Terrific subject, unfortunately so much to breakdown and speculate. The defensive performance brings out the full spectrum of our fans, from the most skeptical to the most positive. To start, there's nothing wrong with either extreme. It's human nature for each individual to see things differently. So quit with criticism to those who have a different OPINION than your own!
Regardless of opinions, I find it amazing, how most everyone offers their opinions, yet leave out suggestions of how to improve?
Let's take out the Moorehead State game. I think we can all agree, that game was a horrible mismatch of talent. The GRIZ took care of business on both sides of the ball.
MO State and WCU each had moments of exposing our defense. Fortunately, adjustments to schemes and personnel were made for respectable outcomes in those games. The defense struggled some, yet did enough to win.
That leads us to the UND and EWU games. UND absolutely dominated the trenches for 3 quarters. In turn, our defense couldn't get off the field. They wore out our defense. They beat us with Bobby Ball!
I feel, that game was much more on the coaching staff than the players. The GRIZ honestly made very few adjustments to counter UND. Coaching on both sides of the ball wasn't good. Defensively, we should have used more run focused schemes and personnel. We should have stacked the box frequently, to force UND to try beating our defense through the air. Yet, we allowed them to beat us with their strength, not their weaknesses. I question, why didn't we adjust to have them do just that?
Onto EWU, credit to EWU's offensive staff. They seemed to outscheme our defense. They beat our defense early with quick plays and player isolation. Fortunately, our defense made adjustments to start limiting their offense. Unfortunately, EWU countered adjustments were extremely successful. They started to beat us with their running game. After that, they mixed things up well. They executed their offense to near perfection in the 2nd half. They seemed to know what our defense was doing every play. Did we tip them off with personnel packages and or schemes? It sure seemed like they knew a lot about our defense. Fact is, the results indicate, our defense had no answers to their offense. Again, credit to EWU for doing what they did. They absolutely made our defense play terrible.
Basically, the defensive performances in the UND and EWU games were different things. UND was on our coaching. The EWU game was more on EWU's coaching and near perfect execution. Fortunately, our offense was also in sync. Offensively, the play calling and execution was also near perfection too. Ironic, the GRIZ beat EWU with EWU ball. Regardless, there's very few games, when a Hauck led defense faces an offense that 100% clicks like EWU'S offense did. I'll be surprised if we see that kind of performance again this season.
So, what are the causes for the inconsistent defense? I think it's a combination of everything we've all touched on. Unfortunately, the defense lost a lot to graduation. Key injuries have magnified those losses even further. Adjusting to new defensive coaches and schemes is a daunting challenge. Key injuries appear to be hampering the schemes and personnel. Seriously, have we yet to play a game when everyone is healthy and or available to play? I think that's the main reason why this defense isn't playing as a cohesive unit.
What can be done?
Obviously, get healthy.
More attention to detail. How much would the defense improve, only if Jackson would learn to turn his head to the ball, when defending the pass? He's not getting badly burned.
To add to it, apparently Gradney is playing a little banged up. What can be done to help the pass defense? I'd show more confidence in Loud, Ford, and Brady. I'd add a few more reps for those guys. Chances are, 1 or all of those guys would step up their games, with opportunity. At this stage, how much worse could they do?
As for defensive coaching, I'd like to see us better adjust schemes and personnel to try limiting the opposing offenses strengths. Basically, force offenses to beat our defense with their weaknesses, not their strengths.
Here's to game to game improvements.
In the meantime, hope that our offense continues to bail out the defense.
masseyratings.com
