TampaBayTimes Jeff says what no one wants to hear

[Brad]

 

Scrimmage reveals tackling still an issue

 

Jeff Odom

Saturday, August 5, 2017 5:12pm

USF’s first full preseason scrimmage Saturday provided a solid initial glimpse of what Coach Charlie Strong hopes will be an improved defense across the board.
 
While the group certainly passed the eye test on a sweltering morning -- with freshman CB Bentlee Sanders providing arguably the biggest highlight with a would-be pick-six of Brett Kean from the goal line -- that doesn’t mean Strong was content.
 
“You can’t give up the big plays; you’ve got to tackle well,” he said. “We’ve got to do a better job of tackling. But just overall, we know the mistakes and they can be very correctable.” 

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Link to full report

[TBBull717]

It would be great if defensively we would have progressed to become the second coming of the '85 Bears over 1 summer.

As long as we improve to be ranked around 50th overall in total D will this team truly steamroll others. Limited drills show players relentlessly running to the ball, albeit they are just drills. I can live with that as progress.

We will see the end product shortly in San Jose.

[DELdaBull]

Oh no

[Rex Havoc]

I don't think anyone expected us to go from one of the worst defenses to a top 25 over one year. We just need a defense ranked 50th or so and we will be fine. Hopefully we will be top 25 in a couple more years. 

[IBulleve]

Gotta think Coach Strong and Mr.Woodie have very different classifications of "bad tackling." 

I like the fact that he's speaking the truth publicly unlike CWT and Woodie. 

[Cornfed]

We have the athletes to get to the ball, now stop trying to knock them off their feet and wrap your arms around the ball carrier.

(This message brought to you by Captain Obvious )

[Brad]

1 hour ago, IBulleve said:

I like the fact that he's speaking the truth publicly unlike CWT

Sir, we looked under the hood of this defense and saw nothing of the sort.

[Mama_Bull]

The fact of the matter is that we just don't have an adequate number of LB's on the roster to dominate for an entire game. With CCS at the helm, we will most likely be better than last year, but LB depth will still be a big issue.

So, I don't expect miracles. But I do expect better tackling technique for as long as they aren't worn out, by lack of  adequate substitutions.

We can't afford to have many LB injuries this season.

 

 

[Bullrush33]

I suspect we still will run a 4-2-5 brcause the linebackers are short in supply 

[Bull-Hornz]

I like reading that the D is showing Q things he hasn't seen before...for both parties!