Thoughts on the Richardsons, defense, and position struggles

[JasonB]

1) We have the Minor thread... thoughts on the other two frosh who played yesterday?

43 obviously had a pick at the end of the game. 45 had a PI in the endzone and was beaten for another touchdown.

I know that there were some negatives, but I really really liked that both of those players were really out there looking to make plays. The moment he recognized a running play 45 was running to the ball, quite a departure from our other corners. 43 seemed to do the same, and when the ball was in the air was actually looking to make a play on the ball Not only on the pick but also on the first play he was involved in early. I really liked the fact that they wanted to make plays. We have too many players on defense who are scared to.

2) I really like the new formation on third and longer. Sub out an LB for the third corner, and Pope for 43 to create essentially a 3 DL, 2 LB, 3 corner, 3 safety look. Nice to see an adjustment like that finally made and I think it will serve us well against UCF and Houston. Opens up the third down run, but you have to sacrifice something...

3) What are your most disappointing positions this year? I think the LB and special teams have been bad (our blocking on kickoffs and punts is awful), followed by OL and RB. Any coincidence that all of those positions are either coached by brand new coaches or coaches who haven't coached the position extensively? Just a thought I wanted to throw out there...

[PonyFan]

I thought both Richardsons played well. Yes, Horace got beat for a touchdown, but he also did a good job against a big UConn WR (can't remember his name). CBs get beat - he'll be good. I thought Darrian Richardson was great in limited playing time, and not just his INT.

New formation makes sense, especially in a game like yesterday, when UConn fell behind and had to throw, even though they weren't a good passing team.

[Big Hoss]

The key thing to look at with the Richardsons was that they seemed to be in a position to make a ply, even if they didn't get their head turned around in time, etc. They can learn technique, how to get their head turned around, etc., but being in the right position is a good sign. I thought the same thing about Crawford when he landed on the hilltop.

[mrydel]

I saw no corner improvement with the new kids. Does not mean they will not be better with more play. Hopefully so. But if they did so well you would not have seen Acker covering the top receiver where ever he lined up late in the game. As far as the 3rd down substitutions, all I noticed was after the play it would be first down again and we would have to do it all over again. We can keep lipsticking that pig but our defense is just not solid right now.

[Big Hoss]

I saw no corner improvement with the new kids. Does not mean they will not be better with more play. Hopefully so. But if they did so well you would not have seen Acker covering the top receiver where ever he lined up late in the game. As far as the 3rd down substitutions, all I noticed was after the play it would be first down again and we would have to do it all over again. We can keep lipsticking that pig but our defense is just not solid right now.

Was it markedly better? No. But if we are looking for some hope for the future, then that's where I think we may have some hope down the road.

As far as Acker moving to cover the best receiver, that happens in the NFL all the time, so I guess to me, that's not really unusual.

[mrydel]

I understand football and know that putting your best on best is not uncommon. But when you do it because the other corner cannot do the job it is an indication that extra help was needed. I trust the new guys will improve but there was no marked improvement yesterday.

[Big Hoss]

I here ya

[mrydel]

I have just been very disappointed in our defense this year. I know we have slightly elevated our competition and I like what Mason has done during his time with us, but I just think we have too many players not reaching their full capabilities.

[Big Hoss]

Agreed. Our defense always feels piecemeal: a few good parts with some odds and ends bolted on to try to hold it together. Every year we lose a vital part, just like every other school, but it seems like we then have nothing behind them. We also don't seem to have other areas that can step up to help compensate for the soft spot.

[Stallion]

Our second team defensive players yesterday except for Minor were abysmal against a terribly incompetent offense. I'm not sure what some of you were watching. That was UCONN's best offensive production of the season. If the second teamers were playing-UCONN was on a drive for points. I was closely paying attention to this because of all the substitutions on certain drives. I think the starters played pretty well overall. The second stringers kept UCONN in the game. From my perspective I don't see much help coming from any of these backups-they were overmatched

[ftworthmustang]

we do have guys with potential. How many of them reach their potential, only time will tell.

[East Coast Mustang]

Defensively, next year, just off the top of my head (assuming we still run a 3-4):

DE- Minor, Nabushoshi, Pruitt? (I thought he was an LB, but listed on roster as DE)
NT- Wright, Reed, Hollie
DE- Wood/Barnes, McCleneghan
OLB- Sanders, Horton?
ILB- Bordano, Longoria?
ILB- D. Halverson (?), Nwabuike
OLB- Seals/Yenga, Carroll?
CB- Montes, Law?
S- Greenbauer, Crosby (?)
S- D. Richardson/Randolph, Justice (?)
CB- H. Richardson, Lancaster, JR Richardson

DLine actually doesn't seem that bad, and OLBs are alright as well. ILB is scary as hell and so is the secondary with the exception of a hopefully healthy Greenbauer. Mason will have his work cut out for him if he's back next year

[ftworthmustang]

We have to hope that they will better next year. Having most of the defense return (that gave up an average of well over 30 points a game), can only be good if they get bigger, stronger, and a lot better with another year of experience. If they are only marginally better, it will be another long year defensively.

[SMU 86]

Mason coached the linebackers when the other coach was here anyway so I do not think coaching is an issue at that position.

[SMU 86]

Our second team defensive players yesterday except for Minor were abysmal against a terribly incompetent offense. I'm not sure what some of you were watching. That was UCONN's best offensive production of the season. If the second teamers were playing-UCONN was on a drive for points. I was closely paying attention to this because of all the substitutions on certain drives. I think the starters played pretty well overall. The second stringers kept UCONN in the game. From my perspective I don't see much help coming from any of these backups-they were overmatched

Thanks for the observation.