One of the most difficult things about this transition will be the new defense. I am a huge fan our defenses. I think most Penn State fans are…with one big exception.
We are linebacker U. We have a tradition of huge hits (thinking of you Matt, Shane, LaVar, Dave, Jack, Dan, and Puz). We are the team that makes Heisman winners look foolish (thinking of you Vinny, Herschel, and Marcus).
But now we are without one of the key components of those defenses…Tom Bradley. I miss you already coach. The bright side is that we’re keeping two of the fundamental cogs in Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden. These guys are critical both to the past and to the future success of our defenses.
I’ve always had one caveat about our defenses…the old “Bend But Don’t Break” philosophy. How many times have you screamed obscenities at the TV as our opponents converted yet another first down in the middle of the field.
I couldn’t find my dog after the USC bowl game…scared her so far under the bed I needed a flashlight to find her. Our pass defense always left me terrified. But that style of play is over.
We have a new coach, Ted Roof. We are moving on, so let’s talk about him. Peter Gray did a good job of digging into his history, philosophy etc… However, I don’t think he went back far enough in history. In addition, some more information came out recently, so let’s use it.
He started at Duke as the defensive coordinator in 2002 and made an immediate difference. His 2002 defense at duke was 65th nationally in total defense. It improved to 57th in 2003…but then he became head coach. This looks like a situation where he was better suited as a defensive coordinator than a head coach.
His new coordinator(s) took his defense from 57th in 2003 to 100th nationally in 2004. They continued to struggle the next two years…just 89th and 105th nationally.
Call me optimistic, I’m willing to put the blame for that on his staff. He seems to have a great track record for showing up and improving a defense.
I’d like to see him improve our defensive back play. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), he’s going to have to coach up a bunch of young guys. And he’ll get to recruit for his system for next year.
One thing I’m excited about him using man to man, press coverage. He likes to be aggressive and let guys play tight coverage.
In thisinterview on Scout.com (http://pennstate.scout.com/2/1155476.html), Roof gets pretty specific about his vision for PSU’s defense going forward. His first priority is stopping the run. Second, he wants a pass rush to affect the quarterback. Finally, he wants to defend the long ball.
Okay, those are the right words to say to a Penn State fan. He gets it, now let’s hope he can pull it off. At the very least, we know he starts out with beef on the D-Line and a great set of linebackers.
I’m starting to get fired up again. Can’t wait for BlueWhite to see what we’ve got.
What do you think?
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0 recs | 40 comments
I think the question in the title of your post
is what scares me more than anything else about the transition we are currently undergoing. I fear that we take the scheme that we have used for years for granted. The bend but don’t break could be frustrating to watch at times, but it was effective.
James - February 16, 2012
New Defense
Bend and let them score
JGuiher - February 16, 2012
A guy once wrote...
“No matter how often they say about warfare and chess that a great offense is the best defense, that simply doesn’t hold true for football. If anything, a great defense that stays on the attack is the best offense. A great defense is the only way to control a football game and to win a championship.”
He won a few games too.
Smee - February 16, 2012
Two things I can think of
One – pressure from the corners, meaning both man defense at the line and CB blitz packages
Two – And this is from BOB, expect a lot of looks from the “Bear” defense
Jeff Junstrom - February 16, 2012
The Bear
Is an interesting scheme, since it more than anything else is a massive run stop type defense. You have about 5-6, sometimes even more guys on the line, with everyone else really playing pass defense with maybe a linebacker or 2 for safety. I think it will work on obviously running downs, but can be a real scare for the pass, especially if the QB gets it out fast. Also if you ahve very effective pass rushers, putting as many of htem as possible on the line can really screw up the cadence of the offense and get to the QB faster.
AriesGD - February 16, 2012
This is significantly different from PSU's D...
We obviously never used a nose tackle. And correct me if I’m wrong, but our down lineman didn’t fill gaps. They took on blocks while our linebackers filled the holes…right?
