CanesAreAble
All-ACC
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2011
- Messages
- 9,193
I haven't been able to completely figure it out.
This post is mostly about the fronts, but I'll discuss LBs and DBs a little bit.
He's said many times that he wants to be "multiple" and he wants a "powerful" team. He's said, "It's no longer okay to be a 208-pound linebacker at the University of Miami."
He's also said we're more of a 3-4 team now (even though we haven't seen very many 50 fronts this year).
Based on recruiting from the 2012, 2013, and 2014 cycles, Golden wants a deep rotation of hybrid rushers and DTs that can play inside and outside. I've seen posters complain that guys like AQM, McCord, and presumably Chad Thomas (when he arrives) will be under-utilized because of our scheme. However, all of those guys were recruited by 3-4 teams (Bama and Notre Dame). They can play the Jack/Sam OLB roles, and play DE in pass-rushing situations. That keeps them on the field in a lot of packages.
Flash-forward to 2015.
Against conventional two-back offenses, I'd could see us lining up like this (some of the depths and spacings are wrong on the diagrams, but whatever):
That gives us run integrity up the middle, leverage to either side of the field, and pressure if teams try to throw the ball out of running formations. And all the hybrid guys we're bringing in are athletic enough to drop into coverage if need be.
When we go Nickel:
We still have our edge rushers on the field with two quick DTs inside. Also, a coverage LB like Grace could be subbed in for Figs.
If we go with a 4-3 Over look:
This gives us run/pass balance against several formations. Guys like AQM will be important in packages like this because they'll be the only edge rusher on the field. We currently have Shayon Green in this role, so things will look better with a more dynamic player there. Also, the DT/DE hybrid is crucial, too, because it helps immensely if he can give us outside pressure. Right now we have Chick/Robinson/Pierre in that role. Guys like Moten and Valentine would be huge if they developed into Muhammad Wilkerson-type guys who can pressure outside at 305-315 lbs.
In terms of being multiple, I think Golden wants to be able to move between 3, 4, and 5-man rushes while still applying pressure and maintaining run integrity. The DE/OLB hybrid role is relatively easy to fill in South Florida. The Nose Tackle and DT/DE roles aren't. At NT, you need a strong anchor who can eat up blocks. The challenge will be on Golden to identify these players at the high school and JUCO levels (and get them academically qualified!) At DT/DE, you gotta find a guy like Muhammad Wilkerson who has the strength and quickness to threaten inside and out. I understand guys like Wilkerson don't grow on trees, but let's face it, regardless of whatever scheme you run, you need NFL-caliber prospects up front if you're going to be a stout defense. Elite 4-3 guys like Dominique Easley or Barkevious Mingo don't grow on trees, either. They're almost equally rare. All of our great defenses had NFL-caliber talent up front.
As for the LBs, Golden is recruiting bigger LBs instead of trying to beef up 195-pound guys. Grace is the exception to the new paradigm, but he's got great football intelligence, and this defense cannot succeed without smart linebackers. The majority of our coverage busts have been because of the linebackers. Some call this a schematic flaw, but I just think our guys aren't "getting it" right now. That's a teaching problem. I don't know how to fix that, but that's just my take on what's up with that unit.
Golden seems to be recruiting taller, longer corners. Outside of Nigel Bethel, all the CBs are at least 5'11" or so with lanky frames that can pack on weight. He wants guys that can be physical and tackle in the flats, which is very important. Bigger guys would also suggest more jams. We haven't seen a ton of that, but the versatility is still there.
In closing, I just wanna clarify that I don't know ****. This is just how I THINK we MIGHT be building the defense. This isn't really about scheme, but more so recruiting philosophy and role archetypes. Some people have said Thomas is going to grow into the Chickillo role (which I don't think is a great idea) and Valentine will play nose (I don't think this is ideal, either). Could be.
Thoughts?
This post is mostly about the fronts, but I'll discuss LBs and DBs a little bit.
He's said many times that he wants to be "multiple" and he wants a "powerful" team. He's said, "It's no longer okay to be a 208-pound linebacker at the University of Miami."
He's also said we're more of a 3-4 team now (even though we haven't seen very many 50 fronts this year).
Based on recruiting from the 2012, 2013, and 2014 cycles, Golden wants a deep rotation of hybrid rushers and DTs that can play inside and outside. I've seen posters complain that guys like AQM, McCord, and presumably Chad Thomas (when he arrives) will be under-utilized because of our scheme. However, all of those guys were recruited by 3-4 teams (Bama and Notre Dame). They can play the Jack/Sam OLB roles, and play DE in pass-rushing situations. That keeps them on the field in a lot of packages.
Flash-forward to 2015.
Against conventional two-back offenses, I'd could see us lining up like this (some of the depths and spacings are wrong on the diagrams, but whatever):
That gives us run integrity up the middle, leverage to either side of the field, and pressure if teams try to throw the ball out of running formations. And all the hybrid guys we're bringing in are athletic enough to drop into coverage if need be.
When we go Nickel:
We still have our edge rushers on the field with two quick DTs inside. Also, a coverage LB like Grace could be subbed in for Figs.
If we go with a 4-3 Over look:
This gives us run/pass balance against several formations. Guys like AQM will be important in packages like this because they'll be the only edge rusher on the field. We currently have Shayon Green in this role, so things will look better with a more dynamic player there. Also, the DT/DE hybrid is crucial, too, because it helps immensely if he can give us outside pressure. Right now we have Chick/Robinson/Pierre in that role. Guys like Moten and Valentine would be huge if they developed into Muhammad Wilkerson-type guys who can pressure outside at 305-315 lbs.
In terms of being multiple, I think Golden wants to be able to move between 3, 4, and 5-man rushes while still applying pressure and maintaining run integrity. The DE/OLB hybrid role is relatively easy to fill in South Florida. The Nose Tackle and DT/DE roles aren't. At NT, you need a strong anchor who can eat up blocks. The challenge will be on Golden to identify these players at the high school and JUCO levels (and get them academically qualified!) At DT/DE, you gotta find a guy like Muhammad Wilkerson who has the strength and quickness to threaten inside and out. I understand guys like Wilkerson don't grow on trees, but let's face it, regardless of whatever scheme you run, you need NFL-caliber prospects up front if you're going to be a stout defense. Elite 4-3 guys like Dominique Easley or Barkevious Mingo don't grow on trees, either. They're almost equally rare. All of our great defenses had NFL-caliber talent up front.
As for the LBs, Golden is recruiting bigger LBs instead of trying to beef up 195-pound guys. Grace is the exception to the new paradigm, but he's got great football intelligence, and this defense cannot succeed without smart linebackers. The majority of our coverage busts have been because of the linebackers. Some call this a schematic flaw, but I just think our guys aren't "getting it" right now. That's a teaching problem. I don't know how to fix that, but that's just my take on what's up with that unit.
Golden seems to be recruiting taller, longer corners. Outside of Nigel Bethel, all the CBs are at least 5'11" or so with lanky frames that can pack on weight. He wants guys that can be physical and tackle in the flats, which is very important. Bigger guys would also suggest more jams. We haven't seen a ton of that, but the versatility is still there.
In closing, I just wanna clarify that I don't know ****. This is just how I THINK we MIGHT be building the defense. This isn't really about scheme, but more so recruiting philosophy and role archetypes. Some people have said Thomas is going to grow into the Chickillo role (which I don't think is a great idea) and Valentine will play nose (I don't think this is ideal, either). Could be.
Thoughts?
