The defense has been an ongoing problem. We need to go a different direction. We need to go back to the Niemann/Kane/Knowles system. Granted we didn’t see a dramatic improvement until Sutton, Juwon, Pugh and company came on but we were at least competitive before those guys emerged. We also need to start using the Kevin Kane strategy. Find the talent and put them on the field. Collins looks like he’s being wasted as a RB. Can he be a bruiser as a DE or LB? We are loaded at WR. Can we turn them into DBs? We gotta get our best ballers on the field. I’m not convinced we are doing that.

Definitely doesn't help that Pugh, one of two senior defensive starters at LB was lost again before the season. So now the entire defensive two deep has one senior out of 22 players.

We definitely need to hit up the transfer portal for DL and CB players with experience.

I looked at the defense and I like a lot of the players. Maybe I circle brown as being miscast. He’s more of a linebacker - just too small. Too slow for safety. That said he appears to be making the right reads and what not, just getting blown by. The truth is there are plenty of slow safeties in the NCAA who do just fine…

I hate the scheme. Not just dislike, I mean I hate it. I can go for hours about how dumb everything the DC is doing is. Sacrificing the Rover every play…I am hoping that gets fixed coming up to MAC league play. Single high without a rush…again, this needs fixing. It’s like Jackson saw someone run this defense and didnt catch all of it - so he is just guessing.

That said, I feel comfortable with Rodgers. I feel comfortable with Hanson. Would like to see more out of Ester and Thomas…but they are kids. I see a bright future for both. Gandy has been better, he plays off but I think that’s a Jackson thing.

Kennedy needs to be better. He needs to produce. But he’s one of the vets - so maybe I am being harder on him.

Crazy idea time, if we don’t mind slow safeties I say drop Rayner to SS for Brown. Bring in a true linebacker and just run a 4-3. Let Hanson be your single high safety if you desire. I mean that’s just one suggestion. There are a million ways to change this defense, I don’t know if Rayner can do it - I mean I doubt he can actually do it - but we can do tons of things.

A fix is out there. Maybe Jackson needs to be demoted…it’s happened to him before and he’s accepted it. Let’s fix it before it gets too far in to the season.

There are players here. Put them in position to do well.

I watched about two thirds of the Michigan game tonight. The D line fought hard against the Michigan run game. They got moved around some but probably did their best. The bigger problem was that any time the Michigan O line created a crease there was no linebacker to ge found. Like they weren’t even there. They’re trying but they’re really small and we don’t have a middle linebacker in my opinion.

Our defense has a few problems including a sporadic pass rush and some DB issues, but if I could fix one problem immediately it would be linebacker.

(09-20-2021 09:39 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I watched about two thirds of the Michigan game tonight. The D line fought hard against the Michigan run game. They got moved around some but probably did their best. The bigger problem was that any time the Michigan O line created a crease there was no linebacker to ge found. Like they weren’t even there. They’re trying but they’re really small and we don’t have a middle linebacker in my opinion.

Our defense has a few problems including a sporadic pass rush and some DB issues, but if I could fix one problem immediately it would be linebacker.

They get caught in the wash just about every play. But again, look at the scheme.

So we are all in agreement the scheme SUCKS.

If the thought is going to persist here about “youth”, well then this LB crew isn’t going to be good for a few more years. It may be the big weak spot on D. It’s all freshman or C freshman after Devaux and Rattin. Devaux is gone next year. As it is now this is one of the weaker LB crews in long time. Just a couple years ago Devaux was the bottom guy because he was next to AJD and Pugh.

I think D-line is going to be fine. Even good. But LB might be an issue unless someone really steps up. Rayner and Rattin are ok. But I doubt any talk about great NIU LB crews start off with - “what about Rattin, Rayner and———-“

(09-21-2021 08:30 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  So we are all in agreement the scheme SUCKS.

The scheme sucks 100. But there’s holes all over the D as well. The offense transitioned from old coach to Hammock very well. The D is now a complete rebuild and this is just year 2. Without some major transfers coming I don’t expect to have a good defense until 23.

