The inside LB corp consists of a Mike and what is referred to as a B backer. Herald-Times. If the guard stays on the 4i (double team), both the Mike and Will are left free to flow with the play and what DC doesnt want is ILBs free-flowing to the ball? Imagine if this actually happens. Schemes aside, Orlandos defense is built on one thing above all his players flying to the ball. https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/13/todd-orlandos-defense-has-been-getting-exposed-all-year-long/. The defense made the final stand to seal the victory, but it also gave up some big plays and surrendered 258 rushing yards to the Sun Devils. Hands-on coaching was limited to distanced learning. His role evolves into something else over these next few weeks. Spread offenses search for the B gap because that is where the conflicted player usually is for a defense. College football was temporarily revolutionized when hurry-up spread teams began to perfect the art of sending signals from the sideline to the field, allowing coordinators to make audibles and adjustments on behalf of their players. The numbers back up that decision, as Texas tied for 66th nationally with 27 sacks in 2019, down five from 2018. Herman's offense is a spread system focused on running the ball downhill, primarily with inside zone runs, and he found 3-4 defenses that played quarters coverage like Orlando's to be the toughest schemes to deal with while at Ohio State. He also coaches the linebackers. Last. Aside from one spring practice, the intricacies of his scheme were installed only over Zoom. His defense consequently has two main types of base pass rush, one in which the B-backer works off the edge like in a normal 3-4 defense and another in which the B-backer drops into coverage while the rover blitzes suddenly through the interior. Orlando's 3-4/quarters defense had to be tweaked and altered to fit the 2017 Texas football roster and the demands of playing against Big 12 offenses, but in the process Orlando simply proved what makes him one of the top defensive coaches in the country: In particular, his effective teaching, aggressive philosophy and high capacity for adaptation. Gone were the inside linebackers who were so effective as blitzers. They also began to move Hager into different alignments that made the most of his ability to drop into coverage or work around the edge in conjunction with his ability and willingness to crash into tackles from an inside alignment. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. The pairing, if things break right, could bring Texas back to where it expects to be annually. He has a system that allows his talented players to play freely, said Baylor head coachMatt Rhule. Visit our online store to order your copyto get more in-depth analysis on the 2018 season. In order to acclimate, the Longhorns flipped a script that usually prioritized stopping the run first 95 percent of the time. A Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Kartje previously wrote for Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Bloomington (Ind.) Among current players, defensive end TaQuon Graham was something close to ecstatic about the potential for rushing the quarterback in Ashs defense following the Alamo Bowl win over Utah. Its very unique, added Texas senior safetyP.J. While some players struggled to learn virtually, he said the extra time spent installing and discussing the defense led to an especially sharp first week. Odd-front defenses with nickel and dime packages on the back end are en vogue across college football. You have pass rushers out there, TaQuon Graham, Marqez Bimage, Joe Ossai guys that can get after the quarterback. Nothing went right for Texas and the principles Orlando instilled all offseason seemed to evaporate. Thats not to say those seven months were for naught. He brings a passion, energy, toughness and discipline to his coaching, Helton said, and those characteristics were evident in our discussions. He finished with three tackles and one tackle for loss, which counts as a quiet night for the sophomore linebacker. A good run defense has been a calling card of Orlandos units at his previous stops. It made it a lot easier for me to make that decision (to stay).. Two things generally forced USC to shift out of its base defense. He's previously covered his alma mater SMU and the WNBA for the Dallas Morning News and high school sports for the Long Beach Press-Telegram. End Jacob Lichtenstein is expected to be a contributor this season, and freshman Korey Foreman will be ready on third down early in the season. And with depth limited at linebacker, Ralen Goforth and Kanai Mauga have emerged as top candidates to start alongside Palaie Gaoteote in roles theyve had to learn on the fly. Then, facing the ultra-explosive Oklahoma State offense, he made a big change to his defensive structure that probably revolutionized his own philosophy and perhaps changed prevailing best practices across the college game from here on out. Though it did prove to be the origin of one of college footballs best coordinator-head coach relationships. He spent just two weeks as an assistant in Lubbock, before Helton and USC came calling. