Defensive issues: mental vs physical

It’s mental. These are all future nfl players. It’s embarrassing

quote:

---

It’s mental. These are all future nfl players. It’s embarrassing

---

There's alot of issues there. Mental is indeed one of them. But they are combining to produce some pretty bad 'system wide' failure.

Part of that mental is going for the big play or big hit (e.g. trying to strip ball BEFORE securing runner).

LBs seem to be committing to gaps without reading, or misreading, keys. Hence we've had issues with the run. Worth noting Chaisson has done a good job on run stoppage while others who are not pass rush specialists are not.

We've seen this zone result in some really bad DB handoffs. That's one of the mental mistakes. Probably exacerbated by fatigue some (haven't the worst ones been in 2nd half?).

We've had trouble getting pressure on the QB for 3 years now. I like the fact that Shelvin is getting that middle push. Fehoka did a good job when Shelvin was out last night, but that's the best we've seen of him all year.

DL aren't shedding blocks hence RBs have a solid crease with an OL 'screening' them from DL. Now, that might be what they are supposed to be doing on that particular play- eating blocks. But if the LBs are just jamming up against their asses that crease is still there and RBs are quickly to the second level. It's almost like there's a disconnect between the LBs/DBs and the DL. There are times when the DL says here let me eat up these 2 OL and the LBs think to themselves I'll just help them. There's poor gap control.

why would we be holding back? we played on the road vs a top 10 team. we don't have some secret defensive play book.

I think it's both. Mental with the blown assignments and physical with regard to not being able to shed blocks and just not looking good physically as a team. LSU is the least physical team in the sec. The other factor is Moffitt. The o and d linemen are the weak link literally. Moffitt is a joke. After watching the other sec games yesterday it's not even close. We can't get to the playoffs with this defense. It goes deep and there is no quick fix. Many injuries have occured on this team as a direct result of this weakness.

It’s mental.

They’ve been told how good they are and they lost focus. You can tell by the way they all try to look pretty out there. They’re not getting dirty and going to work.

Totally agree

Kary Vincent is just physical. dude is just overmatched out there. you can be as fast as you want... but if you cant tackle or cover you shouldnt be starting on the LSU defense

I've noticed a lack of wrapping the runner up. Trying to be pretty, as another poster said. Wrap them up and put them on the ground.

quote:

---

Whats the deal with Ika? He looked good from what little ive seen. Obviously in a few weeks Logan, Chassion, & Lawrence come back. In a nut shell, stopping the run is good-n-all but we've got to generate a pass rush and losing divinty didnt help. I thought he did well in his time a/Vandy

---

Ika is out injured. Best of my recollection it was a practice injury. He's only been playing sporadically. Seems injury is 'nagging' and since Fehoka is apparently 100% they are holding him out to get to 100%.

quote:

---

moffitt is a joke

---

Seems like all summer I saw posts here about linemen like shelvin making weight loss targets and other players setting personal bests and reaching targets in the weight room, as well as doing extra running and conditioning work to be able to execute or defend against hurryuptempo offense.