Klein is not the problem. Play calling Friday was good

How many sacks did we get against tu? USCw? There is no good pass defense without a good pass rush. I say fire Bateman; however, Elko hired him and has watched him do what he's doing. I have very serious doubts about Elko.

I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

Elko comes across like a boss and a players coach that wants the best for everyone and he knows how to get it, what they need to accomplish in development of technique, scheme concepts and reading offensive formations, keys and tendencies. He comes across as a winner with deep knowledge who wants to help players get to the nfl.

And recruits are loving it.

Jay Bateman's defense has not played a complete game against a Power 4 opponent since a 41-10 home win over Missouri on 10/5. His defense has been inconsistent during our last 6 games against Power 4 teams.

10/19: We allowed 17 points in the first half to Mississippi State before holding them to 7 points in the 2nd half in a 34-24 road win.

10/26: We allowed 17 points in the first half to LSU before holding them to 6 points in the 2nd half in a 38-23 home win.

11/2: We allowed 20 points to South Carolina in the first half and 24 points to them the 2nd half in a 44-20 road loss.

11/23: We allowed 21 points in the first 16:51 to Auburn and 10 more points during the rest of regulation in a 43-41 OT road loss.

11/30: We allowed 17 points in the first half to Texas before shutting them out in the 2nd half in a 17-7 home loss.

12/27: We held USC to 7 points in the first 41:18 before allowing 28 points in the last 18:42 in a 35-31 bowl

We scored 31 offensive points in regulation against Auburn and USC but lost both games because our defense was horrible during either the first 17 minutes or last 19 minutes. If our defense was even average from start to finish against Auburn, we would have finished 9-3 (6-2 SEC) in the regular season and reached the SEC Championship Game for the first time. Yes, Texas would have probably beaten us again, but we probably could have gotten a better bowl game and won it to finish 10-4 (6-2 SEC).

I imagine that we are waiting until the playoffs are done so we can hire a great DC from another program.

With what money?
You going to go to Fisher and ask to borrow some?

Gump 02 said:

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I imagine that we are waiting until the playoffs are done so we can hire a great DC from another program.

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Unfortunately you might just keep imagining things. I have a bad feeling we'll have to go through this all over again next year before we move on from Bateman.

Ag1188 said:

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Muy said:

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phatty26 said:

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He is below subpar but Elko is the HC now he wants act tough. He watched this crap all of November.

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It just feels like Elko is in over his head, now with the fans and BMA's.

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Only his coordinator hires and losing 4 straight games is proof of that, but maybe he's less stubborn than he seems and can adapt like he always claims to be able to do - even if it's not evident beyond the LSU game.

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We've had many more concerning games than the 4 we lost.

GigEmReggie said:

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I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

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Why, a defensive recruit would think they have a better chance to take a starting spot if they can play zone.

But recruits aren't watching post game pressers so we don't have to worry about it either way.

MagnumLoad said:

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Klein is not the problem. Play calling Friday was good

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Offense played well enough. The interception off of Noah's face mask in the endzone was a major turn of events. It wouldn't have been so costly if the defense had a pulse.

We wanted to get rid of our DC after an abysmal first year. Sark stayed the course and that DC has built a great defense. Just sayin'.

Elkos tummy is to big

Class of 65 said:

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Elkos tummy is to big

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He needs to utilize the nutrition center along with the players and get into healthier shape. This would show his commitment to the culture of accountability as well.

RVHorn said:

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We wanted to get rid of our DC after an abysmal first year. Sark stayed the course and that DC has built a great defense. Just sayin'.

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I see through your little game here! You just want us to keep a mediocre coach so that we will stay mediocre!

Muy said:

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phatty26 said:

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He is below subpar but Elko is the HC now he wants act tough. He watched this crap all of November.

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It just feels like Elko is in over his head, now with the fans and BMA's.

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What are the fans and the BMA's going to do about it? Fire Elko and work on trimming the athletics budget to pay him out?

GBD throws the hammer at Bateman. Love it.
Bateman is not a good DC and not a good puppet. His spot needs to be upgraded.

big red dog said:

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GBD throws the hammer at Bateman. Love it.
Bateman is not a good DC and not a good puppet. His spot needs to be upgraded.

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What did he say?

Gabe Dindy liked and commented on the barstool post about Bateman pic.twitter.com/iJw9Il0ioe

— SmallGraydonGuy (@SmallGraydonGuy) December 29, 2024

GigEmReggie said:

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I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

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Why? As a recruit, I would like the accountability and the idea of being part of the solution. Sure, I would ask in private what he thinks went wrong and how I could be a potential solution.

It's also year one. Recruits are far more logical and reasonable than message board fans who overreact big time.

beerad12man said:

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GigEmReggie said:

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I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

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Why? As a recruit, I would like the accountability and the idea of being part of the solution. Sure, I would ask in private what he thinks went wrong and how I could be a potential solution.

It's also year one. Recruits are far more logical and reasonable than message board fans who overreact big time.

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Lol, yeah that's what they are.

