VanGorder Year 2

[TeddyOH]

I am starting to think the BVG experiment is a failure.

Last year he gets a pass with a new system and devastating injuries. I expected a dominating unit this year, but as of yet I have not seen significant improvement. We have some legit playmakers on D, and often we are relying on them to do just that. We are giving up lots of points, tons of big plays, and putting WAY to much pressure on our offense to be perfect.

I think the problem is KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. We constantly hear from players and announcers how complicated his system is. This is the root cause of our dramatic susceptibility to the dreaded BIG PLAY. Those big plays are absolutely killing us. I wouldn't be surprised to see unusual formations, laterals, flea flickers, double reverses and such much more frequently in the 2nd half of the season. THEY ALWAYS WORK ON US!

Another issue is that our D struggles particularly at the start of games. I wonder if his game-planning is a weakness. Usually very good 2nd half adjustments, so I know the guy can coach. We've all heard him talk, so we know he can motivate.

I'm very concerned. We lose (or potentially lose) a lot of solid upperclassmen next year. This D doesn't seem like one that a bunch of freshman or underclassmen can thrive in (D-line excluded).

Does Kelly tell him to simplify the scheme?
Any coaching insights from some of our X's and O's posters?

 

[nsp29640]

I am starting to think the BVG experiment is a failure.

Last year he gets a pass with a new system and devastating injuries. I expected a dominating unit this year, but as of yet I have not seen significant improvement. We have some legit playmakers on D, and often we are relying on them to do just that. We are giving up lots of points, tons of big plays, and putting WAY to much pressure on our offense to be perfect.

I think the problem is KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. We constantly hear from players and announcers how complicated his system is. This is the root cause of our dramatic susceptibility to the dreaded BIG PLAY. Those big plays are absolutely killing us. I wouldn't be surprised to see unusual formations, laterals, flea flickers, double reverses and such much more frequently in the 2nd half of the season. THEY ALWAYS WORK ON US!

Another issue is that our D struggles particularly at the start of games. I wonder if his game-planning is a weakness. Usually very good 2nd half adjustments, so I know the guy can coach. We've all heard him talk, so we know he can motivate.

I'm very concerned. We lose (or potentially lose) a lot of solid upperclassmen next year. This D doesn't seem like one that a bunch of freshman or underclassmen can thrive in (D-line excluded).

Does Kelly tell him to simplify the scheme?
Any coaching insights from some of our X's and O's posters?

It's not his scheme but it's the players not doing their jobs. Bad fundamentals and not sticking with their assignments are the two biggest problems they have right now. That is not on the coach but the players themselves.

 

[IrishHerb]

It's not his scheme but it's the players not doing their jobs. Bad fundamentals and not sticking with their assignments are the two biggest problems they have right now. That is not on the coach but the players themselves.

Perhaps. But aren't fundamentals the responsibility of the coach?

 

[perseverare]

I am starting to think the BVG experiment is a failure.

Last year he gets a pass with a new system and devastating injuries. I expected a dominating unit this year, but as of yet I have not seen significant improvement. We have some legit playmakers on D, and often we are relying on them to do just that. We are giving up lots of points, tons of big plays, and putting WAY to much pressure on our offense to be perfect.

I think the problem is KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. We constantly hear from players and announcers how complicated his system is. This is the root cause of our dramatic susceptibility to the dreaded BIG PLAY. Those big plays are absolutely killing us. I wouldn't be surprised to see unusual formations, laterals, flea flickers, double reverses and such much more frequently in the 2nd half of the season. THEY ALWAYS WORK ON US!

Another issue is that our D struggles particularly at the start of games. I wonder if his game-planning is a weakness. Usually very good 2nd half adjustments, so I know the guy can coach. We've all heard him talk, so we know he can motivate.

I'm very concerned. We lose (or potentially lose) a lot of solid upperclassmen next year. This D doesn't seem like one that a bunch of freshman or underclassmen can thrive in (D-line excluded).

Does Kelly tell him to simplify the scheme?
Any coaching insights from some of our X's and O's posters?

BK is no happier than those fans that recognize excellent football. I think he does something.

 

[57Patrick]

29640, you are right. The players have to do their jobs. However, the coaches have to install a system the players can execute. The defense does make good adjustments as we've seen that they tend to get better as the game goes on. We are inconsistent though and last night we missed a lot of tackles. Of course, it feels much better to win and discuss these things than the other way around.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Not sure you put in any other DC and will get much better results without a pass rush.

 

[hvillebill]

Perhaps. But aren't fundamentals the responsibility of the coach?

If you're referring to the poor tackling I think that's on the position coaches rather than the DC.

 

[mbd11]

Hey, we won. USC has a tremendously talented offense. Yes, we gave up a lot of yards. But the defense got the job done when it had to, in the 2nd half.

