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Once again--defense wins championships. Until BG can put someone on the field who can stop the run and put consistent pressure on quarterbacks, they won't win championships..no matter who the quarterback is or how many talented recievers they have. (Sure Miami had Ben R. two years ago, but they also had a lights out defense who could play with just about anyone.) I'll agree with anyone who says Toledo didn't have a great defense last night...but what they had was a defense that could make enough critical stops in critical situations to give their offense a chance to win the game. BG did not have the same. I mean, how easy were those two OT touchdowns?! Until BG can put something out there on defense I see nothing but bad things looming in the future...no matter what the offense does.

Thank you for saying what I was trying to put into words. The defence has improved, but they have yet to attain consistency. Until we find a DC who will treat tackeling as the important fundamental that it is, we will continue seeing last nights results.

Get a buch of guys who fly around the field like Parks and we will win a ton of games....BTW Parks was being held 90% of the time and they only called it once....

ffejfalcon wrote:Get a buch of guys who fly around the field like Parks and we will win a ton of games....BTW Parks was being held 90% of the time and they only called it once....

Did you see Briggs out there? He was flying all over and he looked like he was being used as a pass rush specialist. I think I need to get a '99' jersey.

I think Briggs is developing into a very special player.

I would hope that the defense improves next year. We recruited some very talented linemen last year and DB's like Lewis and Smith are only going to get better with experience. The LB corps looks like it'sd beginning to jell. Terell White looks like an emerging leader

The defense is going to need to improve next year because we're going to be changing over so much of the offense.

What do you guys think of BG going to a 3-4 next year if possible?

msopher wrote:What do you guys think of BG going to a 3-4 next year if possible?

I think with a guy like Briggs, it's possible will have a more fluid defensive scheme. But to play a true 3-4, you need a big powerful pig at nose tackle, something we'd obviously have to recruit.

Briggs & Parks came on big time towards the end of the year. White had a great season. The 2 true frosh CBs look promising as well.

All that said, unless somebody teaches them to tackle we'll continue to be mediocre, at best, on defense. It is absolutely pathetic to see this team try to tackle. Nearly all of them (White is an exception) lower their head and try to put their shoulder into the ball carrier. Until they start to break down and WRAP UP our defense will suck regardless of how well they're "Flying to the ball." Getting to the ball doesn't mean a thing unless you're willing to tackle the right way and not try to be on SportsCenter the next morning.

You're right hammb. There was way too much "putting shoulders" into players to attempt to get them down. These guys need to put a shoulder in and wrap like you said.

I will give our d some credit though. They played as hard as I have seen them play all year. Not sure what to expect next year but as always I will live and die with these Falcons!!

ffejfalcon wrote:Not sure what to expect next year but as always I will live and die with these Falcons!!

I think we will have a very good pass rush next year with Parks, Briggs, and Williams returning, but the run D will probably struggle. Some of the younger guys will have to step up and play consistently well. Guys like Winovich, Haneline, Schaffer, Davis, and potentially some of the redshirt freshmen. If we can get Leininger and Deaudre Perry back, then I'll feel a little more confident about the D.

BGGrad01 wrote:

ffejfalcon wrote:Not sure what to expect next year but as always I will live and die with these Falcons!!

I think we will have a very good pass rush next year with Parks, Briggs, and Williams returning, but the run D will probably struggle. Some of the younger guys will have to step up and play consistently well. Guys like Winovich, Haneline, Schaffer, Davis, and potentially some of the redshirt freshmen. If we can get Leininger and Deaudre Perry back, then I'll feel a little more confident about the D.

Yeah getting Leiniger back would be great. I'm still fuzzy on his situation though. We need to stop putting these defensive backs in at linbacker. Tim Arnold and Dozier are not linebackers. I would really love to see Briggs in at outside linebacker next year with Haneline and Winovich or Basler or Lawerench in the mix too. I think we do get bigger and more athletic at that positon as long as we put Dozier back at saftey where he belongs. UT's TE's where HUGE and and are excellent receievers and we're asking a 5'9 200 D-back to cover a 6'5 260lb TE , you can guess the results of that kind of coverage.

UT's offensive line I think has been one of the best and biggest and strongest and the most physical in the Mac for a while now. Not knocking our O-line but I don't think they are as good as they could be , especially when it comes to being able to dominate up front and allow us to run the ball at will like UT has been able to do much to us for the last 5 years.

falconboy wrote:

BGGrad01 wrote:

ffejfalcon wrote:Not sure what to expect next year but as always I will live and die with these Falcons!!

I think we will have a very good pass rush next year with Parks, Briggs, and Williams returning, but the run D will probably struggle. Some of the younger guys will have to step up and play consistently well. Guys like Winovich, Haneline, Schaffer, Davis, and potentially some of the redshirt freshmen. If we can get Leininger and Deaudre Perry back, then I'll feel a little more confident about the D.

Yeah getting Leiniger back would be great. I'm still fuzzy on his situation though. We need to stop putting these defensive backs in at linbacker. Tim Arnold and Dozier are not linebackers. I would really love to see Briggs in at outside linebacker next year with Haneline and Winovich or Basler or Lawerench in the mix too. I think we do get bigger and more athletic at that positon as long as we put Dozier back at saftey where he belongs. UT's TE's where HUGE and and are excellent receievers and we're asking a 5'9 200 D-back to cover a 6'5 260lb TE , you can guess the results of that kind of coverage.

UT's offensive line I think has been one of the best and biggest and strongest and the most physical in the Mac for a while now. Not knocking our O-line but I don't think they are as good as they could be , especially when it comes to being able to dominate up front and allow us to run the ball at will like UT has been able to do much to us for the last 5 years.

Good points Falconboy. UT's O line is always big and physical. And they use the TE better than anyone in the MAC.

As far as Leininger? I saw him last night after the game. It was GREAT seeing him there. I can say this....expect him to be back with the team for spring drills and the 2006 season...it's all up to him how this turns out. I really hope Matt has everything straightened out. I missed seeing #94 out there this year.

That goes for D Perry as well.

Falconfreak90 wrote:That goes for D Perry as well.

Did you notice him on the sidelines on Tuesday night? I saw a brown #24 and assumed that it was him.

Old Guy said it all! Right now BG and Defense = oxymoron. The defensive guys are eager, clearly aggressive, but the athleticism as related to speed/quickness just isn't there. Our linebackers are small/slow, and the defensive line fits into the same mold. I totally worry about next year. With the departure of soooo many seniors, and a recruiting class that ranks near the bottom of Div I schools, I can't find any room for optimism. When I think of what Western has coming back next year as well as Akron, UT, NI, even Kent State, there is plenty of room for concern. ---- Our offense kept our heads above water this year, but even here, there was on-going controversy with regard to play-calling. How many times was the side-line bomb called for on 3rd and + only to have it miss, and yank the momentum right out of the drive. How many times does the offensive coordinator have to get hit in the head to understand that some plays just shouldn't be called??? What the hell ever happened to the razzle-dazzles of yesteryear. ----- BG needs a fresh beginning.

Falconfreak90 wrote:[\

That goes for D Perry as well.

Mike,

I obviously have missed something re: D. Perry...... where is he and why is he not still in the lineup? Realized we have Hargrove etc. playing safety ( He got beat big time on last TD).... but never recall seeing something on Perry.