In terms of how they view year one results, they absolutely are. It's why all through history you are still able to land good/great players even if you don't have the early results. They believe they can be a solution and turn things around, whereas message board fans immediately go to doom and gloom despite all the data of first years not meaning anything in the long run whatsoever.

Meanwhile, you go to a message board and see all kinds of comments about "Why would a WR, TE, or zone defensive player ever want to come here!"

Yeah, that's why the portal has who knows how many along with payment deamands. Clearly a representation of maturity and responsibility.

Class of 65 said:

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Elkos tummy is to big

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The endorsement deal is just sitting there - "Elk-Ozempic. From 8-4 to 12-0 in just 12 short months! And oh yeah, I don't have to wear circus tents on the sidelines anymore either!"

Bateman has had one good season as a HC or DC in the past 20 years. Didn't see him all the sudden becoming successful. I did not like Klein's play calling but Bateman proved to be much worse. Elko was known for keeping the offense on their toes and adjustments during a game. Bateman did neither

Bill Superman said:

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GigEmReggie said:

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I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

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Why, a defensive recruit would think they have a better chance to take a starting spot if they can play zone.

But recruits aren't watching post game pressers so we don't have to worry about it either way.

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Disagree... Media picks up on these things and beats them to death. Different reasons for that (bias, need to fill the 24 hr cycle, general negativity that gains attention these days). Regardless this stuff takes life and ends up as memes and/or on social media. Kids are absolutely seeing it even if they do not know what a post-game news confrence is. Elko lost his head in this momemt IMO. Not a good look and he should refrain from it in the future. What was the purpose of giving that to the media? There isnt one, it was emotional word vomit. Not a huge deal but I hope he realizes it and does better.

beerad12man said:

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GigEmReggie said:

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I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

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Why? As a recruit, I would like the accountability and the idea of being part of the solution. Sure, I would ask in private what he thinks went wrong and how I could be a potential solution.

It's also year one. Recruits are far more logical and reasonable than message board fans who overreact big time.

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Recruits are raised on memes and Tik-Tok. They are in no way more resonable than message board fans. Elko should not have said this, it served no purpose. It was an emotional lapse and by definition a self-discipline fail. I am on the Elko train, no way anyone should be talking about replacement. I like him. That said, we should'nt try and justify this type of stuff. Recruits ARE reasonable enough to know they have a shot at PT on this defense without the HC taking shots.

Just cite what the Canes just did in firing their defensive coordinator "in an effort of continuous improvement".

AgFan1974 said:

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Bill Superman said:

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GigEmReggie said:

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I still can't believe Elko said all that stuff after the game. If I'm a defensive recruit I really don't like hearing that your team has no concept of zone defense.

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Why, a defensive recruit would think they have a better chance to take a starting spot if they can play zone.

But recruits aren't watching post game pressers so we don't have to worry about it either way.

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Disagree... Media picks up on these things and beats them to death. Different reasons for that (bias, need to fill the 24 hr cycle, general negativity that gains attention these days). Regardless this stuff takes life and ends up as memes and/or on social media. Kids are absolutely seeing it even if they do not know what a post-game news confrence is. Elko lost his head in this momemt IMO. Not a good look and he should refrain from it in the future. What was the purpose of giving that to the media? There isnt one, it was emotional word vomit. Not a huge deal but I hope he realizes it and does better.

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I haven't seen the media run away with this one. It's more just us in the zoo.

But I agree, Elko lost his cool to a degree, and rightfully so. And if you are losing your cool over the performance of your DC like that, you damn well better do something about it.

I do not know your age but if you are close to mine, you probably aren't consuming the media they are. I do not do social media. I have 4 boys, teens to early twenties, and they do. They send me stuff regularly via text so I do get a sense of what they are seeing and what is out there. I have not seen anything specific to this Elko presser either. That said, I was making a response to a general assertion that was made (kids dont pay attention to pressers). I disagree...

I think they are much more likely to form a bad opinion of a school based on what coaches are saying than say, cheerleaders vs. yell leaders, silly jokes at a pep rally meant to be "edgie" (the edge is moving FYI, that is what makes this traditioon complicated. That is a discussion for a different post) or a fanbase that boos or hisses.

I think when you look at social media and understand it for what it has become (intentionally manipulative), you can see how saying things like this can be used to influence young athletes and coaches should be on high alert and filter more than ever.

In the words of Tony Dungy "don't hit send!"

This year's defense was Fran-era bad.

zb008 said:

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This year's defense was Fran-era bad.

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No

offenseguru said:

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Elko comes across like a boss and a players coach that wants the best for everyone and he knows how to get it, what they need to accomplish in development of technique, scheme concepts and reading offensive formations, keys and tendencies. He comes across as a winner with deep knowledge who wants to help players get to the nfl.

And recruits are loving it.

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He comes across as a lot of talk but no action.

If Elko keeps Bateman and we have a repeat performance next season, we should fire them both immediately.

Twelfthman99 said:

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LB12Diamond said:

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This is Elko's defense. Just like it was Jimbo's offense. Elko's specialty is also defensive backs. My thoughts he's just going to get more involved with them if he was not already.

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If that's true and we believe that will make a difference, one must ask why he didn't get more involved after South Carolina?

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this