Former Griz DC Breske getting praise at WSU

[griz4life]

From the S-R

Defense is also on our mind when it comes to Washington State. And for the opposite reason. Now no one will confuse the Cougar defense with the Hawks, not by sight and not by statistics. But this WSU defense is getting it done more often than not. And against teams with a lot more talent. When the season began, everyone looked at the players coming back and – rightfully so – expected the Cougar defense to struggle. And it did for a while. But new defensive coordinator Mike Breske and his staff have done a masterful job of overcoming a lack of team speed and size to limit the Pac-12's best recently. Saturday's Stanford game was one of the best examples of that. It was not just the numbers – Stanford had one of its worst offense showings of the season – but the tone as well. Other than a 70-yard touchdown – the result of a blown coverage – and a long second-half scoring drive – helped considerably by a horrendous third-down pass interference call – the Cardinal never seemed to threaten WSU. There were a lot of three-, four- or five-and-out possessions. Such results never seemed in the cards when the season began. And a big part of the credit goes to Breske. Not only does he and his staff get the Cougars to play hard – they did that the past couple years as well – but he has come up with imaginative ways to allow them to succeed. It's not just scheme, though that's part of it. It's not just substitution patterns, though that's part of it. It's a combination of both – and a belief they will be successful. This Cougar defense believes in itself. That last couple years it hoped it could get off the field. This year, it believes. That's a huge difference.

 

[putter]

From the S-R

Defense is also on our mind when it comes to Washington State. And for the opposite reason. Now no one will confuse the Cougar defense with the Hawks, not by sight and not by statistics. But this WSU defense is getting it done more often than not. And against teams with a lot more talent. When the season began, everyone looked at the players coming back and – rightfully so – expected the Cougar defense to struggle. And it did for a while. But new defensive coordinator Mike Breske and his staff have done a masterful job of overcoming a lack of team speed and size to limit the Pac-12's best recently. Saturday's Stanford game was one of the best examples of that. It was not just the numbers – Stanford had one of its worst offense showings of the season – but the tone as well. Other than a 70-yard touchdown – the result of a blown coverage – and a long second-half scoring drive – helped considerably by a horrendous third-down pass interference call – the Cardinal never seemed to threaten WSU. There were a lot of three-, four- or five-and-out possessions. Such results never seemed in the cards when the season began. And a big part of the credit goes to Breske. Not only does he and his staff get the Cougars to play hard – they did that the past couple years as well – but he has come up with imaginative ways to allow them to succeed. It's not just scheme, though that's part of it. It's not just substitution patterns, though that's part of it. It's a combination of both – and a belief they will be successful. This Cougar defense believes in itself. That last couple years it hoped it could get off the field. This year, it believes. That's a huge difference.

This is what Montana is missing. Gregorak did not learn from Breske how to work with what you have to be successful. He tries to hide the weaknesses rather than adjust to them. Hopefully his time with Breske and getting experience will mean more progress on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[stubbins]

From the S-R

Defense is also on our mind when it comes to Washington State. And for the opposite reason. Now no one will confuse the Cougar defense with the Hawks, not by sight and not by statistics. But this WSU defense is getting it done more often than not. And against teams with a lot more talent. When the season began, everyone looked at the players coming back and – rightfully so – expected the Cougar defense to struggle. And it did for a while. But new defensive coordinator Mike Breske and his staff have done a masterful job of overcoming a lack of team speed and size to limit the Pac-12's best recently. Saturday's Stanford game was one of the best examples of that. It was not just the numbers – Stanford had one of its worst offense showings of the season – but the tone as well. Other than a 70-yard touchdown – the result of a blown coverage – and a long second-half scoring drive – helped considerably by a horrendous third-down pass interference call – the Cardinal never seemed to threaten WSU. There were a lot of three-, four- or five-and-out possessions. Such results never seemed in the cards when the season began. And a big part of the credit goes to Breske. Not only does he and his staff get the Cougars to play hard – they did that the past couple years as well – but he has come up with imaginative ways to allow them to succeed. It's not just scheme, though that's part of it. It's not just substitution patterns, though that's part of it. It's a combination of both – and a belief they will be successful. This Cougar defense believes in itself. That last couple years it hoped it could get off the field. This year, it believes. That's a huge difference.

This is what Montana is missing. Gregorak did not learn from Breske how to work with what you have to be successful. He tries to hide the weaknesses rather than adjust to them. Hopefully his time with Breske and getting experience will mean more progress on the defensive side of the ball.

