You have to wonder how secure Lou West's job is. His contract ends next year, but can UT wait that long to make a change? Through the Saban & Pinkel years, and as long as Amstutz was Defensive Coordinator, UT was always a very good defensive team. However, each year since Amstutz left the Defensive Coordinator position (to become Head Coach), the defense has suffered cumulatively. Yes, graduation took its toll on the line and somewhat in the secondary. Still, this trend is very disturbing. Does UT concentrate so much on recruiting offensive players that they fail to land defensive HS stars? Why does UT continue to use a 4-4 defense, when it fails to provide adequate pass defense? Few teams today use a 4-4 base defense, since so many teams use a sperad or West Coast offense. When you spread out a 4-4 defense with 4 or 5-receiver sets, only three defensive backs are left to make a play on those many potential receivers. That means linebackers have to defend against recivers who are much faster and more athletic.
I hate to demean Lou West's capability, but his 4-4 defense isn't working. And, finally, Tom Amstutz MUST oversee the recruiting of better defensive players. Having Spence, Gradkowski & a couple of good receivers is nice. But defense is still critical to winning.
posted by Chaz at 06:02 P.M. EST on Tue Sep 14, 2004 #
Chaz, that's a fine breakdown about football defense. Now you're talking about something of interest.
"... and as long as Amstutz was Defensive Coordinator, UT was always a very good defensive team."
While listening to the coach's show on Monday, a caller made the same comment.
"... Does UT concentrate so much on recruiting offensive players that they fail to land defensive HS stars?"
This may have caught up with UT this year. UT has allowed over 120 points after two games, and I heard a sports guy say that is more points than UT gave up for the entire season last year or a couple years ago.
I thought I heard Amstutz comment that on defense, UT has a lot of young players on the first and second strings.
posted by jr at 10:23 P.M. EST on Tue Sep 14, 2004 #
UT has new players at every level of the defense; line, linebacker and backfield. Sprinkled in, are a few (and I emphasize "few") veteran players. Those "rookies" were exposed to the power, strength and speed of Big Ten and Big Twelve teams. Exposed they were, in every possible area of weakness. Then, the veterans attempted to cover their own area of the zone, plus the exposed "rookies'" area. That, of course, is impossible. And the Rocket's defense was truly the worst in Div. I-A.
Having said that, the defense can be expected to perform much better Saturday against Eastern Michigan. If, in fact, those new inexperienced Rockets defenders are truly talented (i.e. have good speed, quickness, mobility, strength, intelligence and tacking ability), then UT will win.
To finish on an upbeat note, I still have no concern about the offense. Despite playing poorly against the Big Ten and Big Twelve, expect Gradkowski & Company to feast upon MAC defenders. UT's offense primarily beat themselves against Minnesota & Kansas. They made mistake after mistake. They self-destructed at the Gophers and Wildcats, but will regain the same poise and confidence that helped them beat Pittsburg last year, very soon.
Keeping fingers crossed that those new defensive players actually do have talent...
posted by Chaz at 02:57 P.M. EST on Thu Sep 16, 2004 #
I spoke with my brother this evening who is a defensive back coach for a Division 1-AA college team. He said his team plays a 4-2-5 defense, which is a bit unusual, since their base defense has them in the nickel. He said most teams play a 4-3. He said a 3-4 doesn't provide enough hands on the ground to stop the run.
I asked him about UT's 4-4 defense. To prepare for a recent game, he watched last year's UT - Northern Illinois game, and he said UT does some questionable things on defense. Some strange coverage situations that can give up big yardage plays. It sounds like UT plays a high risk defense, requiring a lot of talented players. He didn't like the way UT covered the tight end with a linebacker all the time. He mentioned a few other strange things UT does on defense, but when a coach talks football, they get into details that I don't understand.
He didn't think EMU, CMU, and WMU would be any good. He figured the west MAC winner would come down to the BG-NIU game later this month.
posted by jr at 09:51 P.M. EST on Thu Sep 16, 2004 #
Well, now we've seen the UT defense in action against MAC talent and the defense still looks bad. The line, except for Phil Alexander, looks TERRIBLE. So, the linebackers and defensive backs try to do too much and get caught out of position.
The 4-4 defense is only useful for teams that always run well. But this is the 21st century and everyone deploys a West Coast or Spread Defense. Hell, even Ohio U ditched the old tight running style (FlexBone). When teams throw against a 4-4 defense, too much pressure is put on the defensive backs. On the other hand, Amstutz might feel that he needs 4 people on the line, because his linebackers and defensive backs can't stop the run. They certainly can't rish the quarterback. So quarterbacks have all the time in the world to pick apart an already weak secondary.
The bottom line here is recruiting. And right now, UT's recruiting of great defensive players is terrible. It amazes me how a coaching staff that divides itself up geographically for recruiting can find great quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, but can't recruit good defensive players.
Finally, we must examine how well the defensive players are trained and coached. Good coaching can make up for a loss of talent. Teams can play zones that offer protection when the players are too slow. But the Rockets' zones look pathetic. Players are going all over the place outside of their zone, getting caught out of position.
Championship teams start with consistently great defense, then build the offense later. Right now, it looks like the Rockets' defense lacks talent, speed, character, discipline and fundamentals. Only the coaching staff can be blamed.
Although the MAC is rebuilding this year from those great teams of last year, Toledo will not easily win the West. Yesterday, Western Michigan almost beat Illinois. Northern Illinois has a great defense, and Jason Haldy (excellent quarterback) will probably be healthy by the time we see them. Miami on the road will not be an easy win, nor will BG. Let's face it, unless there is a miracle, UT's defense will be bad all year and the MAC Championship game will only be a dream. What a shame that Gradkowski could have been a Heisman candidate, if only we had a fair defense.
posted by Chaz at 02:48 P.M. EST on Sun Sep 19, 2004 #
The decision to adjust the defensive scheme (using three down linemen in certain situations) is a sign of coaching exasperation. The young defensive line requires maturity, but there are no other (better) players to play behind. So they are thrown into action before they are ready, physically and mentally.
On the other hand, the Rockets are finally playing MAC teams, which are much easier to defend against (and much more familiar). That's why they are winning now.
The bottom line... the Rockets's defense will play well against mediocre teams. Against good teams, well perhaps in another year or two? How is it that we can recruit fabulous offensive players, but only fair defensive players?
Amstutz must get to the bottom of this question. UT's glorious football tradition has always been based upon having shutdown players throughout the defense. When that happens, you don't need to score 50 points to win. Defense wins championships. Everyone knows that. So why don't we have great defensive players?
The Rockets will be on ESPN five to seven times this year. They were on four times last year. This is a recruiter's wet dream. There can be no excuses for not having talent on BOTH sides of the ball.
posted by Chaz at 12:44 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 06, 2004 #
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