Seem some video of the boys practicing. We have a fundamental problem with our Dbs. Their footwork is getting them in trouble. Now I'm going to go on a limb and say the coaches are seeing that and are trying to fix it. But this is part of the reason wrs are gaining ground and getting into the body position they need and want. Our footwork when we open t to cover has to get fixed or we'll keep having problems in the secondary. With that said our speed, hip flexibility and transition speed is very good. What I saw is they are very smooth and collected but they could go to the next level if that footwork gets corrected. I'm excited about this season.

If you’re excited I’m excited. Let’s go kick sum tail!!!

Gerard Wilcher

His credentials are okay but that footwork needs work. Ability is there but on this level those little things are what separates making plays and giving up plays. It's critical to being successful.

(08-01-2019 10:44 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  His credentials are okay but that footwork needs work. Ability is there but on this level those little things are what separates making plays and giving up plays. It's critical to being successful.

Nightowl-your analyses are the best. Please keep posting!!

(08-01-2019 09:34 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Gerard Wilcher

I was thinking you could contact the position coach directly and share your concerns. Your status as a coach and former Owl should be enough to get you listened to.

You would think so but nah it really doesn't go as far as you'd think. I've offered help before and I get big dawged, lol. I'm not a college coach so they don't care to hear what I have to say(even though we have 4 of my past dbs currently on roster lololol).

(08-02-2019 08:06 AM)nightowl24 Wrote:  You would think so but nah it really doesn't go as far as you'd think. I've offered help before and I get big dawged, lol. I'm not a college coach so they don't care to hear what I have to say(even though we have 4 of my past dbs currently on roster lololol).

Was it the Bloomgren staff that big dawged ya?

I just thought your credentials as a Rice football alum would at least get you five minutes of polite listening before the brush off, and maybe you could plant a seed.

(08-02-2019 08:06 AM)nightowl24 Wrote:  You would think so but nah it really doesn't go as far as you'd think. I've offered help before and I get big dawged, lol. I'm not a college coach so they don't care to hear what I have to say(even though we have 4 of my past dbs currently on roster lololol).

Aha! So ya coulda showed em the footwork when you had the chance!!!

“I don’t care what anybody tells you in the future... remember this...”

(08-02-2019 08:06 AM)nightowl24 Wrote:  You would think so but nah it really doesn't go as far as you'd think. I've offered help before and I get big dawged, lol. I'm not a college coach so they don't care to hear what I have to say (even though we have 4 of my past dbs currently on roster lololol).

That seems to be a prevalent attitude among many coaches. That's unfortunate.

Here's one. If you called Nick Saban with an idea how to make his DBs better, I'm betting he would fly you to Tuscaloosa. That's one reason why Nick is where he is and others are where they are.

So, how are the feet of the four who used to play for you? Are they getting coached out of the habits you taught them?

(08-02-2019 10:16 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 08:06 AM)nightowl24 Wrote:  You would think so but nah it really doesn't go as far as you'd think. I've offered help before and I get big dawged, lol. I'm not a college coach so they don't care to hear what I have to say (even though we have 4 of my past dbs currently on roster lololol).

That seems to be a prevalent attitude among many coaches. That's unfortunate.

Here's one. If you called Nick Saban with an idea how to make his DBs better, I'm betting he would fly you to Tuscaloosa. That's one reason why Nick is where he is and others are where they are.

So, how are the feet of the four who used to play for you? Are they getting coached out of the habits you taught them?

Well Numbers just laid out the plan. Call Saban, get the audience, become an advisor to the Crimson Tide. Maybe then the Rice staff will take his call?

(08-02-2019 10:16 AM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 08:06 AM)nightowl24 Wrote:  You would think so but nah it really doesn't go as far as you'd think. I've offered help before and I get big dawged, lol. I'm not a college coach so they don't care to hear what I have to say(even though we have 4 of my past dbs currently on roster lololol).

Aha! So ya coulda showed em the footwork when you had the chance!!!

“I don’t care what anybody tells you in the future... remember this...”

Well of you want to get technical about it ellis played as true freshman and the only reason he hasn't played more is because of injuries. He's starting right now. I dis a pretty good job with him.

Newsome hasn't logged much time but from what in gathering there's some kind of grudge/favoritism he's battling but groin what I've seen here was one of the few safeties that was always on top of the route and in a position of power. Did pretty good with him.

Tyrae thornton is young but was one of our more solid cbs last year. I only had him for one off season slo my impact was minimal BUT he hasc stated that a lot if what was taught to him by the other two helped him be as good as he was. The other two have exclusively used my techniques after i left them as sophomores at ridge.

Next the guys that I saw with poor footwork weren't any of the kids I coached. Actually in watching games last year my boys footwork was some of the best in the unit.

