Seth Littrell on defense

Moobs · December 16, 2017

I remember that when SL got hired someone asked him about defense. His response was something like this... I’ll hire someone whose defense scares me to go up against. And then we hired Ek. I miss Ek. Like, a lot.

Certainly, our current defense doesn’t even come close to intimidating SL. It doesn’t intimidate anyone in the FBS. Ref needs to go, and soon!

TheColonyEagle · December 16, 2017

Only thing I'll say is it's not like last years D was all that great.....

They say teams like ours with offensive philosophies like ours naturally struggle on defense.

Well Troy called BS on that....

We need new blood in here. A totally different philosophy. That Troy staff should absolutely be a target of ours....

817Fan · December 17, 2017

I think it’s more of a talent issue then a coordinator issue. We just don’t have the athletes to put pressure in the backfield without blitzing.

Venson · December 17, 2017

I think SL will make a change on defense this off season. Unless Ref proves to be an amazing recruiter these next few weeks, if he gets that long, I do not see him coming back next year. I think he lands at his Alma Mater UTEP.

MeanGreenWarDaddy · December 18, 2017

On December 16, 2017 at 8:49 PM, 817Fan said:

I think it’s more of a talent issue then a coordinator issue. We just don’t have the athletes to put pressure in the backfield without blitzing.

This.

I would agree. I think the defensive Ref runs just requires skilled D-line and effective blitzes to run how its designed/intended. This year our front line didn't get the pressure needed, and most of the time we didn't hit home on our blitzes; causing our CB to get burned and left out on an island alone.

(better CB play always helps, but D-Line and blitzes didn't help much)

With that said I think as a DC you should adjust the system to the skills of your players and not try to force fit them into your system. I feel like Ref will have his players he needs next year thou. We have some redshirt players and individuals that didn't play much this year that I feel will step up next year. #ButI'mNotACoach #IBelieveInRef

BTG_Fan1 · December 19, 2017

So here is a question.. if a DC change is made, is it made following Wednesday’s Dec.20-22 NSD?

If it’s been made up, could SL potentially have a new DC lined up with that DC having his recruits waiting for him to come to UNT and they follow him?

TreeFiddy · December 19, 2017

The offense turned the ball over 4 times inside their own 30 yard line, twice inside their own 15. Even with Jenkins' struggles, the offense (or lack thereof) was a big reason for the hole we found ourselves in.

The defense was not good, but the offense did not do the defense any favors on Saturday.

GMG24 · December 19, 2017

4 minutes ago, TreeFiddy said:

The offense turned the ball over 4 times inside their own 30 yard line, twice inside their own 15. Even with Jenkins' struggles, the offense (or lack thereof) was a big reason for the hole we found ourselves in.

The defense was not good, but the offense did not do the defense any favors on Saturday.

Theme for our losses this year? Question no answer. FIRE THE DC!!!

MeanGreenTexan · December 19, 2017

On 12/16/2017 at 5:22 PM, Moobs said:

I remember that when SL got hired someone asked him about defense. His response was something like this... I’ll hire someone whose defense scares me to go up against. And then we hired Ek. I miss Ek. Like, a lot.

Certainly, our current defense doesn’t even come close to intimidating SL. It doesn’t intimidate anyone in the FBS. Ref needs to go, and soon!

He actually said that about Reff's 3-3 scheme from the Rocky Long tree, not about Ekeler.

greeneagle1 · December 19, 2017

Ek got his players excited to play. To some degree, Mac did the same on D. No one on this staff has the energy that those two did. I would love to see SL add an element to his coaching tool box and light up on a referee for one of those pass interference calls or lack there of. I'd love to see SL be chest bumping players for a great series or stop. Hell get a position coach that will do it for the players. Refs need to be lit up time to time for blatant calls.

MeanGreenTexan · December 19, 2017

3 minutes ago, greeneagle1 said:

Ek got his players excited to play. To some degree, Mac did the same on D. No one on this staff has the energy that those two did. I would love to see SL add an element to his coaching tool box and light up on a referee for one of those pass interference calls or lack there of. I'd love to see SL be chest bumping players for a great series or stop. Hell get a position coach that will do it for the players. Refs need to be lit up time to time for blatant calls.

That's not Littrell's attitude.

He preaches to his guys to not get too high or too low. He's living that out.

I agree about Ekeler pumping his guys up. Having guys like that on the staff is a good thing.

greenminer · December 20, 2017

I'm alright with one more year of Ref. I want to see how things shape up with English getting PT.

Ben Gooding · December 26, 2017

On 12/19/2017 at 8:56 PM, greenminer said:

I'm alright with one more year of Ref. I want to see how things shape up with English getting PT.

