What I see as the biggest defensive problem

[sanjosecrimson]

Keon was not just 5*, but rated the top pass rusher in the nation-watch his films, strikingly fast off the block. Kane W wants him to gain weight, transforming him to defensive lineman.

I mentioned that fact before the season began. the reason for his change in position was due to our lack of depth on the DL. it's not a bad move and hopefully Keeley can develop into a force.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

It's been reported and I didn't pay attention to it Saturday because I was teed off but Womack was not engaged as much with players on the sidelines but it was Chuck McDonald? So maybe some different philosophy is coming?

Or maybe he's letting his position coaches do some work and very well could have been over-involved in trying to run everything. Even the DC has to delegate some work on the sidelines. No way he can attend and coach every position group during games. I just feel it's too early for philosophy changes. But I've been wrong before.

 

[gtgilbert]

Getting back to the Pass Rush, we don't really have one unless we bring the house. I remember Gmac saying earlier in the year that we don't have an athlete that is a threat to pressure like we've had in the past.

That's probably been the biggest player-personnel issue we've had on defense since Q Williams left. I think he was the last DL'man who could disrupt the LOS on just about every play. UGA has been experiencing the same thing since Carter left for the NFL. We simply cannot get pressure on the QB and that "ain't" good.

I think GMAC was likely referring to Anderson, Turner and Braswell. We don't have anyone remotely close to that at the moment. We have some who might get close later in their careers but they are not there yet.

While Q Williams was far and away our best IDL, we had some pretty productive guys in Davis, Barmore and Mathis since then who could all get pressure inside.

 

[dvldog]

This defense needs a ball control offense which we don’t have. Or if we do it’s sitting on the bench getting ready (apparently) for next year.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think GMAC was likely referring to Anderson, Turner and Braswell. We don't have anyone remotely close to that at the moment. We have some who might get close later in their careers but they are not there yet.

While Q Williams was far and away our best IDL, we had some pretty productive guys in Davis, Barmore and Mathis since then who could all get pressure inside.

As one player said about guarding Q Williams "He's like blocking a wet bar of soap". In other words, unblockable. We need one of those types to emerge.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

This defense needs a ball control offense which we don’t have. Or if we do it’s sitting on the bench getting ready (apparently) for next year.

I noticed before we scored the final td we were running the play clock down to four seconds. That is a big change from previous games. Bernard should have never scored. Take a knee and we're done.

 

[gtgilbert]

Russaw is a future NFL talent, but he's not 100%.
Q Robinson is playing well. Koht has potential but just not consistent.
Pierre will be fine once he gains the necessary weight.

Robinson does really well on pass rush downs, or when he's a bit off ball or pretty far outside the OT in space on run downs. He might even have an NFL future as a pure pass rush specialist. When he has to try to hold the edge against an OT right at the edge though, he can get overpowered and lose contain. Same with Koht really.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Robinson does really well on pass rush downs, or when he's a bit off ball or pretty far outside the OT in space on run downs. He might even have an NFL future as a pure pass rush specialist. When he has to try to hold the edge against an OT right at the edge though, he can get overpowered and lose contain. Same with Koht really.

We were collapsing on both edges of the DL Saturday and it burnt us a lot. Both DEs can't constantly take inside moves and NOT successfully get to the QB.

 

[B1GTide]

I would be tempted to go for it on every 4th down if I was facing us.

Thank God Ole Miss isn't on the schedule - they actually would.

 

[SkullDuckery]

A few comments that may or may not prove anything. First, I still question whether or not the supposedly great recruiting classes were truly great or recruiting services hype. Second, Womack and DeBoer crossed paths at Indiana for one season, IIRC. Is it possible that DeBoer hired Wommack because of a past friendship and the fact that Wommack could help him recruit in the South since DeBoer was coming from a completely different part of the country and had little knowledge of the SEC. We have discussed loyalty to assistants at the expense of success, could this be another situation like that?

Is Deboer supposed to fire him six games in?

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Is Deboer supposed to fire him six games in?

What a crap show that would cause. There would be players hitting the transfer portal left and right, and then you'd start seeing de-commits because of the perception of chaos. Firing a DC six games in would be catastrophic and an absolutely dumb move.

 

[B1GTide]

What a crap show that would cause. There would be players hitting the transfer portal left and right, and then you'd start seeing de-commits because of the perception of chaos. Firing a DC six games in would be catastrophic and an absolutely dumb move.

No serious fan really wants him gone now. Those are just emotional folks venting.

And DeBoer needs at least 3-4 years before any decisions are made. The SEC is just different.

Honestly, I know too many professional coaches to lightly call for a person's job. But that doesn't keep me from offering fair criticism.

 

[GrayTide]

I did not mean to imply he would fire Wommack before the season was over.

 

[Con]

I noticed before we scored the final td we were running the play clock down to four seconds. That is a big change from previous games. Bernard should have never scored. Take a knee and we're done.

I noticed that too. We looked much better at that vs. South Carolina.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

If anyone was curious, here is where we stand on Defense after 6 games Nationally...

