Since D'nofrio isn't going anywhere...

[WestEndZone]

We can at least hope that our defense looks something like 2004 UVA, when Al Golden was their DC.

They were ranked in the top 20 in total defense and scoring defense (18th and 17th respectively). They allowed 17.7 points per game and 313.33 yards per game.

Take a look at this spring game film -- the squads are split, but it's all our scheme in play. Hopefully this will bring a tiny bit of possibility to the board.


[video=youtube;cJeQ77Ci6iQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJeQ77Ci6iQ[/video]

 

[jump1cane]

Keeping my fingers crossed. A top 20 defense will bring titles back to Coral Gables

 

[bigpurk45]

I hope so...

 

[Hobokane]

The 2004 UVA team went 8-4 and played this schedule-- not a lot of cause for optimism. And "hope" is not a plan.

September 4 12:00 PM at Temple* #19 Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPN2 W 44–14 20,154
September 11 3:30 PM North Carolina #20 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 56–24 62,790
September 18 3:00 PM Akron* #16 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 51–0 57,868
September 25 3:30 PM Syracuse* #12 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 31–10 59,699
October 7 7:30 PM Clemson #9 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPN W 30–10 61,833
October 16 8:00 PM at #7 Florida State #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL (Jefferson-Eppes Trophy) ESPN L 3–36 84,155
October 23 1:00 PM at Duke #15 Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 37–16 24,157
November 6 3:30 PM Maryland #13 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ABC W 16–0 63,072
November 13 3:30 PM #17 Miami #11 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 21–31 63,701
November 20 1:00 PM at Georgia Tech #18 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 30–10 43,971
November 27 1:00 PM at #11 Virginia Tech #16 Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ABC L 10–24 65,115
December 27 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* #18 Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (MPC Computers Bowl) ESPN L 34-37 OT 28,516
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches'

 

[DaU83]

We really just need to look at what they did at temple as a HC DC combo.. you either feel they got "super" lucky (doubtful).. or once they get their stuff in place they can put out good defenses (probable).

 

[jump1cane]

The 2004 UVA team went 8-4 and played this schedule-- not a lot of cause for optimism. And "hope" is not a plan.

September 4 12:00 PM at Temple* #19 Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPN2 W 44–14 20,154
September 11 3:30 PM North Carolina #20 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 56–24 62,790
September 18 3:00 PM Akron* #16 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 51–0 57,868
September 25 3:30 PM Syracuse* #12 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 31–10 59,699
October 7 7:30 PM Clemson #9 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPN W 30–10 61,833
October 16 8:00 PM at #7 Florida State #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL (Jefferson-Eppes Trophy) ESPN L 3–36 84,155
October 23 1:00 PM at Duke #15 Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 37–16 24,157
November 6 3:30 PM Maryland #13 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ABC W 16–0 63,072
November 13 3:30 PM #17 Miami #11 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 21–31 63,701
November 20 1:00 PM at Georgia Tech #18 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 30–10 43,971
November 27 1:00 PM at #11 Virginia Tech #16 Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ABC L 10–24 65,115
December 27 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* #18 Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (MPC Computers Bowl) ESPN L 34-37 OT 28,516
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches'

Yeah, but they also did not have the talent we do, so it's all relative. Besides, that schedule there is nothing different than the schedule we usually play.

 

[WestEndZone]

The 2004 UVA team went 8-4 and played this schedule-- not a lot of cause for optimism. And "hope" is not a plan.

September 4 12:00 PM at Temple* #19 Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPN2 W 44–14 20,154
September 11 3:30 PM North Carolina #20 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 56–24 62,790
September 18 3:00 PM Akron* #16 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 51–0 57,868
September 25 3:30 PM Syracuse* #12 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 31–10 59,699
October 7 7:30 PM Clemson #9 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPN W 30–10 61,833
October 16 8:00 PM at #7 Florida State #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL (Jefferson-Eppes Trophy) ESPN L 3–36 84,155
October 23 1:00 PM at Duke #15 Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 37–16 24,157
November 6 3:30 PM Maryland #13 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ABC W 16–0 63,072
November 13 3:30 PM #17 Miami #11 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 21–31 63,701
November 20 1:00 PM at Georgia Tech #18 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 30–10 43,971
November 27 1:00 PM at #11 Virginia Tech #16 Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ABC L 10–24 65,115
December 27 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* #18 Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (MPC Computers Bowl) ESPN L 34-37 OT 28,516
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches'

Negative bull$hit. A top 20 defense in despite an 8-4 record, losing to better teams, is still positive. They're still UVA at the end of the day. Nothing is changing in the staff. You can choose to be miserable this year or you can choose to have hope.

 

[Colt15Blackout]

Anything is possible!!!!

 

[Hurracanes]

The fact that you hope for our Defense to perform like the 2004 Virginia Defense, which was really not that impressive, is sad.

 

[WestEndZone]

The fact that you hope for our Defense to perform like the 2004 Virginia Defense, which was really not that impressive, is sad.

You must not have followed. The point of my post was to point out relevant history. That's the best defense Al Golden and company have fielded. I would love for our defense to perform like our 1986 defense but that's kind of far fetched at this point. We're stuck with these coaches and scheme -- 2004 UVA is the best example of our coaches and scheme.