Finally, obviously you didn't play in college because when you go to college most coaches change everything about how you played in hs. They want you to look like one of their players. It's that ego thing. So a lot of what I taught them has been untaught and it's hurting them. Lucky for us my boys are still finding ways to stay true to their roots.

Oh and my apologies 3 not 4 of my past guys

After my boys first year there I worked with them during the summer. Since then I haven't been able to work them cause I'm running behind my two sons.

I'll pass on talking to Saban. Funny thing one year my head coach called himself helping me by sending me a video of nick coaching in phase and out of phase drills. I sent him a video of my practice two years previous where I spent 15 min working that exact drill using the exact terminology. I've never spoken to saban and i haven't paid for any drill books. It was from playing i knew how to create the drill and teach the drill.
Needless to say he didn't send me videos anymore. Lol

(08-02-2019 02:13 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  After my boys first year there I worked with them during the summer. Since then I haven't been able to work them cause I'm running behind my two sons.

I'll pass on talking to Saban. Funny thing one year my head coach called himself helping me by sending me a video of nick coaching in phase and out of phase drills. I sent him a video of my practice two years previous where I spent 15 min working that exact drill using the exact terminology. I've never spoken to saban and i haven't paid for any drill books. It was from playing i knew how to create the drill and teach the drill.
Needless to say he didn't send me videos anymore. Lol

And I was kidding about calling Saban. I’m sure you have better things to do. But please do keep posting here. Love your insights and stories!

Footwork only helps if you implement it when you are in the right position.

(08-02-2019 02:49 PM)ruowls Wrote:  Footwork only helps if you implement it when you are in the right position.

JK

I think everyone knows nightowl is my defensive mastermind.

However, the above is one of the keys for a receiver. Run your route in such a way that the DB gets out of position and his technique becomes irrelevant.

(08-02-2019 02:55 PM)ruowls Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 02:49 PM)ruowls Wrote:  Footwork only helps if you implement it when you are in the right position.

JK

I think everyone knows nightowl is my defensive mastermind.

However, the above is one of the keys for a receiver. Run your route in such a way that the DB gets out of position and his technique becomes irrelevant.

No you are correct. But proper footwork keeps you from being out of position. Football is chess and all you can do is be solid every time with footwork. I tell my kids every sport is played with feet eyes and hand... in that order. Your feet put you in position, your eyes tell you what to do, lastly you use your hands to gain an advantage. If you do any one out of order it's a recipe for disaster.

From the video those individuals were using their hands before getting their feet in the proper position. This allowed the wr to get in stronger position which allowed the wr to control the situation. Many defensive players get too caught up in being physical. You're physical when HAVE TO be. Good footwork and body position will discourage more qbs than being super physical.

(08-02-2019 04:35 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 02:55 PM)ruowls Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 02:49 PM)ruowls Wrote:  Footwork only helps if you implement it when you are in the right position.

JK

I think everyone knows nightowl is my defensive mastermind.

However, the above is one of the keys for a receiver. Run your route in such a way that the DB gets out of position and his technique becomes irrelevant.

No you are correct. But proper footwork keeps you from being out of position. Football is chess and all you can do is be solid every time with footwork. I tell my kids every sport is played with feet eyes and hand... in that order. Your feet put you in position, your eyes tell you what to do, lastly you use your hands to gain an advantage. If you do any one out of order it's a recipe for disaster.

From the video those individuals were using their hands before getting their feet in the proper position. This allowed the wr to get in stronger position which allowed the wr to control the situation. Many defensive players get too caught up in being physical. You're physical when HAVE TO be. Good footwork and body position will discourage more qbs than being super physical.

Well let's have some fun with this. Anyone feel free to chime in.

An offensive player doesn't have to react. Therefore, eyes come first. The offensive players will scan the defense and see what is going on coming to the LOS. First look is to identify safeties (1, 2, or 3 deep). Next is scan the front to see if the center is covered as it dictates LBs and ends that can drop (zone blitzes is just an exchange of these responsibilities and won't change the functioning of responsibilities). Identifying corners is actually not necessary. Then feet take you to the spot to force defenders out of position. The most important thing a receiver can identify is the defender that is responsible to cover his inside underneath. That is the first defender you want to get out of position. Once you identify that, you look to a second defender you want to move out of position. You release to gain leverage on the deep coverage then stem off the primary inside underneath threat. Then use your hands to catch the ball. Receiver creed: You touch it, you catch it.

Funny how different positions teach different things. I agree if I were playing offense eyes would come first. But i would still say feet because of you are resting on your eyes I'm moving and as a wr your beehive and losing leverage. Once that ball snaps your feet got to get you were you want to be as your eyes are working. I think both sides of the ball get presnap reads.

As a db I'm looking at your alignment, which foot is up, I even look to linemen for then sitting light. I also look at personnel, did you move your best wr to te(that happened against utep my sr year).