English doesn't cover receivers. Nor does he play linebacker. And his specialty will not be sacking the QB.

After watching the D, like really watching it, I have no idea to speak of how anyone with a forward thinking brain could possibly be OK with another year of Reffet.

greenminer · December 26, 2017

9 hours ago, Ben Gooding said:

English doesn't cover receivers. Nor does he play linebacker. And his specialty will not be sacking the QB.

After watching the D, like really watching it, I have no idea to speak of how anyone with a forward thinking brain could possibly be OK with another year of Reffet.

He’s a DT, right? If he’s as good as some people think he is, he can help others pressure the QB, which is tied to everything else. My understanding is the NT is one of the most critical pieces of our scheme.

Its definitely a risk. I would understand getting rid of Ref, too.

unt_rocket09 · December 26, 2017

10 hours ago, Ben Gooding said:

English doesn't cover receivers. Nor does he play linebacker. And his specialty will not be sacking the QB.

After watching the D, like really watching it, I have no idea to speak of how anyone with a forward thinking brain could possibly be OK with another year of Reffet.

But honestly wtf do you know about the defense scheme? And be honest with yourself. You don’t know a damn thing about it.

TreeFiddy · December 26, 2017

10 hours ago, Ben Gooding said:

English doesn't cover receivers. Nor does he play linebacker. And his specialty will not be sacking the QB.

After watching the D, like really watching it, I have no idea to speak of how anyone with a forward thinking brain could possibly be OK with another year of Reffet.

It all comes down to whether or not you think Reffet has lost his ability to coordinate a defense or was this more a matter of personnel? If you think he should have done better with the players he had AND you think you can find someone better, then you make a change. If not, then you lay it out for him and provide clear direction where you expect to see improvement along with how he will be measured. It's basic management skills. Littrell needs to step up and show that he can effectively manage all three aspects of the game and not just offense.

Ben Gooding · December 26, 2017

3 hours ago, unt_rocket09 said:

But honestly wtf do you know about the defense scheme? And be honest with yourself. You don’t know a damn thing about it.

Opinion - Your out of control comment.

Fact - Our ppg & ypg allowed.

GTWT · December 26, 2017

Three of BV's 5 players who exceeded expectations played defense. That's at least partially coaching.

unttau · December 26, 2017

55 minutes ago, Ben Gooding said:

Opinion - Your out of control comment.

Fact - Our ppg & ypg allowed.

Fact - you don't know anything about the scheme or football

Fact- comment was appropriate

Ben Gooding · December 26, 2017

1 hour ago, unttau said:

Fact - you don't know anything about the scheme or football

Fact- comment was appropriate

Uh huh. Football is such a difficult thing to figure out.

unt_rocket09 · December 27, 2017

Ok let’s hear your defensive breakdown. How do we call strength? What are the keys/reads? How do you line up to various formations? And what are your credentials we are all waiting.

meangreenJW · December 27, 2017

5 hours ago, Ben Gooding said:

Uh huh. Football is such a difficult thing to figure out.

Considerably more difficult that dentist office receptioning.

UNT90 · December 27, 2017

Ben is right.

This defense gave up 38 or more points to SEVEN G5 OPPONENTS this year.

Let that sink in. At any other FBS program, Reffert would be given his walking papers. And he knows it. Good thing he works for the one whose fan base has zero standards, eh?

This is Dodgeball with a really good QB. This is a gimmick defense that isn’t working. This is primed for a major step backwards unless defensive line play has a massive level of improvement.

And to the poster who actually believes the redshirts will be better than the current DL: IF THEY WERE THEY WOULD HAVE PLAYED THIS YEAR!

Good Lord. Dumbest fanbase in America.

unt_rocket09 · December 27, 2017

Again do I like the 3-3-5? Not for my philosophy, but that’s the scheme we run. You as a fan know very little about defensive philosophy, personnel, or honestly anything. I do know we have a chance at finding 3 DL rather than 4. Looks to me like we have some solid defensive recruits coming in. To me our defense looked more outmatched than a scheme issue.

Edited December 27, 2017 by unt_rocket09

MeanMag · December 27, 2017

I don't know what the objective of the scheme is, but I think for the most part you try to turn ball carriers to the middle of the field, where more defenders can be in on the play. I saw guys in position to make plays and taking bad angles and not trusting other people on the defense to make a tackle. Our second line let guys get outside instead of turning them back to the middle of the field where the help was. When guys don't do their job or make plays, coaches get and take blame. When things go well, players get praised for doing their job. If anything, I see coaching issues, or recruiting issues, or players taking coaching issues.