Dan called a lot of defense Saturday. He said so in the post game. Now was it because he didn't trust his DC or is it b/c he's a control freak?
Dan called a lot of defense Saturday. He said so in the post game. Now was it because he didn't trust his DC or is it b/c he's a control freak?
Sirmon's D might've been better some if Richie had been playing tackle football all year, instead of 2-hand touch. Not saying Sirmon is or will be a great DC, but it didn't help any to have players (like Richie) actually pull up from laying licks on folks.
It was our best performance against them since the last time Evan Engram was out, who is the straw that stirs the drink for their offense. Not to mention that their all SEC QB was also out and his backup hasn't had enough reps to be able to make all the throws. Simply put, they didn't have the personnel to exploit our biggest weakness, nor did Texas A&M after Knight went down. Good performances by our D in those games, but lets not get crazy and act like we shut down some high powered offenses. We were just as lucky as we were good in both instances.
We gave up nearly a TD more per game this year than Dan's first with Torbush. Gave up the most yards per game since Dan has been here, 466, and just the second time over 400 yards per game under Dan. Sacks, tackles for loss, rush defense, and interceptions were ok to just a little better than average. But scoring, total defense, lot of confusion at times and tackling is a major concern. I really really don't want to change DC again but those numbers are putrid and we have fired 2 DC with better numbers.
I personally just think Sirmon was just a bad fit from the start. Not only did he run a different scheme than we were used to running but he is obviously using this job as a stepping stone to get experience in and learn to be a DC. Right now he will definitely be back if Mullen will have him because after our defensive performance this year nobody else will want him. If we should somehow miraculously have a good defense next year he will likely be on the first train out of town back out West somewhere or wherever he can get his family all living in the same town again.
Sirmon needs to go as the 3-4 doesn't cut it in the SEC. We don't have the athletes and don't see them in the works either. The only way we beat TAMU, TSUN, UMASS and others is that our offense controlled the game as the D was generally ineffective.
Vandy is also a 3-4 hybrid multiple defense. Even when they go to a 4-3 look it's with 2 gap tech on the DL. Wisconsin has ran it very well for a long while. So it's not just Bama with elite athletes.
We have not had 1 recruiting class dedicated to the 3-4. So yeah... not really set up for that currently. I'm willing to give it time based on the flashes of greatness we have seen.
http://stats.ncaa.org/team/430.0/12424
As you can see, Our rush defense was not horrible. It wasn't the best, but for a transition into a 3-4 it wasn't bad. Passing defense is another story. But we lost 2 starters to the draft and graduation. Then their replacements for the year. Sometimes, just being honest with the situation helps out a lot in clarity.
The defense probably would have worked better if people were in the right natural positions. Gerri should have been an rushing end. Richie should have been outside. Leo and Harris inside gives us two physical backers.
Jim Leavitt, 750K.
If we decide to replace, definitely call. He just also had a good HC track record as well and it's been a while since the incident. I can just see him also getting a HC opportunity this year if he wants it. If Orlando doesn't get the Houston job, which he might, or goes to Texas, would be another call. If we decide to change.