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) Orlando was fired by head coach Tom Herman on Dec. 1 and Naivar the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Longhorns who has worked with Herman across four different stops (Sam. Figueroa served as the single down lineman and was joined on the line of scrimmage by Jackson, Echols and one USCs more traditional linebackers, either Ralen Goforth or Palaie Gaoteote. The more you put in, the more you get out.. In fact, they often had little to no idea how to defend the run in Texas' exotic defenses, and the Longhorns were regularly trashed by teams with multiple run games that could cause confusion. Orlando, 48, spent the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas, where he was one of the highest paid assistants in college football. Those disguised blitzes cause an opposing quarterback to think, which is critical against tempo. As defensive coordinator at Houston in 2015 and 2016, he oversaw a defense that finished 20th and 13th in the nation in yards allowed. Hybrid players allow an almost endless amount of ways to blitz and pressure an offense without losing coverage ability (youre dropping a speedy LB/DB instead of a rigid D-lineman). The rotation should expand when Pili returns, but at the moment USCs defensive personnel is what it is. Since Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman dismissed defensive coordinator Todd Orlando two and a half months ago and even before, to some extent its become clear just how much defensive line recruits and players disliked the front used by Orlando in his 3-3-5 defense. Todd Orlando remembers feeling bad for Tom Herman. Two Former NBA Players Receive Prison Sentences For Fraud Scheme. At Texas, Orlando was inheriting a linebacker crew that was long on talent and exceptionally short on know-how. In both cases, Orlando said, those defenses simply needed a kickstart., I think thats what [Ive done], the places Ive been coming into, is just to try to free these guys up, Orlando said. By closing both B gaps, the offense has to either plug it up the A gap (which most Spread teams wont do) or run it outside. The Tite Front was all the rage during the 2017 season. If you allow that to happen and know its going to happen, thats a crime in my opinion. Even former Big 12 Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury got a head coaching job with the Cardinals on nothing more than his offensive acumen. 9 Texas 75-59 win No. Chase Williams has turned into a leader at the position while delivering physical blows when he attacks the ball. Through it all, Orlandos stayed on Hermans staff. Twitter: @tcpfootballIn this video, we learn about the origins of USC Football's Defensive Coordinator Todd Orlando's defense. Longhorns defensive coordinator Todd Orlando debuted his "cowboy" package in a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech last Saturday. Orlando, 47, is considered a rising head coaching candidate, and his contract reflects that. 3 Kansas. The way you practice is the amount of plays youre going to get. It has been an awful showing for USCs defense, and the coaching has to be the sole reason for the blame. We continue to progress in the pass, Orlando said of the group. When interim defensive coordinator Craig Naivar finally allowed Ossai to play that role, Ossai produced three of his five sacks in the Alamo Bowl. USC needs more size, speed and athleticism at every level of its defense. I just feel like now that burden is on me, being the veteran.. Stanley, he has natural mobility. One need only look at Texas Oct. 21 matchup with Oklahoma State for an example. I feel the 4-3 will help those guys to show their talents and more people will come out of Texas.. Get your first month for $1. If the guard decides to climb for the Mike (illustrated), the 4i can easily get penetration and maybe even block or negate the pull (I have a clip of this later vs TCUs 11p single-back Power). I said I understood why we were running what we ran.. that headline is click bate..but Ill learn how to word things differently so my words cant be mixed up. A Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Kartje previously wrote for Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Bloomington (Ind.) The diagram below illustrates the fronts usefulness versus a popular Spread play, the Power Read. Safeties coach Craig Naivar, whos been working with Orlando since 2015, described the defense with that exact word a few weeks ago. Orlando took a linebacker off the field, added a third safety and unveiled Texas lightning package.. The Aggies also ranked fourth in the country in sacks in 2014 with 50. A look at how Texas defenders fit in Todd Orlando's scheme The Longhorns have plenty of returning talent for the prospective defensive coordinator to utilize. There were times when we said the same thing together at the same moment. I think its a smart move. The odd front (three defenders) gave Orlando flexibility. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78. FAU's defense ranked 50th in the country in 2019.In 2021 FAU's defense had its up and downs, ranking 99th against the pass, 75th against the run, and 86th overall, but was in the top 50 in scoring defense. The biggest breakthrough of the spread offense was in creating a clearer pre-snap picture for the offense and the QB in particular so that he had a narrower menu of options and threats to scan through after the snap. On several occasions, the Trojans walked a safety up into the box, mainly Talanoa Hufanga, in order to have seven players near the line of scrimmage for run support. As spread offenses became a prevalent force in the college game, Orlando knew he needed to adapt. Todd Orlando seems very confident that the extra time they were afforded to work on film, to work on installing that scheme, really did help them. To me, thats recruiting. But those arent the only areas that were to be evaluated starting Wednesday. USC essentially ran a 4-2 front last season under former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. That pair figures to start at the two end positions, with either Jamar Sekona or Stanley Taufoou at tackle. Theres no backside meetings. There's no better way to demonstrate that than to look at howTexas defended the run. Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times. Todd Orlandoremembers feeling bad forTom Herman. 1 teach us about the units new direction? He also spent two years covering preps for the Orange County Register and Torrance Daily Breeze. And Charles Omenihu won the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year award in 2018 with 9.5 sacks playing in the same scheme that ultimately limited Orlandos last defense in Austin. It makes a QB think, said Texas senior defensive endCharles Omenihu. Against the more run-heavy approaches from USC, Oklahoma and Kansas State, Orlando utilized his traditional blend of nickel defense, moving quarters coverages and zone blitzes. This is something, until this year, fathomable only on a 3rd and Long or an end of a half situation in the NFL. Texas goal is to play fast on defense, forcing opposing QB to play slow. Todd Orlando, defensive coordinator, Houston. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Los Angeles. (Liberty vs Arkansas 22), Dec. 22 Blitz of the Month Georgias Pod Alignment, Blitzing from the Odd Stack vs a Pro Style offense (Ole Miss vs Kentucky 22). The football bona fides were clear. It left a big void in our defensive line, experiencewise, Pili said. Imagine if this actually happens. Drake Jackson, who spent last season as more of a strict defensive end, shed 25 pounds and shifted into a hybrid linebacker role. Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers. Since Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman dismissed defensive coordinator Todd Orlando two and a half months ago and even before, to some extent it's become clear just how much. He knows everything thats going to happen. LOS ANGELES USCs season-opening 28-27 win over Arizona State offered a glimpse of what first-year defensive coordinator Todd Orlandos defense will look like. Theyve been physical in the run game but they all kind of complement each other.. Senior middle linebackerGary Johnsoncame from a junior college in 2016 where the scheme was significantly less complex. Orlando will get his first chance to determine the impact of the tradeoff when the Trojans begin their truncated season . Some offense will come out and run the triple-option, which is really different and as a defense really strains us, Orlando said. The rover is the tip of the spear for the Orlando defensive scheme, and he uses that position as a solution to the main problem for the 3-4 defense in the modern era: How to create a multi-pronged pass rush from a nickel package. The Times first reported his hiring Monday. It didnt matter much. Though Todd Orlando's (DC, USC) time at Texas came to a screeching halt after the 2019 regular season, one thing is clear, the man can create pressure. Theres a little learning curve for him just the speed of the game and all that, but then Stanley also being very new to the position has his own learning curve.. At Texas, Orlando oversaw a defense that improved from 80th to 24th in points allowed. He beats the tackle clean, forces the throw fast and its an incomplete. Because nobody will throw the ball on you, theyll just run it. Over the course of 2017, Orlando gained a full mastery of his own roster and unleashed it in a variety of fashions against a loaded slate of Big 12 opponents. One key element I talked about in my latest book, Hybrids: The Making of a Modern Defense, is the use of a more positionless defensive gameplan going forward into the future. The 2015 and '16 Texas defenses had been defined by what could be called "youthful" linebacker play from former five-star recruit Malik Jefferson and former four-star Anthony Wheeler. It's a testament to what