Like pretty much everyone else, I was shocked that Mike Stoops was retained after last season. Around the start of the season Redzone posted that he had heard that when Mike and Lincoln met after the season, Mike stated he didn't have complete control of the defense, and that Lincoln had given it to him at that point. I thought that was odd because if Mike didn't have complete control it would obviously Lincoln or Ruffin McNeal who was hired to be Lincoln's eyes and ears on the defense, and by title, Mike's boss.
The first two games of this season, Mike brought more pressure and from different places. It looked a lot more like the way Mike used to call defense, so I started being optimistic that giving him complete control was going to have an impact. Then, after the first two games, the pressure just stopped and the defense got progressively worse. Personally, since there was no apparent reason for the shift in philosophy, I assumed there was some form of disagreement in the defensive staff that continued until Mike was let go.
Over the last couple of games it's become apparent the defense is playing even softer. During the Bedlam game, corners were lining up 9-12 yards off the line of scrimmage and backpedaling at the snap, while the three man front didn't even appear to be trying to rush the passer for much of the game. There was no way they could stop anybody. During the game I started to think that it may have been Ruffin who was behind the soft coverages more so than Mike. I don't remember him having corners playing quite that far off. That's not a defense of Mike, because he definitely had plenty of issues. If nothing else, his antics greatly hindered recruiting.
In the postgame radio broadcast, Lincoln described a defensive series which led to a quick score by saying, "We were in a really nice soft zone." I didn't know there was such a thing. To me, it appears that Ruffin has convinced Lincoln that this scheme is the best option, and considering Lincoln's comments in the Monday presser, it sounds like he isn't considering any changes.
Personally, I'm sick of the constant stream of drivel that comes out of Ruffin's mouth. He talks a lot, but doesn't really say anything. I think he's nothing but a bullshit artist. My fear is that with the blind trust Lincoln apparently places in Ruffin, why would any coach worth his salt want to take the defensive coordinator job here, and have Ruffin looking over his shoulder, second guessing his every move. I think Ruffin has to go or, at the very least moved to an administrative position.
I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with these thoughts. For the good of the program, I hope that I'm wrong, but don't believe that I am.
The first two games of this season, Mike brought more pressure and from different places. It looked a lot more like the way Mike used to call defense, so I started being optimistic that giving him complete control was going to have an impact. Then, after the first two games, the pressure just stopped and the defense got progressively worse. Personally, since there was no apparent reason for the shift in philosophy, I assumed there was some form of disagreement in the defensive staff that continued until Mike was let go.
Over the last couple of games it's become apparent the defense is playing even softer. During the Bedlam game, corners were lining up 9-12 yards off the line of scrimmage and backpedaling at the snap, while the three man front didn't even appear to be trying to rush the passer for much of the game. There was no way they could stop anybody. During the game I started to think that it may have been Ruffin who was behind the soft coverages more so than Mike. I don't remember him having corners playing quite that far off. That's not a defense of Mike, because he definitely had plenty of issues. If nothing else, his antics greatly hindered recruiting.
In the postgame radio broadcast, Lincoln described a defensive series which led to a quick score by saying, "We were in a really nice soft zone." I didn't know there was such a thing. To me, it appears that Ruffin has convinced Lincoln that this scheme is the best option, and considering Lincoln's comments in the Monday presser, it sounds like he isn't considering any changes.
Personally, I'm sick of the constant stream of drivel that comes out of Ruffin's mouth. He talks a lot, but doesn't really say anything. I think he's nothing but a bullshit artist. My fear is that with the blind trust Lincoln apparently places in Ruffin, why would any coach worth his salt want to take the defensive coordinator job here, and have Ruffin looking over his shoulder, second guessing his every move. I think Ruffin has to go or, at the very least moved to an administrative position.
I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with these thoughts. For the good of the program, I hope that I'm wrong, but don't believe that I am.
