the 3-4 defense. The 3-4 can and will work if you have elite talent to use in it. But the talented, prototypical 3-4 type D-Linemen don't pick schools like UK. They instead choose schools such as Alabama. And there just aren't very many of them to go around. OTOH, there are plenty of talented kids out there that might not be big enough to play in a 3-4 scheme but would fit rather nicely in a 4-3. Those kinds of kids we have a much better chance of getting.
Interesting idea. Very interesting.Eliot takes another job, Stoops hires Ansley back from Bama as DC.
I agree. I fail to understand the over pursuing, failure to maintain leverage on the ball, and often terrible angles of pursuit. More time needs to be spent on fundamental principles of defensive football. Extreme backside players never seem to close off field from behind flow, but instead always want to work to cut off flow downfield. You can be sure offensive coaches tell their charges, "reversing field on these guys will often pay off with paydirt." Most sickening is the over commitment in space, trying to deal with the likes of Lamar Jackson or similar... just stay in front of the ball carrier! String it out, wait for help from the sidelines or pursuit from inside. We have kids out there looking unschooled way too often.It never ceases to amaze me at how the cutback kills us game after game after game. Our guys perpetually refuse to stay home, getting sucked in or go chasing a play only to get burned when the runner switches field. Not sure if it's a scheme thing or coaching, but I can still hear my high school coach screaming "Stay Home!" or "Stay in your lane".
Then why is Vandy playing defense at such a higher lever when UK has way out recruited Vandy in the past 4 years?
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I can see your stance on staying away from that level on debate on public forums....but you tend to talk down on public forums to those that question our coaching results when you just sort of stated there may be some legit pitfalls in our defensive coaching decision making. You sort of can't have it both ways at times.You know the answer to that just as you must know by now that I don't rag on our coaches or players on a public forum.
You also must know that Stoops is loyal to a fault. I certainly hope it's not his undoing. Were I involved with the staff, at the very least I would give counsel to have a 3-4 workshop with some coaches/staffs who are doing more with less.
I can see your stance on staying away from that level on debate on public forums....but you tend to talk down on public forums to those that question our coaching results when you just sort of stated there may be some legit pitfalls in our defensive coaching decision making. You sort of can't have it both ways at times.
While the talent needs to be improved, I think a lot of it is coaching and scheming. Vanderbilt has been able to put together respectable defenses with less talent.
Vanderbilt does NOT have less talent thend us on defense. Mason is playing with the last two years of Franklin recruits as RS juniors and seniors. Many of those guys were highly to above average to ranked wit big time offers
To continue to see the line of reasoning that our D not measuring up to Vandy's D is a sign of how bad our coaches are is tired and inaccurate.
Not only is,Vandy currently starting a high number of highly recruited players from the Franklin era...the players in question are almost all 4th and 5th year players. They start 8 RS Jr's and RS Sr's on defense. And the remaining 3 are Juniors. Huge difference from our D that is Sophmore dominated with 2 of our 3 Dlinemen being 1st and 2nd year jucos.
That said, my wish list on D for next year would be an influx of high level Juco and high school talent on the Dline that can add depth and explosiveness immediately
Need to target a new DC. Go after Pelini or Strong, as mentioned above. Pay top dollar for them.
If that doesn't work, look for a high level DC from either the FCS ranks, or from a team like Western Michigan.
That, or like somebody said, take a shot on Ansley or something.
Absolutely agree, in year four, it is beyond ridiculous to expect our defense to hold New Mex State, Florida, Tennessee, or Southern Miss to less than 40 points. And sure Austin Peay ran for almost 300 yards, but their offensive line had some juniors and seniors, against our young and inexperienced SEC scholarship athletes. Besides, their little running back was just converted from WR about a month ago, so he had fresh legs.
I mean . . . . I just don't know what games some of these posters are watching . . .![]()
What does anything you just said have to do with comparing our teams D to Vandy with the theme that we suck if our D isn't better than There's?
The "year four" BS is old.