Gregorak keeps me guessing, I don't know if he's going to have the CB's 10 yards off the ball....or 12.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Breske has done a helluva job at WSU. I thought the Wazzu D would be atrocious this season after losing 3 starters before the year.

When coaches get desperate, they usually turn to low-character kids ala Robb Akey or Paul Wulff. It's the next coach that has the luxury of kicking those kids off the team.

 

[mtgrizrule]

From the S-R

Defense is also on our mind when it comes to Washington State. And for the opposite reason. Now no one will confuse the Cougar defense with the Hawks, not by sight and not by statistics. But this WSU defense is getting it done more often than not. And against teams with a lot more talent. When the season began, everyone looked at the players coming back and – rightfully so – expected the Cougar defense to struggle. And it did for a while. But new defensive coordinator Mike Breske and his staff have done a masterful job of overcoming a lack of team speed and size to limit the Pac-12's best recently. Saturday's Stanford game was one of the best examples of that. It was not just the numbers – Stanford had one of its worst offense showings of the season – but the tone as well. Other than a 70-yard touchdown – the result of a blown coverage – and a long second-half scoring drive – helped considerably by a horrendous third-down pass interference call – the Cardinal never seemed to threaten WSU. There were a lot of three-, four- or five-and-out possessions. Such results never seemed in the cards when the season began. And a big part of the credit goes to Breske. Not only does he and his staff get the Cougars to play hard – they did that the past couple years as well – but he has come up with imaginative ways to allow them to succeed. It's not just scheme, though that's part of it. It's not just substitution patterns, though that's part of it. It's a combination of both – and a belief they will be successful. This Cougar defense believes in itself. That last couple years it hoped it could get off the field. This year, it believes. That's a huge difference.

This is what Montana is missing. Gregorak did not learn from Breske how to work with what you have to be successful. He tries to hide the weaknesses rather than adjust to them. Hopefully his time with Breske and getting experience will mean more progress on the defensive side of the ball.

Gregorak keeps me guessing, I don't know if he's going to have the CB's 10 yards off the ball....or 12.

I said the thing about Gregorak over the past few weeks, and was called out for not knowing what I was talking about. It does appear from the pass defense results, Gregorak's weakness is making strategic and personnel adjustments in pass defense. How could he not learn from Breske? Then again, I guess the pass defense results do not speak for themselves.

 

[bigforkgriz]

From the S-R

Defense is also on our mind when it comes to Washington State. And for the opposite reason. Now no one will confuse the Cougar defense with the Hawks, not by sight and not by statistics. But this WSU defense is getting it done more often than not. And against teams with a lot more talent. When the season began, everyone looked at the players coming back and – rightfully so – expected the Cougar defense to struggle. And it did for a while. But new defensive coordinator Mike Breske and his staff have done a masterful job of overcoming a lack of team speed and size to limit the Pac-12's best recently. Saturday's Stanford game was one of the best examples of that. It was not just the numbers – Stanford had one of its worst offense showings of the season – but the tone as well. Other than a 70-yard touchdown – the result of a blown coverage – and a long second-half scoring drive – helped considerably by a horrendous third-down pass interference call – the Cardinal never seemed to threaten WSU. There were a lot of three-, four- or five-and-out possessions. Such results never seemed in the cards when the season began. And a big part of the credit goes to Breske. Not only does he and his staff get the Cougars to play hard – they did that the past couple years as well – but he has come up with imaginative ways to allow them to succeed. It's not just scheme, though that's part of it. It's not just substitution patterns, though that's part of it. It's a combination of both – and a belief they will be successful. This Cougar defense believes in itself. That last couple years it hoped it could get off the field. This year, it believes. That's a huge difference.

This is what Montana is missing. Gregorak did not learn from Breske how to work with what you have to be successful. He tries to hide the weaknesses rather than adjust to them. Hopefully his time with Breske and getting experience will mean more progress on the defensive side of the ball.

Gregorak keeps me guessing, I don't know if he's going to have the CB's 10 yards off the ball....or 12.

I feel this is really unfair to Gregorak and player rep. I watched the replay on my dvr and the cornerback on the right was only 9 yards off the line and the lefts side back was 11 yards off.

