Defensive staff

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Originally Posted by Lexhead

I am lining up behind @GeauxCajuns on this one. What I am seeing is fundamental failures. Bad tackling (yeah, I know they were going for strips), inability to shuck blocks against some really questionable talent (there is no excuse for that), and bad bad bad coverage. Those are failures in recruiting (not Smith's fault) and/or really bad coaching (Smith's fault).

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Ok, this is one case study, but I think it's apt. Microcosm of the problem.

Tracy Walker suffers from what im calling the "Vaccarro effect". Walker comes, looks really good in his first year, becomes a real difference maker down the stretch of the year in '15. Then shows up this year looking like he's never played organized football before. Is that Melvin Smiths fault?

How about this one: Darzil Washington. Everyone that knew anything was telling y'all, Darzil would be the X-factor. He's been unable to stay on the field. Smiths fault?

Simien Thomas: Smith told everyone that would listen, Thomas was a key piece because he could shut down one side of the field, and would allow Smith to run his system the way it was designed to be run. Eligibility issues... Smiths fault?

Briscoe, Lee, Kidd: All were highly touted and potential was seen in all. They had never been relied upon and that was understood. The idea was that they would develop as the season progressed. Is has not happened, mostly because of self discipline issues. Smiths fault?

There are more.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

Which quote are you referencing? On my phone, can't see it.

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MAT - " only to find his players are LOST and have no idea what assignment football means"

that was you in regards to smith.
i asked whose fault it was that his players are lost and have no idea what assignment football means

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Originally Posted by GeauxCajuns

MAT - " only to find his players are LOST and have no idea what assignment football means"

that was you in regards to smith.
i asked whose fault it was that his players are lost and have no idea what assignment football means

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Exactly. Just like last year. Or any other year under James Willis. My point is, we've had to reteach these players scheme and assignment. And many of them are not starters. That's a bad combo. And no, I'm not hanging that on Melvin Smith. If this was year 3, then absolutely I would.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

Which quote are you referencing? On my phone, can't see it.

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A fix is coming soooomday.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

attacking style defense. Everyone in Lafayette was calling for it at the time, including me.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

injuries have crippled the scheme.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

We simply do not have the horses at DL.

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I think that the offensive and defensive issues begin on their respective lines. The mix of injuries, unexpected non performers and youth of the team (including coaches in the sense that the player and coaches need time together) has crippled the team.

Just when they start to gel someone has to go in due to injury which throws things off.

We have talent...they just cant seem to stay on the field long enough to get the chance thrive.

I do not think this seasons issues fall on one group;HC, DC, OC, position, players, offense or defense more than another. Fans wanted the attacking D and got it, just cant keep people on the field. We all wanted the O to light it up but with a young pieced together line its hard to get in the grove.

It has been a really tough year!

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Originally Posted by Bigbuf

I think that the offensive and defensive issues begin on their respective lines. The mix of injuries, unexpected non performers and youth of the team (including coaches in the sense that the player and coaches need time together) has crippled the team.

Just when they start to gel someone has to go in due to injury which throws things off.

We have talent...they just cant seem to stay on the field long enough to get the chance thrive.

I do not think this seasons issues fall on one group;HC, DC, OC, position, players, offense or defense more than another. Fans wanted the attacking D and got it, just cant keep people on the field. We all wanted the O to light it up but with a young pieced together line its hard to get in the grove.

It has been a really tough year!

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Agreed on all points, with the exception of the handling of the QB situation.

But on defense, there's no question in my mind that Melvin Smith is the best D coordinator we've had here under Hud. Just his ability to make adjustments in game would tell us that, but there's a lot more to it.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

Agreed on all points, with the exception of the handling of the QB situation.

But on defense, there's no question in my mind that Melvin Smith is the best D coordinator we've had here under Hud. Just his ability to make adjustments in game would tell us that, but there's a lot more to it.

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I see it as a chicken or egg. He has had to make major in game adjustments all year. My question is what is he missing Mon - Friday in film and prep for the up coming opponent. I don't buy it when some say teams are changing there whole offense from what they have done in the past when they play the cajuns. If he were better at game planning he wouldn't need to make so many in game adjustments.

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Originally Posted by Opie Taylor

I see it as a chicken or egg. He has had to make major in game adjustments all year. My question is what is he missing Mon - Friday in film and prep for the up coming opponent. I don't buy it when some say teams are changing there whole offense from what they have done in the past when they play the cajuns. If he were better at game planning he wouldn't need to make so many in game adjustments.

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If he has healthy starters, his gameplans would look a lot more effective.

Something everyone here need to remember....and the reason I do not care to post an opinion on any of this.....you can see the results on the field and I can piece together a lot from that.....but we do not get to see game video which is shot both from the camera deck under the press box and also from an end zone angle...we do not get to grade that video and we are not in position meetings with the players, we are not in the locker room and we are not in Staff meetings....we are also not at practice....all extremely important factors to getting the entire picture....

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Originally Posted by basinbear

Something everyone here need to remember....and the reason I do not care to post an opinion on any of this.....you can see the results on the field and I can piece together a lot from that.....but we do not get to see game video which is shot both from the camera deck under the press box and also from an end zone angle...we do not get to grade that video and we are not in position meetings with the players, we are not in the locker room and we are not in Staff meetings....we are also not at practice....all extremely important factors to getting the entire picture....