 

[naysayers stop nonsense]

It's about players first and foremost

When ND got a pass rush in the fourth qtr Kessler imploded . Please note that ND is playing with Cage and Tillery @ DT not Jarron Jones . Also Kelly got with K Russell after Ju Ju beat him deep and told him to play the ball in the air -- I'm paraphrasing " your a talented player play the dam ball " fast forward INT in fourth qtr
Re Cole Luke Kelly said he gets too nosey and gives up big plays as a result .

If ND has the same pass rush in the first three qtrs as they did in the fourth qtr ND wins by 3 - 4 scores

Kelly said it in his presser if you don't put three kids from USC down on the ground " they will make you pay dearly " watch the presser . Have to wrap guys up - again that is about players making a play not scheme .

Scheme gets over hyped sometimes -- when rubber hits the road it is on russell and luke weather a guy makes a 50 yd gain or russell sends a dagger with a fabulously athletic play and seals a ND win .

Players make plays -- that's why coaches spend 12 months a year recruiting not studying play books .

 

[deadirishpoet]

The DC has done a very good jod with adjustments, and getting players to step up as the game goes on.

 

[napy2121]

People overreact, I think BVG has been ok. The collapse last year was a ton of guys being out. BVG has learned on the option, he has adjusted to teams getting him on tempo. USC tried that all game and in the second half when the game was on the line, USC score 7 points all half. Bravo there. I do have some remaining frustrations with him but nothing big, I wonder about Joe Schmidt after all these missed tackles. He plays because he's uber smart and tough, but he isn't the same player as he was last year. It is frustrating our defense is presented as something that only football geniuses could play in at certain positions. All in all, BVG's been better this year though, its clear some of the criticisms he's had against him, are the things he's made the most progress in overall.

 

[IrishBlooded]

So here is the argument.

When Diaco was here ND was a 3-4 system with a bend don't break, keep everything in front of you defense. Almost every play was zone of some type very little man coverage on the edge and ND continually got burned in the middle of the field on runs.

Now that BVG is there he plays a ton of man coverage to give him more bodies in the middle with little over the top safety help. So you put your corners on 'the island' and don't under sell who those receivers were last night. By far the best passing attack ND will see all year including Clemson and Stanford.

The only big problem with the defense I saw last night was just basics. Not wrapping up the runner. Not having a more agressive pursuit route to a receiver. Kelly and BVG can figure that out. This defense will be just fine.

 

[FightingIrish44]

So here is the argument.

When Diaco was here ND was a 3-4 system with a bend don't break, keep everything in front of you defense. Almost every play was zone of some type very little man coverage on the edge and ND continually got burned in the middle of the field on runs.

Now that BVG is there he plays a ton of man coverage to give him more bodies in the middle with little over the top safety help. So you put your corners on 'the island' and don't under sell who those receivers were last night. By far the best passing attack ND will see all year including Clemson and Stanford.

The only big problem with the defense I saw last night was just basics. Not wrapping up the runner. Not having a more agressive pursuit route to a receiver. Kelly and BVG can figure that out. This defense will be just fine.

I don't agree that Diaco's defenses were weak up the middle. ND played a coverage that allowed for maximum run support on most downs and that included putting the corners on islands in man coverage.

But I do agree with your post in general. I'm perfectly okay with giving up yards to a good offense. Its that they're making it too easy by being bad at tackling and not staying disciplined.

 

[naysayers stop nonsense]

I don't agree that Diaco's defenses were weak up the middle. ND played a coverage that allowed for maximum run support on most downs and that included putting the corners on islands in man coverage.

But I do agree with your post in general. I'm perfectly okay with giving up yards to a good offense. Its that they're making it too easy by being bad at tackling and not staying disciplined.

ND clearly needs more athleticism @ MLB which is coming . Also I think Luke and Russell will play the ball better moving forward . Getting Jarron Jones back healthy will help next yr .

ND is in dire need of getting edge pressure -- I see Hayes as the most important recruit on the defensive side of the ball since Jaylon Smith - he is a must get . We need edge pressure next yr and Hayes might be the only one that can deliver

 

[nsp29640]

Perhaps. But aren't fundamentals the responsibility of the coach?

It is the same as if you have kids. You can teach them all day to do the right thing but in the end its up to them to actually do it. You can't do it for them!

 

[BGI User 348]

Of course ONLY BK and the coaches really know how BVG is doing as a DC. BK seems very supportive so if his teaching/coaching is good then what we SEE is:
#1---Terrible tackling angles by our SAFETIES. Even a usually good Shumate whiffed last night.
#2---Terrible play recognition by the secondary on all of these trick plays. These are SMART players--right? Even Farley has not recognized some. Terrible football "smarts".
#3---Lousy tackling by the rest of the defense--including by Schmidt & Jaylon. How many sacks have we whiffed on??
#4---Not enough QB pressure.
#5---DB's not playing the ball enough.

IMO the lack of depth at SAFETY has really hurt the entire defense. I hope we recruit STUDS that can contribute immediately. Then we need unblockable DL. BVG will look alot better with better players.

GET BETTER!!!