Scoring Defense - 41st (20.8 ppg)
Total Defense - 55th (342.5 ypg)
Rushing Defense - 54th (129.17 ypg)
Passing Defense - 62nd (213.3 ypg)

Opponent 3rd Down Conv Rate - 23rd (31.25%) That appears decent until you look at 4th Downs
Opponent 4th Down Conv Rate - 119th (70.95 %) 12 of 17 Attempts
Opponent Red Zone Conv Rate - 64th (83.33%) 15 of 18 Attempts
Opponent Red Zone TD Rate - 51st (55.56%)

Also of note: we have given up 10 TD's in the Red Zone and 5 FG's, so 66% of the time an opponent scores in the Redzone it's a TD

TOP - 110th (27 mins 43 sec per game) - This is partly because the Offense doesn't sustain time consuming drives but also because the Defense ultimately can not get off the field on 3rd and 4th down.

I tried to find how many Penalties have extended drives on 3rd and 4th down but couldn't.

Total Penalties - 119th (7.8 per game for 72.2 yards pg)


I do not know if we are struggling because the players don't fit the scheme or if they do not understand the scheme and are still learning or if Wommack is adjusting to a way more talented Conference, or if he's just not good enough for this level?

I'm not saying he should be fired because as others have said that would be too much disruption.

But we are middle of the pack to worst in the country in just about every meaningful defensive metric.

5 of our 6 games have been against WKU, USF, Wisc (with their starting QB out), Vanderbilt and USCe

When you take into account the Talent we still have and the opponents we have played this is just unacceptable performance.

5 of our next 6 games will be against Tenn, Mizzou, LSU, AU, and OU

We better figure things out quick or we will be Bowl'ing in Mid to late December.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Is Deboer supposed to fire him six games in?

You only fire an assistant coach 6 games in if things are going really bad and you are trying to save your own job. I remember a certain former barn coach and current US senator that did that.

 

[Cruloc]

If anyone was curious, here is where we stand on Defense after 6 games Nationally...

Scoring Defense - 41st (20.8 ppg)
Total Defense - 55th (342.5 ypg)
Rushing Defense - 54th (129.17 ypg)
Passing Defense - 62nd (213.3 ypg)

Opponent 3rd Down Conv Rate - 23rd (31.25%) That appears decent until you look at 4th Downs
Opponent 4th Down Conv Rate - 119th (70.95 %) 12 of 17 Attempts
Opponent Red Zone Conv Rate - 64th (83.33%) 15 of 18 Attempts
Opponent Red Zone TD Rate - 51st (55.56%)

Also of note: we have given up 10 TD's in the Red Zone and 5 FG's, so 66% of the time an opponent scores in the Redzone it's a TD

TOP - 110th (27 mins 43 sec per game) - This is partly because the Offense doesn't sustain time consuming drives but also because the Defense ultimately can not get off the field on 3rd and 4th down.

I tried to find how many Penalties have extended drives on 3rd and 4th down but couldn't.

Total Penalties - 119th (7.8 per game for 72.2 yards pg)


I do not know if we are struggling because the players don't fit the scheme or if they do not understand the scheme and are still learning or if Wommack is adjusting to a way more talented Conference, or if he's just not good enough for this level?

I'm not saying he should be fired because as others have said that would be too much disruption.

But we are middle of the pack to worst in the country in just about every meaningful defensive metric.

5 of our 6 games have been against WKU, USF, Wisc (with their starting QB out), Vanderbilt and USCe

When you take into account the Talent we still have and the opponents we have played this is just unacceptable performance.

5 of our next 6 games will be against Tenn, Mizzou, LSU, AU, and OU

We better figure things out quick or we will be Bowl'ing in Mid to late December.

There was a comment by DeBoer in his press conference, I think today.....he stated in so many words that the guys are still getting used to play calls. That they'll call something and it may be the same as something they've had before but the play is completely different.

Sounds like they are still retraining their brains. Things aren't second nature yet obviously.

I imagine that goes for both the offense and defense.

 

[Rkharley98]

I see numerous problems with the defense. Lot has to do with a totally different defense than we had under Coach Saban, new schemes, philosophy, coaches etc. Growing pains if you will. But what I can’t understand is lack of fundamental tackling. Put the ball carrier on the ground. Light him up!!!

 

[Jack Bourbon]

I see numerous problems with the defense. Lot has to do with a totally different defense than we had under Coach Saban, new schemes, philosophy, coaches etc. Growing pains if you will. But what I can’t understand is lack of fundamental tackling. Put the ball carrier on the ground. Light him up!!!

I agree. They keep getting dragged 4-5 yards if not outright whiffing.

 

[cdub55]

There was a comment by DeBoer in his press conference, I think today.....he stated in so many words that the guys are still getting used to play calls. That they'll call something and it may be the same as something they've had before but the play is completely different.

Sounds like they are still retraining their brains. Things aren't second nature yet obviously.

I imagine that goes for both the offense and defense.

I know this maybe crazy but how about not call something the same thing that meant something different the previous year.