What grade has the DC earned thus far? I give him a C-. Color me unimpressed with both his schemes and how his players are executing said schemes. The 3 man front has got to go. Personnel decisions, questionable. Get a stop and seal the win vs. TCU, instead gives up a 99 yard, yes I said 99 yard TD drive. The only reason he gets a passing grade is because, well, 4-1.
It’s not even half way through year one. But… So far: equal to Ash, not as good as Robinson, obviously not as good as Fuller or Campbell, much better than most of our other DCs—MUCH better…
I think a lot of people are in love with guys like Fuller because they played in a different era against different styles. In his day, Fuller was great. When he coached here with McWilliams, I was less than impressed. Sometimes it's about the players you have, and sometimes it's about playing teams with less complex offenses. Kwaitkowski is going to be hard to watch at least this year because he's trying to play complementary football. He doesn't want to give up big plays, bottling teams up and making them execute, keeping scores in the 20's because he knows Texas will live in the 30's. Getting better play from the d-line will make him look a lot better, and I think some of the younger guys that are making plays may start getting more and more time as the year goes on.
Prod I think that is a great point about the younger guys.Do you think the talent is there with the younger players?
Agree that 99 yard drive was tough to swallow. However, weren’t we doing a pretty good job on them in the second half up until then?
I would agree with a C-, however, its essentially the same kids as last year, how do you expect him to do any better than the other guy using the same kids if they both pretty much maximized their personnel? I'm disappointed in the defense, I just don't think they have the horses and it doesn't matter who the defensive coordinator is, he just has to coach them to tackle and not give up, keep fighting. I'm concerned more about evaluating going forward, everyone wants those 5 stars, and thats great, but Coburn was a high 4 star right? and he hasn't really done much. I had higher expectations for him when he came in (obviously this on the previous staff). One good defensive tackle can change the game. i'm cautiously optimistic about the 2022 class cause there have been many highly rated defensive guys committed, where it seemed we had to reach for a defensive line player, it doesn't look like this staff is reaching. I am sick of teams running up and down the field on us. i want a better defense, asap.
Think of Ash. The chorus on this website was “Ash sucks, Ash sucks, Ash sucks…”. Then by late last year, it was “Say, Ash is actually pretty good…” It’s too early to tell, but I think PK will be good. He did very well at Washington.
Well his defenses are getting some critical turnovers. That's a nice change. That corner blitz that got their QB in the 3rd and forced a fumble was a thing of beauty.
I think if we just teach our db’s that it’s ok to cover within 10 yards of wide receivers we might actually stop someone. Coverage has been awful.
Get used to the three man front, more specifically the 3-2-6 IF K can find two LBs. I don't think there's a single LB on the roster that could have started for Leon or Coach Campbell or even Bobby Jack. Cook has the possibility to be a Rod Choate type LB, but he has to be taught. If no LB steps up, I'm in favor of a 3-8 or 4-7.
Everyone's going to love this reference but when Brockemeyer and Bush are your starters you are not a good defense. There are a few that are doing excellent work out there, though...
Sure, you give the frogs all the momo in the world after that stop. 36-20 vs 32-20. Going for the end zone instead of kicks was a high reward, high risk maneuver when we already had the reward (win) with lower risk. This type of risk management is NOT in the binder that just uses percentages.
Don’t disagree mc, but honestly who thought we would be so inept as to allow that drive - honestly. I’m hoping we continue to be a work in progress that keeps developing every game. Lord knows we better.
Maybe not Top 10 Defense good... but they are showing some flashes that make me think they ought to be playing more than older guys who seem to be occupying space and nothing else. Murphy's definitely one of them. There was another one, but I can't remember who he was... I didn't see Collins out there at all today, did he play?? I need to go back and watch. But right now I'm all for letting the younger guys in who seem to be playing with a lot more hunger.
He is a good coach. However, he is going through what all new defensive coaches in the Big XII go through. It is easy to observe the Big XII from a distance and think how easy it will be the play average defense and stop Big XII offenses. Coach K is selling out to stop the pass, but is getting killed by runs up the middle. If you have an average RB all you have to do is send 4 outside and do a counter fake anD hand it off up the middle. He needs to call Greg Robinson.
But you have to assume they were going to drive down the field for a 99 yard score when you are deciding! Why because that's what they need to do. I called that before they even ran the play. Go for the field goal have a 15-point lead and then they'll have to at least make one two point conversion that was the safest bet. But thankfully it worked out okay
Like most, I haven’t been thrilled with the defensive performance. But Kwiatkowski has a reputation for a reason. Next Saturday will be a huge test. If he can hold the Gooners to 30 or under, regardless of how he does it, that will be an accomplishment. Like others have said, it’s a work in progress. I’ll be focusing on the D-Line Saturday. Let’s see if they show up and can rattle Rattler.
I think when you have a coach similar to Lincoln Riley (all offense) then you don’t seem to care about defense….
I will admit i have been underwhelmed by Kwitowski's defense thus far. But we are 4-1 with a shut out so there is that.
I listened to the game on the radio, and Brockemeyer was named about every third tackle? Must have been doing someting right.
I have a tendency to notice players named starters who appear to be the “plays all out to their ability” player but that ability or lack thereof seems to prevent them from making the tackle. “Coach on the field” etc. I’ll try to acknowledge they’re out there for a reason and leave them alone in the future. I’m not a coach nor have played one on tv.
Apparently I did because I said 99 yard drive coming right here. That's what happens with a big momentum shift and the most energized their players and fans were the whole game. Take the pts., especially on the road, and you don't allow that momentum shift. And Texas is damn lucky Fatterson didn't use Evans more or the result may have been different.
Maybe it's my Burnt Orange PTSD kicking in, but I can't watch a series like that without saying "Yeah, this is gonna cost us."
I think there are kids on the field playing defense for Texas to the best of their ability and the best of their ability is just not elite, you coach em up and you hope that they make enough stops that you can win but you understand that's not the Georgia defense we are running out there every week. It is going to take some recruiting on the defensive line (next year we have 4-5 recruits just on DL) and real depth to take the next step and I think coach K sees that. I am not giving him a pass on this year but I am definitely grading on a curve. I would put him at B- with a nice note from the teacher that he shows promise and needs to keep developing and recruiting.
At least it appears everyone is playing to their ability consistently, the issue is one or two either not in the right place at the start of the play or going the wrong way once the play begins brings down the entire defense.
You mean like Overshown and most others on TCU's 2nd series when they totally **** the bed on that 3rd down play?
