1. Lack of range at linebacker

2. Lack of depth at corner

3. Inconsistent gap assignments

4. inexperience at corner

5, not utilizing the D-line consistently, 3down 4 down

 6. Injuries at LB and now FS

 7. tackling fundamentals, Thank you NDfanatic and soulpatch

 8. time in this system/scheme fits. Thank you OkelleyIrish

 9.  Finishing the play/appropriate pursuit. thanks NDHoosier

That felt good. I encourage you to join in. Not using the tagging feature this time though I like it.

33 minutes ago, ndfanatic78 said:

What do you mean it doesn’t work like that? What doesn’t work like that? That good coaches adapt to their players and not force their system on the kids? Because it does work that way unless you are that great of a coach. 

I normally completely agree with. That coaches should adapt. But for this instance, I wouldn’t think many people would have much success with Myron and Hinish as your starting Nose and Defensive End. No offense to those guys because I think they have played above potential, but it doesn’t scream too 10 defense. Neither does Bertrand and White(who was originally on the scout team). Pencil in Griffin who didn’t play until this year and had to be asked back and you’re asking a lot from this defense. I guess I’m saying, this defense was never going to be lights out. Not even top 20. So, I had low expectations. It’s the same way people got upset when the o-line was playing bad this year. What were people expecting?  They knew who was coming back. It is what it is this year. 

42 minutes ago, ndfanatic78 said:

What do you mean it doesn’t work like that? What doesn’t work like that? That good coaches adapt to their players and not force their system on the kids? Because it does work that way unless you are that great of a coach. 

Waiting a year wasn't going to change much. And IMO, we haven't gone full tilt new scheme, at least not on the back end. Our DBs were going to be weak aside from Kyle in any system. Our LBs were going to be weak in any system.

Our DL was seen as deep, and had the players that were seen as having traits to adjust now (MTA to BigE, Foskey to WDE/Vyper). And like I said this wasn't a wholesale flip to like a from a 4-3 to a 3-4, or vice versa. And he only uses one pure pass rusher anyway regardless of 3 or 4 man front. And honestly, we didn't have a lot of pure pass rushers anyway. He uses bigs on the interior, and we had them. Aside from the obvious difference, his scheme begs you to attack the C gap. So in short, we have the right traits on the DL for his scheme, just need to learn it.

The big change on the backend was more cover 1 and 3. And Kyle is about as perfect as a FS or Sniper you can ask for for either scheme. He's gone now... but obviously did well doing what he was asked to do. Overall we were lame at S other than Kyle. The CBs were going to be week regardless of going C1, 2, or 3. We have not recruited well in this area. Waiting doesn't change anything.

LB wise, injury killed us in a lot of ways before the season started. IMO they should play Bo more at Mike, and move Drew out to WILL or let Kollie start at WILL. I'd prefer to keep Kiser at Rover. Not sure why Bertrand was getting so much PT.

Overall, we did take baby steps or half steps with LB and DBs. You'll see that continue to evolve next year with more 3 safety looks. 

 

17 hours ago, FaithInIrishForever said:

Agree to a point. Its hard to ask Year 1 freeman to compare to year 3 Lea

I was mulling this the other day (why Lea seemed to transition better than Freeman has). Lea had a 4th year in that Elko set up basically the same system for Lea. But, I do think there are some things Freeman needs to prove (can he grow into the role).

10 hours ago, soulpatch said:

I was mulling this the other day (why Lea seemed to transition better than Freeman has). Lea had a 4th year in that Elko set up basically the same system for Lea. But, I do think there are some things Freeman needs to prove (can he grow into the role).

Very good point. 

As @OKelleyIrish points out patience is key. While the scheme looks similar it changes the entire pass coverage philosophy. So instead of quarters where the safeties drive things, this is Cover 1 or 3 with alot of linebacker pass rush and coverage responsibly. Then they lost JOK their best coverage linebacker, best havoc linebacker too, ND will improve each year under Freeman.

Elko had the opportunity to coach after BVG so he could show improvement by teaching fundamentals.

But fundamentals alone don't beat Bama its speed its power all found through recruiting.