Bend but Don't Break Defense

[behappp]

I know it's not popular with a lot of living room coaches, but I really think this is the best D for this team. And it worked well against Savannah State.

There were a number of balls caught in front of the D between the 20's, but when the field shortened, we saw the D tighten up. There were no balls caught behind our D for those quick easy TD's. S State had to matriculate the ball down the field and when they made a mistake or got in 3rd and long, we capitalized.

We've got a good defensive backfield but no one-on-one shutdown corners like Tru (duh!). Team D is what is best for these guys. With Shaw plugging up the middle and Buss and Banks (and an angry and chastened Strahm soon) plugging up the run game, we should be able to make other teams work hard for everything they get.

In Missoula we got the Patriot-Saints game and I watched NE trade FGs for NO to TDs for them. 2 great QB's but when Saints got in the red zone, they came away with FG's, especially early on. We're going to need to score TD's with this offense. This is the Big Sky Conference and you better be able to score to win. We've got some big-time playmakers as WR's and Calhoun and Green looked strong.

I'm not sure Semore likes playing D this way, but he, like me, may have gotten tired of seeing a mistake turn into an easy TD for the opposition. We saw enough of that last year to last a few years.I think he's adjusted and I think it's a smart way to go for this team.

Blast away all!

 

[behappp]

Oops meant Lee, not Green at RB

 

[GoldenEagle]

I know it's not popular with a lot of living room coaches, but I really think this is the best D for this team. And it worked well against Savannah State.

There were a number of balls caught in front of the D between the 20's, but when the field shortened, we saw the D tighten up. There were no balls caught behind our D for those quick easy TD's. S State had to matriculate the ball down the field and when they made a mistake or got in 3rd and long, we capitalized.

We've got a good defensive backfield but no one-on-one shutdown corners like Tru (duh!). Team D is what is best for these guys. With Shaw plugging up the middle and Buss and Banks (and an angry and chastened Strahm soon) plugging up the run game, we should be able to make other teams work hard for everything they get.

In Missoula we got the Patriot-Saints game and I watched NE trade FGs for NO to TDs for them. 2 great QB's but when Saints got in the red zone, they came away with FG's, especially early on. We're going to need to score TD's with this offense. This is the Big Sky Conference and you better be able to score to win. We've got some big-time playmakers as WR's and Calhoun and Green looked strong.

I'm not sure Semore likes playing D this way, but he, like me, may have gotten tired of seeing a mistake turn into an easy TD for the opposition. We saw enough of that last year to last a few years.I think he's adjusted and I think it's a smart way to go for this team.

Blast away all!

I totally agree. Your DC should apply this strategy this weekend. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[kemajic]

Paulson.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

I am not sure any of the defense strategy used in any games this year are what we will see during big sky play. Semore may have used these non-conference games in which the outcomes were pretty certain prior to the first snap to practice/teach parts of the overall defense, such as zone, he will use during conference play.

 

[AZDoc]

I am not sure any of the defense strategy used in any games this year are what we will see during big sky play. Semore may have used these non-conference games in which the outcomes were pretty certain prior to the first snap to practice/teach parts of the overall defense, such as zone, he will use during conference play.

I'm sure this is the case with the offense as well. Will be interesting to see how Saturday night goes!

 

[GRIZFAN20]

Bend but don't break defense has been the type of defense we have seen from the Griz over the past decade plus. At times it is incredibly frustrating, but seemed to do the trick most games. What beat us last year were the big plays consistently completed by teams like EWU, NAU and even UNC. You limit those big plays and (hopefully) get the teams to trade TDs for FGs and that will give this offense a chance to win almost any game. Its not perfect, but I am optimistic it will provide better results than last year.

 

[Mavman]

After Phillips went down it seemed Semore dialed up some pressure that worked very well.
I'm sure some of that was to get the defense fired up and use their emotion to get everyone back into the game. I would expect the defense to look different and bring alot more pressure against EWU.
I'm ok with bend but don't break though if it prevents long Td's from wide open receivers.

 

[PlayerRep]

I've always been a bend but not break guy. Especially when attacking and aggressive coverage are giving up too many long plays and TD's. I haven't focused on EWU's offense or personnel this year, but would think UM would generally try to keep receivers in front of them (even this hard to do in zone with Kupp) and attack strategically. I like bend but not break, and keeping receivers in front of the secondary, but I don't like letting a qb sit back and get completely comfortable due to no pass rush or heat.