Reading comprehension -- learn it.

 

[Hobokane]

The 2004 UVA team went 8-4 and played this schedule-- not a lot of cause for optimism. And "hope" is not a plan.

September 4 12:00 PM at Temple* #19 Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPN2 W 44–14 20,154
September 11 3:30 PM North Carolina #20 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 56–24 62,790
September 18 3:00 PM Akron* #16 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 51–0 57,868
September 25 3:30 PM Syracuse* #12 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 31–10 59,699
October 7 7:30 PM Clemson #9 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPN W 30–10 61,833
October 16 8:00 PM at #7 Florida State #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL (Jefferson-Eppes Trophy) ESPN L 3–36 84,155
October 23 1:00 PM at Duke #15 Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 37–16 24,157
November 6 3:30 PM Maryland #13 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ABC W 16–0 63,072
November 13 3:30 PM #17 Miami #11 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 21–31 63,701
November 20 1:00 PM at Georgia Tech #18 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 30–10 43,971
November 27 1:00 PM at #11 Virginia Tech #16 Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ABC L 10–24 65,115
December 27 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* #18 Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (MPC Computers Bowl) ESPN L 34-37 OT 28,516
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches'

Negative bull$hit. A top 20 defense in despite an 8-4 record, losing to better teams, is still positive. They're still UVA at the end of the day. Nothing is changing in the staff. You can choose to be miserable this year or you can choose to have hope.

Since when did you get the mantle of "arbiter" for what passes for acceptable thought on this board???

So long as I opine & back it up with facts, and don't demean anyone here in the process, I'm entitled to my opinion-- which isn't based on false optimism, or "hope" like you.

The fact you're hoping we can achieve UVA type status, and THAT'S your expectation, says a lot. That schedule is not representative of our typical schedule-- looks a lot like this years, which we couldn't handle you might note. The biggest negative surrounding this program isn't discontented message board posters BTW.

 

[jerzeycane]

Looks like the defensive scheme has evolved a little since then...at least from an alignment standpoint.

That's a straight up 3-4 like Belicheck used to run.

They are a lot more "multiple" as D'Onofrio likes to say.

They play over fronts. They play 4-3 under and they throw in the straight 3-4

 

[jerzeycane]

There is also an awful lot of "press bail" in that video. Don't think I saw the corners get their hands on the receivers ONCE.

I know for a fact that they don't teach two hand jams, but I didn't even see a corner get one hand on a guy and open his hips.

Artie and Tracy would be at their best getting their hands on people off the line. Just my opinion.

 

[WestEndZone]

The 2004 UVA team went 8-4 and played this schedule-- not a lot of cause for optimism. And "hope" is not a plan.

September 4 12:00 PM at Temple* #19 Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPN2 W 44–14 20,154
September 11 3:30 PM North Carolina #20 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 56–24 62,790
September 18 3:00 PM Akron* #16 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 51–0 57,868
September 25 3:30 PM Syracuse* #12 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 31–10 59,699
October 7 7:30 PM Clemson #9 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPN W 30–10 61,833
October 16 8:00 PM at #7 Florida State #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL (Jefferson-Eppes Trophy) ESPN L 3–36 84,155
October 23 1:00 PM at Duke #15 Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 37–16 24,157
November 6 3:30 PM Maryland #13 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ABC W 16–0 63,072
November 13 3:30 PM #17 Miami #11 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 21–31 63,701
November 20 1:00 PM at Georgia Tech #18 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 30–10 43,971
November 27 1:00 PM at #11 Virginia Tech #16 Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ABC L 10–24 65,115
December 27 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* #18 Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (MPC Computers Bowl) ESPN L 34-37 OT 28,516
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches'

Negative bull$hit. A top 20 defense in despite an 8-4 record, losing to better teams, is still positive. They're still UVA at the end of the day. Nothing is changing in the staff. You can choose to be miserable this year or you can choose to have hope.

Since when did you get the mantle of "arbiter" for what passes for acceptable thought on this board???

So long as I opine & back it up with facts, and don't demean anyone here in the process, I'm entitled to my opinion-- which isn't based on false optimism, or "hope" like you.

The fact you're hoping we can achieve UVA type status, and THAT'S your expectation, says a lot. That schedule is not representative of our typical schedule-- looks a lot like this years, which we couldn't handle you might note. The biggest negative surrounding this program isn't discontented message board posters BTW.

Never claimed to have any title, but thank you for the compliment. We are fans. Your voice on this board has zero effect on the program. All we can do is sit and watch. We can all agree that the negativity here is unhealthy. My original comment stated my humble hope to bring a least a little bit of positivity to the board. The tone of your response was condescending and negative, and off topic.

My original post also spoke strictly about the defense. We won 9 games this year with a much, much worse defense. Your argument is void instantly with that single fact. I also didn't state an opinion, like you claim. I just wanted to point out a previously successful defense under Al Golden that we could use as a point of reference. Chill out and watch the story unfold.

Smile.

