2007 defensive problems

[bling49]

I think new D.Coord English will help turn the 2008 defense around.

English brought a couple of traditions with him from Ann Arbor. The California native is a big fan of former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and stresses many of Wooden's pet phrases and philosophies. Safety Bobby Buchanan said English carries stacks of notebooks filled with inspirational quotes and tips he has picked up from other coaches and constantly reads them to the team.

He also makes all the defensive players run sprints after practice. At the end of a recent session when the defense won the head-to-head drills, the offense had to run as punishment. Some defensive players thought they would escape their required sprints. They were wrong.

"It's not for punishment or even conditioning," Buchanan said. "It's for mental toughness. In the fourth quarter or overtime, the whole offense will be out there breathing hard and we're going to be breathing easy."

Kragthorpe, who got to know English 16 years ago when both were small-college assistants, said his intensity is good for the team.

"That energy illuminates throughout the team and the players," he said. "I think the guys are excited about having someone coach them hard every day, expect a lot out of them and make sure they're doing the right things."

English looked and sounded distressed about the state of the defense after a particularly bad showing in a recent scrimmage. But he's trying to stay positive during this rebuilding process.

"We do have a long way to go, but their attitude has been good," he said. "There's some talent here; it's not like the cupboard is completely bare."

Whether the defense can get back to a respectable level remains to be seen. But if the players follow their coordinator, they won't lack intensity.

"Some of the people last year -- and I'm not going to say any names -- weren't all in like Coach Kragthorpe preaches," Heyman said. "Coach English is an all-in guy."

That last statement by Heyman "some people last year weren't all in, Coach English is an all-in guy"

Kind of sounds like he was referring to the coaching staff not players.

Now I heard rumors Cassidy (sic) was being discussed by Petrino as not coming back but when Kragthorpe was brought in somehow Cassidy got a repreive and stayed an extra year.

Without the studs and maybe a lackluster coach we ended up 6-6.

I'll go out on a limb and say under English the Cards will be drastically improved over last year.

I just dont see English NOT forcing or willing this defense to over-achieve and preform

[HarveyGlass]

Originally Posted by bling49

I'll go out on a limb and say under English the Cards will be drastically improved over last year.

I just dont see English NOT forcing or willing this defense to over-achieve and preform

If English is anything like what he's being built up to be, then the D will be vastly improved. I think we've probably got some pretty good talent, but it's inexperienced and short on depth.

[farmdude]

I too am excited by the prospects of a REAL DC. All I want to see from them this year is good technique, discipline and good attitude. We will be thin and will have players playing out of position at times. Just show me that our guys want to win.

[HarveyGlass]

Originally Posted by farmdude

I too am excited by the prospects of a REAL DC. All I want to see from them this year is good technique, discipline and good attitude. We will be thin and will have players playing out of position at times. Just show me that our guys want to win.

Exactly, that was the worst thing about last year. No heart, no desire.