Plugging the Holes
55 million Americans watched the New York Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game Sunday night.
What they saw was evidence of one of the most boring, but important rules of football:
If you want to win, you have to be able to run the ball and stop the other guys from running the ball.
It’s pretty simple, but the Steelers built that 24-0 early lead because they ran all over a Jet defense while killing New York’s ground game time after time.
Things changed in the second half when the Jets stopped the bleeding on their run stopping efforts and moved the ball generally better on the ground themselves.
After 2009, when the Lions allowed about 170 rushing yards per game, it was obvious Columbia needed to improve its run stopping efforts in 2010.
They accomplished that, somewhat, but the damage was still more than 150 yards per game and it was still the obvious weak spot for the “D.”
As we still wait for news on who will be the Lions defensive coordinator for 2011, it’s more than obvious that his first job will be figuring out how to stuff the running game.
Coaching Moves
Speaking of defensive coordinators…
Former Columbia Head Coach Bob Shoop is moving back to FBS football with a new job as defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt. Shoop has spent the last few years as the DC at William and Mary.
posted by Jake @ 8:23:00 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Transfer Childress and returnee Fraser wI'll help.
As with any team sport, it takes a total effort to win. With all the comments and focus on the defense as the main reason for the Lions problems, majority of observers seem gloss over the offensive issues, especially the second half of the season. One only needs look at the Columbia’s drive chart to see offenses inability to maintain control of the ball (3 & out, critical red zone turnovers) or play 4 complete quarters.
I think that readers of this blog should petition the "powers that be" to allow us to meet in the parking lot at Baker Field for a pre game BBQ prior to taking a bus to the Fordham game so we can all cheer on our Lions against the scholarship boys from the Bronx.
What do you all think?
Doc/jock
Someone said "Transfer Childress and returnee Fraser will help."
Childress was a DE not a tackle. Hopefully he will be a key player, but, remember A&M didn't think enough of him to offer him a scholarship to stay.
As far as Fraser is concerned hopefully he stays healthy and gets into game shape (wasn't at the end of 2010).
What I am saying is don’t get your hopes up based any one player.
Biggest key in the DL case is to use the “big” guys. All the tackles are very talented, but, 220 compared to 280 makes a difference at NT when youb start playing the bigger OL (ie Penn). Hopefully they are planning on using Sommers and Groth a lot more this year. Moving Popeck to DE unless he adds a huge amount muscle mass (he was around 220?) might be the way to go.
Yes, I agree that SIZE has to be emphasized. If there is 60 pound difference at certain positions, speed becomes irrelevant. Penn stood there like wooden Indians, and we could get passed them
surtlUnless we inflated the weights on the roster Popeck was listed at 245. Penn's DL isn't very big, butr they are very strong. Great DLs don't have to be 300 pounders if they are strong and fast. Harvard had a first team all Ivy DL playing inside a few years ago who was around 240/250. As far as Childress, I have no idea if he was offered a scholarship at A&M or not.
Jake, I understand that the Campbell Center is up for some sort of city approval today. I imagine the usual idiot commmunity groups will oppose it, just like Manhattanville.
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