Rewatched the tape...I think it can be fixed.

DB's need to get back to the basics with tackling rugby style

#3 hesitates to much instead of running through the player low wrapping up the legs to the dirt . He slows down thinking too much and by the he gets to make a tackle he's reaching high from the side letting the carrier get extra 3-5 yards.

#6 #7 i believe are scared of being tossed out for unnecessary roughness/unsportsman like conduct

Man i dont think we need to blitz as much.

You all see where Brohm gets his playcalling skills from. Petrino is a wizard scheming against zones & blitzes. I will say Pruitt was an inch away from tipping that 2nd touchdown to Thurman.

Some posters been calling it the zone blitz leaves a big soft open in the middle of the field and the flats and thats where everybody since wake forest been attacking side to side then over the middle and then over the top once we creep up a bit.

Safeties need to be on the phone and pick jakobe thomas brain i think he's as big of a miss than 3 & 4 last year those screens wouldve been called out and met with heavy pressure tackled for a loss or minimum gain.
The TE and receivers would think twice about running in the whole in the middle because Thomas would light you up like Toure. Right now nobody is posing as a threat/enforcer. Poyser can be that enforcer but not from FS.

I believe we get our identity back before the playoffs ( I hope ). They're playing undiciplined and lackadaisical knowing the offense going to come thru. We need them to get back to the basics cause nobody fearing our defense right now (passing wise).
Jakobe was underappreciated by the fans, not only was he a senior enforcer but he also got INTs in pass defense. We dont have anyone like that on roster right now. A hammer enforcer who liked hitting and tackling who is senior leader on back end who also can cover TEs and get INT in pass coverage.. He might not be the athlete our freshman is but he was a senior who didnt take many false steps and get lost in coverage..couldnt get pushed off 1 on1 with TE.. and was a hammer of a tackler and cleaned up
 
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So now, people are taking aim at Terry Jefferson as their new scapegoat, that's interesting.

The players who performed the worst this game, was Zechariah Poyser - Safety, The LB group, Fitzgerald - Safety & JJ Dunnigan - Safety.

The Safeties Coach is Will Harris
The LB's Coach is Corey Heatherman

Both of whom are in their 2nd year in their spots, while Jefferson just came back after being at Jax ST. Not to mention, the CB room has been decimated with injuries the entire season.

The Safety & the LB room have been relatively healthy all year.

But Jefferson is the problem??

If yall say so.
Honestly, I have a ton of respect for your take on things. What is your diagnosis of what is going on?
 
It’s one thing to say you lost players to the draft. It’s another thing to say you lost multiple nfl starters.
Wasn’t there a year where Richt had like 7 players drafted?

A guy that goes in the 6th round and is third string or on the verge of getting traded, released, or getting sent to the practice squad is not in the same stratosphere as a player who is starting in the league as a rookie or getting a lot snaps as a rookie.
 
Honestly, I have a ton of respect for your take on things. What is your diagnosis of what is going on?
- Bad Defensive calls
- Petrino had us figured out on tape
- Misalignment
- Safeties missing their assignments
- LB's misreading the Hole-Zones & not being athletically inclined enough to cover
- Personnel issues due to mass injuries

It's primarily Heatherman not wanting to give up anything in his Run Defensive calls & essentially sacrificing the Seam & Flats coverage to sell out to stop the run.
 
People who are saying "it can't be fixed & the ceiling is the ACC" aren't watching other teams play lol. You also said this last year after our losses.
I would imagine anything “CAN” be fixed…the question is will it be?

That truly felt like watching Cam on the sideline in 2024 as he just prepared to get right back on the field since the defense was a soaking wet paper bag and he knew he was going to have to go out and answer every time. It did not get fixed that year.

Anyone who was honest after FSU said…Ruh roh…the problem is getting worse. Many said..oh it was because it is a rivalry game, or..it was raining…

This defense didn’t learn how to defend (much less anticipate) a freaking screen play and wide outs were wide open making uncontested catches all night.

So, again..sure…things “can” be fixed..but will they? I hope so…but Bye week to really instill some changes, then FSU like we didn’t have a bye week, then learning nothing from FSU and literally regressing to UNC? Hard sell
 
I would imagine anything “CAN” be fixed…the question is will it be?

That truly felt like watching Cam on the sideline in 2024 as he just prepared to get right back on the field since the defense was a soaking wet paper bag and he knew he was going to have to go out and answer every time. It did not get fixed that year.

