Just five weeks ago, there was so many that was talking about how the defense just sucked, now there are those that say we need to wait to see how they do against a good team. YEP, they have come along way baby.
Kudos to Wally Burnham
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I am glad to see the progress of the defense and cannot wait to see what Wally will do in a few years with a few of his own players.
I only hope Wally is here in a few years. Same goes for Herman. There is no doubt the staff now is an upgrade from last year's staff overall.
The season is young but you have got to give credit to everyone involved...coaches and players...at this point because 3-1 certainly has a nice ring to it!
Considering Wally's in his 60s, this is his last stop (he's said so himself). If Wally's here only for a few years, it means either Rhoads' tenure was either a complete failure or Wally decided to hang up the clipboard. Wally's situation is entirely different than Herman's as Wally's career is in its waning moments whereas Herman's career is just beginning.
We're on the same page. Wally would be gone due to retirement. Herman would be gone due to advancement. Or both could be gone due to failure.
I'm saying, I hope none of those scanrios happens in the near future. Give us at least 3 or 4 years with this staff.
I watched my recording of the Iowa game a couple of days ago. I thought our defense looked pretty good first half,especially against the run. It wasn't until they got run down that Iowa started amassing yards. To me that says solid coaching but lack of depth. I'd give Wally a solid A for a grade.
These guys might be solid players, but let's be honest. None of them are the kind of imposing players that the other Big 12 teams currently have on their roster and ISU has had in the past. I think we need Dobbins-like talent to compete in the Big 12. So I'm very concerned about how our defense will hold up once we start playing in the Big 12. Let's not forget that the ISU defense was pretty bad against Iowa... giving up 426 total yards and 5.5 yards/rush. Yes, Arnaud turned the ball over a lot, but Iowa still went on TD scoring drives of 41, 48, 58 and 84 yards.
Coach Burnham was brought in here to stop the spread. He was very highly regarded for having a scheme that could defend it. He hasn't even faced a spread team and has done a remarkable job!
I think he is getting the most out of our D line and our D-backs will have their chance to shine very soon. Like I said- I think Coach Burnham is doing a great job.
I think he is getting the most out of our D line and our D-backs will have their chance to shine very soon. Like I said- I think Coach Burnham is doing a great job.
This. Also, not nearly as much arm tackling, and while they may not be going for the big hit, they are closing the gap on the tackle. They are not waiting for the ball carrier to get to them, they are moving into them. This saves yards, and makes quite a difference over the course of a game.
I would say our tackling on defense has improved dramatically since last year.
I can tell you from what one of the athletic trainers said that tackling wasn't even a focus during the season with Chizik's coaches. Not to say it wasn't an off-season focus, they just didn't tackle during the season in practice.
On the season so far, we're holding opponents to a 3rd down conversion rate of 31% (17/55). Here's how that compares to previous seasons:
2009: 31%
2008: 51%
2007: 43%
2006: 45%
2005: 34%
It sure seemed like we couldn't ever get teams off the field last year, and the numbers sure seem to support that. Obviously it's early, and we haven't played the meat of the schedule yet, but 31% so far is encouraging to me.
Now, if the offense would start converting more than 37% this year, then we'd be in business. But that's a thread for a different day.
2009: 31%
2008: 51%
2007: 43%
2006: 45%
2005: 34%
It sure seemed like we couldn't ever get teams off the field last year, and the numbers sure seem to support that. Obviously it's early, and we haven't played the meat of the schedule yet, but 31% so far is encouraging to me.
Now, if the offense would start converting more than 37% this year, then we'd be in business. But that's a thread for a different day.
