Defense Question

[AllInForISU]

I have heard that the defensive staff has “master code breakers” with regards to the opponents offensive signals, which could be one of the reasons the defense gets stronger as the game goes on. I noticed in the games we really struggled last year (giving up over 30 pts to WV and TTU specifically) the QB was not taking signals but was running to the sideline to get the call from the coach. Is this a potential concern going forward? Am I off base with this? I just remember thinking it was weird and the defense was a step slow in those games and I specifically remember the QBs running to their coach every play. It also would explain the slow starts on defense followed by clamping down in the second half.

 

[SwirlyBird]

No

 

[AllInForISU]

No

so it’s just a weird coincidence those teams scored almost 20 points over their season average and every other team but Iowa (4 points over their season average) scored less than their season average against ISU and in most cases, significantly less?

 

[BCClone]

so it’s just a weird coincidence those teams scored almost 20 points over their season average and every other team but Iowa (4 points over their season average) scored less than their season average against ISU and in most cases, significantly less?

They ran the plays in, that did not allow our D to get set since the offense had to break, come out and snap almost immediately. We are made to get personnel on the field when the formations are put in (what those cards are) and then we adjust when they come to the line. We tweak more when the offense makes their adjustments. It gives us ability to disguise our blitzes. When they ran up and snapped we were either not lined up how we wanted to blitz or had to show it right away which made it easier to block.

 

[AllInForISU]

They ran the plays in, that did not allow our D to get set since the offense had to break, come out and snap almost immediately. We are made to get personnel on the field when the formations are put in (what those cards are) and then we adjust when they come to the line. We tweak more when the offense makes their adjustments. It gives us ability to disguise our blitzes. When they ran up and snapped we were either not lined up how we wanted to blitz or had to show it right away which made it easier to block.

Well then, I’m glad other teams are too stuck in their ways to do this against ISU. I feel like it could be a major problem if other teams followed suit.

 

[BCClone]

Well then, I’m glad other teams are too stuck in their ways to do this against ISU. I feel like it could be a major problem if other teams followed suit.

Then we would adjust. Guessing they have some tweaks for that situation now.

 

[madguy30]

so it’s just a weird coincidence those teams scored almost 20 points over their season average and every other team but Iowa (4 points over their season average) scored less than their season average against ISU and in most cases, significantly less?

ISU's defense got jumped on in those games and had a bad plan against TT.

New QB, you get after them instead of sitting back.

Heacock is great but his tactic of sitting back for a half has its limits.

 

[Lyon309Cy]

A few years ago I listened to the TT radio feed in the game where we smothered them. They made a comment that we had a reputation for stealing the signs off the playboards. It sounded a little like sour grapes at the time, but it did make me a little curious if others had heard anything similar.

Is it even illegal to read another teams board? Seems like something everyone should try doing.

 

[stewart092284]

ISU's defense got jumped on in those games and had a bad plan against TT.

New QB, you get after them instead of sitting back.

Heacock is great but his tactic of sitting back for a half has its limits.

I don't know if he sit back for a half so much as we don't have the true personal he wants to be more aggressive. When we made the Big 12 title game and we had two end rushers - I remember us being more aggressive at least pressure wise.

We've not found a complimentary end to McDonald. End was great but he was more of a tackle than true end. Blake was good but was much better versus the run. Singleton and Onyedim appear the same - more of a run stopping end than a rush end. Vance is probably our best blitzing LB? Now that Rose is gone etc...

so you have to have your personnel to be more aggressive. and with young corners or last year some limitations at corner - its just not a recipe for a coordinator going all out all the time.

Where I do think he needs to do better is mixing up the front. I think slanting more or adding. 4 man front will make it harder to prepare for us - but again, with the youth, that's harder to be certain about.

and in regards to the sitting back we are a bend but don't break defense. I may hate corners 8 yards off the ball and giving up easy throws but overall we are designed to bend, not break.