I posted this elsewhere, but I'm also posting it here as well:
The LBs are our biggest issues in coverage, and there is no fix happening now. But they're not the only issues. Lucas has taken a step back from last year. EOC is basically the same as last year, while we at least hoped he'd take a small step forward. Our 3rd corners haven't been good, and frankly, aren't up to the standard of athletes they need to be. They get run away from too easily, and can't plant there foot and go when in spot coverage.
Poyser seems to be a nice kid, but he is a below average athlete for what should be out there on this level of team. When he's in position to make a tackle he usually makes it, but he just can't get to the spots he needs to be. It is what it is. JJ has had a very good year for a frosh, but he gets picked on at times in coverage, which happens to frosh. Thorton just can't play in coverage and Day should be a career 4th or 5th stringer who helps on special teams.
There's no new personnel walking through the door at this point, but they need to get Fitzgerald back at safety and paired with JJ. They're our best at seeing, reading, and getting to the spot. That will help cover up some of the coverage issues from our LBs and corners.
From a schematic standpoint, I'd love to see Hetherman utilize more Bear fronts. Our LBs aren't going to miraculously become good in pass coverage. That ship has sailed. But the Bear front can at least create more confusion for college QBs for when they're coming and where they're dropping to. Rememeber, these are college QBs we're facing, not NFL QBs. they get confused, and it doesn't need to be exotic. The Bear front isn't exotic.
Also, I'd like to see more blitzing from our nickel spot tight to the line, not the 10 yard off the line blitzes we're seeing. Make offenses speed up processing and make o-lines communicate quickly on pass offs. Our d-line is getting pressure, but the difference is this year they're not getting all the way home. That near line blitz is something I feel would create a split second of confusion that will allow our line to get all the way home.
