Defensive Play Discussion

[Mavric]

@Mavric - Those stats are amazing, btw, and I didn't know that site existed! Thanks for providing those.

My question then is basically why don't we have Nelson put on roughly another 10 pounds of mass and then just call him what he'd be - a more traditional-sized defensive end?

To be clear, I'd be all for that. So then it's more like a "4-3" where instead of having an undersized Caleb Tannor or Nick Henrich going up against an offensive tackle, you have a bigger, stronger guy (Nelson) who can physically match up better.

I'm pretty sure that's basically what they're doing.  Nelson didn't play as much against teams that run more spread sets (Ohio State, Northwestern, Illinois) but played more against more power teams (Penn State & Iowa).  Tannor didn't play as much against Iowa but played more against Ohio State and Northwestern.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

Maybe instead of worrying about covering tight ends we should just use a little Alvin Mack tactics

View attachment 17873

I listened to a 2-hour podcast about The Program yesterday.  I am not a big fan of sports movies, just because they get so many things wrong, but the podcast made me want to re-watch that movie.

 

[Undone]

I'm pretty sure that's basically what they're doing.  Nelson didn't play as much against teams that run more spread sets (Ohio State, Northwestern, Illinois) but played more against more power teams (Penn State & Iowa).  Tannor didn't play as much against Iowa but played more against Ohio State and Northwestern.

Ok, same page. I like Nelson's potential as an edge rusher and I'm hoping he's sort of the missing link we've been waiting for.

He's not exactly that 'natural talent' kind of guy at that position - but he's strong for his size, and if he gets a little bit bigger & stronger I think he'll work out well.

 

[GSG]

I listened to a 2-hour podcast about The Program yesterday.  I am not a big fan of sports movies, just because they get so many things wrong, but the podcast made me want to re-watch that movie.

You got a link for that podcast? Sounds interesting

 

[ColoradoHusk]

You got a link for that podcast? Sounds interesting

It's on The Ringer's Re-Watchables feed.  It just went up this week.  I listen to all my podcasts on my phone, so I don't have a link.

 

[GSG]

It's on The Ringer's Re-Watchables feed.  It just went up this week.  I listen to all my podcasts on my phone, so I don't have a link.

I'm guessing it's this?

https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/8/22162695/the-program-with-bill-simmons-ryen-russillo-and-kyle-brandt

 

[ColoradoHusk]

I'm guessing it's this?

https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/8/22162695/the-program-with-bill-simmons-ryen-russillo-and-kyle-brandt

Yep

 

[bugeater17]

Ok, same page. I like Nelson's potential as an edge rusher and I'm hoping he's sort of the missing link we've been waiting for.

He's not exactly that 'natural talent' kind of guy at that position - but he's strong for his size, and if he gets a little bit bigger & stronger I think he'll work out well.

I actually  think Nelson needs to get a bit faster off the edge if he intends to stay at OLB.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I actually  think Nelson needs to get a bit faster off the edge if he intends to stay at OLB.

Hmmm...I've been thinking he's one of the fastest off the edge on our team.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

Hmmm...I've been thinking he's one of the fastest off the edge on our team.

Nelson seems ok as a bull-rusher, where he can use his strength, but I haven't seen much of him using a speed rush.

 

[Mavric]

[No message]

 

[MyBloodIsRed16]

I've been pretty impressed with Honas' tackling this year.  Might have been a few times he has looked like last year but for the most part he has been laying the wood.  

 

[Mavric]

#BeastMode

 

[Mavric]

[No message]

 

[Undone]

#BeastMode

On plays like this I think there's maybe one area of improvement that either isn't getting acknowledged or just gets lost in the noise - this coaching staff has figured out how to make our defense more physical this year.

The way cam blasts through that block with intensity and then keeps his balance to make the tackle - we didn't see as much of that kind of stuff last year IMO.