Defensive staff

[Lexhead]

who's fault is this, if it isnt his?

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).

[ManAboutTown]

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).

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.

[GeauxCajuns]

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

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

[ManAboutTown]

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

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.

[Turbine]

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

A fix is coming soooomday.

[Bigbuf]

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

injuries have crippled the scheme.

We simply do not have the horses at DL.

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!

[ManAboutTown]

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!

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.

[Big Poppa]

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.

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.

[ManAboutTown]

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.

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

[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....

[Boomer]

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....

---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!!!

[cajunhawk]

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