87Townie - February 17, 2012
I think that the D-Line
Was more with engaging the O-Line, and try and over power them to get to the QB, but most of the time it looked like they tried to get the o-Line out of the way for a blitzing LB. I mean the DE and DT have differnt jobs, depending on teh situtation. The DE’s should gang rush the QB, when they can get around the coverage, ala Tamba Hali. But they you also have the DT there for run stop, break through the 2 middle O-Line and get to the runner, like D-Still from this year. But most of the time, this year, I saw alot of Hodges streaking up the middle gaps created by the D-Line to get to the QB. So there are a few different jobs for the D-Line depending on the situtation. But the Bear is more like overloading the line and creating personnel problems for the O-Line.
AriesGD - February 17, 2012
Interesting...
Third, he wants helmets and pads for all 11 players.
WorldBFat - February 16, 2012
Okay, maybe "pretty specific" was overstating it.
In fact, after rereading my post, I was putting the most positive case together that I could.
Look he could have been more general. I didn’t expect him to throw out specific alignments…but yeah, I was trying to make a good, positive piece together…
We really, really need this guy to not suck.
87Townie - February 17, 2012
Haha yeah I wasn't knocking you, I was knocking his specific plan of "defense grr."
WorldBFat - February 17, 2012
One thing that I hope Roof can do
Is what Bradley did to such great effectiveness especially this year, half time adjustments. There were many games this year, that after half the defense was just dominating the field, Iowa, Northwestern, even Houston to a degree. They may have given up some yards, but like no points. Bradley does not get enough credit for looking at what the offense was giving us and adjustting to stop them, especially from getting a TD.
One thing that would be great, is to have our defense preform a bit like our defenses of old, meaning the old Magic defenses. I know who came up with it, but on the field he knew what he was doing. Those defenses when working and full effeciency would screw up the best of offenses, and cause alot of problems, just ask Georgia in 1982. Having multiple looks and making slight adjustments with our linemen and LB’s right before the snap can really screw up a offense, espeically the O-Line with assignments and blocking. Of course we need the players smart enough and trained enough to run that type of defense.
I love defense, two really good defenses going at it, in the BIg is a pleasure to watch. The defenses going at it in the SEC, is awful to watch. One of the best games I ever saw was the 08 OSU game, for example.
AriesGD - February 16, 2012
Half time adjustments are one thing I hope we don't lose from the Paterno era
I felt like every Penn State game in my lifetime if we were close at the half we would make adjustments and win it. Didn’t always happen but more often than not we improved in the 2nd half.
psuwresfan - February 17, 2012
I HAVE OFFICIALLY PATENTED THIS:
When we get beat deep on a blown coverage due to our ambitious blitz scheme, the announcers are mandated to state
“Penn State’s D just got…. ROOFIED.”
That is all.
Tailgate Shogun - February 16, 2012
35 USC § 101
WorldBFat - February 17, 2012
Uh, is that good?
Am I being sued already?
Tailgate Shogun - February 17, 2012
BBDB
Sure it was frustrating as hell but it worked. We beat Purdue this year because of it. Move the ball between the 20s but don’t let them score TD’s.
jman07 - February 17, 2012
There are a lot of nuances to BBDB, and I don't want to disregard them all.
What I would like to see is more pressure on 3rd downs. The frustrating part of BBDB was when we had an opponent in 3rd & long and we gave up an easy completion for a first down because we played a soft zone and a 4 man rush. That’s a situation where you want to be less passive with your defense than we were.
The fundamental concept behind BBDB is that in order to beat it, the offense needs to be consistent. By having a dominating D-line and versatile LB’s removed most high percentage plays from the offense’s playbook, requiring them to be us consistently with low percentage plays. Most teams we play can not put together consistent 15 low percentage play drives. We basically allow other teams to beat themselves with their own mistakes.
Since there’s no reason to expect the quality of our D-line or LBs to drop dramatically, I think the BBDB concepts still need to be incorporated to some extent. I’m excited we’ll put more pressure on the QB and play tighter coverage, but we can’t do this every play or we will get burned. What escalates great defenses into elite defenses is the ability to recognize when the pressure is necessary and when it’s not. Hopefully on 3rd & long, we dial up the pressure and play tighter coverage, but I never want to see a DB 1-on-1 with no over the top support. That’s not aggressive, that’s reckless.