a normal offseason has done for second-year coordinator Todd Orlando and his ability to install the defense and instill the mentality he wants from his players.. One it has practiced against every day for months. As I wrote in early 2019 after Texas defeated Georgia, Orlando's defense uses hybrid players and different alignments to put pressure on offenses. In that game, the Longhorns consistently confused a seasoned and well-coached offensive line, garnering two sacks and seven tackles for loss (TFLs). Texas didnt do much to stop the onslaught late in the game (no one did), but there are some definite takeaways. The Trojans results against Arizona State were mixed. USC had problems getting aligned on Saturday, and one of its alignment busts led to an Arizona State touchdown in the second quarter. You have to look at the film and say, This guy can wreck a game, Orlando said. Lets start with the base defense. The Longhorns used lightning package variation the remainder of the season, allowing only 21 points per game the rest of the way. Hermans old college buddy,Dave Aranda, recommended Orlando highly Orlando took over as DC at Utah State when Aranda, now at LSU, went to Wisconsin. Aggressive, physical, unfearing. A clearer picture of USCs new defense should crystallize in the coming days, with contact no longer limited. 1 overall pick), Rudolph (3rd-round pick),Will Grier(preseason All-American) andDrew Lock(projected first-round pick). Orlandos defensive turnaround in Austin stems back to that interview in Columbus. Snow, at his fifth FBS post as defensive coordinator, has evolved his scheme to become more multiple and detailed. USC, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri each rushed 34-plus times against Texas but averaged only 4.2 yards per carry. The reason for this is the design of Orlando's defense, which favors speed over size at the middle linebacker position. When Orlando walked out of the room he thought, This is my guy. I mean, there was no question in my mind, Orlando said. Apr 5, 2021. The Longhorns were putrid in 2015 and 2016, allowing the third- and sixth-most rushing yards in school history. We see how he got his start c. Herman brought Orlando along with him to Texas, where a brilliant Year 1 netted the Longhorns defensive coordinator a raise to $1.7 million per year through the 2021 season. One of the key subplots to USCs season opener against Arizona State is the performance of the Trojans defense, more specifically the secondary. When you get players who can make throws and can run, you have to be mindful, Orlando told reporters on Wednesday morning. Saban has finally embraced the change as well, throwing the ball more than he ever has before with Tua Tagovailoa. Continue reading Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl). Jefferson went on to lead the team with 110 tackles, including 20 run stuffs, while anchoring the interior of the Texas defense in a 3-2-6 dime package that Orlando unveiled to the bewilderment of Texas' spread-oriented Big 12 opponents. Herman starts most practices with a variation of the circle drill (essentially a one-on-one meeting in a small space that Herman calls out one by one) to ramp up the energy. The former is built on repetitive contact. The Longhorns base out of a 3-4 that utilizes the Tite Front (404) and a stand-up hybrid DE to the weak side, or away from the passing strength (this is Mint in Saban-speak). That establishment between Orlando and his team started in earnest following the Longhorns worst defensive effort of the season, a 51-41 loss to Maryland in Week 1. Arizona State just out-executed the Trojans defense in the run game. Aside from one spring practice, the intricacies of his scheme were installed only over Zoom. Its going to be exciting.. Orlando, 50, previously was a defensive coordinator at Texas Houston, Utah State . Orlando needs opposing offenses to be one-dimensional, and against great quarterbacks that means sacrificing numbers in the box. Stilleto Boy wins the Santa Anita Handicap for trainer Ed Moger Jr. Sierra Canyon girls basketball team is two wins away from perfect season, Practical Move gives trainer Tim Yakteen a win in the San Felipe Stakes, Sam Farmers crystal ball: NFL mock draft 2023 version 1.0, UCLAs freshmen living up to the hype, carry Bruins into Pac-12 title game. Mason Rudolph, a third-round pick of the Steelers, failed to clear the 300-yard mark only twice in 2017. So its difficult to judge just how good the defense truly is at this point. It is not going to be participation awards. From Georgia in the SEC to the Longhorns and Cyclones in the Big 12, the new-age Double Eagle took flight as one of the top ways to contain high powered Spread offenses. Fail big.. Most recently, Orlando coached at USC for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Then the injuries and attrition reduced depth at linebacker while inexperienced players tried to fill in, resulting in Orlando moving his best natural pass rusher, B-backer Joseph Ossai, to multiple positions around the