Just noticed this in the article on the front page of the Blue and Gold... unfortunately it doesn't surprise me. I said before the season started our secondary and pass rush were the worst positions, of course many got mad at me and said we were loaded at both spots. These are 2 areas where you get the most turnovers during a season with interceptions and sack/fumbles or caused fumbles from the front 4 pressure. We got a little pressure against Clemson but their offense line wasn't exactly great, I think we should have done better. USC will be a huge test because they are much stronger up front and that scares me. Our secondary is a C- on grading scale and sometimes they play at the D level. The safeties bite far too much on play action and also miss a lot of tackles and our corners aren't strong. Russel is the best we have but he has burned a few times this season which surprises me, though he didn't play at all last year and I still think he is going to do well at the next level. It is just too bad kids like Max and Cole didn't develop better to help this area.
Oh I saw an article posted before the season started about the defensive end situation. I forget who wrote it, I think maybe one of the Chicago papers, and it discussed one of our players who transferred and the fact Williams wasn't allowed to play again this year. So we lost 2 kids immediately and never had a lot of depth at that spot. Why we can't get better recruits at these positions, especially the secondary, is something I never understood. We get a kid here and there at corner or safety but never a solid group of kids. The last pass rusher I can even remember was Tuck, anyone I am forgetting? I think Shembo was pretty good and Tuitt wasn't bad when he wasn't injured, but Tuck was awesome.
Last note... don't get started with blaming Van Gorder either, he isn't out there playing and he has done an excellent job with the talent he has. When he sends 6-7 guys on blitzes there really should be no reason we can't get more sacks/turnovers with the kids we have now but we aren't even getting pressure at times so it is crazy.
Oh I saw an article posted before the season started about the defensive end situation. I forget who wrote it, I think maybe one of the Chicago papers, and it discussed one of our players who transferred and the fact Williams wasn't allowed to play again this year. So we lost 2 kids immediately and never had a lot of depth at that spot. Why we can't get better recruits at these positions, especially the secondary, is something I never understood. We get a kid here and there at corner or safety but never a solid group of kids. The last pass rusher I can even remember was Tuck, anyone I am forgetting? I think Shembo was pretty good and Tuitt wasn't bad when he wasn't injured, but Tuck was awesome.
Last note... don't get started with blaming Van Gorder either, he isn't out there playing and he has done an excellent job with the talent he has. When he sends 6-7 guys on blitzes there really should be no reason we can't get more sacks/turnovers with the kids we have now but we aren't even getting pressure at times so it is crazy.