Succss With Honor Always - February 17, 2012
The Sneaky Nagging Doubt...
Is this:
I don’t think Roof has coached enough elite D’s and we’re accustomed to them at PSU. Hopefully, he’ll have the kind of support and talent that was lacking elsewhere.
87Townie - February 17, 2012
This is where BBDB hurts you less than it helps you.
If in doubt about pressure, don’t apply it and just make sure you don’t give up the big play. You’ll have more chances to stop them as well as force a turnover. This is the attitude I hope Roof has regardless of what kind of defense he runs, as I don’t think BBDB is as much a defensive scheme as it is a defensive mindset.
Succss With Honor Always - February 17, 2012
I think we will see Roof on top of everything
The secondary will Cover nicely
At times Roof will bring the House on a blitz
Roof’s defense will close the Door on the opponents’ run game
Roof’s philosophy of agressiveness will be a great Foundation to build on
I know I am currently Siding with BO’B’s decision to hire Roof
BMAN13 - February 17, 2012
Oh wow...
You totally nailed those Roof puns.
87Townie - February 17, 2012
didn't miss a shingle
chance for a pun.
FB6244 - February 17, 2012
the thought of PSU having a mediocre defense makes me shutter.
BMAN13 - February 17, 2012
Our front 7 will be a Wall
under Roof
dbl5030 - February 17, 2012
A wall with some Stud linemen and linebackers
Most of the front 7 should have a high Ceiling
Anyone running into them should get Nailed
BMAN13 - February 17, 2012
These insights are like a window into the future...
87Townie - February 17, 2012
Wood that your scenarios come true!
You are painting a wonderful picture that floors me! Don’t forget the carpet-bombing DB’s and the LBs who shed blockers. We do need mower better pass coverage, though — guys who will deck the receivers.
PSU_Lions_84 - February 17, 2012
Cheers to Roof!
ComfortHePuHuTh - February 18, 2012
My expectation will be
“bend and crack” but don’t break – the logical assumption would be that our defense will not be as consistent and explosive (at first). However, I’m cautiously optimistic our offense (fingers/toes crossed) will offset the defense’s growing pains and deliver more points on the board.
I’m willing to refrain from any pharmaceutical remedies as long as our offense FINALLY delivers and consistently moves the chains. If this occurs, we’ll have at least one year where the other B1G teams will be unable to simply blow off the dust from their VHS tapes and review our previous bland offensive schemes.
I’m expecting Coach B’OB to come out and make a statement…color me naive but my intuition says this guy will be itching to formally introduce himself and PSU 2.0 to the league.
Batwing - February 18, 2012
with
mauti and my buddy pete staying healthy our defense should perform well no matter what the new scheme looks like. if roof’s new defenses aren’t working with these guys this year, i will be very nervous
ktd5048 - February 18, 2012
Roof's resume is better than you might think
He was defensive coordinator on Auburn’s 2010 National Championship team. He must be doing something right.
On another note, I’ve been surprised at all the critical comments I’ve seen on this site about our defense since Bradley took over as DC. I don’t see how anyone could be critical of our defense when our offense was so predictable and largely ineffective. Defense was the only thing that kept us in games the past few years. Our former offensive staff was the thing that gave me nightmares during the last few seasons, not our defense.
NJLion1992 - February 20, 2012
Look deeper
Auburn won despite Roof’s defense, and then fired him.
Bradley deserves a statue of his own for keeping the team as close as it was during the Dark Years especially. He is ten times the DC Roof is.
M1EK - February 20, 2012 via Android app
I believe the 19 points...
Auburn held Oregon to in the National Championship Game had something to do with that title.
Oregon came into the game averaging over 49 points per game.
That defense held James to 49 yards and no touchdowns.
Speaking of second half adjustments, earlier in the year Roof’s defense shut out Alabama in the second half of the Iron Bowl giving Cam an opportunity to bring Auburn back and win that game.
We had a better defense then Auburn and we let up 24 points to Alabama and Saban could have scored 50 on us if he didnt take his foot off the gas.
It is widely known that Roof and Chizik had serious problems working together and that, along with an incredibly young defense with no depth last year, didnt help the situation.
I’m not saying Bradley isnt a great Defensive Coordinator, I’m just saying before you kill this guy, give him a chance to work with this kind of talent first.
The Heel - February 21, 2012
I want to be proven wrong
but I don’t think Roof is a good hire. I think the only reason he was hired was because BOB wanted somebody he knew on defense.
I see the potential for a dumpster fire on defense and that terrifies me. What happens if LJ’s and Vandy’s techniques don’t fit or play well to what Roof is trying to do? Does he say, “Ok, these two have proven success for the last 10 years, I’ll listen to them” or does he say, “Look, I’m the DC, we’re going to do it my way” and then proceed to put square pegs in round holes? BOB has made a lot of good moves and has me excited about the potential for the future…but Roof is a shitty hire.
jman07 - February 21, 2012
My absolute biggest fear is what happens to LJ and Vandy if it fails.
The first thing Roof will do is say he needs to pick his staff and if he replaced LJ and Vandy, I will be beyond pissed. That is what I fear the most.
Succss With Honor Always - February 21, 2012
I don't think Roof is a good hire,
because I’ve watched Auburn closely my entire life. As I’ve said multiple times, Auburn’s defenses actually regressed overall under Roof. Yes, he was good at making second half adjustments, but without Cam Newton, Auburn would have lost many games that season. Auburn went from having top ranked defenses under Chizik and Malzahn to mediocre defenses under Roof.
Paige2PSU - February 21, 2012
However at Duke
Yes AT DUKE!!! His defense went from 113th to 58th nationally in total defense his first year.
At Minnesota he inherited the worst defense in the country (119). His first year they let up 160 yards fewer passing yards per game and over 135 fewer total yards.
All I’m saying is give him a chance before we go too crazy.
And Roof isnt stupid… I believe he will use his two biggest assets, LJ and Vandy and they will help him adjust to the BIG again. We have a monster Front 7. What I am concerned about is our secondary. I believe Roof may have to play a little more conservative until this secondary grows a bit.
It seems like LJ and Vandy will get along just fine with Roof. The philosphy isnt that much different that Roof wants to bring in. Its not like we’re going to the Wide 9 or a 3-4.
We all wanted a more aggressive defense. Well here it is. Run under a coach that has had sucess in multiple conferences including the BIG and won a national championship in the SEC just two years ago.
Can we at least wait until November before we start the dumpster fire? No you say? Ok how about April?
The Heel - February 22, 2012
I'm not saying it's a dumpster fire, so don't put words in my mouth,
and I think my record on here shows that I’m usually a very optimistic fan (my avatar is highly appropriate). I don’t think he’s a good hire, but I’m also hoping that I’m wrong. I will support him just as I will support all of the new coaches and all of the players. I’m just worried that I will see the same thing happen to Penn State’s defense that I saw happen to Auburn’s over the last two years. I don’t want to be screaming at the TV “Where did our defense go?!!” like I have been for Auburn (even during the national championship year). But maybe with a different coaching dynamic, one where they actually agree or get along, it will be better (and let’s hope that LJ and Vandy get along with Roof).
Paige2PSU - February 22, 2012
I apologize, I wasnt replying directly to you, but to multiple posts above
That imply impending doom is imminent.
I’m of the same opinion that I have some concerns but I am willing to give it a shot until I’m shown otherwise.
I’m optimistic right now. The staff looks competent, aggressive and very enthusiastic as a whole. There are a lot of rings on the assistant’s fingers and Roof has the most recent one.
The Heel - February 23, 2012
wish
we could have kept bradley, im interested and willing to give red roof a chance, but i was hoping to gut the offense and keep the defense, with an offense that could hold onto the ball and not have 14 points be a high scoring night i think bradleys defense could have been even more effective
ktd5048 - February 21, 2012
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