NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK FOOTBALL: 2015

[Grantvb]

For some reason, my defense wasn't shown.....

[Turbine]

For some reason, my defense wasn't shown.....

Fixed it for you

[zephyr]

How much do you think winning bowls and being showcased on ESPN help overall with recruiting?

This is for all the old coaches we have on R.P.

Go look at our recruiting class. I looked at ESPN the other day and was astonished at our 2015 class. We have a 4 star kid in Brazil and 11 or 12 3 star commits per them. That would have to be our single best class ever based on the current ranking systems. For that reason, I have to think the bowl wins, 4 straight winning seasons, overall fan support etc.. promote this program.

[zephyr]

Defense will be better next year, TJ posey,Otha peters, trey granier, toboris lee, ladarius Kidd, marquis white, Brazil, Holmes, Thomas, are all guys that will contribute heavily that you left off. I'm pretty sure Stevie artigue will win the kicking jump from jump. We need to figure out the QB and replacing quave and Johnson on OL. One of the freshman hopefully can step in as alonzo replacement. Leadership will be the toughest thing to replace, talent is there.

I think this defense can be just as good as this year or better, particularly in the front 7 even with us losing Ringo and Hamilton but the CB position will once again concern me. We lose both starters and while we're getting Brazil, we still have no idea how impactful he will be nor do we know who will take over that other spot. We presume it will be Simeon Thomas but he hasn't played in a game in a year and that's a crap shoot also. If we can get that position solidified, yes, this defense can be a good one.

[Just1More]

For that reason, I have to think the bowl wins, 4 straight winning seasons, overall fan support etc.. promote this program.

Your reasoning is sound, Plato. Positives contribute to more positives. When we elevate, we go higher. Succeed and you'll have success. Winning makes winners. LOL

[CrazyCajun]

I think this defense can be just as good as this year or better, particularly in the front 7 even with us losing Ringo and Hamilton but the CB position will once again concern me. We lose both starters and while we're getting Brazil, we still have no idea how impactful he will be nor do we know who will take over that other spot. We presume it will be Simeon Thomas but he hasn't played in a game in a year and that's a crap shoot also. If we can get that position solidified, yes, this defense can be a good one.

thomas has been practicing all year so its not like he hasnt been playing football, 2 seniors were over taken by freshman in the defensive backfield. Im much more concerned about if Hud will let Willis run man coverage instead of zone than I am about the talent. Every year we are seeing more freshman contribute, that is a good sign o fyour level of recruit is increasing.

[zephyr]

thomas has been practicing all year so its not like he hasnt been playing football, 2 seniors were over taken by freshman in the defensive backfield. Im much more concerned about if Hud will let Willis run man coverage instead of zone than I am about the talent. Every year we are seeing more freshman contribute, that is a good sign o fyour level of recruit is increasing.

I'm talking about gameplay. We all know how much different it is to practice rather than prepare and actually strap it up on Saturday night.

Also, I don't see us making any shift in defensive philosophy. We've run a similar zone system since Hud got here and that was with two future pros at the CB positions

[CrazyCajun]

I'm talking about gameplay. We all know how much different it is to practice rather than prepare and actually strap it up on Saturday night.

Not nearly as different as not playing. He redshirted basically. It's not like has been away from the game. So none of our redshirt scan contribute next year. Nothing is a given but a kid who player and started a bowl game as a true freshman is obviously talented enough to play/start as a redshirt sophomore

[VObserver]

I'm talking about gameplay. We all know how much different it is to practice rather than prepare and actually strap it up on Saturday night.

Also, I don't see us making any shift in defensive philosophy. We've run a similar zone system since Hud got here and that was with two future pros at the CB positions

If we DON'T change philosophy, 8-4 is our ceiling. The cr*p zone we run guarantees us that we will never beat a team with a QB who can consistently complete 5 yard slants to WR or 10 yard seam routes to TE's unless we can score 40 or more points and just outscore them. Fortunately, we are in the SBC, and there are 7 teams there, plus an FCS opponent that we can outscore.

[Just1More]

If we DON'T change philosophy, 8-4 is our ceiling. The cr*p zone we run guarantees us that we will never beat a team with a QB who can consistently complete 5 yard slants to WR or 10 yard seam routes to TE's unless we can score 40 or more points and just outscore them. Fortunately, we are in the SBC, and there are 7 teams there, plus an FCS opponent that we can outscore.

I think the shift in philosophy is already underway, Our defense gave up more big plays while preventing giving up big plays, than any team in the nation. Look at the Troy game. We again decided to soft cover. We got our asses handed to us the entire first half. And let's understand... that was our coach's decision for the game. We come back out in the second half and go man cover... and we completely... not almost... but completely shut down Troy's offense. And can you think of a QB that we should perhaps have applied, "don't give up the big play" more than Farjardo? What did we do? We applied pressure at the line, even though he's known to scramble out of it, and we tight covered every player upfield. It worked. It worked like a charm. It would have worked against Tech.

I have no doubt we've shifted in defensive philosophy going into next year. Hud has too much evidence not to.