The talent base of the senior defensive class is the worse I've seen in my 29 years of being a canes fan. And one of my biggest gripes were that players like Highsmith, Gaines and Cornelius were terrible and did not fit into our future plans but got so many reps. A Jamal Carter should have been given Highsmith's reps, a Kirby given Gaines reps and Grace given Cornelius reps. Now those young players may not have been ready, and could have given up the over 500 a game too but they sure as **** have more upside and future potential in a canes uniform and could have gotten key development that would helps us this year...smh
I don't understand why it has to be 'the players' or 'the scheme' when it's pretty obvious it was both. Coaches were obviously trying to do too much with too little.
This. But I would add that I think the coaching staff couldn't wait any longer to implement the defense they are looking to run due to them not having the full complement of players needed. They had to take their lumps at some point at the expense of bad results. Mix all this up and you get what you got.