Anyone who was honest after FSU said…Ruh roh…the problem is getting worse. Many said..oh it was because it is a rivalry game, or..it was raining…

This defense didn’t learn how to defend (much less anticipate) a freaking screen play and wide outs were wide open making uncontested catches all night.

So, again..sure…things “can” be fixed..but will they? I hope so…but Bye week to really instill some changes, then FSU like we didn’t have a bye week, then learning nothing from FSU and literally regressing to UNC? Hard sell
It's not as bad as 2024. Last night may have been but as a whole it's nowhere near as bad. We will look better vs ND.
 
So now, people are taking aim at Terry Jefferson as their new scapegoat, that's interesting.

The players who performed the worst this game, was Zechariah Poyser - Safety, The LB group, Fitzgerald - Safety & JJ Dunnigan - Safety.

The Safeties Coach is Will Harris
The LB's Coach is Corey Heatherman

Both of whom are in their 2nd year in their spots, while Jefferson just came back after being at Jax ST. Not to mention, the CB room has been decimated with injuries the entire season.

The Safety & the LB room have been relatively healthy all year.

But Jefferson is the problem??

If yall say so.
What were our Safeties and LBs doing all night? When we switched from that garbage cover 3. We then ran cover 2. That was worse!
 
- Bad Defensive calls
- Petrino had us figured out on tape
- Misalignment
- Safeties missing their assignments
- LB's misreading the Hole-Zones & not being athletically inclined enough to cover
- Personnel issues due to mass injuries

It's primarily Heatherman not wanting to give up anything in his Run Defensive calls & essentially sacrificing the Seam & Flats coverage to sell out to stop the run.
Seems as if this is his entire philosophy on defense?
 
Bryce was supposed to be elite safety and center fielder - but we are not seeing it. Poyser is not even close to footballs. in 2 seasons, how many passes has he intercepted, or even knocked down in coverage???? I cant remember him getting his hands on a football one time. Yes, he can be aggressive in run game, but he is useless in zone.
This team averages one PBU per game. It’s either a sack or a complete pass.
 
- Bad Defensive calls
- Petrino had us figured out on tape
- Misalignment
- Safeties missing their assignments
- LB's misreading the Hole-Zones & not being athletically inclined enough to cover
- Personnel issues due to mass injuries

It's primarily Heatherman not wanting to give up anything in his Run Defensive calls & essentially sacrificing the Seam & Flats coverage to sell out to stop the run.
He can’t continue like this though.: We’ve been figured out. He has to adapt..
 
I don’t think it can be fixed completely

As far as “will it be fixed” this season, I’m in agreement with those that say no, it will not be. Too many moving parts to get it right and after week 8 you historically are what you are.

So You’ll see oscillations in the result week to week and we’ll just have to hope the worse performances (last night being one of them) don’t happen to coincide with when the offense has an off day.
 
Interesting you think it can be fixed when it’s a talent issues but I agree on the issues.

Blount is a non factor at DE. Not sure if his ankle is still an issue but he is struggling to make an impact.

Wilson agreed just let him free and see what happens.

Poyser has been really bad. He can’t play zone. He is graded the worst safety in America at zone. This is why the defense is stuck. They don’t have guys who can run zone and not talented enough to play man.

Fitz im not sure what to do with him. He has talent but where is his best spot.

JJ is doing the best he can. He has been thrown to the wolves this year.

Chase had a really rough game. Have to see what Marcelin or others can do at LB on passing downs.

Scott finally showed up but need more from the DT overall.

ESPN showed lightfoot flipping off the other team so maybe they gets him sat down. Don’t need a 15yd penalty over dumb stuff .


Offense had their way. They will have to win every game from here on out.

Lucas must be hurt still cause I saw Brown in a lot in the 2nd half.

Petrino took Heatheman to school. That was about a bad of a coaching mismatch I have seen seen in a very long time.

Miami needs OJ or Antoine back but doesn’t seem like either are close.

Ryan Mack ain’t it. He got eaten alive in man coverage.

Miami will have to be **** near perfect on offense to get by ND, Duke and Tech. Hold on tight November is going to be a dog fight
Good points, but can’t sit Lightfoot as our best player on defense. Like his no BS attitude. Just needs a firm talking to.
 
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