 

[bpcats]

Gregorak is in his first year as the DC and there is a learning process with that step. He will have the Griz defense back towards to the top of BSC standings as he learns for himself what works and doesn't work. There is a ton of talent on the Griz team to work with and that is usually the biggest hurdle.

 

[stubbins]

Gregorak is in his first year as the DC and there is a learning process with that step. He will have the Griz defense back towards to the top of BSC standings as he learns for himself what works and doesn't work. There is a ton of talent on the Griz team to work with and that is usually the biggest hurdle.

Not if you don't know how to use it...I hope you are right.

 

[griz4life]

I just posted the Breske write up because it just goes to show what he brings to the table. WSU is lucky to have him.
I really doubt a year working with Breske would teach you much. Gregorak spent most of his coaching career with Paulson and that's whose schemes Gregorak copies. He just doesn't copy them well. The pass rush works great, which you would expect from a linebackers coach. The secondary is set up super soft, which would suggest Gregorak isn't sure about his own play calling, or the abilities of his players. It's a very timid cover 4.

 

[Kodiak]

I just posted the Breske write up because it just goes to show what he brings to the table. WSU is lucky to have him.
I really doubt a year working with Breske would teach you much. Gregorak spent most of his coaching career with Paulson and that's whose schemes Gregorak copies. He just doesn't copy them well. The pass rush works great, which you would expect from a linebackers coach. The secondary is set up super soft, which would suggest Gregorak isn't sure about his own play calling, or the abilities of his players. It's a very timid cover 4.

The thing is that when Denard and Harris have been in man they have done pretty well. The problem is the Safeties are not very good in man...although with the solid pass rush that can be mitigated. It's no crime to play a soft cover 4 at times but I think it is relied on too heavily especially with the pressure the Griz can bring.

 

[Uncle Si]

From the S-R

Defense is also on our mind when it comes to Washington State. And for the opposite reason. Now no one will confuse the Cougar defense with the Hawks, not by sight and not by statistics. But this WSU defense is getting it done more often than not. And against teams with a lot more talent. When the season began, everyone looked at the players coming back and – rightfully so – expected the Cougar defense to struggle. And it did for a while. But new defensive coordinator Mike Breske and his staff have done a masterful job of overcoming a lack of team speed and size to limit the Pac-12's best recently. Saturday's Stanford game was one of the best examples of that. It was not just the numbers – Stanford had one of its worst offense showings of the season – but the tone as well. Other than a 70-yard touchdown – the result of a blown coverage – and a long second-half scoring drive – helped considerably by a horrendous third-down pass interference call – the Cardinal never seemed to threaten WSU. There were a lot of three-, four- or five-and-out possessions. Such results never seemed in the cards when the season began. And a big part of the credit goes to Breske. Not only does he and his staff get the Cougars to play hard – they did that the past couple years as well – but he has come up with imaginative ways to allow them to succeed. It's not just scheme, though that's part of it. It's not just substitution patterns, though that's part of it. It's a combination of both – and a belief they will be successful. This Cougar defense believes in itself. That last couple years it hoped it could get off the field. This year, it believes. That's a huge difference.

This is what Montana is missing. Gregorak did not learn from Breske how to work with what you have to be successful. He tries to hide the weaknesses rather than adjust to them. Hopefully his time with Breske and getting experience will mean more progress on the defensive side of the ball.

Gregorak keeps me guessing, I don't know if he's going to have the CB's 10 yards off the ball....or 12.

One thing I know for sure tho is that we will probably have at least one linebacker covering one if there fastest WR

 

[Grizzaholic]

WSU lost 49-6 to Utah today...ouch!

 

[Bear Pause]

I just posted the Breske write up because it just goes to show what he brings to the table. WSU is lucky to have him.
I really doubt a year working with Breske would teach you much. Gregorak spent most of his coaching career with Paulson and that's whose schemes Gregorak copies. He just doesn't copy them well. The pass rush works great, which you would expect from a linebackers coach. The secondary is set up super soft, which would suggest Gregorak isn't sure about his own play calling, or the abilities of his players. It's a very timid cover 4.

The thing is that when Denard and Harris have been in man they have done pretty well. The problem is the Safeties are not very good in man...although with the solid pass rush that can be mitigated. It's no crime to play a soft cover 4 at times but I think it is relied on too heavily especially with the pressure the Griz can bring.

Are we playing a cover 2 or cover 4? Gee, I thought we were playing a cover 0 all season long. :roll: