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Message
My simple explanation for poor pass defense - things are looking up
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:19 pm
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:19 pm
I know we all expected the defensive backfield to be dominant this season and rightfully so. So far it hasn't lived up to those expectations with teams making big plays in the passing game against our DBs. The reason for this is pretty simple and it starts with Kevin Steele.
John Chavis used an overly simplified scheme which allowed the DBs to play physical in man coverage on almost every play. Kevin Steele's defense is slightly more complex and has incorporated more zone coverage than I've seen LSU run in awhile. It's clearly evident that the DBs (Minus KT2 and Shaq) have been struggling with the scheme change. LSU has recruited man coverage corners the last few years coupled with long, athletic safeties that are more suited for run support. This combination of athletes doesn't work as well when running Cover 3 as I've seen LSU do somewhat this year.
I think the key to shutting down Florida's passing game (which is based on easy read crossing routes) is to play physical man coverage and disrupt the timing of the play. Ole Miss tried to play zone coverage for the majority of the game and Florida's QB had easy reads with his WRs sliding through the coverage gaps.
The biggest missing element for LSU has been the absence of safety Jalen Mills. Mills was a former corner/nickel who is more suited for pass coverage and has a different skillset from Adams, Battle, Jefferson, Thompson, etc. I think that Mills playing in this game will be the difference on defense as he will be able to play more sound zone coverage than Rickey Jefferson as a nickel and safety. Him being a veteran also provides a "coach on the field" or "field general" element to the defense which has been missing.
Playing a true 4-2-5 with Adams in the Honeybadger/Rover role and Ronald Martin/Jalen Mills over the top is how Chief got elite DB play toward the end of last year. I expect the same scheme to be used and the pass defense to shore up very quickly.
TLDR: Pass defense has struggled due to new schemes and Jalen Mills' return will help the DBs mightily.
John Chavis used an overly simplified scheme which allowed the DBs to play physical in man coverage on almost every play. Kevin Steele's defense is slightly more complex and has incorporated more zone coverage than I've seen LSU run in awhile. It's clearly evident that the DBs (Minus KT2 and Shaq) have been struggling with the scheme change. LSU has recruited man coverage corners the last few years coupled with long, athletic safeties that are more suited for run support. This combination of athletes doesn't work as well when running Cover 3 as I've seen LSU do somewhat this year.
I think the key to shutting down Florida's passing game (which is based on easy read crossing routes) is to play physical man coverage and disrupt the timing of the play. Ole Miss tried to play zone coverage for the majority of the game and Florida's QB had easy reads with his WRs sliding through the coverage gaps.
The biggest missing element for LSU has been the absence of safety Jalen Mills. Mills was a former corner/nickel who is more suited for pass coverage and has a different skillset from Adams, Battle, Jefferson, Thompson, etc. I think that Mills playing in this game will be the difference on defense as he will be able to play more sound zone coverage than Rickey Jefferson as a nickel and safety. Him being a veteran also provides a "coach on the field" or "field general" element to the defense which has been missing.
Playing a true 4-2-5 with Adams in the Honeybadger/Rover role and Ronald Martin/Jalen Mills over the top is how Chief got elite DB play toward the end of last year. I expect the same scheme to be used and the pass defense to shore up very quickly.
TLDR: Pass defense has struggled due to new schemes and Jalen Mills' return will help the DBs mightily.
9
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:24 pm to rmnldr
Mills is expected to play only minimal snaps in the game
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:25 pm to rmnldr
It's not like the defense is giving up 300-500 in the air. You guys have too much high expectations.
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:25 pm to rmnldr
Good post
Agreed with most
Agreed with most
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:28 pm to jtran1988
quote:
It's not like the defense is giving up 300-500 in the air. You guys have too much high expectations.
Yards don't matter. It's all about touchdowns.
quote:
Good post
Agreed with most
What didn't you if you don't mind?
This post was edited on 10/14/15 at 9:29 pm
Posted on 10/14/15 at 9:54 pm to rmnldr
quote:
Yards don't matter. It's all about touchdowns.
Red Zone defense is certainly a concern.
Opponents have scored touchdowns 9-12 chances (75 percent).
Compare that to 2011 where opponents scored only 12-26 (46 percent)
Improving special teams (making the opponent's drives start further back), and Bower and Mills back in the mix should definitely push the numbers in our favor.
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:06 pm to rmnldr
What I have noticed, and not just picking on DT here, but we have given up long fields. We are really good on short fields, when offenses get into the redzone against our defense. IMO its because everything stays in front of them.
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:08 pm to rmnldr
fwiw, 5 paragraphs is not simple...
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:11 pm to ForeLSU
Really? My 7 year old can read 5 paragraphs...
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:13 pm to transcend
quote:
Really? My 7 year old can read 5 paragraphs...
after 5 drinks?
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:22 pm to ForeLSU
I gave a TLDR. 
Why are you five drinks in on a Wednesday night?
Why are you five drinks in on a Wednesday night?
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:31 pm to rmnldr
Don't you judge this man.
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:46 pm to rmnldr
We run a lot of zone in the 2nd half with a lead for sure. Mills in the slot can man up and I agree that we will likely see more man to man coverage, but that leaves you susceptible to a qb taking advantage with his legs. Therefore, the dline will have to be smart in how they pursue him and make him move around the pocket.
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:52 pm to easy money
Running QBs have rarely been a problem for LSU. I'd suspect that the defensive line will be peeking into the backfield a lot more and a LB will keep an eye on Treon.
Posted on 10/14/15 at 10:56 pm to rmnldr
I am ones toy not that worried. Mostly just teams taking advantage of a mismatch here or there. emu vs Donnie Alexander for one. And USCe putting Cooper in the slot to take advantage of Deayne Thomas.
Mills coming back will help a lot
Mills coming back will help a lot
Posted on 10/15/15 at 3:54 am to jtran1988
quote:
It's not like the defense is giving up 300-500 in the air. You guys have too much high expectations.
No we do not. Have you seen who we have been playing? Syracuse's 4th or 5th string QB, EMU's backup (he had been a starter for a couple games before us, but still the same), Perry Orth - the backup that was pulled for Nunez, and only put back in because Nunez got hurt, Jeremy Johnson who is riding pine now, and Prescott. Prescott was the only good QB and outside of Cooper, no other WR/TE on any team compared to Miss St's WR/TEs.
We are ranked 39th, yes 39th! in pass defense and the only reason we aren't giving up more yardage is because the special teams gives them shorter fields and we are playing against backup QBs with meh WRs. We are giving up 191 a game and we have played nobody but Prescott.
What happens when we play Kyle Allen or Kelly or hell even Brandon Allen who is averaging 206 yards at 7.7 ypa in conference play? Even Coker is averaging 217 yards and 2 TDs per game in conference play, completing nearly 60% of his passes. The Western Kentucky QB is nothing like any of the past 4 guys we have played. The way we are playing now, we could easily give up 300+ yards and 3 TDs to an actual good QB who has been starting for several years putting up ridiculous stats.
I will say that Mills could be just what we need to get the back seven in order. Actually provide a leader and veteran presence on defense.
Posted on 10/15/15 at 7:05 am to Datbayoubengal
You guys realize most of yards and TDs were because Steele subbed bench players for playing time (aside from Dwayne Thomas getting burned all the time).... right?
Posted on 10/15/15 at 7:41 am to jtran1988
Adams has to stop head hunting and maintain his discipline. Some if the long TD's he has come up to make knockout hit and has been burned.
Posted on 10/15/15 at 8:38 am to SammyTiger
quote:
I am ones toy not that worried. Mostly just teams taking advantage of a mismatch here or there. emu vs Donnie Alexander for one. And USCe putting Cooper in the slot to take advantage of Deayne Thomas. Mills coming back will help a lot
yea, I was a little frustrated watching Thomas on their best receiver drive down the field.
SC only has one true play maker, it's seems like it should have been White on him no matter what.
Mills will help if he is put in the slot but we have two players that are just not very good in coverage and teams have been picking on them all year.
The problem is both of them are very good in the run.
KT2 and TW are solid.
Posted on 10/15/15 at 8:43 am to PlaylikeJeter
Thank the Lord Jesus Christ that Mills is coming back. DT has been horrible. He is just not the same post injury. Ed Paris should get a shot. Is Ed that bad to not see the dang field? I don't get it.
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