The Truth (as I see it)

[kalm]

Watch the games again. 75% of our issues on D is coaching-related. Out of position, horrible tackling technique, bad angles, bad eyes by the DBs. The D line gets a pass. It's tough when you have to start a freshman tackle that weighs 240lbs. However, I have a hard time believing that when we get healthy along the Dline that it will automatically make our defense anymore than 7 points a game better.

This is my biggest concern. I'm not worried about defensive schemes or styles. The best defensive gameplan in the world does no good if your guys can't tackle. We're talking about the fundamentals that are escaping the defense at the moment. It's a downward trend that keeps getting worse year after year. People can throw out past accolades for Graham all they want, they mean squat now. The defense is getting worse not better and for me that is not acceptable. If I saw that the players were making improvements, even if they were still giving up 50 points per game, I'd be OK with it, but it's still just a ton of missed tackles and poor reads. The defense should be better than this. I'm on the fire Graham bandwagon, but I won't go to the EWU campus with a pitchfork demanding it. Maybe firing Graham isn't the right answer, but there is zero doubt in my mind that some kind of shake up is necessary. The defense as it stands now will cost EWU a chance at a national championship this year.

This^
The debacle that is our defense falls squarely on coaching and the defense has been on a constant regression. Take the rose colored glasses off and quit making excuses (youth, injuries, etc...) You can have the squawks defense out there and it wouldn't matter if your leaving receivers wide open and missing tackles. This will be our achilles heel and will be the death of our team in the playoffs

This defense sucks, plain and simple. This isn't a knee jerk reaction, this is 7 games worth (counting the Towson game) of observation and it isn't magically going to get better. It is what it is Its only a matter of time before we run into someone who slows down the offense. However, we'll mostly likely win the Big Sky since no one else is any good.

Call me negative nancy all you want but I'm fed up with what I've seen and I hate to see this talented offensive team be boat anchored by a terrible defense.

I remember the Towson game and how all the expert opinions on here were clamoring about "prevent defense" when we were up in press man for most of that drive.

I love all of the expertise on here. :rofl:

Nice straw man, but your point is irrelevant to the defense this year.

Graham and schemes aren't in question here? Do go on... :dunce:

 

[kalm]

Kalm- nice copy and paste. :notworthy: Here are some more stats for you

2012 Total Defense rank: 79th out of 121 (almost cracked the top half)
2013 Total Defense rank: 81st out of 121
2014 (so far) 101st out of 121

JointheEAF- I have one BSC Championship ring, and graduated the season before the 'ship. Oh, I'm also a member of the EAF, and was a season ticket holder until I moved, so there's that. Not that any of that matters one bit.

Watch the games again. 75% of our issues on D is coaching-related. Out of position, horrible tackling technique, bad angles, bad eyes by the DBs. The D line gets a pass. It's tough when you have to start a freshman tackle that weighs 240lbs. However, I have a hard time believing that when we get healthy along the Dline that it will automatically make our defense anymore than 7 points a game better.

No one is asking for a great defense. I'd be happy with a defense that gave up an average of 28ppg, which is still in the bottom half of the nation.

Well then, we better just fire the entire coaching staff as recruiting defensive kids who lack the fundamentals is split between offensive and defensive coaches, and Sawyer, Fetter, et al are also responsible for player development. :dunce:

I'd hate to be a DC in todays climate. Look at Breskke who was a outstanding DC for Montana. I suppose he's forgotten how to coach too.

I get your frustration, but you're oversimplifying and showing a bit of emotion here. What would you like to wager that we hold teams to less than 28 from here on out?

Just to clarify, are you suggesting a wager that the D holds everyone they play from here 'til the end of the season to 28 or under? And you want to bet they do? This is a straight up bet?

Straight up 28 ppg average through the regular season. Hell, I might even give you the first game of the playoffs just to be generous. :nod:

 

[clawman1]

This fire Graham dialog is short sighted and ignorant:
Do you know there are other coaches that want to win?
Do you know Graham is a proven winner.
Do you know the players want to win?
Do you know how hard the players have worked to get to this point?
Do you know who recruited most of these players?
Ya that makes a lot of sense to fire your D-coordinator mid season... duh :dunce: !
Think before you speak (type).

 

[MLEagle]

This fire Graham dialog is short sighted and ignorant:
Do you know there are other coaches that want to win?
Do you know Graham is a proven winner.
Do you know the players want to win?
Do you know how hard the players have worked to get to this point?
Do you know who recruited most of these players?
Ya that makes a lot of sense to fire your D-coordinator mid season... duh :dunce: !
Think before you speak (type).

Show me the thread of a bunch of folks calling to fire Graham; I not saying it hasn't been said but I haven't seen it from the masses. I think you and a few others are getting way too sensitive about criticism of the defensive side of the ball. I don't hear Eagle fans in droves calling for Graham's head.

The fact of the matter is Graham and HIS defensive unit have given up 50+ points in 3 of 6 games this year, and could have easily been 4 of 6 games if the Sam Houston QB would have hit WIDE OPEN receivers on multiple occasions.

Some of you folks have given every excuse possible for why the defense is struggling and some of those reasons are bound to be right. BUT, the fact still remains that the EWU defense has been HORRIBLE and it is Graham's job to coach these boys up. It is HIS game plan, scheme, players, strategy, etc.

I'm not calling for anyone's job for many of the reasons you stated, I just want the defense to play better. Hopefully Graham has the answer, but one thing is for sure and that is what ever in the hell he is doing this season isn't working worth a crap. AND, now with VA out along with Forte the defense is going to have to play better in order to win games.

 

[EWUeag]

Ya that makes a lot of sense to fire your D-coordinator mid season... duh :dunce: !
Think before you speak (type).

Literally no one has said this.

 

[LDopaPDX]

A scary thing to consider: we held a 5 minute possession advantage when we surrendered 59 to UW. We had a whopping 10 minute advantage when giving up 53 to Idaho State. The offense isn't doing the Oregon-style quick strike and putting stress on a tired defense. Our O is dominating game after game with yardage, scores, and possession and it still isn't helping.

The sense of urgency for improvement is needed for the D now. In some ways, losing VA may have a positive effect of having the D come to the realization that there is no fall back position anymore. They won't get bailed out of a bad performance. Sometimes players need that rock and a hard place situation to turn it around. And if this injury situation helps get the D in fighting shape, there may be a silver lining.

 

[EAGLEFUZZ]

A scary thing to consider: we held a 5 minute possession advantage when we surrendered 59 to UW. We had a whopping 10 minute advantage when giving up 53 to Idaho State. The offense isn't doing the Oregon-style quick strike and putting stress on a tired defense. Our O is dominating game after game with yardage, scores, and possession and it still isn't helping.

The sense of urgency for improvement is needed for the D now. In some ways, losing VA may have a positive effect of having the D come to the realization that there is no fall back position anymore. They won't get bailed out of a bad performance. Sometimes players need that rock and a hard place situation to turn it around. And if this injury situation helps get the D in fighting shape, there may be a silver lining.

I am thinking the same thing..The D has the best offense to back them up...lets give the bungles some credit they have copied our model and are built a lot like us. A Potent offense and suspect D hell they gave up 56 to us.....Now we have a great unknown in our new gunslinger JW...the D will feel the need to step up.