Let's try and have a good discussion about this without people losing their minds saying "Banks is terrible" or "Banks is the best DC ever". There's no question that we could use better talent out there, and that the kids are playing their hearts out. Let's discuss what can and can't be fixed, as I'm curious what others' thoughts are.
Schematically, on third down, when it was third and long there seemed to be multiple problems: (1) we would rush 3 or 4 at the most and Young would have all day to throw and with his talent, could pick apart the defense, and (2) our D would be in a zone, and their receivers would simply go about 3 yards past the first down line, turn around in an open spot in the zone we would play, and catch a first down. Part of the reason we are in the zone must be the fact that their receivers are all 4 and 5 star kids that run very well, and we just don't have the ability to match up man-to-man on every one of their stars. Having said that, it's almost like several times last night that the folks playing the zone did not show good awareness as to where the receiver was going, which is a technique issue. As to the all day to throw issue which we've seen in all 4 losses, Banks can either blitz someone to try and take away the time, which if works is great, but if that blitzer is held up (example of this the ESPN crew focused on replay last night with Slaughter I think), you're susceptible to a big play as you're forced to play man-to-man without help on at least 1 receiver. Nolan can be huge to help with this, as is Young with development. I guess you have to pick your spots here, and it seems with third and longs Banks almost always goes with more DBs and less pressure to keep things in front of them which makes sense. I would prefer the Venebles or Kirby approach of more blitzes on third down, but I understand it comes with risk (and we don't have 5 star kids coming off the bench for depth). To me, we know our D is going to be tired with lack of depth and we're going to give up points, so I would take more risk trying to get them off the field on third down. Thoughts?
The other issue which has reared its head is the QB scrambles. Often, when this occurs the D will assign a linebacker or someone who is accountable for QB runs to stop this. If this person is completely committed to that task, however, it takes them away from coverage unless the offense is dumb enough to put a receiver in that area and allow that LB to perform 2 roles (defender and watcher of the scramble). Young is very elusive, as was Corral, but it appeared that our guys would rush forward to make the tackle, an understandable instinct, and the QB would use this forward momentum and getting to close too quickly to get by them with a fake. If they would have contained this better (also not leave their feet to try and tackle him), it would give the rest of the D time to assist.
Curious what folks think.
Schematically, on third down, when it was third and long there seemed to be multiple problems: (1) we would rush 3 or 4 at the most and Young would have all day to throw and with his talent, could pick apart the defense, and (2) our D would be in a zone, and their receivers would simply go about 3 yards past the first down line, turn around in an open spot in the zone we would play, and catch a first down. Part of the reason we are in the zone must be the fact that their receivers are all 4 and 5 star kids that run very well, and we just don't have the ability to match up man-to-man on every one of their stars. Having said that, it's almost like several times last night that the folks playing the zone did not show good awareness as to where the receiver was going, which is a technique issue. As to the all day to throw issue which we've seen in all 4 losses, Banks can either blitz someone to try and take away the time, which if works is great, but if that blitzer is held up (example of this the ESPN crew focused on replay last night with Slaughter I think), you're susceptible to a big play as you're forced to play man-to-man without help on at least 1 receiver. Nolan can be huge to help with this, as is Young with development. I guess you have to pick your spots here, and it seems with third and longs Banks almost always goes with more DBs and less pressure to keep things in front of them which makes sense. I would prefer the Venebles or Kirby approach of more blitzes on third down, but I understand it comes with risk (and we don't have 5 star kids coming off the bench for depth). To me, we know our D is going to be tired with lack of depth and we're going to give up points, so I would take more risk trying to get them off the field on third down. Thoughts?
The other issue which has reared its head is the QB scrambles. Often, when this occurs the D will assign a linebacker or someone who is accountable for QB runs to stop this. If this person is completely committed to that task, however, it takes them away from coverage unless the offense is dumb enough to put a receiver in that area and allow that LB to perform 2 roles (defender and watcher of the scramble). Young is very elusive, as was Corral, but it appeared that our guys would rush forward to make the tackle, an understandable instinct, and the QB would use this forward momentum and getting to close too quickly to get by them with a fake. If they would have contained this better (also not leave their feet to try and tackle him), it would give the rest of the D time to assist.
Curious what folks think.
