Defense 101

[td71sooner]

I'll be the first to admit that my football knowledge is pedestrian at best. It seems, though, that our current defensive scheme could use some improvement. While rushing only 3 with scattered help from the outside LBs, it appears we are rarely applying enough pressure to disrupt the quarterback. Add to that the lack of aggressive play and buffers given by the corners and LBs, we seem to allow too much positive execution by the opposing offense.

I know that there is a risk/reward component to all defensive schemes, but it appears to me the only way to counter the offensive production is to disrupt and play aggressively. It seems to work for other teams. Can it work for us?

 

[SoonerTulsan]

I'll be the first to admit that my football knowledge is pedestrian at best. It seems, though, that our current defensive scheme could use some improvement. While rushing only 3 with scattered help from the outside LBs, it appears we are rarely applying enough pressure to disrupt the quarterback. Add to that the lack of aggressive play and buffers given by the corners and LBs, we seem to allow too much positive execution by the opposing offense.

I know that there is a risk/reward component to all defensive schemes, but it appears to me the only way to counter the offensive production is to disrupt and play aggressively. It seems to work for other teams. Can it work for us?

While I understand what you're saying, too often we look at the most recent game to formulate opinions.

While it is still early in the season, through 5 games OU has 15 sacks, or 3 per game and averages 7 tackles for loss per game. We had 7 sacks against WV, which makes that stat a little misleading this early in the season, but also points out that we CAN disrupt the opposing QB.

The stats that concern me the most are our 39% defensive 3rd down conversion percentage and 190 rushing yds/game. Texas was obviously brutal, but against TU and WV we gave up 176 and 196 yards rushing respectively.

I really like how our secondary has progressed and it "seems" our DLine is getting a lot of attention via double teams. Tends to point back to the play of the LBs whose job it is to fill the gaps and stop the opposing team's running game from getting into our secondary. The relative irony is that it's likely our LBs are being "too" aggressive when they need to have the patience to read the play.

Bottom line, I think it's still too early to judge the "scheme" and we have had success disrupting opposing QBs. However, we REALLY need to improve our rushing D. I think it starts with our LBs.

Lastly, not defense...our offense has twice scored 24 points in regulation against 2 below average defenses. 60% of our OLine didn't have significant, if any, playing time until this year, we have a new play caller and a new QB. I saw weekly improvement through the first 4 games, but obviously regression last week.

Mayfield needs to find his rhythm earlier, the OLine needs to improve QUICKLY, and our new OC needs to figure out how to score more points against good defenses...also QUICKLY.

If we're going to win another Championship this year, we need to address and improve in the areas in BOLD...starting this weekend.

 

[td71sooner]

Thanks for the reply and good insight. My concern is we are getting into the meat of the schedule where we will face some good offensive teams. Tulsa hung over 400 passing yards on us (almost 200 rushing). The defense had only one sack that game and mostly played back. My sense is that had the defense played more aggressive at the line disrupting the QB and receivers, Tulsa's offensive numbers would not have been so high.

As you rightly point out, our offense has some work to do as well. Given that, I don't think we can win games where the opposing offense is allowed to generate big numbers. Rushing 3 while playing soft in the secondary seems to be Mike's approach when faced with offensive threats. I'm just wondering if we could/should do something differently.

 

[SoonerTulsan]

Thanks for the reply and good insight. My concern is we are getting into the meat of the schedule where we will face some good offensive teams. Tulsa hung over 400 passing yards on us (almost 200 rushing). The defense had only one sack that game and mostly played back. My sense is that had the defense played more aggressive at the line disrupting the QB and receivers, Tulsa's offensive numbers would not have been so high.

As you rightly point out, our offense has some work to do as well. Given that, I don't think we can win games where the opposing offense is allowed to generate big numbers. Rushing 3 while playing soft in the secondary seems to be Mike's approach when faced with offensive threats. I'm just wondering if we could/should do something differently.

West Virginia has a pretty stout offense...at least indications are thus far, and we actually did well applying pressure. However, it's hard to say if on a given upcoming week if we will see the "WV defense" or the "Tulsa defense".

To your point about upcoming opponents, it's likely safe to say that opposing OC's from Tech, TCU, and Baylor, would come up with a primary game plan that attempts to exploit the middle of our defense.

Here's hoping we can get back to improving weekly, while winning, until those games are played. I'm not sure, given what I "think" the weak link(s) is.

 

[td71sooner]

Putting faith in the coaching staff to make the necessary adjustments. Boomer Sooner.

 

[SoonerTulsan]

Putting faith in the coaching staff to make the necessary adjustments. Boomer Sooner.

I wonder if Teddy Lehman has any eligibility left??