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---OH really----and BB you could add to that all the game plan check offs, down and distance, DEFENSIVE ALIGNMENT, tendencies, INJURIES (Playable or playable with less performance), plays run with different blocking assignments (zone, base, man), motion check offs, and more------I have seen also some teams put in or seem to put in their game plans positive resulting plays from our former games (end around pass)---If only some had the experience of coaching possibly one could understand that decisions are based on what can win for you and I think you can see from BB and My post some things---and nobody EVER has all the answers but a bunch more than anybody on this board knows certainly including us!!!

We should all know at this point...it's Hud's defense.

I don't understand why you would think a guy who has never played safety in his life is a better option than your 2nd string safety who has played there and practiced there all season? Stop overthinking it and moving everyone around. Play your back ups, how can you preach next man up if you don't ever let the next man up?

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Originally Posted by crazycajun

I don't understand why you would think a guy who has never played safety in his life is a better option than your 2nd string safety who has played there and practiced there all season? Stop overthinking it and moving everyone around. Play your back ups, how can you preach next man up if you don't ever let the next man up?

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Crawford and Worthy were a no go for the game. But your point is well taken, Peters stated there are people playing that probably shouldn't be on the field. That is an astounding comment coming from one of your defensive leaders.

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Originally Posted by CajunT

Crawford and Worthy were a no go for the game. But your point is well taken, Peters stated there are people playing that probably shouldn't be on the field. That is an astounding comment coming from one of your defensive leaders.

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I was thinking the some thing.... Thats a very telling quote.

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Originally Posted by basinbear

Something everyone here need to remember....and the reason I do not care to post an opinion on any of this.....you can see the results on the field and I can piece together a lot from that.....but we do not get to see game video which is shot both from the camera deck under the press box and also from an end zone angle...we do not get to grade that video and we are not in position meetings with the players, we are not in the locker room and we are not in Staff meetings....we are also not at practice....all extremely important factors to getting the entire picture....

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thank you, and i think this can be used to describe qb situation as well.

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Originally Posted by Bicky Rustle

Is it just me, I personally think our 3 coaches that were on Auburns staff and got released when Muschamp was hired never intended to be here for the long haul. To my knowledge they were all still getting paid by AU when they took this job. IMO they are out of here first chance the get at being an assistant again in the SEC and HUD may be looking for a DC again this year. Just the vibe I get from that bunch.

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They was released because they couldn't coach.

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Originally Posted by JMVCAJUNS

They was released because they couldn't coach.

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They were released because AU brought in a new coordinator who brought in his own assistants. I think if you can't coach it gets out before you spend 20 years in the SEC.

We have changed staff almost every year with almost the same results. Something else is wrong.

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Originally Posted by MelRock

What coach wouldn't leave here for the SEC? Better yet which coach wouldn't leave and G5 school for a P5 school. Also ask Coach Willis how it worked out for him last year.

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Robe and Lotief

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Originally Posted by alum81

Robe and Lotief

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My comment was about football and football only. The difference in pay for football is greater than the other sports.

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Originally Posted by MelRock

My comment was about football and football only. The difference in pay for football is greater than the other sports.

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You are correct a D line coach will leave here to be a D line coach at a P5 school in the drop of a hat. That's a no brainier. The question is would Melvin smith leave as a DC to be a DB coach again.

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Originally Posted by Bicky Rustle

You are correct a D line coach will leave here to be a D line coach at a P5 school in the drop of a hat. That's a no brainier. The question is would Melvin smith leave as a DC to be a DB coach again.

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Great question and I am really not sure. I think it would depend on a lot of variables. If it is more money and he is close to retirement, maybe so. If it the same money but he has more years of service in another state that could raise his retirement, then maybe so. If it same money and the other variables are even, I would think not. Like I said I really don't know.

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Originally Posted by MelRock

Great question and I am really not sure. I think it would depend on a lot of variables. If it is more money and he is close to retirement, maybe so. If it the same money but he has more years of service in another state that could raise his retirement, then maybe so. If it same money and the other variables are even, I would think not. Like I said I really don't know.

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Auburn is paying him the remainder of what they owe him minus what he gets paid here. He is currently making very good money, not sure how long he has that deal but I'm pretty sure it's at least for next year. I've seen enough good out of his defense to want him to stick around. He basically has played without his most dynamic playmaker for the whole season and took 7 games to get the other one healthy. It really feels like we have had more injuries this year than the previous 4 combined.

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Originally Posted by Bicky Rustle

You are correct a D line coach will leave here to be a D line coach at a P5 school in the drop of a hat. That's a no brainier. The question is would Melvin smith leave as a DC to be a DB coach again.

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Smith will be paid another $350,000
by Auburn next year. ..so any increase above what we are paying him would probably be substantial from a P5 program.

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Originally Posted by crazycajun

Auburn is paying him the remainder of what they owe him minus what he gets paid here. He is currently making very good money, not sure how long he has that deal but I'm pretty sure it's at least for next year. I've seen enough good out of his defense to want him to stick around. He basically has played without his most dynamic playmaker for the whole season and took 7 games to get the other one healthy. It really feels like we have had more injuries this year than the previous 4 combined.

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+1 on this.

I don't want to see any of our coaches on either side of the ball released or leave for any reason. Not to make excuses but it has been a chaotic year, since the end of last year with everything going on around the complex. I trust HUD will have a come to Jesus with everyone involved in this program in the off season and it will get back on track. Look at his overall head coaching record the man is to much of a winner for that not to happen.