PiPress: Gophers' defense trying to shake first-quarter doldrums

[BleedGopher]

per Marcus:

Claeys hopes to see his defense open with more life Saturdayagainst Iowa (6-2, 3-1) at TCF Bank Stadium.

But he's still trying to put his finger on the problem.

"If I knew, it wouldn't happen twice in a row," he said Tuesday. "We just keep going, talk about it, emphasize it, and hopefully we'll start better than what we have."

If not for the first-quarter lapses, the Gophers might be 4-0 in the Big Ten.

But they might not win another game if slow starts continue during a season-ending stretch against Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin -- teams that won last week by a combined score of 175-35.

"I was more mad with the Purdue thing, because there were issues there when you give up that many points (31) in a whole half," Claeys said. "But this last game we were just a few plays away from keeping it out of the end zone, and I thought we really played well at the end (and) had an opportunity to win the ballgame."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_26864561/gophers-defense-trying-shake-first-quarter-doldrums

Go Gophers!!

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

With our run heavy offense, we can't afford to be playing catch-up against the big boys. After I heard that some of the defensive players apologized or the way the played at the start of the Purdue game, I really expected them to come out strong against Illinois. They have a bye week to get ready, they better be ready to go from the opening kickoff on Saturday.

 

[minibeaver]

With our run heavy offense, we can't afford to be playing catch-up against the big boys. After I heard that some of the defensive players apologized or the way the played at the start of the Purdue game, I really expected them to come out strong against Illinois. They have a bye week to get ready, they better be ready to go from the opening kickoff on Saturday.

Let's hope so. Haven't noticed as much this year but I remember hearing Claeys is a fairly aggressive play caller with blitzes and other things.

Anyone with an eye for the D know if he has become more conservative this year? In any case would love to see them get more aggressive with the calls right off the bat these last few games. Maybe it could help with the slow starts.

 

[Deleted_User]

Wanted! Passing game.

 

[Rescooter]

Let's hope so. Haven't noticed as much this year but I remember hearing Claeys is a fairly aggressive play caller with blitzes and other things.

Anyone with an eye for the D know if he has become more conservative this year? In any case would love to see them get more aggressive with the calls right off the bat these last few games. Maybe it could help with the slow starts.

My observations: Claey's defense has basically closed down the middle. You are correct, he's been fairly aggressive with blitzes, but also held our Line-backers back shutting down the middle. San Jose State was the only team (that I've seen live) that have constantly tried to pass up the middle. It didn't work, but those scouting us could see wide "bubble screens" exploiting one on ones in the corners.

It's a high risk/high reward proposition going to the corners, but it's worked when there's a missed tackle or poor angle taken.

Another thing that has worked well is the read option toward the blitz.

This is why they've been emphasizing depth and clean tackling all year. Our defense runs "stunts", but the downside is a missed tackle will give up a big gain.

 

[Rescooter]

Wanted! Passing game.

Earth to Dean: this is a discussion about defense. In case you didn't know, the defense cannot pass. Sorry.

 

[minibeaver]

My observations: Claey's defense has basically closed down the middle. You are correct, he's been fairly aggressive with blitzes, but also held our Line-backers back shutting down the middle. San Jose State was the only team (that I've seen live) that have constantly tried to pass up the middle. It didn't work, but those scouting us could see wide "bubble screens" exploiting one on ones in the corners.

It's a high risk/high reward proposition going to the corners, but it's worked when there's a missed tackle or poor angle taken.

Another thing that has worked well is the read option toward the blitz.

This is why they've been emphasizing depth and clean tackling all year. Our defense runs "stunts", but the downside is a missed tackle will give up a big gain.

Makes sense. When they throw to the corner then are we leaving a corner alone to pick him up or does a LB slide out? Reason I ask is because our corners are our strong suit and if we had to leave some guys in a one in one situation we would want it to be them.

From what I gather your saying our play calling is fine, we just have to have perfect execution?

 

[Rescooter]

Makes sense. When they throw to the corner then are we leaving a corner alone to pick him up or does a LB slide out? Reason I ask is because our corners are our strong suit and if we had to leave some guys in a one in one situation we would want it to be them.

From what I gather your saying our play calling is fine, we just have to have perfect execution?

Yes, I think the play calling has been great. Execution has been good, but we've been caught a couple times (a couple very lucky play calls in the Purdue & Illinois games). Yes, the way Claeys has it is it brings their offense out to our strengths. You are correct about execution which is why the depth issue is important.

I will make a prediction: we will have a Pick 6 against Iowa (you heard it here first).

 

[ruppertflywheel]

They have to shut down Weisman between the tackles. Do that, and I like our chances.

 

[MaxyJR1]

They have to shut down Weisman between the tackles. Do that, and I like our chances.

I think our defense is more vulnerable on the edges and the cut back. Claeys said that Iowa will block your front 7 and make the DB's make tackles. The DB play will be key to the game and can the LB's get off blocks.

Claey's seems to get more aggressive as the game goes on, but I can see that change this week as a wrinkle of two weeks to prepare. The defense was good after the first two drives against Illinois. He stated he was more upset about Purdue.

 

[homermn]

I think our defense is more vulnerable on the edges and the cut back. Claeys said that Iowa will block your front 7 and make the DB's make tackles. The DB play will be key to the game and can the LB's get off blocks.

Claey's seems to get more aggressive as the game goes on, but I can see that change this week as a wrinkle of two weeks to prepare. The defense was good after the first two drives against Illinois. He stated he was more upset about Purdue.

+1 Spot on.

 

[book]

Stop the QB from running for big gains!

 

[corcoran1]

+1 Spot on.

I think you are right about claeys getting more aggressive as the game goes on and he is sure he understands how we match up and what changes the other team's offense made for the game. If you remember the first two years, think he was also more aggressive when he knew he was physically outmanned and needed to try to use changing schemes to making up for it.