Defense 2013

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

Will we have a championship defense in 2013?
We need better defense to get to Frisco, more speed. I was interested to see if we recruited any JC.s for linebackers or safeties? Nothing? We must have some great kids on red shirt and non qualifiers. Coach Graham's defense made the difference in 2010, it will be what gets us to Frisco again. For years we have had the Off. to compete, but it takes def. to win. Just ask the boys from NDSU and SHSU.
Defense wins chammpionships.
We will not be going to Frisco next year, if we cann't defend the option. We will know early with Toledo"s option read and then SHSU.

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

Numbers Never Lie: Bison, suffocating defense prevail again
By Tim McDonnell, FCS Assistant

(Sports Network) - Winning a national title is difficult enough, but winning back-to-back national championships puts a team in rarified air.

Quite simply, the team's numbers never let them down. Especially on defense.

The Bison entered the game leading the FCS in scoring defense (11 points per game), total defense (223 yards per game), passing defense (131 yards per game) and first downs allowed (11.93 per game). Plus, it ranked second in defensive third down efficiency at 28.07 percent.

Certainly, in Saturday's victory, those numbers might have altered a little bit, allowing 391 yards of offense and 275 passing yards, but the defensive unit held Sam Houston State in check and, more importantly, out of the end zone just enough.

North Dakota State forced four turnovers - all of which were interceptions - and for the second year in a row, won the battle up front, limiting the Bearkats to a mere 116 rushing yards on 38 carries.

It was the lowest rushing total of the season for Sam Houston coach Willie Fritz's squad and only the second time that his team failed to score a rushing touchdown.

With the 2012 FCS football season now in the books, it's safe to say that every teams' success and failure directly relates to its numbers.

 

[sunday]

Will we have a championship defense in 2013?
We need better defense to get to Frisco, more speed. I was interested to see if we recruited any JC.s for linebackers or safeties? Nothing? We must have some great kids on red shirt and non qualifiers. Coach Graham's defense made the difference in 2010, it will be what gets us to Frisco again. For years we have had the Off. to compete, but it takes def. to win. Just ask the boys from NDSU and SHSU.
Defense wins chammpionships.
We will not be going to Frisco next year, if we cann't defend the option. We will know early with Toledo"s option read and then SHSU.

I couldn't agree more. I know a little at the safety spot since my son is a RFR. He thinks we are pretty solid there. It seems the area to grow in is LB's and some nasty DL boys. As I said before, the coaches really liked the 2012 class. They may still be a little young, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[EWURanger]

I think we could be better defensively next year if we can get some improvement on the defensive line. Ceja and Ena are big losses at DE, but getting Anthony Larry back (hopefully) could mitigate that some. Pulu will be back at DT next year, but not sure who will start alongside him. Perhaps Zylstra. I truly believe we need one or two more big bodies on the inside to help our run defense, which just has not been great the past few years.

Other than that, I actually think our secondary could be really good. We don't lose anyone at CB and TJ Lee and Ronald Baines are seasoned veterans at this point. I am also interested to see if Wiggins can earing a starting spot. At 6'4" he could really be a dominant lock-down corner in the Big Sky. We also have some other guys returning like Scheutzle, so I think we are set there. I also think we'll be really good at Safety. Allen Brown will be back, and Tonani played really well for most of the season when Minnerly was out with the injury. And we've got some good players from the 2012 class that will be eligible. No glaring holes there.

I think LB is a bit of a question mark at this point. I think McCarthy will be the probable starter at MLB, backed up by Goldwire. Obviously Hamlin starter one of the OLB spots. I honestly don't know how he was not a 1st Team All BSC selection. I think he's one of the most under-rated players in the BSC - the dude is just everywhere on the field. Big question mark on the other OLB spot, that one is probably up for grabs. We are very young at that position, although we had a couple of guys RS this year that should contribute - Cedric Gonzalez, Jordan Downing, and I believe Zamora might have been moved to OLB. JC Agen should be back after missing the season with injury. We are just not very deep at that position, so we'll see. I can't remember if any of the props from this season were recruited as LB's. Gossmeyer? And I seem to recall another Socal kid from last season that was recruited as a LB, but can't remember his name. Real big kid. Looks like Jordan Pulu might play on the line at DE.

All in all, I think our main issues will be at LB, and I don't think this year's recruiting class will have much effect on that.

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

Ranger,
Your comment about LB's is my concern as well. We have taken FBS, step down QB's and it has been a benefit to the team why are we not looking for the very best LB's in the same manor? I know Eastern recruiting has been great the last 3yrs. but I am sure we are not 100% on every position.
Ah, a fan's worries. Our coaches have done such a great job. We have been spoiled.

 

[EWURanger]

Ranger,
Your comment about LB's is my concern as well. We have taken FBS, step down QB's and it has been a benefit to the team why are we not looking for the very best LB's in the same manor? I know Eastern recruiting has been great the last 3yrs. but I am sure we are not 100% on every position.
Ah, a fan's worries. Our coaches have done such a great job. We have been spoiled.

Yeah, I think if we are looking at trying to get one or two players at that position that can make an immediate impact, the best route would be a JC kid or FBS transfer as I'm not sure any of our really young players will have the experience. I know we hardly (if ever) go the JC route.

Then again, you never know - maybe one of our young Freshman will be able to step up to the plate. Zach Johnson was pretty damn good even as a RS Freshman.

 

[DefendtheRed]

I hope I am wrong, but I don't see us being that great on defense in 2013. I agree with the comments about lb, we seem to be very thin at that position. I wonder what the coaches are planning.

 

[Eagle1990]

Linebackers seem to be where we lack depth. Hopefully someone will step up.

 

[LDopaPDX]

No doubt, we had a championship offense with a pretty mediocre defense. Our tackling let us down far too often, and we always seemed outschemed at the start of games. We have 3 back from a good starting back 4, which is nice.

It sure seems hard to get information on the recruiting front.... I know the kids need to report it, but I have no idea who they're reporting it to...

 

[sunday]

No doubt, we had a championship offense with a pretty mediocre defense. Our tackling let us down far too often, and we always seemed outschemed at the start of games. We have 3 back from a good starting back 4, which is nice.

It sure seems hard to get information on the recruiting front.... I know the kids need to report it, but I have no idea who they're reporting it to...

As we all watched the Tide roll up the Irish last night, Alabama's Defense is what I would love to emulate at Eastern. I've read in past posts that 'for years we have had a high octane Offense.' What about the Defense? All night long the announcers talked about 'how solid Alabama tackled, and the lack thereof from Notre Dame.' Sounded eerily familiar. Defense wins Championships. Coach B is an Offensive guru. But for him to have to put up 35+ points to beat an opponent is unreasonable, I think. Hopefully we figure some new schemes out in 2013. And get nasty. :nod: