Defensive gameplan for Eastern?

[Helcat72]

I hate cover 2 zone, or bend don’t break defense. If we go that route it’s going to be a frustrating day. They will run us ragged with methodical drives all day long if we sit in a soft zone trying to keep everything in front of us.
We need to play the cover 2 man defense. They are going to get their points against our defense but the tight man aggressive pressure defense gives us the best chance to make a few stops during the day and with a little luck a turnover or two. Cover two man gives deep safety help for Kupp. We need to encourage the players to play loose, jam the receivers every single time on the LOS, and disrupt their routes. Encourage aggressive play and accept the fact that you will most likely give up some yards to pass interference.
IMHO we have a much better chance to make stops in an aggressive style defense than thinking they will make mistakes if we sit in a soft zone.

What do you play if they go with four wide receivers?
It's got to be cover 0 man

[Weltercat]

I hate cover 2 zone, or bend don’t break defense. If we go that route it’s going to be a frustrating day. They will run us ragged with methodical drives all day long if we sit in a soft zone trying to keep everything in front of us.
We need to play the cover 2 man defense. They are going to get their points against our defense but the tight man aggressive pressure defense gives us the best chance to make a few stops during the day and with a little luck a turnover or two. Cover two man gives deep safety help for Kupp. We need to encourage the players to play loose, jam the receivers every single time on the LOS, and disrupt their routes. Encourage aggressive play and accept the fact that you will most likely give up some yards to pass interference.
IMHO we have a much better chance to make stops in an aggressive style defense than thinking they will make mistakes if we sit in a soft zone.

What do you play if they go with four wide receivers?
It's got to be cover 0 man

I am no football coach that's for sure. I am just saying that I like base man cover 2 against eastern because of the deep help and still play aggressive man coverage. We would certainly adjust with a nickel package in the case of four wr with cover 0 but who who do we man up with on Kupp in that defense or do we just double team? I do like the cover 0 because of the high pressure and ability to blitz out of it. Don't make it to complicated, let the guys play loose and let the chips fall.

[LongTimeCatFan]

I hate cover 2 zone, or bend don’t break defense. If we go that route it’s going to be a frustrating day. They will run us ragged with methodical drives all day long if we sit in a soft zone trying to keep everything in front of us.
We need to play the cover 2 man defense. They are going to get their points against our defense but the tight man aggressive pressure defense gives us the best chance to make a few stops during the day and with a little luck a turnover or two. Cover two man gives deep safety help for Kupp. We need to encourage the players to play loose, jam the receivers every single time on the LOS, and disrupt their routes. Encourage aggressive play and accept the fact that you will most likely give up some yards to pass interference.
IMHO we have a much better chance to make stops in an aggressive style defense than thinking they will make mistakes if we sit in a soft zone.

What do you play if they go with four wide receivers?
It's got to be cover 0 man

Nickel cover 1 man

[bpcats20]

Stop them 3 times and we score every time then we might have a shot.

[LongTimeCatFan]

Stop them 3 times and we score every time then we might have a shot.

Really?

And you call yourself a Bobcat fan?

Really?

C'Mon Man

Unleash the "Legion of Boom" and start wrecking people

We win, it's simple.

[catsrback76]

When we played Eastern a couple of years ago, VA had his worst game in who knows how long. We had a combination of relentless pressure on the QB and dedicated run support. I can't recall the coverage, but I believe it was man coverage with help...

I think we have to bring the heat ( blitz early and often) but with designed coverages to take away some of the mid range passes. I would make them throw long all day long. I know that is a huge gamble with Kupp , but I would make sure that we focus more on the QB pressure than the WR protections. What I am saying is that I don't know that we can really stop Kupp, but I think we can get after the QB and if that happens we can take the ball out of Kupps hands so to speak.

Now, I remember Forte gashing us with long runs up the middle one year, so we cannot over commit to pressure and leave the run game to gash us. So, I would be very creative with front 4 twists, stunts and rushes...and delayed blitzes from all angles as well as our base package...on the defensive end that would be my gameplan.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

When we played Eastern a couple of years ago, VA had his worst game in who knows how long. We had a combination of relentless pressure on the QB and dedicated run support. I can't recall the coverage, but I believe it was man coverage with help...

I think we have to bring the heat ( blitz early and often) but with designed coverages to take away some of the mid range passes. I would make them throw long all day long. I know that is a huge gamble with Kupp , but I would make sure that we focus more on the QB pressure than the WR protections. What I am saying is that I don't know that we can really stop Kupp, but I think we can get after the QB and if that happens we can take the ball out of Kupps hands so to speak.

Now, I remember Forte gashing us with long runs up the middle one year, so we cannot over commit to pressure and leave the run game to gash us. So, I would be very creative with front 4 twists, stunts and rushes...and delayed blitzes from all angles as well as our base package...on the defensive end that would be my gameplan.

Totally agree. I'd rather go down smacking the QB/RB in the mouth than letting them sit their comfortably in the pocket. If we give them time a WR will be open for sure regardless of the coverage. Make the QB worry about if he will be upright after the play rather than going through is progressions (I know easier said than done). That is how we beat them in 2010 when they won the chipper. VA was running for his life and every skill player that caught the ball we SMACKED them hard. Hopefull Clark is the real deal and can give us a BIG boost in the pass rush.

FAST & PHYSICAL!

[catatac]

When we played Eastern a couple of years ago, VA had his worst game in who knows how long. We had a combination of relentless pressure on the QB and dedicated run support. I can't recall the coverage, but I believe it was man coverage with help...

I think we have to bring the heat ( blitz early and often) but with designed coverages to take away some of the mid range passes. I would make them throw long all day long. I know that is a huge gamble with Kupp , but I would make sure that we focus more on the QB pressure than the WR protections. What I am saying is that I don't know that we can really stop Kupp, but I think we can get after the QB and if that happens we can take the ball out of Kupps hands so to speak.

Now, I remember Forte gashing us with long runs up the middle one year, so we cannot over commit to pressure and leave the run game to gash us. So, I would be very creative with front 4 twists, stunts and rushes...and delayed blitzes from all angles as well as our base package...on the defensive end that would be my gameplan.

Totally agree. I'd rather go down smacking the QB/RB in the mouth than letting them sit their comfortably in the pocket. If we give them time a WR will be open for sure regardless of the coverage. Make the QB worry about if he will be upright after the play rather than going through is progressions (I know easier said than done). That is how we beat them in 2010 when they won the chipper. VA was running for his life and every skill player that caught the ball we SMACKED them hard. Hopefull Clark is the real deal and can give us a BIG boost in the pass rush.

FAST & PHYSICAL!

I agree for the most part, but I just don't want our starting D too exhausted at the end of the game, that's why my vote is to let them do what they want between the 20's.

[[cat_bracket]]

I think the defense is improved over last year. There's not much to go on, but they definitely looked better against Ft. Lewis than BHSU. Clark looked as advertised and I'd expect to see him play a lot more vs EWU. He has a motor and can get into the backfield. We simply didn't have that last year.

I also think EWU has a bad defense. Oregon scored on all but two possessions and one of those was a fumble at the end of a 24-yard run. Even when they tried to take their foot off the gas they scored. They only threw five passes in the second half, but scored 24 points. They ran it 57 times to just 25 passes. They're usually about a 60-40 run team, but we're 70-30 this game despite EWU staying within shouting distance all game. Oregon had 731 yards on mostly running plays. 485 yards rushing. 8.5 per carry.

We need to put our foot on the gas and not make too many mistakes in this one and we'll be fine.

[LIBBYCAT]

Instead of allowing them to get into the timing game and back shoulder throws, which seem to destroy the sit and wait defenses. Jamming the receivers at the line makes the most sense, as long as the line can generate pressure. Bringing blitzes from all angles is risky but necessary to keep pressure and generate a few errant throws. Deception can be as effective as anything as the qb and offense reads the d at the line. Disguising coverages and blitzes will be paramount in creating the stops and turnovers required to win this game. Not sure if Stern has the strength or coverage skill to stay with Kupp but through the recruiting process, he is the guy I was picturing. At least to slow Kupp off the line. It's been hit on many times, I think you need to create your own opportunities in today's game vs sitting back and hoping to have the ball at the end of the game.

[cats2506]

I posted my thoughts above, but last night I got to thinking about this, you know that there is a guy out there that was named co-DC last spring, and I bet he has spent a lot of time thinking about this game and watching film, We have only played a DII and I didn't see much more than base D in that game. so I guess I am thinking that we may see something else next Saturday and it may surprise us, I just hope it surprises Baldwin too.

[wbtfg]

Can we play 9 guys on offense and 13 on defense?

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[codecat]

When we played Eastern a couple of years ago, VA had his worst game in who knows how long. We had a combination of relentless pressure on the QB and dedicated run support. I can't recall the coverage, but I believe it was man coverage with help...

I think we have to bring the heat ( blitz early and often) but with designed coverages to take away some of the mid range passes. I would make them throw long all day long. I know that is a huge gamble with Kupp , but I would make sure that we focus more on the QB pressure than the WR protections. What I am saying is that I don't know that we can really stop Kupp, but I think we can get after the QB and if that happens we can take the ball out of Kupps hands so to speak.

Now, I remember Forte gashing us with long runs up the middle one year, so we cannot over commit to pressure and leave the run game to gash us. So, I would be very creative with front 4 twists, stunts and rushes...and delayed blitzes from all angles as well as our base package...on the defensive end that would be my gameplan.

Totally agree. I'd rather go down smacking the QB/RB in the mouth than letting them sit their comfortably in the pocket. If we give them time a WR will be open for sure regardless of the coverage. Make the QB worry about if he will be upright after the play rather than going through is progressions (I know easier said than done). That is how we beat them in 2010 when they won the chipper. VA was running for his life and every skill player that caught the ball we SMACKED them hard. Hopefull Clark is the real deal and can give us a BIG boost in the pass rush.

FAST & PHYSICAL!

