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Is our Run Defense a Concern?

by Mars · 8/14/2010

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M
Mars


Last season (2009), our Run Defense finished #20 in the nation, ahead of Boise State (who went undefeated behind a stout defense and beat TCU). In fact, BSU's defensive coordinator was hired by Tennessee in the off-season. But how good -or bad- will BYU's rush D be THIS year?





So far throughout 8 practices in fall camp, our defense has:



-Given up 26 rushes for 182 rushing yards (6.8 yards per carry) and 1 rushing TD to QBs, and 29 rushes for 159 rushing yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 4 rushing TDs to RBs.



-Caused 4 fumbles, got 28 sacks, and 3 tackles for a loss.





Of course, these stats represent our first, second, and third string defenses all together.

Also, DC Jaime Hill says that our D is running the same basic package no matter which QB is in right now, whereas when we open against Washington we will be running a special package specifically designed to help slow down their star QB.





So, are we strong, are we weak, are we somewhere in between, or do we really just have no idea yet??
S
Schmoe
I'm gonna say still pretty strong. We have a young, athletic LB corps who can pursue and good experience at corners, safety, etc.
B
Brayden Green
I said stronger than last year. With our DB's being able to handle the pass better, and having an actual DB rotation, the LB's can focus on the run a little bit more. We have the talent, they just all need to play more with each other, and get it figured out. Not really a concern to be honest. It is nice to see we are getting to the qb more, and that will translate to the running game.
L
Lawboy
In the 3-4 defense,the runs stoppers are the line down lineman and the interior LBs. We are inexperienced in both places. Having Fuga back to plug the middle is great, along with Ogletree who is experienced. But So'oto and Putnam need to get it done. Putnam has always been a pass rusher guy, and So'oto is an unknown in many respects. Greta athlete, but no clue how solid he will be stopping the run. I think this are is concern, but I think only in 4-5 games this year. The rest they will be good enough to just get it done.
S
snoscythe
Lawboy wrote:
In the 3-4 defense,the runs stoppers are the line down lineman and the interior LBs. We are inexperienced in both places. Having Fuga back to plug the middle is great, along with Ogletree who is experienced. But So'oto and Putnam need to get it done. Putnam has always been a pass rusher guy, and So'oto is an unknown in many respects. Greta athlete, but no clue how solid he will be stopping the run. I think this are is concern, but I think only in 4-5 games this year. The rest they will be good enough to just get it done.


I think it is a prime area of concern. Run defense is all about discipline. You need to be disciplined in staying put in your gap assignment when all the movement might indicate the play is going away from you, you need to be disciplined in wrapping up instead of hitting, and you need to be experienced enough to know when to abandon your assignment and get to the ball.



Those are things you really only develop through experience, but as far as experience goes, it's one of the quicker things to pick up. We might struggle early on, but by the time we get to November/December (January?) it should be pretty well shored up.
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M
Mars


I'm not going to lie, I'm a little concerned. Our yards per carry in Fall camp to this point is flat-out awful defensively. If that stat carried over into the season, we won't win more than 7-8 games.
I
imuakahuku
IIRC, especially in the 3-4, the DL is supposed to occupy all the OL and protect the LB's so they can make the stops. I just have one thing to say about this years LB's, SPEED. We will be A LOT faster than last year provided they learn their reads and get their assignments down. But I think it will come down to whether the DL's are quick and strong enough to occupy the OL.
S
snoscythe
imuakahuku wrote:
IIRC, especially in the 3-4, the DL is supposed to occupy all the OL and protect the LB's so they can make the stops. I just have one thing to say about this years LB's, SPEED. We will be A LOT faster than last year provided they learn their reads and get their assignments down. But I think it will come down to whether the DL's are quick and strong enough to occupy the OL.


With youth, speed can cut both ways--you can get to the right spot faster, or you can get farther out of position faster. We need them to play smart as well as fast. UW will be an interesting game to let them cut their teeth--here's hoping for a revelation!
G
Guest
Run defense was pretty strong today in the scrimmage, or so it seemed without looking at the stats right now. Definitely better than it was during the practices on Friday. I think it will improve exponentially throughout the year... well, maybe exponentially for the first 3 or 4 games and then in a more linear manner.
C
Cougarbib
idk - can't wait to find out
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I
Italics
Mars wrote:


I'm not going to lie, I'm a little concerned. Our yards per carry in Fall camp to this point is flat-out awful defensively. If that stat carried over into the season, we won't win more than 7-8 games.


This is why I'm confused as to why everyone keeps saying our running game hasn't looked very impressive offenesively.
M
Mars
Italics wrote:
This is why I'm confused as to why everyone keeps saying our running game hasn't looked very impressive offenesively.

No 40+ yard carries?



Like that was Unga's M.O. :roll:
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