Key #10 to winning 2016 season: Dline capable of getting a push...

[Scarlet Shack]

Here is my first of TEN Keys to a winning 2016 season

Number Ten: getting a push by the dline....

With Coach Ash and a new defensive philiosophy in Piscataway, it requires a different emphasis on the dline and its need for improvement. Gone will be the days of sitting deep in zone soft off the ball. Think we see less blitz packages as well...trying to get there with four more often.

With a new pass coverage scheme that will put the corners very frequently in press coverage and having the safties in support of promising but still inexperience group of corner plus having a green group of LBs....thinking Coash Ash will leave 7 in pass defense a lot of the time...and getting a pass rush generated by the defensive line without blitz support at the LB and DB level.

Can the dline get the pass rush with four. It starts with getting a push in the middle at the DT spot...can a stronger Hamilton and duo of Wilkins/Joesph push into the pocket and allow the ends to clean up more with no space for the QB to adjust to find a passing windo?

On the run game...can the dline stuff the run and keep the oline off the LB level helping the young LBs play downhill more. We aren't moving up in the big ten standings giving up 5 ypc. Got to get physical on the dline.

Both require the dline getting physical and getting a push that we have been lacking...and we know the job S&C has done to this group

Optimistic that the dline can do this....but still need to see it.

 

[RUChoppin]

A fully healthy Hamilton is going to be a key to this. With the additional weight and his already strong technique, he has the opportunity to really make some noise in the middle - both in getting push on passing downs and clogging the middle on rushing downs.

JPO also bulked up from 260 to 275 last year to help at DT, and he's now kept that weight moving back to DE. That should also help him on the outside, so long as he didn't sacrifice any speed.

 

[RUJMM78]

Along with consistent quarterback play,a pass rush should be at the top of the list if Rutgers expects a successful season.

 

[knightfan7]

Along with consistent quarterback play,a pass rush should be at the top of the list if Rutgers expects a successful season.

Couldn't agree more. It's a huge concern for me.

 

[Yeah Baby]

Good thoughts. I think Schiano and Wanny have both said repeatedly you get there with 4 if you can when they were coaching. We were not always able to and that is why you saw the blitz packages. I still see us bringing heat at home when it get's loud on 3rd and 3-9 but on 3rd and 10 or longer we will rush 4 IMO. Just a hunch.