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UM Players: Defense now a strength, disruptive

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Cane2 said:
Coral Gables - New defensive line coach Randy Melvin, a 35-year coaching veteran, has impressed players with his technical knowledge. Dallas Crawford said he even offers advice to the defensive backs.

“He’s a pro,” Crawford said of Melvin, the only Hurricanes staffer who owns a Super Bowl ring (he was the 2001 New England Patriots’ defensive line coach). “He could probably teach every position on the defense.”

Ufomba Kamalu was one of several players who said Melvin, who worked at FIU last year, emphasizes “getting up-field more” and that UM’s defense — roundly criticized by fans and former players for passive play — will be more aggressive this year.

“He brought a different element to the entire defense, not just the defensive line,” Crawford said. “It’s crazy the way they’re getting off the ball and trying to make plays now.”

Areas in which the Hurricanes can improve: “More disruptive. More tackles for loss. More sacks. Improvement in the red zone. Improvement on third downs and takeaways.”

So, too, have Hurricanes fans, who have bemoaned the unit’s performance for the last four seasons. Though UM improved in several statistical categories last year, the defense simply did not contribute enough during UM’s dismal 6-7 campaign. But a group of eager players believe it is now a strength.

The Hurricanes, who were 120th in yards allowed in 2012 and 90th in 2013, jumped to 14th last year. But they allowed more than 300 rushing yards in losses at Nebraska and Georgia Tech. They finished 67th in sacks per game, 105th in tackles for loss per game and were minus-1 in turnover margin (T-67th).

Though their most proven playmaker, middle linebacker Denzel Perryman, now plays for the San Diego Chargers, an influx of depth, a dash of experience and a couple new ideas could help those numbers improve. Heading into Saturday’s scrimmage, the last major test of camp before UM’s Sept. 5 season-opener against Bethune-Cookman, no starting spots have been claimed on the defensive line, safety or the second unit of linebackers or cornerbacks. That has, in Al Golden’s words, “created competition” and “made us better.”

On defense, eight seniors and six juniors are expected to crack the two-deep depth chart. Of the linebackers, only senior middle linebacker Raphael Kirby and junior weak-side linebacker Jermaine Grace have starting spots. The strong-side job, since the spring, has been a hot competition between sophomore Darrion Owens and senior Tyriq McCord.

Three cornerbacks — senior Tracy Howard and juniors Artie Burns and Corn Elder — are battling for two positions.

At safety, seniors Deon Bush and Dallas Crawford and juniors Jamal Carter and Rayshawn Jenkins have a combined 93 games (41 starts). It’s unclear who will see the most time.

But no position is more unsettled than the defensive line, where D’Onofrio wants more disruption, quarterback pressure and turnovers.

UM hopes for increased production from holdovers such as senior nose tackle Calvin Heurtelou, senior end/tackle Ufomba Kamalu and sophomore end Chad Thomas; players coming off redshirt seasons (rush end Al-Quadin Muhammad, end/tackle Jelani Hamilton) and promising freshmen Kendrick Norton, a nose tackle, and end R.J. McIntosh.

UM plans to rotate players in and out, depending on formation; generally, it runs a base 3-4 scheme with a 4-3 “speed” package on third down. Golden commented Wednesday he believes he has the collection of size and skill to execute it properly.
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But Golden said they were a top 15 defense and were aggressive last season

:jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan::jordan:
 
Cane2 said:
Coral Gables - New defensive line coach Randy Melvin, a 35-year coaching veteran, has impressed players with his technical knowledge. Dallas Crawford said he even offers advice to the defensive backs.

“He’s a pro,” Crawford said of Melvin, the only Hurricanes staffer who owns a Super Bowl ring (he was the 2001 New England Patriots’ defensive line coach). “He could probably teach every position on the defense.”

Ufomba Kamalu was one of several players who said Melvin, who worked at FIU last year, emphasizes “getting up-field more” and that UM’s defense — roundly criticized by fans and former players for passive play — will be more aggressive this year.

“He brought a different element to the entire defense, not just the defensive line,” Crawford said. “It’s crazy the way they’re getting off the ball and trying to make plays now.”

Areas in which the Hurricanes can improve: “More disruptive. More tackles for loss. More sacks. Improvement in the red zone. Improvement on third downs and takeaways.”

So, too, have Hurricanes fans, who have bemoaned the unit’s performance for the last four seasons. Though UM improved in several statistical categories last year, the defense simply did not contribute enough during UM’s dismal 6-7 campaign. But a group of eager players believe it is now a strength.

The Hurricanes, who were 120th in yards allowed in 2012 and 90th in 2013, jumped to 14th last year. But they allowed more than 300 rushing yards in losses at Nebraska and Georgia Tech. They finished 67th in sacks per game, 105th in tackles for loss per game and were minus-1 in turnover margin (T-67th).

