I’ve spent plenty of time criticizing Spaz, but we know what we are getting. In his time as our Defensive Coordinator we’ve held our opponents to an average of 20.2 points per game and 330.2 yards per game. Take a look at the consistency below.
| Year | Points Allowed Per Game | Total Defense Per Game |
| 2007 | 20.4 | 284.2 |
| 2006 | 15.7 | 310.8 |
| 2005 | 15.9 | 311.7 |
| 2004 | 16.9 | 332.8 |
| 2003 | 25.5 | 358.3 |
| 2002 | 19.5 | 338.7 |
| 2001 | 18.9 | 299.9 |
| 2000 | 23.1 | 349.0 |
| 1999 | 25.7 | 386.4 |
(Note: last season’s points allowed number is a bit deceiving. Remember that the offense allowed five INTs for TDs.)
Now, allow me to make some broad assumptions:
-- I am assuming the linebackers will be better (good depth and Toal’s return)
-- I am assuming that the defensive line will be better (good young players at the Ends, good experience and Raji’s return)
-- The secondary will struggle (no Silva, no Tribble)
-- Our opponents will not have the same generous field position they had last season (it can’t get much worse)
Based on those assumptions, I think Spaz can produce another unit that limits our opponents to less than 20 points per game. In seasons where we limited our opponents to less than 20, we’ve averaged nine wins. I am not predicting nine wins, but our defense should keep us very competitive.
Posts
5 comments:
I think that the defense will be fine - especially if we can pressure the quarterback, and get a few more sacks.
Coach Spaz is doing a pretty good job - and I have been a critic in the past. Let's continue to stuff the run, and maybe be a little more aggressive with blitzes, etc.
The secondary will be the link weak with the graduations. And given that Spaz generates zero pressure on the QB, BC could find itself in a world of hurt.
Zero pressure? When BC had Matthias playing with a defensive tackle like Al Washington, the line generated plenty of pressure, enough so that opposing o-linemen resorted to dirty tackles to get Matthias out of the game. The scheme is not designed to generate much pressure from the back seven. It is, instead, reliant on the line generating pressure on it's own, similar to the Tampa 2. If Albright is healthy and Raji is the same player he was a couple of seasons ago, the line should be able to get in the quarterback's face.
Of course we have to make sure that the defense is not on the field all day!!!! The offense must do it's part.
The secondary loses experience and a couple of excellent players in Silva and Tribble, but should be the most athletic unit we've seen in years. I think they'll be OK.
Post a Comment