Comments on: Wonder, Think and Know: “No Defense” Edition

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 23:53:54 +0000

Robert is the only one who has summed this game up correctly.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 19:50:28 +0000

In reply to david.

Couldn’t agree more on your comment – we need fast LBs – who cares if they are undersized.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 16:37:55 +0000

Oh and Toussiant did not beat us. He had 71 yards on 22 carries, averaging 3.2 per carry and zero TDs on the ground. Gardner beat us because our guys could not keep contain on his bootlegs. When Gardner was in the pocket though he was being harassed constantly.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 16:36:00 +0000

I am not too sure what some of you saw Saturday night, but the front seven of the D did their jobs. They got to Gardner multiple times. What was hurting us is our secondary not being able to cover a twin bed with a king sized sheet. Gallon was their only weapon in the passing game and thanks to our secondary, we allowed Mich to get some rather easy TDs. One the other side, Rees made poor decisions when it cost us the most (surprise, surprise, surprise). On a fourth down play he opted to throw it to a double covered target in the endzone when he could have easily checked down to a wide open receiver picking up the first and extending the drive. Then, of course, on 1st and goal he throws it to a single target in the middle of the endzone who had something like four Mich defenders around him. Was the ground game sorely lacking? 96 total yards should tell you all you need to know. Was the BS pass interference call a factor? It was in that it gave them seven points. But the issues Saturday was a QB who should not be under center unless all other options are gone, and a secondary that is just as suspect as they were a year ago just a year older.

By: tbonesays

tbonesays — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 23:19:34 +0000

In reply to david. I was at the game and I didn't think Mich was stacking the box too much except on 3rd and short. I wondered why Carlyle through the A gap worked over and over again. Their lbs were so slow to close it.

By: Dave W

Dave W — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 23:15:05 +0000

In reply to david. I agree that M was stacking the box. We scored 30 points, only had 14 last year. Defense and officials cost us. You shouldnt have to score 42 points to win, and with Reese, we cant even score 42 against Temple.

By: david

david — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 22:25:17 +0000

Beating the dead horse. Is there anyone in America that didn’t know Fox and Calabrese would be a liabilty in pass coverage? In the preseason, beef up a couple db’s, practice them in multiple situations where you need up to 6 db’s on the field, and play them in games, like Michigan where you may need more pass coverage. Unfortunately, it’s no longer the preseason, so I don’t know what the hell ND will do moving forward.

By: dan

dan — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 22:15:18 +0000

in spite of the miracle season last year prior to the alabama game, n.d. continues to be plagued by less than stellar coaches and qbs. if they want to play with the really big dogs and we all know who the big dogs are, they have to find a way to bring in coaches from teams other than cincinatti, akron, etc. and find a way to bring in qbs who wont cheat on exams or just not be so good. lets keep an eye on gunner kiel. unless there is a total climate change in fun and cheery south bend all of this probably wont happen. so sad. dg, nd ’67; lsu ’71 and avid nd and lsu fan.

By: Mike Coffey

Mike Coffey — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 20:46:09 +0000

In reply to chuck. The clock doesn't become a factor until the final six minutes of the game. Outside of that, you have to be willing to use all of your offense. Take a look at what fifth-ranked Stanford does, it's quite educational.

By: david

david — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 19:46:55 +0000

In reply to Mike Coffey. I don't think ramming your head into an 8 or 9 man front is very smart. We would all be yelling "pass the damn ball." ND has some very good backs but no Robert Hughes or Jonas Grey. We lack the 230 lb power back. I know everyone wants to blame Rees but he also made some damn good throws. What I don't understand is why with an admittedly deep defensive backfield, ND doesn't put 5 or 6 db's in the game to confuse Gardner especially on passing downs. Probably because they did not practice with 5 or 6 db's. I think Diaco is a good game planner when it comes to defensive strategy. But, IMO, he is horrible with in-the-game adjustments.