To me, I don't get involved with this 4-3, 3-4, x's and o's discussion on defense. To me, defense is very simple.... it comes down to fundamentals and effort.
A good defense is a defense that tackles well.
You know how you can tell we're not a very good defense? Go back and re-watch the Georgia Tech game, the Nebraska game, the second half of FSU. We are NOT a good tackling team. Here's the test: does the first guy to the ball make the tackle? In Miami's case, the answer is NO. TOO MANY whiffed tackles that take what would be a 2 or 3 yard loss and turn it in to a 5 or 6 yard gain because the second or third guy has to come in and clean up.
The only really good tackler we had was Denzel Perryman.
So that said, here is my question. I know that in the past, when we fielded our best defenses, Miami practices were very physical and we were in pads a lot, and practice was full contact a lot.
It seems like under Al Golden, we're hardly ever in pads, there's hardly any hitting in practice.... but there sure is a lot of dodgeball! Look, if you don't practice something, you won't improve. We're a poor tackling team because we have a sissified way of practicing now ever since AL Golden showed up.
Do you think we need to start tackling more in practice?
A good defense is a defense that tackles well.
You know how you can tell we're not a very good defense? Go back and re-watch the Georgia Tech game, the Nebraska game, the second half of FSU. We are NOT a good tackling team. Here's the test: does the first guy to the ball make the tackle? In Miami's case, the answer is NO. TOO MANY whiffed tackles that take what would be a 2 or 3 yard loss and turn it in to a 5 or 6 yard gain because the second or third guy has to come in and clean up.
The only really good tackler we had was Denzel Perryman.
So that said, here is my question. I know that in the past, when we fielded our best defenses, Miami practices were very physical and we were in pads a lot, and practice was full contact a lot.
It seems like under Al Golden, we're hardly ever in pads, there's hardly any hitting in practice.... but there sure is a lot of dodgeball! Look, if you don't practice something, you won't improve. We're a poor tackling team because we have a sissified way of practicing now ever since AL Golden showed up.
Do you think we need to start tackling more in practice?
