The defense...

[88ND]

Fun to watch again. Swarming to the ball...refusing to give an inch.
I believe the simplified schemes have much to do with that. A confused player is a slow player.

But the biggest improvement from last year is the tackling. The turnovers are nice but what really stands out is the tackling. More times than not now we are able to get these athletic guys down one on one. We keep plays to minimum gains instead of insane runs after the catch or hand off.

The D is fun to watch again just to see them get a turnover. I used to cringe when we went on D. Now it's exciting.

Thanks Elko!!!

 

[deadmanramsey]

Fun to watch again. Swarming to the ball...refusing to give an inch.
I believe the simplified schemes have much to do with that. A confused player is a slow player.

But the biggest improvement from last year is the tackling. The turnovers are nice but what really stands out is the tackling. More times than not now we are able to get these athletic guys down one on one. We keep plays to minimum gains instead of insane runs after the catch or hand off.

The D is fun to watch again just to see them get a turnover. I used to cringe when we went on D. Now it's exciting.

Thanks Elko!!!

It's just nice that the defense (and team) has an identity and formula for success. It isn't always pretty but the strategy is working well at keeping the points to a minimum:

Make other teams nickel and dime down the field, and play mistake free football. Mix in blitzes and confusing alignments to force timely turnovers. Don't worry so much about yards between the 20s and tighten up in the red-zone.

Remarkably consistent job as the opponents have scored 20 or less in every game so far!

 

[Bodizephax]

Fun to watch again. Swarming to the ball...refusing to give an inch.
I believe the simplified schemes have much to do with that. A confused player is a slow player.

But the biggest improvement from last year is the tackling. The turnovers are nice but what really stands out is the tackling. More times than not now we are able to get these athletic guys down one on one. We keep plays to minimum gains instead of insane runs after the catch or hand off.

The D is fun to watch again just to see them get a turnover. I used to cringe when we went on D. Now it's exciting.

Thanks Elko!!!

And Thank Matt Ballis he has made everyone on the Irish look like Lou Ferigno and ballin out like JJ Watt.

 

[twalsh]

Fun to watch again. Swarming to the ball...refusing to give an inch.
I believe the simplified schemes have much to do with that. A confused player is a slow player.

But the biggest improvement from last year is the tackling. The turnovers are nice but what really stands out is the tackling. More times than not now we are able to get these athletic guys down one on one. We keep plays to minimum gains instead of insane runs after the catch or hand off.

The D is fun to watch again just to see them get a turnover. I used to cringe when we went on D. Now it's exciting.

Thanks Elko!!!

It is kind of amazing that the same kids who made up our "weak" DL are thriving in this new simplified system.

 

[Fifthhorseman25]

I always like Lou's quote something along the lines of "he can run a 4.4 forty, but if he doesn't know where he is going it doesn't matter." Yes simplify the defense and it has become an aggressive defense.

 

[Toby Smart]

The tackling was really good. I mean really good. There will come a time when our really good tackling will just be looked upon as something expected and normal.

 

[Irishbird1978]

Fun to watch again. Swarming to the ball...refusing to give an inch.
I believe the simplified schemes have much to do with that. A confused player is a slow player.

But the biggest improvement from last year is the tackling. The turnovers are nice but what really stands out is the tackling. More times than not now we are able to get these athletic guys down one on one. We keep plays to minimum gains instead of insane runs after the catch or hand off.

The D is fun to watch again just to see them get a turnover. I used to cringe when we went on D. Now it's exciting.

Thanks Elko!!!

Agree 100%,nice to see