Leatherneck Nation

ST_Lawson wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 10:46 am

GV Dad wrote:I hope Stockton and Melvin return.

Other than hiring a couple of guys to replace the two who are already gone, I doubt we'll see much (if any) more changes to the coaching staff.


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Do you see this leading to a scheme change, back to a 4-3? Or just normal exit/stay due to the HC change?

I don’t think many of us on here expected coach Grantham to be here long he has plenty of FBS experience even though I haven’t seen anything about him going back.

GV Dad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 10:52 am Do you see this leading to a scheme change, back to a 4-3? Or just normal exit/stay due to the HC change?

Not sure. Elliott is an offensive guy, so it likely depends on who's named the DC.

Just for reference (for everyone...not directing this specifically at you GV Dad), with regards to running the 4-3 vs 3-4:
In 2016 we ran a 4-3 defense and struggled. In 2017 we switched to a 3-4 defense to take advantage of our depth at LB and were better.
In terms of stats...

2016 (rankings are out of 122 FCS teams)
Total Defense (ypg allowed) - 447.1 ypg, 106th
Rushing Defense - 149.7 ypg, 45th
Passing Defense - 297.4 ypg, 120th
Scoring Defense - 31.5 ppg, 91st
Red Zone Defense - 80%, 51st
Passes Intercepted - 12, 40th
Turnovers Gained - 17, 72nd
Team Sacks - 1.18 per game, 113th
Team Tackles for Loss - 5.1 per game, 93rd

2017 (rankings are out of 123 FCS teams)
Total Defense (ypg allowed) - 339.3 ypg, 38th
Rushing Defense - 119.1 ypg, 22nd
Passing Defense - 220.2 ypg, 66th
Scoring Defense - 22.2 ppg, 34th
Red Zone Defense - 74.2%, 24th
Passes Intercepted - 18, 6th
Turnovers Gained - 26, 13th
Team Sacks - 2.67 per game, 23rd
Team Tackles for Loss - 7.8 per game, 13th

I realize that stats are the "end-all-be-all" of defensive performance, but if you average our stat rankings in the FCS for all those stats, in 2016 we had around the 81st best defense in the FCS (out of 122). In 2017 we had around the 26th best defense in the FCS (out of 123) and improved in every stat category (we also won more games and made the playoffs).

I don't know if that improvement was because we switched defensive schemes...because we brought in a different DC...because we had fewer injuries...because the players just stepped up more...or something else entirely. But I can say that there was a significant improvement on the defensive side of the ball between 2016 and 2017.

Side note, in 2016 we did really well in time of possession (12th in FCS)...because we gave up so many long passes. The opposing team doesn't have to hold on to the ball for long when they can pretty much score at will with 2-3 back-to-back 30+ yard passes.

Anyway, I don't really know if our personnel for next year would be better served by going back to the 4-3, but I know that this last year, we got a lot better on defense, we had a new DC, and we switched to the 3-4.

I am definitely new to this team. But it seemed like last year 3-4 was the base, but they did play multiple fronts and blitz schemes.

For football in general though, no one will ever convince me that the 3-4 is better than the 4-3. But I do agree that you need to be flexible and get your best players on the field.

I'll be the first to admit I know very little about schemes but I would prefer players that fit any scheme obviously losing Brett is a lot but we still return a lot when it comes to LB's are secondary could be a major weakness going into next season.

GV Dad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:45 am I am definitely new to this team. But it seemed like last year 3-4 was the base, but they did play multiple fronts and blitz schemes.

For football in general though, no one will ever convince me that the 3-4 is better than the 4-3. But I do agree that you need to be flexible and get your best players on the field.

GV Dad, are you on Twitter? If so message me...

Leatherneck57 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:32 pm

Leatherneck57 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:30 pm

GV Dad wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:45 am I am definitely new to this team. But it seemed like last year 3-4 was the base, but they did play multiple fronts and blitz schemes.

For football in general though, no one will ever convince me that the 3-4 is better than the 4-3. But I do agree that you need to be flexible and get your best players on the field.

GV Dad, are you on Twitter? If so message me...

@brianspotts57

@2bobwilliams5

Just followed you, can't message until you follow me back.

Did I hear correctly on the signing day FB Live that Coach Stockton is the new Defensive Coordinator?

GV Dad wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2018 9:57 am Did I hear correctly on the signing day FB Live that Coach Stockton is the new Defensive Coordinator?

Yes and Howle and Rocco to be Co OC