- Sep 8, 2014
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Starters tackling well on defense, but backups need work
Florida is focused on showing up its tackling by the backups on defense.
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Starters-tackling-well-on-defense-but-backups-need-work-106245904
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- There are major questions about Florida's defense heading into 2017, with seven starters gone and a ton of underclassmen likely to play in the back seven.
Florida has already had to adjust its defense a bit, which likely would have happened anyway as the Gators transition to new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon.
"I think we were forced maybe to simplify maybe because of the youth, you know what I’m getting at?" coach Jim McElwain said. "And yet the one thing I do know about defense -- if the offense can look inside the playbook and know exactly what you’re doing, these coordinators are going to pick you apart.
"So our ability to get in and out of things and yet maybe not have as many checks, but rather simplifying who and what, which is what we’ve done. I think that’s more of a product of the experience."
Florida's defense is likely to be much more matchup-oriented in 2017 than it has been in years past.
The Gators will play more 4-3, leaving the strong-side linebacker to cover tight ends and slot receivers at times when it's not a bad matchup. At other times, the strong-side linebacker will be used as an extra pass-rusher off the edge.
Expect the secondary to try to keep everything in front of it. That'll put heavy emphasis on strong tackling, particularly when opposing teams start to get into Florida territory.
"I thought with the ones we were pretty good in tackling (in the first scrimmage)," McElwain said. "I felt and it kind of goes to maybe what I talked about with the depth piece, I thought we didn’t tackle well as a whole. I also thought when we got in to the very last piece which was that being uncomfortable, but forcing yourself to play comfortable, we got sloppy."
Getting the second-team defense up to speed will be a major key as fall camp quickly comes to a close and the team readies to get into game prep mode ahead of the season opener against Michigan.
While the depth on the defensive line is good, elsewhere in the back seven, it's still in question.
Florida has four linebackers it feels comfortable with right now. The secondary is probably a little deeper, with five set starters including a nickelback and freshman Shawn Davis emerging as a quality sixth contributor.
Getting a few more ready before the season begins will be important.
"I know we’re pushing them and they have responded and really understand why we are doing (things)," McElwain said. "Any time you’re teaching and then able to say 'this is the reason why and here is what happened,' and then it shows up like that they get it."
Florida is focused on showing up its tackling by the backups on defense.
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Starters-tackling-well-on-defense-but-backups-need-work-106245904
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- There are major questions about Florida's defense heading into 2017, with seven starters gone and a ton of underclassmen likely to play in the back seven.
Florida has already had to adjust its defense a bit, which likely would have happened anyway as the Gators transition to new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon.
"I think we were forced maybe to simplify maybe because of the youth, you know what I’m getting at?" coach Jim McElwain said. "And yet the one thing I do know about defense -- if the offense can look inside the playbook and know exactly what you’re doing, these coordinators are going to pick you apart.
"So our ability to get in and out of things and yet maybe not have as many checks, but rather simplifying who and what, which is what we’ve done. I think that’s more of a product of the experience."
Florida's defense is likely to be much more matchup-oriented in 2017 than it has been in years past.
The Gators will play more 4-3, leaving the strong-side linebacker to cover tight ends and slot receivers at times when it's not a bad matchup. At other times, the strong-side linebacker will be used as an extra pass-rusher off the edge.
Expect the secondary to try to keep everything in front of it. That'll put heavy emphasis on strong tackling, particularly when opposing teams start to get into Florida territory.
"I thought with the ones we were pretty good in tackling (in the first scrimmage)," McElwain said. "I felt and it kind of goes to maybe what I talked about with the depth piece, I thought we didn’t tackle well as a whole. I also thought when we got in to the very last piece which was that being uncomfortable, but forcing yourself to play comfortable, we got sloppy."
Getting the second-team defense up to speed will be a major key as fall camp quickly comes to a close and the team readies to get into game prep mode ahead of the season opener against Michigan.
While the depth on the defensive line is good, elsewhere in the back seven, it's still in question.
Florida has four linebackers it feels comfortable with right now. The secondary is probably a little deeper, with five set starters including a nickelback and freshman Shawn Davis emerging as a quality sixth contributor.
Getting a few more ready before the season begins will be important.
"I know we’re pushing them and they have responded and really understand why we are doing (things)," McElwain said. "Any time you’re teaching and then able to say 'this is the reason why and here is what happened,' and then it shows up like that they get it."
