A Lot of Work to Do

The last two weeks Air Force has played two very good football teams, Utah State, and Boise State this past Friday Night. The Falcons are a young football team, and there are growing pains. But Friday night underscored the problems Air Force is having on defense. Boise State did not have to punt the football. They had the ball for 9 possessions. They scored touchdowns on 6 of them, turned the ball over twice, and took a knee to end the game. The Falcons defense did not stop the Broncos once on 3rd down-not once. And going into the game opposing teams were converting 3rd downs into first down against Air Force 60% of the time. I'm not a coach-but I am more than a casual observer. I can't tell you what kind of schemes were drawn up by the Falcons Coaches. I can tell you it looked like the defense was playing 15 yards off the ball trying not to get beat deep. I can tell you a number of times Air Force had linebackers covering wide receivers. I'm not trying to be critical. Perhaps the schemes were changed and the players did not adapt. Certainly the Broncos are an excellent team and that accounts for much of what they did. However.....The Falcons have to re-think dropping 15 yards off the line scrimmage. All Football teams are now throwing underneath. All Football teams are throwing bubble screens. All Football teams are trying to get skill guys in open space. As a defense you have to be more aggresive in the box, within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. You may have to play some man to man. As a defense you need to set a tone, for the offense to react to you. Easier said than done? Yes...and perhaps a bit unfair of me to sit on a Monday Morning and type this. However, if what you are doing isn't working, you need to try something else. The Air Force Defense isn't working....That much I know.