Making plays versus making tackles

[JC52803]

1. Our linebacker play today was the biggest problem with our defense. Obviously losing The Outlaw early really hurt us, but what I saw out of Bower and Hockaday really concerned me. Both made tackles, but neither regularly made plays. I will give you an example that played out right in front of my seats in the SE corner of the stadium. Miami has the ball first and ten at about the our 30 going into the South end zone. They run left to the short side of the field just off tackle. Bower fills from the inside and Hockaday has outside contain. Both linebackers are well positioned to stop the play for no gain or a short gain. Both linebackers stop moving their feet. Instead of running thru the ball carrier they basically let him gain five yards while they play it safe scoring the tackle. Miami scored on that drive. Making tackles is not making plays.
   
   Another thing I noticed was Bower getting engulfed by blockers at the second level. Bower really struggled shedding the Miami blockers. Iowa State will see this on film as will the whole Big Ten. A linebacker must be able to stay clean, if Bower cannot, Mends must play. I'd rather see us play fast and make some mistakes than play safe and make no plays.
   
   Finally, I noticed bad body language out of our defense as Maimi was driving for its third score. That really surprised me. I predict that Iowa State takes the ball to open the game as Jewell will be out for four minutes. Hopefully our linebackers learn from this experience.
   

 

[ANYCHawk]

Josey will miss zero minutes of next game. Suspensions only occur for the next game if the targeting occurs in the second half.

 

[ANYCHawk]

Also you failed to note that sometimes playing it safe is the right call, even if it occurs on a play on a drive where a TD is scored.

 

[Freyvet]

1. Our linebacker play today was the biggest problem with our defense. Obviously losing The Outlaw early really hurt us, but what I saw out of Bower and Hockaday really concerned me. Both made tackles, but neither regularly made plays. I will give you an example that played out right in front of my seats in the SE corner of the stadium. Miami has the ball first and ten at about the our 30 going into the South end zone. They run left to the short side of the field just off tackle. Bower fills from the inside and Hockaday has outside contain. Both linebackers are well positioned to stop the play for no gain or a short gain. Both linebackers stop moving their feet. Instead of running thru the ball carrier they basically let him gain five yards while they play it safe scoring the tackle. Miami scored on that drive. Making tackles is not making plays.
   
   Another thing I noticed was Bower getting engulfed by blockers at the second level. Bower really struggled shedding the Miami blockers. Iowa State will see this on film as will the whole Big Ten. A linebacker must be able to stay clean, if Bower cannot, Mends must play. I'd rather see us play fast and make some mistakes than play safe and make no plays.
   
   Finally, I noticed bad body language out of our defense as Maimi was driving for its third score. That really surprised me. I predict that Iowa State takes the ball to open the game as Jewell will be out for four minutes. Hopefully our linebackers learn from this experience.

Your last sentence isn't subjective at all and you got that wrong! Why would your other "analysis" be remotely accurate???
Have a lititle faith baby, have a little faith!

 

[PHXIowaClub]

I would agree our LB play was below average today. Safeties also struggled

 

[Mizzy1983]

What more you expect when you throw inexperienced players into live action??