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- Oct 21, 2011
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Sorry I didn't get to this sooner, as I had promised on [MENTION=5374]HurricaneVision[/MENTION]'s thread, and now will likely cut it shorter because the game is tomorrow. It's been a hellish week.
Bottom line is our DE rotations have become very predictable. To the point we're not shuffling as much as being in a pattern. I watched all the DL snaps from the VT game, and saw that we'd bring in Trent Harris at LDE and D-Jax at RDE after a series or specific amount of plays. For example, if we get a 3 and out against ND in the first defensive series tomorrow, we'll likely have backup DEs in there for the 2nd series. Obviously, now D-Jax is out.
The relevance of this is greater now. Why? Because I also watched our incredibly talented phenom, Jon Garvin, have a few issues against the run against a backup LT. I'm not subscribing to this "ND left side of OL is unstoppable," but I am acknowledging Garvin may not quite be there yet as a guy to set, hold and dominate the edge. I mean, what more can we ask from the kid. Frankly, Joe Jackson himself has had a few plays where he peeks inside or gets caught. He also gets held like a beast.
So what does this mean?
I expect Manny to acknowledge this via blitz packages (e.g. corner or slot blitz), stunts and games. It makes us slightly more vulnerable and predictable on defense, and I'd look to see what ND calls as soon as we trot out our 2nd unit DL. Against our 1s, I expect them to attack in the quick passing game, with the QB run and outside. Against our 2s, I'd expect to see them test us downhill.
Coach Diaz can cover it up, but in doing so it leaves us with weaknesses elsewhere. It wouldn't surprise me to see ND move and score more often than we'd like. Perhaps a game in the 30s, though I hope the defense goes to the next level. Should be a really fun chess match to watch tomorrow. Then again, maybe Joe Jackson rotates out less or Garvin plays out of his mind at RDE. They're both certainly capable. And, I believe our defense still has another gear.
Bottom line is our DE rotations have become very predictable. To the point we're not shuffling as much as being in a pattern. I watched all the DL snaps from the VT game, and saw that we'd bring in Trent Harris at LDE and D-Jax at RDE after a series or specific amount of plays. For example, if we get a 3 and out against ND in the first defensive series tomorrow, we'll likely have backup DEs in there for the 2nd series. Obviously, now D-Jax is out.
The relevance of this is greater now. Why? Because I also watched our incredibly talented phenom, Jon Garvin, have a few issues against the run against a backup LT. I'm not subscribing to this "ND left side of OL is unstoppable," but I am acknowledging Garvin may not quite be there yet as a guy to set, hold and dominate the edge. I mean, what more can we ask from the kid. Frankly, Joe Jackson himself has had a few plays where he peeks inside or gets caught. He also gets held like a beast.
So what does this mean?
I expect Manny to acknowledge this via blitz packages (e.g. corner or slot blitz), stunts and games. It makes us slightly more vulnerable and predictable on defense, and I'd look to see what ND calls as soon as we trot out our 2nd unit DL. Against our 1s, I expect them to attack in the quick passing game, with the QB run and outside. Against our 2s, I'd expect to see them test us downhill.
Coach Diaz can cover it up, but in doing so it leaves us with weaknesses elsewhere. It wouldn't surprise me to see ND move and score more often than we'd like. Perhaps a game in the 30s, though I hope the defense goes to the next level. Should be a really fun chess match to watch tomorrow. Then again, maybe Joe Jackson rotates out less or Garvin plays out of his mind at RDE. They're both certainly capable. And, I believe our defense still has another gear.
