Third down blues

[hawg]

For some time (not just this year) we have been mediocre at best on third down defense, especially third and long. This despite the fact that our defense has usually been pretty good.
You cannot help noticing that we do systemic substitutions on third down.
Given our lack of success on third and long (or today, fourth and long), could it be that changing whatever it is that we are changing on 3&L may actually not be best? Perhaps the guys we have on the field before the substitutions ought to be given a try at stopping the opps.
Admittedly, I am a "didn't play" hack whose opinions are formed by observation and not on massive understanding of the little things (and big things) that make a football team successful. I have no thoughts that I could do the coaching job better, but from time to time I see things that out to be tried. Maybe. Strategic stuff such as timeout management, etc.
I'll retreat to my cave now.

[gofurman]

Something needs to be done. It’s a several year issue

[The Jackal]

Hard to explain.

What's even more curious is that we are really good on 4th down conversion rate. Lead the league in that category.

Statistically, you may be more likely to convert a 3rd and 12 against us than a 4th and 2.

[AstroDin]

Not sure what the answers are here but some interesting things to think about concerning future personnel.
Stokes, Lawerence, Lewis all graduate. We'll have Cujo, and it appears Sochovka will be back. Stanfield hopefully recovers from his freak injury (if Stanfield plays against Western we sack the QB). S Johnson could step in to contribute.

So… obviously, Furman has to bring in some DTs. As it stands right now Furman has three publically confirmed DL commitments. I heard from a parent there is a possible fourth. Have we ever brought on four DTs in the same class previously?

Seth Vaughn (Fulton) 6-2 290 NG
Malachi Harrison (CAK) 6-1 275 DT
Thomas Pilon (Mccallie) 6-3 265 DE

^^^ all three are from Tennessee. Vaugh and Harrison are both ranked inside the top 15 players in the state by 5Preps which serves that area of the state.

Also, Davin Patterson was at the game—Davin is the starting QB at Dutch Fork.
I'm guessing Davin is a PWO, he's talented enough to play several positions for Furman.

[cavedweller2]

For some time (not just this year) we have been mediocre at best on third down defense, especially third and long. This despite the fact that our defense has usually been pretty good.
You cannot help noticing that we do systemic substitutions on third down.
Given our lack of success on third and long (or today, fourth and long), could it be that changing whatever it is that we are changing on 3&L may actually not be best? Perhaps the guys we have on the field before the substitutions ought to be given a try at stopping the opps.
Admittedly, I am a "didn't play" hack whose opinions are formed by observation and not on massive understanding of the little things (and big things) that make a football team successful. I have no thoughts that I could do the coaching job better, but from time to time I see things that out to be tried. Maybe. Strategic stuff such as timeout management, etc.
I'll retreat to my cave now.

Hey Hawg.