More proof that building the defense needs to be a top priority. Need more talent and speed on the defense. Genyk's lack of emphasis on building the D is really killing this team now that players like Jones, Hunt, and Holtzclaw are gone. I'm thinking that at least 15 of the recruits this winter should be defensive players.
Didn't Genyk bring in Jones, Holtzclaw and Hunt?
He did but they're gone and he didn't complement them with a enough good defensive players over the years. The D now is as bad as it's ever been. The D Line gets pushed around bigtime and puts no pressure on the opposing teams QB's. The whole Defense doesn't tackle well and lacks speed. The Arkansas Tailback at 248 lbs outran English's total defense and went 99 yds for a score.
Some freshman Defensive players that English brought in may step up next season - i.e. Gronowski, Malumba, Gillespie, Davis
My point is that Genyk could and did recruit some decent defensive talent. I thought English's JUCOs would have more a positive impact on the defense than I've seen. Delano Johnson of course wasn't on the team and I thought he would be an impact player. The rushing defense last year was bad and it is worse this year.
Agree on English's 1st JUCO Class. Not too impressive to date. Lewis hasen't really worked out at safety and the LB PaoPao hardly plays. The DT Leonard rotates in and out but hasen't really distinguised himself either.
The Defense is Porous
Hm, I don't want to be accussed of being "negative" but the way I look at it some of where the team is Genyk's legacy, some of it is English and his staff (coaching and one recruiting class) and some of is injuries (Schmitt and others) and of course the fact the program and previous coaches didn't get the administrative support and $$$ to build a competitive program mostly out of a coach's control. Another observation our offense looked good against Arkansas's second or third string defense. We need to learn to score points when it counts ie winning games.
But really pointing fingers at how we got here is useless. More importantly where does the program go from here? Winning one or two of the remaining games would be great if not just seeing some improvement competitively would be great.
The first half the offense moved the ball and then killed themselves with penalties on 3rd and 1, 3rd and 1, and 2nd and 4. And Actually Arkansas did not sub on defense until the last drive, So I would say the offense looked good in the second half against a SEC defense, but when you don't commit dumb penalties that can happen. and Offensively Arkansas didn't sub until Late in the 4th quarter because Ryan Mallett threw a 4th quarter TD with 5:00 min left. The defense, well, they need help?
(11-01-2009 12:28 PM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]Didn't Genyk bring in Jones, Holtzclaw and Hunt?
The defensive cupboard that English inherited was bare.
I was referring to Arkansas defensive substitution. The score at the half was 42-0 which is why I commented the offense in reality didn't score points until the game was out of hand. Yes penalities will kill your offensive drives.
Steve, I'll agree the defense needed help when English came aboard. I asked the question before the season whether the defense had improved or would improve this season. I guess I have my answer.
I think a lot of folks had their rose colored glasses on when it came to defense this year.
On a side note:
Saturday and Sunday football games
:
Lions L,
UofM and MSU L,
CMU, EMU and WMU L
Wayne State's RB Bell runs for over 300 yards but Wayne loses (EMU isn't the only college team in Southeast Michigan with a porous defense).
Agree with Steve, bad weekend for Michigan teams - lots of losers in town! DEPRESSING WEEKEND FOR FOOTABLL LOCALLY.
(11-02-2009 12:42 PM)Dennis D. Rachwal Wrote: [ -> ]Agree with Steve, bad weekend for Michigan teams - lots of losers in town! DEPRESSING WEEKEND FOR FOOTABLL LOCALLY.
Ford posted a $1B profit in Q3. It's not all doom and gloom.
(11-02-2009 02:19 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote: [ -> ] (11-02-2009 12:42 PM)Dennis D. Rachwal Wrote: [ -> ]Agree with Steve, bad weekend for Michigan teams - lots of losers in town! DEPRESSING WEEKEND FOR FOOTABLL LOCALLY.
Ford posted a $1B profit in Q3. It's not all doom and gloom.
That was indeed good news for Ford. A nice operating profit without smoke and mirrors (although Cash for Clunkers was a big help).
Will some of those $ go toward the Lion's offense?
Wasn't it Rams 3, Lions 2 late in the 2nd quarter?
I hope GM and Chrysler come back as well. Ford has been sunshine in a monsoon as far as the domestic car industry.
Re English, this year has been difficult for all EMU fans, coaches, players.
The best that can be hoped for its that something positive comes out of the difficulties of this year for next year, that learning comes out of mistakes and we recruit some more talent. While I think the defensive side of the ball needs attention lets not forget that English and staff will have to recruit different offensive personel if they stick with the current offense (ie run blockers versus pass blockers).
Rob,
You are literally correct.
But one Wiliam Clay Ford (Sr.) is the owner of the Lions and the other (jr.) is CEO of Ford Motors.
Both must own a ton of Ford stock.
Spend Wm C. Ford Sr. spend...
Now that I got this thread O/T. When does Wm. C. Ford Jr. take over the Lions from his father?
(11-03-2009 11:52 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]Now that I got this thread O/T. When does Wm. C. Ford Jr. take over the Lions from his father?
Not soon enough!