Diaco Rotates Defensive Players with 'Participation Patterns'

Mavric

Mavric

Yoda
Staff member
And in defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s rotation-heavy defense, Khalil Davis, a backup, is playing. A lot. So is Deontre Thomas at nose tackle. And Mohamed Barry at inside linebacker. And Tyrin Ferguson at outside linebacker. Ditto for Alex Davis. Even Sedrick King got a few snaps.

Diaco has a lofty phrase — “participation patterns” — for his approach to frequently rotating players in his front seven, but, in NU’s 21-17 loss to Northern Illinois, Diaco backed up his words with action. Though the Huskers trailed for most of the game, Diaco stuck to his plan and rotated players.

Counting his rare use of nickel and dime packages, he used roughly 20 personnel combinations against Northern Illinois.

The starting front seven — Carlos Davis, Freedom Akinmoladun, Mick Stoltenberg, Luke Gifford, Dedrick Young, Chris Weber and Marcus Newby — got the most snaps together.

But Barry would spell Young for a few snaps. Then, Barry would spell Weber. Then, Ferguson, an outside linebacker, came in for Newby. Stoltenberg would leave and Thomas, a true freshman, would come in. Khalil Davis would usually replace Akinmoladun. Alex Davis came in to rush the passer as a hand-on-the-ground defensive end.

Gifford, Carlos Davis, Thomas, Akinmoladun, Barry, Young and Ferguson. That was one personnel combination for a few snaps.

Gifford, Carlos Davis, Stoltenberg, Khalil Davis, Weber, Young and Newby. That was another.
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OWH

 
While we lost a very ugly, disappointing game, I feel the Defensive performance got a bit overlooked.  I know they gave up a touchdown at the very worst time, but giving up one touchdown and taking heat is like when people dog on the guy who missed the last shot in basketball that would have won the game.  Yes, it is good to make every shot, but everyone had chances earlier in the game to make that last shot moot.

7 points in the last six quarters is pretty salty in my opinion, regardless of the competition.  

Please don't try to convince me otherwise.....this is all I have to hang on to!

 
I hope he's not trying to get cute with words.  Because, by saying "participation" it means that a lot of players are getting involved in a game.  Not quite a rotation, just fresh legged defenders getting a chance.

On the flip side, the O-Line will play hurt, gassed, and out-played before fresh bodies come into play.  It takes an injury before that ever happens. 

I like that Diaco is trying to fix a defensive problem in the first game and a half that hit them in the face.  Now it's your turn Coach Cav (*cough* Langsdorf play calling *cough, cough* DPE on punt returns *cough, cough* HCMR game management and QB decision yanker)

 
to be fair, NIU sucks at offense and you'll find out Oregon isn't all that good, in fact the Pac12  is kind of sucky this year - USC is just waiting to lose and they're the best they have

 
I like the fact that Diaco is trying to develop depth and get guys into real game situations.  Something we really haven't seen in years barring injury.  Depth and lack of player development has and continues to plague NU IMO.  Regardless of the results, he's trying to improve the D.  Unlike as @admo mentioned above, Cav, Langs and Riley....

 
I liked what Diaco said at a fall camp presser about this. Something like they have to evaluate if it’s the 8th play of the Drive is the starter still better than the second string if he’s been giving it his all for the previous plays?  Talking about the best time to sub. 

 
BoneyardHusker said:
I may have blacked it out of memory, but was NIU playing their backup QB that game?
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Yes, and it isn't much of an offense, anyhow.

Rutgers is much the same, except it's not a backup, it's a transfer. Diaco's general philosophy will serve him well in this game.

 
Can't remember if I heard this correctly or not, it was teased about on S&B that after the game, the rotation comment was a slight dig at the offense. 

 
Whistlepig said:
to be fair, NIU sucks at offense and you'll find out Oregon isn't all that good, in fact the Pac12  is kind of sucky this year - USC is just waiting to lose and they're the best they have
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Well I don't know about NIU, but I think we will find that Oregon is a decent team at the end of the year.  Their offense is just as good as they always were, but their defense is getting better.  Not saying they are going to be in the playoffs, but 9-3 wouldn't surprise me.  

 
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