[Beetle01]

Jones and Foster were considered defensive linemen last year in Russell's 5-2 defense, weren't they? If their job was to merely stand up the offensive blockers, then how did they get so many tackles? Or is it just the interior 3 linemen who are supposed to stalemate their blockers?

Also, why do you guys think a 4-4 would be more suitable for this year's team?

Jones and Foster were Ends and don't play a traditional role. Their job as Russell plays it, is to stuff the guy on their inside, contain and pursue. Now Jones pretty much just played all out and made plays, and that's why he shined. He played more like a rogue type player, where he just reacted to the play and used his abilities to their fullest to shine on defense. Foster did it some too. This is when you really saw them make great plays.

I think a 4-4 suits this team better because it allows them to use thier speed instead of going size vs size which is where they lack. Don't handicap the players by taking away their talents. Also I think it will inspire more of a gang tackling fly to the ball mentality instead of this stand around and only make plays if the ball carrier comes your way.

a 5-2 is for bigger stronger more physical teams. When I played everyone of our front 7 guys were my size or much bigger and I was 245 lbs, we ran the 5-2 well. Most of your top defenses Russell has had have been very big and thus excelled in the 5-2. 02 was very big also. Not saying anyone is better than anyone, but some groups of players excel in different formats. How many games do you think Kentucky would win if they ran the wing-t? Probably none. So you gotta adapt to your players, their abilities, and your opponents strengths and weaknesses. I think it is pretty evident the 5-2 is not a strength for this D.

Changing things up might be tough, but I don't think as hard as you think. Defense is mainly about 2 things, aggressiveness and solid tackling. 4-4 style of play is very similar to 5-2, except one less db and let your db's go man, which I think would drastically improve our pass coverage if the corners go man with Max sitting over top playing center field. It also elminates Max being responsible for coming up and filling holes, which he has shown he may not be so ready to do yet. He is very good and I have been impressed with his play, and I think we need him to play some center field for us and use his quickness to get to the recievers when the ball is in the air and try and make plays.