Jackson just might not have the guys for what he wants to run. Square peg round hole thing. And crappy coaches don’t adjust to personal. We know that all too well here.

(09-21-2021 09:32 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 08:30 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  So we are all in agreement the scheme SUCKS.

The scheme sucks 100. But there’s holes all over the D as well. The offense transitioned from old coach to Hammock very well. The D is now a complete rebuild and this is just year 2. Without some major transfers coming I don’t expect to have a good defense until 23.

Jackson just might not have the guys for what he wants to run. Square peg round hole thing. And crappy coaches don’t adjust to personal. We know that all too well here.

What exactly is it he wants to run? It’s schematically flawed, a non viable defense with anyone out there.

Defense isn’t offense. You must adjust to what you have out there.

(09-21-2021 09:45 AM)BigChilla Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:32 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 08:30 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  So we are all in agreement the scheme SUCKS.

The scheme sucks 100. But there’s holes all over the D as well. The offense transitioned from old coach to Hammock very well. The D is now a complete rebuild and this is just year 2. Without some major transfers coming I don’t expect to have a good defense until 23.

Jackson just might not have the guys for what he wants to run. Square peg round hole thing. And crappy coaches don’t adjust to personal. We know that all too well here.

What exactly is it he wants to run? It’s schematically flawed, a non viable defense with anyone out there.

Defense isn’t offense. You must adjust to what you have out there.

I’m as confused as anyone as to what he’s doing schematically. But he’s not Ted Lasso coming from a totally different sport. He didn’t come from the CFL or arena league. Purdue, Michigan State, wake forest, Syracuse....I’m sure he’s running some standard stuff most of the time. It’s just that often it seems he runs stuff at the wrong time. Like he doesn’t recognize what the offense is trying to do.

(09-21-2021 10:14 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:45 AM)BigChilla Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:32 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 08:30 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  So we are all in agreement the scheme SUCKS.

The scheme sucks 100. But there’s holes all over the D as well. The offense transitioned from old coach to Hammock very well. The D is now a complete rebuild and this is just year 2. Without some major transfers coming I don’t expect to have a good defense until 23.

Jackson just might not have the guys for what he wants to run. Square peg round hole thing. And crappy coaches don’t adjust to personal. We know that all too well here.

What exactly is it he wants to run? It’s schematically flawed, a non viable defense with anyone out there.

Defense isn’t offense. You must adjust to what you have out there.

I’m as confused as anyone as to what he’s doing schematically. But he’s not Ted Lasso coming from a totally different sport. He didn’t come from the CFL or arena league. Purdue, Michigan State, wake forest, Syracuse....I’m sure he’s running some standard stuff most of the time. It’s just that often it seems he runs stuff at the wrong time. Like he doesn’t recognize what the offense is trying to do.

Right but the only time he was a “DC”…actually a CO-DC…he was demoted. Sometimes the strategy escapes people.

Maybe he’s a great fundamentals teacher…but I am not having a 6th grade math teacher write up an algorithm to calculate how close asteroids are coming to the earth…that’s just over his head.

(09-21-2021 12:42 PM)BigChilla Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:14 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:45 AM)BigChilla Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:32 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 08:30 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  So we are all in agreement the scheme SUCKS.

The scheme sucks 100. But there’s holes all over the D as well. The offense transitioned from old coach to Hammock very well. The D is now a complete rebuild and this is just year 2. Without some major transfers coming I don’t expect to have a good defense until 23.

Jackson just might not have the guys for what he wants to run. Square peg round hole thing. And crappy coaches don’t adjust to personal. We know that all too well here.

What exactly is it he wants to run? It’s schematically flawed, a non viable defense with anyone out there.

Defense isn’t offense. You must adjust to what you have out there.

I’m as confused as anyone as to what he’s doing schematically. But he’s not Ted Lasso coming from a totally different sport. He didn’t come from the CFL or arena league. Purdue, Michigan State, wake forest, Syracuse....I’m sure he’s running some standard stuff most of the time. It’s just that often it seems he runs stuff at the wrong time. Like he doesn’t recognize what the offense is trying to do.

