GrandpaDuck wrote:I'd like to see Oregon's scoring defense take a step forward. Currently among the nation's worse in terms of giving up points per yard yielded. Got a "barely bending causes major breaks" thing going on. It is not something that is inherently wrong with Coach Pepsi's defense, based on his past history.
Safety play, particularly in deep ball support being late or nonexistent, is a big culprit. This may not be solvable until next year, but having a safety show up to help Graham on deep balls this week would really be helpful to our chances against UCLA.
And not unrelated is that it's a similar situation for the Duck red zone D: 114th in the FBS, and 17 of the 24 opponent red zone scores are TDs. Meanwhile, I think they're 28th in ypp, a major improvement from last year, and an indication that the D is definitely making progress.
Right, in fact I have contended it is the major problem in the scoring D this year, but correcting the red-zone problem is more complex. Seeing Safeties showing up 2 counts late if at all on deep balls against a true frosh corner that you know they are going after is getting a little old. Graham is going to be great but he has a scarlet F painted on his chest this year. When you rush 3 on 3rd and 19 how do you not have a safety or three flying to the other teams best receiver being covered by a TF?
Coach P, we all think you're great and you're paid a million a year. Fix it, please.
Greenblood wrote:And I think we all agree that once the offense starts getting reasonably productive again, that should also help the defense.
No doubt. I have low expectations and am completely understanding regarding the handicap they are working with right now due to the QB situation. I'm not looking for a win, just a fix in a little issue that against Rosen might pop up quite a bit this week.
(We all know Coach Pepsi is reading this and is quite concerned about my pet peeves.)