I do agree that we need to send more pressure than we have under Marshall's defense, and vary things up a lot as well because I think we became way too predictable. That being said, am not sure which year Forte gashing us was referred to but I remember in 2013 in Cheney where we had defenders in position but were unable to tackle him until he already made 2 miss - I have always thought that this was either a coaching thing not dealing with fundamentals, lack of execution of those fundamentals, or just being under-skilled relative to Forte's ability to make guys miss. Also, Bo Mitchell was their QB through 2010 and 2011 - VA started in 2012.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

When we played Eastern a couple of years ago, VA had his worst game in who knows how long. We had a combination of relentless pressure on the QB and dedicated run support. I can't recall the coverage, but I believe it was man coverage with help...

I think we have to bring the heat ( blitz early and often) but with designed coverages to take away some of the mid range passes. I would make them throw long all day long. I know that is a huge gamble with Kupp , but I would make sure that we focus more on the QB pressure than the WR protections. What I am saying is that I don't know that we can really stop Kupp, but I think we can get after the QB and if that happens we can take the ball out of Kupps hands so to speak.

Now, I remember Forte gashing us with long runs up the middle one year, so we cannot over commit to pressure and leave the run game to gash us. So, I would be very creative with front 4 twists, stunts and rushes...and delayed blitzes from all angles as well as our base package...on the defensive end that would be my gameplan.

Totally agree. I'd rather go down smacking the QB/RB in the mouth than letting them sit their comfortably in the pocket. If we give them time a WR will be open for sure regardless of the coverage. Make the QB worry about if he will be upright after the play rather than going through is progressions (I know easier said than done). That is how we beat them in 2010 when they won the chipper. VA was running for his life and every skill player that caught the ball we SMACKED them hard. Hopefull Clark is the real deal and can give us a BIG boost in the pass rush.

FAST & PHYSICAL!

Yep you are right. I am thinking of the 2012 game where we had them but blew it with turnovers and specials teams errors. Minters big hit on VA was awesome (thought he would get fined for that one). I guess the first place to start is ZERO turnovers or Special Teams GAFFS! Then go with an aggressive hard hitting D.

I do agree that we need to send more pressure than we have under Marshall's defense, and vary things up a lot as well because I think we became way too predictable. That being said, am not sure which year Forte gashing us was referred to but I remember in 2013 in Cheney where we had defenders in position but were unable to tackle him until he already made 2 miss - I have always thought that this was either a coaching thing not dealing with fundamentals, lack of execution of those fundamentals, or just being under-skilled relative to Forte's ability to make guys miss. Also, Bo Mitchell was their QB through 2010 and 2011 - VA started in 2012.

[Marana CAT]

2010 - MSU beats EWU ( Program changing game)
2011 - MSU beats EWU ( Sweet field goals for the Cats to spoil the red turf)
2012 - EWU beats MSU (Cats beat themselves... Punt & INT 2nd half killed us!!) VA's first game against MSU
2013 - EWU beats MSU ( Cats depleted secondary with 2 guys wearing casts and get crushed 2nd half) Played well 1st half
2014 - EWU beats MSU ( Cats up by 14 in 3rd quarter)
2015 - ????? ( stick to whatever game plan the coaches come up with and execute!!!)

This game is not going to be about X's & O's.. It is going to be about attitude and who believes more in what they are doing. Our new defense has not been beat yet and the PLAYERS have bought into it. I believe we have the edge defensively and our Offense can keep up with any other FCS offense..

2015 - MSU beats EWU 48- 35

[onceacat]

1. Base package needs to be a nickel with 3 solid cover guys. DL needs to bring it. Like others have said, aggressive blitzing & corner play. I don't ever want to see a LB matched up on a receiver.

2. Rotate heavily: The biggest thing this D has going for it is depth, which was missing the last 2 years. You can't have your starters trying to defend a potential game tying/winning drive if they've already played 80 snaps.

3. Gamble: One of the reasons that EWU has been better on D than the Cats the last couple of years is because of the gambling nature of their play. Last year, they led the BSC in takeaways (more INTs than the Griz or NAU).There's lots of good stories out there about teams in the Big 12 using 2-4-5 and 3-3-5 packages to slow down pass happy offenses. EWU is going to find weaknesses and relentlessly attack them; the Cat D needs to do the same. Ultimately, if EWU gets a big play because the D is too aggressive, thats fine-I'd rather turn this into a track meet than let them march down the field 9 yards at a time like they did in 2012. A track meet plays to our advantages.

4. Best D is our O: Last year if the Cats could have converted either of 2 4th & 1 tries, they win (or at least go up by 2 scores). If they connect on that pass to Johnson (? or was it Brekke) with 5 seconds left, they attempt a game winning field goal. If the Cats control the ball instead of scoring
in 3:35 on the last drive, they probably win. Here at Bobcat Nation, we've pinned last years loss on the D, but the O had plenty of opportunities to put the game away while the D had 3 takeaways & forced 3 punts. Held VA to one of the worst games of the season.

Bottom line: Last year the Cats were close enough that 1 or 2 plays on either offense or defense would have made the difference.