can we become a school where a strong DEFENSE is routinely our calling card?

[supadupafly]

most folks who are not band wagon fans know that the inability to routinely field an effective defensive unit is what has really held the gophers back from BIG TIME success over the past 15-20 years. don't get me wrong, we have had some good defensive squads in the past, but it is been difficult to get to the point where we could honestly say that a strong defense (and not just a high scoring offense) was our national calling card for 4, 5 or 6 straight seasons. that said there have been many seasons where a strong and effective offense was in place.

i honestly believe that the inability to routinely field a solid defensive unit kept glen mason and the gophers from at least 2 BCS bowls during his tenure at minnesota. it is also what essentially cost him his job in the end. it is also what will hold the current program back until it is properly addressed.

so my question is, can coach kill and his staff get us to the point where a routinely effective and perhaps even strong defense becomes a calling card for us? i think they can, but ONLY if they are given enough time. fans and ESPECIALLY the HATEFUL trollish media types in this town are going to have to realize and understand that it may take 2, 3 or even 4 seasons before they can get there. i just hope that coach kill and his staff are given enough time.

defense is this team's problem in the end. we can score points, but not sure we have the right personnel right now to keep enough points off the board in return.

 

[Mother Vandelay]

I actually feel sorry for you because you have hope. You must be young.

 

[supadupafly]

I actually feel sorry for you because you have hope. You must be young.

nope. not that young. but thanks for the stupidly condescending and smart-ass response brah. anyone who wants to actually respond in an intelligent manner to the question posed is welcome to respond.

i actually feel sorry for you. you apparently have nothing better to do with your life then considering you just admitted that you in fact have no hope at all. yet you can't stay away from the gophers. so which is it?

 

[BradDad]

BINGO!!!!!

The memories I have of Minnesota defense over the past 15 years are all those games where the Gophers "rallied" to lose because, as the game went on, they flat couldn't stop the opposition. What was the lead the Gophers blew in Mason's last game? Was it 32 points in the 2nd quarter or something like that?

The Gophers absolutely have to start getting more talented kids on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[supadupafly]

BINGO!!!!!

The memories I have of Minnesota defense over the past 15 years are all those games where the Gophers "rallied" to lose because, as the game went on, they flat couldn't stop the opposition. What was the lead the Gophers blew in Mason's last game? Was it 32 points in the 2nd quarter or something like that?

The Gophers absolutely have to start getting more talented kids on the defensive side of the ball.

agreed. would really like to see us get to a point where the minnesota gopher coaching staff can really target and find strong defensive kids (regardless of their star rating from rivals & scout) and mold them into really effective players.

i really do believe a strong defensive gophers squad would win more games overall, over multiple years, if hypothetically one were forced to chose between a really strong offensive team or a really strong defensive team. obviously you want both a strong offense and defense, but just speaking hypothetically there.

this program really needs to make a solid and long-term investment in building a defensive philosophy. even if it takes a long time to get there.