Right but the only time he was a “DC”…actually a CO-DC…he was demoted. Sometimes the strategy escapes people.

Maybe he’s a great fundamentals teacher…but I am not having a 6th grade math teacher write up an algorithm to calculate how close asteroids are coming to the earth…that’s just over his head.

It certainly seems that way. And it sucks always having our positions filled by first time coaches because that’s all the program can afford.

Fletcher, if not our QB should be our LB. He's explosive, he has pop in his pants. I don't think our other LBs do.. BTW, I see that Cortez Hogan's a Carey recruit, was just offered by Boise St as a DE. He played some as true Fr at LB.

“Has pop in his pants”

Pause!

Maybe beg Tom Trieb to come back. 6’3”, 260lb DE from the 2019 class. So far at COD in 3 games he has 6.5 sacks, 21 tackles and 10 TFLs. That class got gutted defensively. Regardless if it was the players or Hammock.

(09-21-2021 09:27 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  If the thought is going to persist here about “youth”, well then this LB crew isn’t going to be good for a few more years. It may be the big weak spot on D. It’s all freshman or C freshman after Devaux and Rattin. Devaux is gone next year. As it is now this is one of the weaker LB crews in long time. Just a couple years ago Devaux was the bottom guy because he was next to AJD and Pugh.

I think D-line is going to be fine. Even good. But LB might be an issue unless someone really steps up. Rayner and Rattin are ok. But I doubt any talk about great NIU LB crews start off with - “what about Rattin, Rayner and———-“

Agree here.. the DLine you can squint and see a pretty good group there even by this year in MAC Play and certainly going forward, I don't see a shortage of talent or effort from there.

That linebacking crew though is pretty concerning, lot further to go before I'd be confident in their play.

(09-22-2021 09:57 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Maybe beg Tom Trieb to come back. 6’3”, 260lb DE from the 2019 class. So far at COD in 3 games he has 6.5 sacks, 21 tackles and 10 TFLs. That class got gutted defensively. Regardless if it was the players or Hammock.

Yep and Cortez Hogan from Palatine was just offered by Boise St via Snow CC. College coaches always chase out players on a rebuild.

(09-22-2021 10:45 AM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(09-22-2021 09:57 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Maybe beg Tom Trieb to come back. 6’3”, 260lb DE from the 2019 class. So far at COD in 3 games he has 6.5 sacks, 21 tackles and 10 TFLs. That class got gutted defensively. Regardless if it was the players or Hammock.

Yep and Cortez Hogan from Palatine was just offered by Boise St via Snow CC. College coaches always chase out players on a rebuild.

Was he chased out or he didn't have the grades? If we was talented he could have transferred to another FBS (or FCS) and followed Carey to Temple. My guess is he had to go to JUCO due to his grades.

(09-22-2021 10:58 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-22-2021 10:45 AM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(09-22-2021 09:57 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Maybe beg Tom Trieb to come back. 6’3”, 260lb DE from the 2019 class. So far at COD in 3 games he has 6.5 sacks, 21 tackles and 10 TFLs. That class got gutted defensively. Regardless if it was the players or Hammock.

Yep and Cortez Hogan from Palatine was just offered by Boise St via Snow CC. College coaches always chase out players on a rebuild.

Was he chased out or he didn't have the grades? If we was talented he could have transferred to another FBS (or FCS) and followed Carey to Temple. My guess is he had to go to JUCO due to his grades.

We’re the transfer rules in effect in 2019? Then Covid 2020 screwed that season up. Who knows. CB Romel Goston is on the COD team as well. He was our highest rated recruit on defense in 2019. I don’t know or care at this point why so many defensive guys left. But it’s definitely hurting the team now.

(09-21-2021 01:30 PM)7 Wrote:  “Has pop in his pants”

Pause!

I knew someone would catch that! I never heard that phrase before.