You can see the defense play well for the most part but there is a single break down.

For example, in the UVA game, 10 players on defense are doing a good job. Deablo is in position to make a tackle but whiffs and that leaves the RB running free. Another player may end up taking a bad angle or over-running it (Farley) but it is one player. You could argue a safety could get over (Deablo) but So that 75 yard run is because of the failure of 1 player at that moment but it feeds the narrative of the "defense being bad"

Another example or two from the UVA game, the deep pass to Watts.. the WR goes up and grabs the ball 1-handed and comes down with it. The rest of the defense isn't playing poorly. You could argue Watts isn't either (except grabbing) and you typically hear an analyst say the WR made a great play. But then you add on the PI against Watts later and you see a single player grabbing

Farley - He misses plays in isolation. The middle pass that went for a score. Farley gave it up. Deablo was out of position and Floyd was underneath likely in run support.

When you look at some plays throughout the season, the defense throughout the season, it isn't the entirety of the defense. It is one player on a given play at times. Farley missing tackles. Deablo or Floyd missing a tackle. The defense being fooled by a read option and Perkins getting through a hole.

On many plays in the second half the defense is playing great. Then on a 3rd down, there is some breakdown. 1 player misses a tackle. 1 DB gives up a catch. We lose outside contain.

I know when you start to look at Farley, Watts, or Deablo/Floyd missing a tackle, you can argue well that kind of represents the sum of the parts not being good. Giving up 200 yds rushing or more setting records on defense means the entirety of the defense is ultimately bad.

THat is when you point to larger things like:
1. The lack of getting to the QB by an DE especially after Hill and Gaines were lost.

2. The secondary giving up catches or being burnt or being out of position by the rover or safety.

3. Foster not being able to blitz consistently or implement his man-zone coverage schemes due to

4. Youth - I don't care if people say they don't want to use youth as an excuse. It is a reason. The defense lost a group of players that was a bridge to the future. We lost the Edmunds brothers, Settle, Reynolds, Alexander, Hill, Gaines. that is 7 players that we lost early. Include an injured Mihota and that is really 8 impact players. Settle went pro after 1 year of starting that is not typical. At DT, the coaches could easily have been planning to have Walker, Mihota and Settle (as a junior) in 2018. Well that went to hell with Mihota's injury and Settle going pro perhaps 1 year earlier. One of the Edmunds brothers was a surprise somewhat so there goes another player. Then your secondary gets wiped out due to graduation AND to suspensions/dismissals. You lose your top 3 CBs, your whip, and the incoming Webb to a torn achilles. You lose your "BRIDGE" that would have kept many players in backup roles along the DL and the secondary. But then young players have to start 1 year before they were supposed to.

That isn't about poor development or poor recruiting. As much as everyone wants it to be. This mean that Garbutt, Debose, Porcher, Proctor, Farley, Waller, Holifield, Rivers, and others had to start or play alot 1 year at least before they had to take on big roles. I could easily see many of these players being developmentally ready their r-sophomore year or whatever but now they have to learn on the fly with experience being the great teacher. And it shows.

So yes, there is a bigger issue with the entire defense that makes it weaker. I do believe the defense played well for many plays in many games. But young defenses that are trying to bend but not break.do break. And often it is about a play here and a player there where 1 player has a breakdown.

You add in that we expected Floyd and Deablo to have good years. that Walker, Floyd, Deablo, Hill, Gaines, Ladler were expected to anchor those young players. If ODU had not happened, i think we would have muddled through enough to be decent, not great, but decent.

The ND game was winnable. YOu have them backed up at the endzone. A single missed tackle leads to a big run. Game over. The BC game was winnable. The Miami game was winnable. All of these games were winnable for a half or more. The 3rd quarter woes hurt us. I expect that to change. There is hope. Now there will be another wave of younger defenders coming into play next year at DT or CB. So we need to be ready for some mistakes while those that played this year improve.

[Post edited by VAHokie89 at 11/26/2018 3:04PM]