 

[Phydeaux]

34 Ahmad Brooks LB 6'4" 249 So
56 Darryl Blackstock LB 6'4" 230 Jr
95 Chris Canty DE 6'7" 290 Sr
44 Kai Parham LB 6'3" 247 So

I don't think we have a player on our roster as good as these four now
can someone develop to that level, well that is on no(D)'onofrio and Golden

with the talent on O, anything close to the 2004 UVA defensive performance - we would have a crazy successful year

 

[Dghustla]

That defense has no teeth. Not being funny but our defense is one of the only defenses i've seen consistently take punches from opposing offenses.

 

[niner]

Posted this on another thread, but applicable here as well.

We ALL like MSU D right. Just for comparison:

As you look into the path they took to get to a top defense and a top team, I see a lot of similarities with Golden/D'No. Dantonio/Narduzzi were together at Cincy (CUSA) for 3 years, record was 18-17. In those 3 years, avg PA/G: 25.9. Went to MSU together, first 3 years, avg PA/G 25.0, record was 22-17 (2 extra losses - bowls). Sound familiar?

MSU PA/G: 2010 (Year 4 at MSU) : 22.3 2011 : 18.4 2012 : 16.3 2013 : 13.2

This is what I hope for (but a little faster than 7 years in) Si o no?

 

[WestEndZone]

Posted this on another thread, but applicable here as well.

We ALL like MSU D right. Just for comparison:

As you look into the path they took to get to a top defense and a top team, I see a lot of similarities with Golden/D'No. Dantonio/Narduzzi were together at Cincy (CUSA) for 3 years, record was 18-17. In those 3 years, avg PA/G: 25.9. Went to MSU together, first 3 years, avg PA/G 25.0, record was 22-17 (2 extra losses - bowls). Sound familiar?

MSU PA/G: 2010 (Year 4 at MSU) : 22.3 2011 : 18.4 2012 : 16.3 2013 : 13.2

This is what I hope for (but a little faster than 7 years in) Si o no?

Yessir -- lets hope for a quicker ride to the top. I'm assuming it'll be faster with this influx of talent coming in.

 

[Hobokane]

The 2004 UVA team went 8-4 and played this schedule-- not a lot of cause for optimism. And "hope" is not a plan.

September 4 12:00 PM at Temple* #19 Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPN2 W 44–14 20,154
September 11 3:30 PM North Carolina #20 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (South's Oldest Rivalry) ABC W 56–24 62,790
September 18 3:00 PM Akron* #16 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 51–0 57,868
September 25 3:30 PM Syracuse* #12 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA W 31–10 59,699
October 7 7:30 PM Clemson #9 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPN W 30–10 61,833
October 16 8:00 PM at #7 Florida State #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL (Jefferson-Eppes Trophy) ESPN L 3–36 84,155
October 23 1:00 PM at Duke #15 Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 37–16 24,157
November 6 3:30 PM Maryland #13 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA (Rivalry) ABC W 16–0 63,072
November 13 3:30 PM #17 Miami #11 Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ABC L 21–31 63,701
November 20 1:00 PM at Georgia Tech #18 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 30–10 43,971
November 27 1:00 PM at #11 Virginia Tech #16 Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA (Commonwealth Cup) ABC L 10–24 65,115
December 27 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* #18 Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (MPC Computers Bowl) ESPN L 34-37 OT 28,516
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches'

Negative bull$hit. A top 20 defense in despite an 8-4 record, losing to better teams, is still positive. They're still UVA at the end of the day. Nothing is changing in the staff. You can choose to be miserable this year or you can choose to have hope.

Since when did you get the mantle of "arbiter" for what passes for acceptable thought on this board???

So long as I opine & back it up with facts, and don't demean anyone here in the process, I'm entitled to my opinion-- which isn't based on false optimism, or "hope" like you.

The fact you're hoping we can achieve UVA type status, and THAT'S your expectation, says a lot. That schedule is not representative of our typical schedule-- looks a lot like this years, which we couldn't handle you might note. The biggest negative surrounding this program isn't discontented message board posters BTW.

Never claimed to have any title, but thank you for the compliment. We are fans. Your voice on this board has zero effect on the program. All we can do is sit and watch. We can all agree that the negativity here is unhealthy. My original comment stated my humble hope to bring a least a little bit of positivity to the board. The tone of your response was condescending and negative, and off topic.

My original post also spoke strictly about the defense. We won 9 games this year with a much, much worse defense. Your argument is void instantly with that single fact. I also didn't state an opinion, like you claim. I just wanted to point out a previously successful defense under Al Golden that we could use as a point of reference. Chill out and watch the story unfold.

Smile.

Talk about condescending???

Contrary to your logic, my reply was completely on topic, in no way condescending-- it simply didn't conform to your rose colored glasses point of view. It just happened to be counter to what your "hopeful" view was, so you attacked it. I think youre the one that could stand to chill a bit.

Nothing I wrote is "void" particularly b/c we won "9" games this year. Our schedule gets harder, and there's nothing concrete you can point to that means we'll be much better next year. Hence your humble hope.

 

[FSisco7]

I just don't feel that it fits our players style of play.