Defense the Key For Cincy

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Towards the end of the 2009 season, the Bearcats defense began to deteriorate significantly and ultimately spelled doom for Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl. Turn the page to the 2010 pre-season and new head coach Butch Jones is beginning to lay the foundation for what he hopes will become a National Championship contender.

In the last five games of last season, Cincinnati surrendered an average of 471 yards a game and nearly 40 points against them. Those numbers are simply not good enough to propel an “on the rise” program into a position to become a title contender.

Defensive coordinators, Tim Banks and John Jancek, have a good core of young players returning in 2010 and hope to teach principles of consistency and discipline. Banks will also be in his first year on the Bearcats coaching staff but brings an impressive track record with him to Nippert Stadium. Under coach Jones at the University of Central Michigan, Banks was the ring leader of a defense that held opponents to only 18.9 points per game.

That is a significant improvement and a point of optimism for a Bearcat team that is looking for their third consecutive Big East title.

Fortunately for the new Bearcat coaching regime, the failures and successes of the past will help shape the Cincinnati defense of the future. During the 2009 season, Cincinnati entered most games with a defensive mindset that incorporated containment and limiting penalties. Although the Bearcats were successful at defending the big play, they still could not keep their opponents off the scoreboard.

This new regime in Cincinnati knows how to come out successful at the end of a football game. In an interview with Cincinnati.com earlier this spring, Banks said “The guys we have right now are going to have to pick it up. We’re going to have to find a way. We have to play harder than anybody else we play. The sooner we understand that, the better we’ll be.”

Cincinnati’s offense in 2009 was the real strong point of the team. Now with the offense in slight uncertainty, the pressure on the defense to perform is greater than ever. The Bearcats will open this season on the first Saturday of September against Fresno State. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and fans will get their first glimpse of what could be a very defensive football team in 2010.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/413366-defense-will-be-the-key-to-bearcat-success-in-2010

 

[nparker1]

I work with a lot of Buckeye fans, which can make for some good arguments. However, there is one thing we agree on; Coach Jones could be the best thing to happen to this team. Kelly was a god when it came to offense, but it seemed as though defense was an after-thought. I like what Jones is saying about the importance of defense this year. Optimistically thinking, I think the defense will be better this year for two reasons: defensive players are a year older and a year more experienced, and less 3-4 defense, which would have allowed betty white to run up the middle without being touched. I am looking forward to football starting. Hopefully it will be another championship year.
Go Bearcats!

 

[Little Danny]

Good point. I too think the defense will be better this year for the same reasons you cited.

It is interesting when people talk about why UC won't repeat next year, aside from the loss of Kelly they will mention they don't think we will miss a beat on offense but they think our defense is young and will be a problem. Well, if the defense was not that stellar to begin with, is it reallly that much a loss? I mean,the defense last year allowed 36 point to Illinois, 45 points against UCONN and 44 against Pitt. What's more they could never stop anyone on third down throughout the entire season. Even if we start a bunch of young players, could it be much worse?

 

[Mopper]

This years defense is going to be very much like the unit from 2006. Some standout individual players like Walt, JK, Frey and Wolfe most of all, but as a unit not quite ready for prime time yet. I think that numbers will be about the same as last year, probably a bit better. Basically the defense is going to be ok this year but is primed for a phenomenal year in 2011. If you look at the two deep 95 per cent of them are underclassmen

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I work with a lot of Buckeye fans, which can make for some good arguments. However, there is one thing we agree on; Coach Jones could be the best thing to happen to this team. Kelly was a god when it came to offense, but it seemed as though defense was an after-thought. I like what Jones is saying about the importance of defense this year. Optimistically thinking, I think the defense will be better this year for two reasons: defensive players are a year older and a year more experienced, and less 3-4 defense, which would have allowed betty white to run up the middle without being touched. I am looking forward to football starting. Hopefully it will be another championship year.
Go Bearcats!

I agree, Kelly didn't really care much about defense and it showed. He took a great defense and killed it. Jones seems to care about both sides of the ball and we always have Coombs to motivate the guys.