Manny Confirms Blake Baker is Still calling the Defense

To be honest, given how shorthanded this team was at crucial positions, especially on the defensive side of the ball, facing one of the top rushing offenses in the country, they played far better that they were advertised to.

VT averaged over 250 yards rushing and over six yards per carry coming into this game. Facing a weakened Miami D-Line, they rushed for 160 yards on 41 attempts.

We also had 11 tackles for loss and six sacks vs a team that was supposed to be stout up front.
 
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When I was defensive coordinator, the input from guys like Ephraim Banda, Jonathan Patke, and Mike Rumph…we have all been together in the scheme for so long and we have all seen the same things. We have guys that have been together since 2011, so that communication is going on and we have great ideas from everybody on the staff. I am really excited about the way we are getting better on defense and the way those guys are playing—and we needed it. We needed to make plays and Blake made some great calls to get after the quarterback in that game.”
What’s your source on this one? 247 again? Also, do you really think Manny is going to say oh yea I took over playcalling for the second week in a row. He’s not one to throw coaches under the bus.
 
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He did not say Baker was the primary defensive playcaller. He basically said the its a collaborative effort and they constantly communicate with Baker making some great calls to get after the QB.

Could very well be coach speak for "I called the defense but Blake contributes heavily and made some great blitz suggestions"

Who knows, its all conjecture but a good head coach doesn't rip his assistants publicly. That has no positive effect. He just goes about his business and upgrades the position in the offseason.
 
Yeah well it’s obvious he’s going to manny for confirmation or manny is more involved in some capacity compared to earlier. I’m not buying it. Hope Manny doesn’t put blind faith into Baker, because it will be his downfall. Fan base is not satisfied with the defense.
 
When was the last time you heard a HC throw one of his assistants under the bus? Whether or not Manny was calling the D plays, at this point in the season, Manny’s not going to upset the Apple cart by throwing any of his assistants under the bus. I wouldn’t either. Wait until the end of the season to make any necessary changes.
 
Manny highlighting Baker’s play calling in public is no bueno for Baker.
 
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If grading, defense is a C+ at best. Still struggle against the run and secondary play is erratic. Tackling is spotty. Also factor in a stretch of games against backup QBs or starter coming off an injury. Defense definitely gets credit for its late play against Va Tech, but also think Fuentes play calling did us a favor.
 
Diaz isnt gonna go public that he took over playcalling

Totally agree. We have seen enough these last two games where the defense suddenly changes to have a fairly good sense that either Baker purposely calls a bad game for 2-3 qtrs and then magically changes his philisophy/playcalling, or Manny took over in frustration.
 
We held VT to two touchdowns below their scoring average.

Defense, despite the CIS hysteria, has played about two halves of really bad football all season.

Got to keep getting better cause two huge late season tests are coming in Wake and UNC,
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When I was defensive coordinator, the input from guys like Ephraim Banda, Jonathan Patke, and Mike Rumph…we have all been together in the scheme for so long and we have all seen the same things. We have guys that have been together since 2011, so that communication is going on and we have great ideas from everybody on the staff. I am really excited about the way we are getting better on defense and the way those guys are playing—and we needed it. We needed to make plays and Blake made some great calls to get after the quarterback in that game.”

Manny is not the kind of coach who is going to destroy someone. He will keep it between them. Whatever is happening I just know the last two weeks the 4th quarter has been extremely bad for NC State and Va Tech
 
their best player didn’t play but like 4 snaps and when he did play they scored and moved the ball easily.

Baker got lucky that Herbert was injured.

Our best player opted out and we haven't made one execuse. " we " (canes fans) So did Va Tech get lucky we were down 13 players??? Did they get lucky Rousseau opted out???
 
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