field that kept him from attacking downhill. After missing the first week of camp in health and safety protocols, Jackson was practically unblockable in practices, using his finesse moves on the edge to cause havoc in the backfield. Jackson played with his hand in the ground a bit, just not as frequently as he did last season. For instance, before the snap he might show a field overload to induce an audible from the offense only to drop those players back and bring the overload from the boundary: These styles of blitzes can really mess up an offense's protections, option reads, passing progressions or blocking schemes, but they have their own vulnerabilities, in particular the man coverage the defense tends to play behind them. The notion that the Big 12 doesnt play defense is false. Once the guard pulls (the 4is key), he can chase and climb to the mesh. Without a Spring Camp to provide real first-hand understanding of Todd Orlando's defensive scheme as well as Vic So'oto's preferences as defensive line coach, these are best guesses. Were not going to know the answer to that question until Nov. 7, but Todd Orlando seems very confident this defense will have everything straightforward and understood., Sign up for the Trojans Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Its the reason one of the worst defenses in program history in 2016 transformed into one of the best with the same players in college football's most potent offensive conference. If that sounds like the start of a football romantic comedy, it isnt you wont find two more hard-nosed personalities than Orlando and Herman. Hes got that mindset. Former Texas DE Malcolm Roach criticizes Todd Orlandos scheme, Quick thoughts from No. Here is where USCs struggles against the run and its short rotation, particularly on the defensive line, tie together. Hes at his best when hes trying to get into the backfield, and thats what he was mainly asked to do on Saturday. Visit our online store to order your copy. Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress. The Trojans were also missing Brandon Pili, an experienced senior who would have definitely been in the rotation, on Saturday. The defense has numbers and is plus-one on the pulling guard. Its really, really crazy to see., Asked to summarize Orlandos system, Texas senior cornerbackKris Boydsaid succinctly: Just run to the ball and hit.. Its OKto fail, man. DeForest left last month to coach at North Carolina State. In an interview posted on the schools Twitter account, Orlando promised that his USC defenses would be aggressive and attack people., I really believe that in todays game, creating negative yardage plays, attacking the quarterback, turnovers, all those things go into creating explosive plays on defense, Orlando said. Were trying to stay very consistent in terms of our message so we can get better throughout the year.. Texas blows lead against Cal State Fullerton in 6-5 loss. Orlando believes the only way a team will play fast and hard is if they do so in practice. USC's new defensive coordinator didn't waste time schooling Trojans on new scheme New USC defensive coordinator Todd Orlando didn't let the COVID-19 shutdown stop him from familiarizing the Trojans to his defense. Like Iowa State, Texas has a three-safety Dime package that they utilize against pass-heavy offenses (think Kingburys Tech) or in obvious pass downs where Orlando wants to drop eight and flood the zones. Thats important to me. After the second day of pads (last spring) we were like, Golly, we havent do this much hitting in a minute. Its just that mental toughness they instill in us. The Chargers based out of it for a whole game! Antonio Morales covers USC football for The Athletic. - Mayfield completed a season-low 63 percent of his passes in the Red River Showdown. But for now Orlando is sticking around in Austin to work with Herman. His defenses would mix in three-down looks, but that was only about 20 percent of the time. Preparing for his first season as defensive coordinator at No. 20 Southern California, however, has been different because of the coronavirus pandemic. A four-run fourth inning broke the game open for the Longhorns, but they gave it all back and dropped the series opener. The two DEs (4is) in the B gaps close off the lifeline for every Spread team, the conflict gaps. USC played just five defensive linemen against Arizona State. As the season progresses, look for true freshman Raesjon Davis to sneak his way into the starting lineup. The real issues went beneath the surface. But the play he makes at the end of the game, those are the two to three plays the really special players make. The Trojans defense held the Spartans to only seven points on the game, and things seemed to be going well in Southern California. The trickle-up effect is in full swing. Sometimes when youre a good player, youre just worried about yourself and making your plays, Orlando said. Texas special assistant to the head coach Gary Patterson stepping down from role. Contact drills were reduced to virtual cues.