Indiana University Athletics
Spring Practice Report No. 8 – Defense
3/31/2016 1:48:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The characteristic cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby likes the most about Indiana's new defense is also the most challenging part to teach—communication.
With five defensive backs lurking on the backfield in first-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen's scheme, communication skills have jumped to the top of IU's priority list. Now entering the latter stages of the practice schedule, Shelby said he's been pleased with the progress the defensive backs have made.
"The great thing about this defense and probably the toughest thing is you've got to have great communication," he said. "If the communication isn't there, you could give up a big play. As we're kind of going to the midway point of spring ball, you're starting to see guys communicate more."
Though Indiana's secondary is still on the younger end of the experience spectrum, the Hoosiers were thrown out into the fire last season with a handful of true freshmen and even more sophomores working their way into the defensive backfield rotation.
Last season, Indiana's youth and inexperience ended up costing the defensive backs a few too many times. But now that they've worked together for as long as they have, sophomore safety Jonathan Crawford said he's starting to see a difference in on-field production.
"The fact that we have everybody back is really good," he said. "And we've got even more coming in."
Crawford returns to Indiana having led the program in interceptions a year ago with four. That mark was the third-most for a true freshman in program history to go along with his 76 tackles, which ranked second on the team.
Crawford is an early fan of Allen's new defensive system because of the emphasis on takeaways. He's had a little more freedom this spring to try and make game-changing plays himself by getting after the ball whenever he sees an opportunity.
"With the energy we have, it's almost like you want to get an interception just to get the whole defense alive," he said. "Just get them excited."
Though he's been pleased with his defensive backs' play so far, Shelby cautioned that Indiana hasn't thrown the whole playbook at the defense quite yet. Going up against an offense they're familiar with, there's only so much to take away from drills at this point in the year.
With that caveat in mind, Shelby said he doesn't have many complaints.
"Right now, I couldn't be more happy," Shelby said. "The big question is can we finish?"
Hagen, Allen Hitting It Off
Indiana's two newest coaches—Allen and defensive line coach Mark Hagen—have only been working together for a few months.
But based on what head coach Kevin Wilson has seen so far, their unfamiliarity with one another is hardly an issue.
"By luck, there's a lot of different psychological styles of drills and attitude and energy," Wilson said. "I think they're very compatible, very comparable and that's great because they had not been together."
Hagen said he's not sure if he has a pure pass rusher that will be able to disrupt the opposing quarterback on his own at this point in time, which has left him and Allen working together to think of creative ways to get into the backfield.
Indiana's defensive line is going to look slightly different schematically with a four-man front but perhaps even more so from a personnel standpoint after losing three of the most-used defensive linemen from a year ago.
"The thing I'm looking forward to is just being able to go out, get the coaches off the field and just be able to play a game," Hagen said. "See where the leadership is going to be."
Allen Still Adjusting New Defense
The process of installing Allen's new 4-2-5 defensive scheme has taken longer than he said he'd have liked, but he's been encouraged with what he's seen midway through spring practice.
More specifically, he said the way players have responded to the changes has stood out.
"I tell you, the attitude, the want to is really, really strong." Allen said. "That's encouraging because that's a huge part of wanting to be great. I tell our guys if you want to be a guy that's highly motivated, you have to want to be. That's where these guys are at."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The characteristic cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby likes the most about Indiana's new defense is also the most challenging part to teach—communication.
With five defensive backs lurking on the backfield in first-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen's scheme, communication skills have jumped to the top of IU's priority list. Now entering the latter stages of the practice schedule, Shelby said he's been pleased with the progress the defensive backs have made.
"The great thing about this defense and probably the toughest thing is you've got to have great communication," he said. "If the communication isn't there, you could give up a big play. As we're kind of going to the midway point of spring ball, you're starting to see guys communicate more."
Though Indiana's secondary is still on the younger end of the experience spectrum, the Hoosiers were thrown out into the fire last season with a handful of true freshmen and even more sophomores working their way into the defensive backfield rotation.
Last season, Indiana's youth and inexperience ended up costing the defensive backs a few too many times. But now that they've worked together for as long as they have, sophomore safety Jonathan Crawford said he's starting to see a difference in on-field production.
"The fact that we have everybody back is really good," he said. "And we've got even more coming in."
Crawford returns to Indiana having led the program in interceptions a year ago with four. That mark was the third-most for a true freshman in program history to go along with his 76 tackles, which ranked second on the team.
Crawford is an early fan of Allen's new defensive system because of the emphasis on takeaways. He's had a little more freedom this spring to try and make game-changing plays himself by getting after the ball whenever he sees an opportunity.
"With the energy we have, it's almost like you want to get an interception just to get the whole defense alive," he said. "Just get them excited."
Though he's been pleased with his defensive backs' play so far, Shelby cautioned that Indiana hasn't thrown the whole playbook at the defense quite yet. Going up against an offense they're familiar with, there's only so much to take away from drills at this point in the year.
With that caveat in mind, Shelby said he doesn't have many complaints.
"Right now, I couldn't be more happy," Shelby said. "The big question is can we finish?"
Hagen, Allen Hitting It Off
Indiana's two newest coaches—Allen and defensive line coach Mark Hagen—have only been working together for a few months.
But based on what head coach Kevin Wilson has seen so far, their unfamiliarity with one another is hardly an issue.
"By luck, there's a lot of different psychological styles of drills and attitude and energy," Wilson said. "I think they're very compatible, very comparable and that's great because they had not been together."
Hagen said he's not sure if he has a pure pass rusher that will be able to disrupt the opposing quarterback on his own at this point in time, which has left him and Allen working together to think of creative ways to get into the backfield.
Indiana's defensive line is going to look slightly different schematically with a four-man front but perhaps even more so from a personnel standpoint after losing three of the most-used defensive linemen from a year ago.
"The thing I'm looking forward to is just being able to go out, get the coaches off the field and just be able to play a game," Hagen said. "See where the leadership is going to be."
Allen Still Adjusting New Defense
The process of installing Allen's new 4-2-5 defensive scheme has taken longer than he said he'd have liked, but he's been encouraged with what he's seen midway through spring practice.
More specifically, he said the way players have responded to the changes has stood out.
"I tell you, the attitude, the want to is really, really strong." Allen said. "That's encouraging because that's a huge part of wanting to be great. I tell our guys if you want to be a guy that's highly motivated, you have to want to be. That's where these guys are at."
Players Mentioned
DB
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