Though their most proven playmaker, middle linebacker Denzel Perryman, now plays for the San Diego Chargers, an influx of depth, a dash of experience and a couple new ideas could help those numbers improve. Heading into Saturday’s scrimmage, the last major test of camp before UM’s Sept. 5 season-opener against Bethune-Cookman, no starting spots have been claimed on the defensive line, safety or the second unit of linebackers or cornerbacks. That has, in Al Golden’s words, “created competition” and “made us better.”

On defense, eight seniors and six juniors are expected to crack the two-deep depth chart. Of the linebackers, only senior middle linebacker Raphael Kirby and junior weak-side linebacker Jermaine Grace have starting spots. The strong-side job, since the spring, has been a hot competition between sophomore Darrion Owens and senior Tyriq McCord.

Three cornerbacks — senior Tracy Howard and juniors Artie Burns and Corn Elder — are battling for two positions.

At safety, seniors Deon Bush and Dallas Crawford and juniors Jamal Carter and Rayshawn Jenkins have a combined 93 games (41 starts). It’s unclear who will see the most time.

But no position is more unsettled than the defensive line, where D’Onofrio wants more disruption, quarterback pressure and turnovers.

UM hopes for increased production from holdovers such as senior nose tackle Calvin Heurtelou, senior end/tackle Ufomba Kamalu and sophomore end Chad Thomas; players coming off redshirt seasons (rush end Al-Quadin Muhammad, end/tackle Jelani Hamilton) and promising freshmen Kendrick Norton, a nose tackle, and end R.J. McIntosh.

UM plans to rotate players in and out, depending on formation; generally, it runs a base 3-4 scheme with a 4-3 “speed” package on third down. Golden commented Wednesday he believes he has the collection of size and skill to execute it properly.
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This right here is exactly why there will be no difference from last season and this season. Folden talks so much about all these hybrid players on defense yet rotates them ever time an offense switching formations. Base 3-4 with a 4-3 speed package on third down. So I guess only time offenses pass is on third downs.
 
Peruche said:
While we are playing the haven't heard game.

What about.....

Michael Wyche
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Sounds like we're 3 deep at the nose with Heurtelou, Norton and Wyche. I would assume that Wyche will be a goal line and short yardage guy. Or perhaps he can run some slow developing stunts.
 
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Gatorhater said:
demcanes26 said:
calinative umstudent said:
I actually think that the difference in our teams being 6-7 last year and 10-3 is just being an aggressive more attacking defense.

And although there is no way in **** I'll believe we are actually playing a 1 gap D and are going to be aggressive, I will say that that change could singlehandedly win us 3 more games this year.
The problem has never been the talent, it's always been the scheme. And if what they say is happening is actually happening, that is a pretty **** big scheme change on defense. Too ****ing bad it couldn't have happened in 2012.
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we didn't have the talent or depth to play this style in 2012. Last year, we didn't have this type of depth either. That said, the coaches did a horrible job putting players in positions to be successful.
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If you recall, the defense did play more aggressively in a couple games last year and strangely won them. EVERYONE noticed and Al promptly denied it, going back to HIS style thereafter. Same thing in nole game-- 1st half aggressive, 2nd half AL STYLE. IF we play more aggressive defense and win, Al will not allow it. He would rather lose than be proven wrong.
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I don't think he cares about being proven wrong. He gets his check regardless. I think he is just scared of the big play, and rather play conservative. I think because of that style, we play non-aggressive defense, and lose games.
 
Zzzzzzzzz.

It's Groundhog Day with this program. Switch out the player's and coach's names in the story and I've seen this same thing run the last 5 years. Folden and Dorito run a passive scheme predicated on hoping the offense messes up.

For 10 years they've been the "nail, not the hammer." Nothing will change.
 
Who has convinced themselves more that they can fool a fan base, Al Golden or Robert Griffin III?
 
SSDY. From November of 2013:

"We want to be a 3-4 because a 3-4 lets you get more speed at linebacker, get in and out of over and under fronts. It allows you to play with four down or go to an odd front, allows you to have speed, allows you to attack more. Interceptions are up, takeaways are up, sacks are up. All that's up, but it's not good enough. So we have to continue to build it. We have to continue to build our depth, continue to develop kids. Obviously we want to attack, want to be a dynamic defense, a defense that can fly around and disrupt the passer and get tackles for loss."
 
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D line play is critical of all play...you need aggressive D line play and great safety play...Melvin know this thats why is working with the Dbs
 
sitzee said:
where's Patchan? I haven't heard anything about him
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Personally, I hope we red-shirt the kid. We *shouldn't* need him this coming season given that we finally have some depth on the line. Plus coming off an ACL tear, it would be better to have him physically develop before throwing him to the fire.
 
Nothing will change schematically but the talent is better than it's been in quite some time.

A deep DL and experienced secondary...aw **** what the **** am I even saying right now.
 
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