Not saying Strahm is going to start or get the majority of the reps at middle backer, but he seems to be better in the pass rush and in defending the pass. If true, this could help against EWU.

 

[bgbigdog]

I'm only allowed to coach from the sofa in my garage. I only hope Semore figures out what he's got, stops putting all his eggs in one basket, stops trying to fit square pegs in round holes, realizes that teams are going to throw things @ them he hasn't likely seen & any other cliche I can think of as I pull my pants on one leg @ at time.

 

[PlayerRep]

I'm only allowed to coach from the sofa in my garage. I only hope Semore figures out what he's got, stops putting all his eggs in one basket, stops trying to fit square pegs in round holes, realizes that teams are going to throw things @ them he hasn't likely seen & any other cliche I can think of as I pull my pants on one leg @ at time.

With that statement, I think you can at least start coaching from the living room. That was impressive.

My favorite sign from our training room was: "You can't make the club in the tub".

 

[bgbigdog]

I'm only allowed to coach from the sofa in my garage. I only hope Semore figures out what he's got, stops putting all his eggs in one basket, stops trying to fit square pegs in round holes, realizes that teams are going to throw things @ them he hasn't likely seen & any other cliche I can think of as I pull my pants on one leg @ at time.

With that statement, I think you can at least start coaching from the living room. That was impressive.

My favorite sign from our training room was: "You can't make the club in the tub".

My behavior while watching Griz games @ home has gotten me band from the main house. Last winter I set my office up over the garage, extra insulation, two layers of drywall & a Costco fridge or three. Bad as I wanna be now. Thank goodness I don't have to watch the Hallmark channel anymore.

Ps. The neighbors love the fact that they no longer need to listen to Black Sabbath when I do.

 

[Diesel]

Discipline should be the motto this week. Pass rush discipline and eye discipline in the secondary.
Gabe has consistently picked up yards on the ground when pocket breaks down. He is their number one rusher besides passer. QB spy of some sort may be wise. Looks like most of EWUs WRs are 6' or shorter who are getting production and the TE has caught a few with few yards gained.
They have had some drops and Gabe has had some accuracy issues this year, 58% completion ratio and 5 INTs in three games (3 against Fordham).
Keeping safeties over top and getting physical hits on the smaller WRs may be better than giving up big chunks.
RBs are small and fast Fordham gave up a 70+ yard TD run, once again try to limit big plays.
Offense would help getting off to a fast start and get EWU one dimensional. This would open up speed rush packages with more athletic guys who could match up better against Gabe and his ability to run. This goes back to discipline rushing the QB, protect the edges and most important protect against the middle QB scramble. As per QB spy a safety or fast LB that can hit slot WR off the line and roll into spy position has worked well in the past.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I'm only allowed to coach from the sofa in my garage. I only hope Semore figures out what he's got, stops putting all his eggs in one basket, stops trying to fit square pegs in round holes, realizes that teams are going to throw things @ them he hasn't likely seen & any other cliche I can think of as I pull my pants on one leg @ at time.

With that statement, I think you can at least start coaching from the living room. That was impressive.

My favorite sign from our training room was: "You can't make the club in the tub".

My behavior while watching Griz games @ home has gotten me band from the main house. Last winter I set my office up over the garage, extra insulation, two layers of drywall & a Costco fridge or three. Bad as I wanna be now. Thank goodness I don't have to watch the Hallmark channel anymore.

Ps. The neighbors love the fact that they no longer need to listen to Black Sabbath when I do.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
You're livin' my life, bro!!! :? :? :?

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

Wait, so most of you think Montana is already employing "bend but don't break" defensive principles currently? Or you wish Semore would?

 

[Griz#64]

Match Up and "bring the heat" Check University of Texas.. They bent and broke big time from 60 plus yards out with no time on the clock.

 

[Diesel]

Wait, so most of you think Montana is already employing "bend but don't break" defensive principles currently? Or you wish Semore would?

They didn't start that way against Valpo, conservative at UW and mix bag against SSU with changes in packages and players.
Would appear from my standpoint that keeping safeties back and spying QB are a better option than giving up large chunks at a time against EWU.
I believe Semore has better roster overall on defense this year and better buy in by players. However, injuries and settling in on who the starters are has caused some breakdowns. At this point in the season we don't have two lockdown corners who are healthy to employ heavy blitzing. Also, gap discipline and containment has been an issue up front. Too early for the defense to be labeled too aggressive or bend but not break.
It'll be interesting to see how this group evolves.