BleedGopher
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per Football Study Hall:
The Minnesota Gophers fit the classic cliche of an aggressive defense that is paired with an ultra-conservative offense and strong special teams unit. While Jerry Kill served as both an offensive and defensive coordinator before becoming a head coach he clearly has a preference for building a team around defense with the offense only being relied on to score points off opportunities created from favorable field position.
But while the overall philosophy in Minneapolis is conservative, the way they attack their opponents on defense is far from safe.
Like many other teams today such as the nearby Spartans of Michigan State or the Hokies down in Virginia, Minnesota embraces what could be called a "break don't bend" defensive approach. In their relentless pursuit to build one of the Big 10's strongest programs, Kill's Gopher staff has nailed down one crucial element of roster construction: the rule of three.
The Gophers played surprisingly good run defense last year despite featuring "wide-9" defensive end play and a freshman nose tackle because they had two very good cornerbacks that could play press or off man coverage and a free safety that could also play man coverage on deep routes.
With both corners returning and a few candidates available to step in at free safety, the Gophers can roll forwards building their defense outside-in and perhaps even challenge for the Big 10 West crown.
How the Gophers lean on their "three"
With corners Eric Murray and Jalen Myrick returning for another run in 2015 the Gophers need only to replace free safety Derrick Wells to complete the triangle and be ready to attack the rest of the league.
http://www.footballstudyhall.com/20...he-new-way-to-build-defense-Minnesota-Gophers
Go Gophers!!
The Minnesota Gophers fit the classic cliche of an aggressive defense that is paired with an ultra-conservative offense and strong special teams unit. While Jerry Kill served as both an offensive and defensive coordinator before becoming a head coach he clearly has a preference for building a team around defense with the offense only being relied on to score points off opportunities created from favorable field position.
But while the overall philosophy in Minneapolis is conservative, the way they attack their opponents on defense is far from safe.
Like many other teams today such as the nearby Spartans of Michigan State or the Hokies down in Virginia, Minnesota embraces what could be called a "break don't bend" defensive approach. In their relentless pursuit to build one of the Big 10's strongest programs, Kill's Gopher staff has nailed down one crucial element of roster construction: the rule of three.
The Gophers played surprisingly good run defense last year despite featuring "wide-9" defensive end play and a freshman nose tackle because they had two very good cornerbacks that could play press or off man coverage and a free safety that could also play man coverage on deep routes.
With both corners returning and a few candidates available to step in at free safety, the Gophers can roll forwards building their defense outside-in and perhaps even challenge for the Big 10 West crown.
How the Gophers lean on their "three"
With corners Eric Murray and Jalen Myrick returning for another run in 2015 the Gophers need only to replace free safety Derrick Wells to complete the triangle and be ready to attack the rest of the league.
http://www.footballstudyhall.com/20...he-new-way-to-build-defense-Minnesota-Gophers
Go Gophers!!
