The fixables, and the unfixables on Defense

[Jack_John_Mark]

I have rewatched the game.........it sucked, we lost the 2nd time too......

I slowed down each play on Defense and tried to see what was happening........I found glaring issues that can be fixed, and some that cannot be fixed, in my opinion.

Here's what can be fixed:

1) Communication. Compton had several communication issues, especially in the first half which resulted in a break down in coverage on multiple occasions. Some of those plays went for huge yards where Compton picked up the wrong receiver and ended up leaving a man wide open. Lavonte David is simply sorely missed.

2) Secondary. They did not play that bad, really. They actually missed out on a couple of huge INT opportunities. Most of the issues in the Secondary can and will be easily fixed in the coming weeks. I feel comfortable with where we are at there, as I feel they will be fixed.

3) The following from the DL have potential to get better this season: Ankrah, Carter, Williams. These guys showed several times during this game that they can get off blocks and make plays. They also showed that they need a few games to get better, but they definitely have the physical skillset to do work up front.

Here's what cannot be fixed:

1) Cameron Meredith will not be getting better this season.

2) Eric Martin will not be getting better this season.

3) Baker Steinkhuler will not be getting better this season.

Those 3 guys are seriously dead weight, and show no signs of hope in my opinion. I honestly believe that that right side of the Defensive Line is at least 50% of what is wrong with our entire Defense.

The other 50% of what is wrong with our Defense comes with the things I listed in the "fixable" portion of this. Again, this is in my opinion. Things are going to have to be mixed around up front, because one whole half of the Defensive Line is completely lackadaisical and clueless.

 

[iruletheskool]

ye forgot to mention the awful play at Nickle

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

Which can be fixed.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I seriously think most of our issues come up front though. Cameron Meredith is seriously dead.....fucking.....weight.

 

[Brasky]

Ciante evans sucks dick. Fact.

 

[Brasky]

And P.J. Smith shouldn't see the field ever again.

 

[Red_Alert]

I agree w/ you jjm

If Pelini can fix the assignment/communication issues the D can be average. I think the trenches are pretty much hopeless with Cam and Stein.

The offense can win some games with an average D.

My biggest concerns will be Mich St and Ohio St's D's which also both happen to be on the road.

 

[Brasky]

I agree w/ you jjm

If Pelini can fix the assignment/communication issues the D can be average. I think the trenches are pretty much hopeless with Cam and Stein.

The offense can win some games with an average D.

My biggest concerns will be Mich St and Ohio St's D's which also both happen to be on the road.

Ankrah went on and on about how much better communication was!!!

WTF

 

[Red_Alert]

We've heard that from others in past years.

This isn't the first time Pelini's had to make adjustments. I remember Suh not getting his blackshirt until the 4th game or so. That was when Pelini was popping veins and rambling about pink shirts, yellow shirts, yada yada

LOL

 

[Red_Alert]

Here it is.. 2009 after the VT game and a reported asked when he'd hand out blackshirts..

“Quit worrying about the Blackshirts. Get over it. We didn’t play well enough. It had nothing to do with Blackshirts or yellow shirts or white shirts, or whatever the hell it is.”

 

[nolehusker]

You missed the issue with at least 19 missed tackles in that game. That's a conservative count.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I didn't list that one I guess because I figured that one was too obvious. It would be under the fixable category though

 

[Red_Alert]

There were about 30 missed tackles that accounted for over 200 yds of UCLA's total offense.

One would think that's fixable.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

There were exactly 280 yards gained by UCLA after initial contact.........they said that on the BTN yesterday.

That is fucking turrible.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

That issue alone easily lost us the game.......

But it's funny, because there were several other issues that I could say "fix that, and we win that game."

 

[Brasky]

There were exactly 280 yards gained by UCLA after initial contact.........they said that on the BTN yesterday.

That is fucking turrible.

We're deep enough to switch up players and find guys who are gonna tackle!!!

Courtney Osborne (I know for a FACT courtney can tackle), David Santos, MICHAEL ROSE, Zaire Anderson, Corey Cooper, Harvey Jackson, Aaron Curry, Avery Moss....

No reason not to start plugging guys in where guys are in the right spots but aren't tackling.

What is the point in having a guy on the field who knows where he is supposed to be all the time if he can't make the fucking tackle?

 

[Red_Alert]

There were exactly 280 yards gained by UCLA after initial contact.........they said that on the BTN yesterday.

That is fucking turrible.

ie..14+ points.

I predicted a score of 33-27 NU

a 12 point swing @ 36-30 UCLA

 

[Papalou]

I dont understand why we dont blitz more often. Why wont we consistantly pressure the QB

 

[Nate]

I dont understand why we dont blitz more often. Why wont we consistantly pressure the QB

I'm thinking that even if we sent 7 guys after the QB, even the 5 O linemen would still give their QB all day to throw.

 

[Exorbitant]

There were exactly 280 yards gained by UCLA after initial contact.........they said that on the BTN yesterday.

That is fucking turrible.

If most of those tackles were made like they should have been, Nebraska would have won the game 37-21. What a coincidence, that was my score prediction for the game!