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Issah at Rover?

  • Over the last two weeks, I have been trying to wrap my head around Ted Roof's defenses, and I will say..................It's tough to do. I love that I can't quite figure him out, and although I'm not the brightest football mind on the planet, I have to assume that his defensive schemes give others some trouble too.

    What I do like is how he mixes up his schemes. Unlike the previous staff, who kept things pretty vanilla, Roof is more like a banana split, with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top!

    This got me thinking about the recent commit of Harrisburgh LB/RB Zyad Issah, and how he could be use in Roof's defense.

    Here is what we do know: Roof is not going to hide in that cover 3 all game, nor is he going to be content sitting in a cover 2-man over, with the "bend-but-don't break" mentality. I see him as more of a Jim Haslett type guy, who will gamble and be innovative.

    Issah is a rare athlete, with the size and speed to play multiple positions in Penn States defense, including the hybrid "rover" role. The rover is becoming more prevalent in college football, especially with the multiple spread variations we are seeing. The rover is quite a bit different that the "hero" posittion we have been used to seeing at PSU for decades. The rover needs to be a player who set the edge against the run, but also transition to a hybrid S/LB in sub packages. Roof will also be using aspects of a 3-4, and the rover could be that instrumental player in this defense. He could play in the box as more of a traditional 3-4 OLB, cover the slot WR or Y TE, or play that mid safety look, and drop into a zone on obvious passing plays.

    IMO, Issah would be a great fit in this role, and it could help to fully utilize his unique skill-set. Two players who I have seen used in this type of role are Maryland's Kenny Tate, and former Nebraska S/LB Dejon Gomes. Both are bigger player who are scheme diverse, and were/are more of a hybrid type at the college level.

    Zach Bradshaw is another player with this type of ability to play in space, and could also transition into a role like this.

    Thoughts?

    This post was edited by PSUHomer on 6/30/2012 at 7:19 AM

    "A bowl game ain't nothing but a vacation." - Gerald Hodges

    PSUHomer

  • i don't think we see that much 3-4 next year, lot of freshman linebackers jumping on the scene, also i can not figure out the excitement for roof's defense, (not just you) tom bradley had a system that has pumped linebackers into the NFL and consistently well ranked against the run. I am not looking at the stats but i believe roof was getting torched in the SEC including when he won his championship. but unlike auburn we don't exactly have a offense this year that can move the ball (at least in the air)

    maybe it is the lack of sleep this week from work that has me grumpy

    3-4 would be pretty cool with hodges, mauti, Fortt, and stanley(everyone remembers that pass he ran down)

    signature image signature image signature image

    Roaringlion

  • PSUHomer said...

    What I do like is how he mixes up his schemes. Unlike the previous staff, who kept things pretty vanilla, Roof is more like a banana split, with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top!

    Given Roof's accomplishments at Auburn, I think he is more like a banana split with a dingleberry on top

    jetli

  • Read the S Zone. And I fully disagree that Issah has the skill set for that.

    MTayl72 ●

  • There is much to lament about Coach Roof and his plans. Some folks from Auburn think he was great but just had problems about how the HC wanted him to play the D; therefore creating weakness by not having it allign the philosophy to the field. Others have said he was atrocious. I am looking forward to it either way and hope we stay somewhere close to a 4-3. I guess with a "Rover" spot you could look like a 4-4 which I have always thought was cool. The problem is landing players who can play the "traditional" role "as per" a Coach parcells approach. The 3-4 requires some special players within parameters to fill the roles (DL). Just my thoughts. I do think the staff we have is doing a great job of getting good kids who want to win but with a positive attitude both on and off the field. It will be great to see Zayd fill the OLB spot continuing the legacy of LINEBACKER U!!!!

    ------I can't help but think of the Big Ten commercial with JoePA and the cookies every time I hear Linebacker U!!!

    holstein51

  • He sure does have the skill set to fill that role; however, he must possess a HIGH Football IQ. Look at Polamalu, who plays a similar role for the Steelers...it's not just his athletic ability, but also his mental acuity that makes him a terror for offenses to deal with. I guess we will soon find out if he possesses that high IQ.

    Domo

  • holstein51 said...

    There is much to lament about Coach Roof and his plans. Some folks from Auburn think he was great but just had problems about how the HC wanted him to play the D; therefore creating weakness by not having it allign the philosophy to the field. Others have said he was atrocious. I am looking forward to it either way and hope we stay somewhere close to a 4-3. I guess with a "Rover" spot you could look like a 4-4 which I have always thought was cool. The problem is landing players who can play the "traditional" role "as per" a Coach parcells approach. The 3-4 requires some special players within parameters to fill the roles (DL). Just my thoughts. I do think the staff we have is doing a great job of getting good kids who want to win but with a positive attitude both on and off the field. It will be great to see Zayd fill the OLB spot continuing the legacy of LINEBACKER U!!!!

    ------I can't help but think of the Big Ten commercial with JoePA and the cookies every time I hear Linebacker U!!!

    I think it certainly gives us that 4-4 type of look, which is an asset if you have players diverse enough to both play in space, and against the run(which I believe Issah is).

    I don't view this as a permanent look, but more a one of many sub packages Roof will use. I just see that tweener type as being someone Roof feels he can experiment a lot with.

    Wartman is another guy who can play this type of position, as it was his role in high school at Valley View.

    "A bowl game ain't nothing but a vacation." - Gerald Hodges

    PSUHomer

  • MTayl72 said...

    Read the S Zone. And I fully disagree that Issah has the skill set for that.

    I respect your opinion, and I'm curious as to why?

    He has good read/react instincts, is a quick-twitch athlete, possesses good size and speed, and has loose hips with great change of direction skills. I think he could be a perfect fit in this role.

    "A bowl game ain't nothing but a vacation." - Gerald Hodges

    PSUHomer

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    stigs007

  • This post is for members of Lions247 or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

    "A bowl game ain't nothing but a vacation." - Gerald Hodges

    PSUHomer

  • This post is for members of Lions247 or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

    stigs007

  • PSUHomer said...

    I respect your opinion, and I'm curious as to why?

    He has good read/react instincts, is a quick-twitch athlete, possesses good size and speed, and has loose hips with great change of direction skills. I think he could be a perfect fit in this role.

    Because I believe your second half of his assessment is wrong. Strictly based off JR film heis best playing forward, hasn't shown the abilitiy to play the whole field (yet) and has a questionable frame. I think right now he projects as a rush backer, who as he is now, could potentially be scary off the edge and make his impact that way. His complete game film from last year showed the bility to wreak havoc from one side of the field, which is a double edged sword in itself.

    What you described seems to be looking at his size and figuring he could be a hybrid based off that. I watched all of those games that they have up, and thinkk he's a LB. That's why I disagreed with you.

    This post was edited by MTayl72 on 7/1/2012 at 9:33 AM

    MTayl72 ●

  • We've never seen Roof's defense with BOB's influence. I don't think Roof's defense can be judged until it has been seen on the field. In a similar manner that Chizik influenced Roof, BOB will do likewise. If BOB's philosophy of 'find and play the best 60 and then put them in the right position to be successful' is accepted as the way the offense is going to run, why not accept the same on defense? I don't believe that BOB is going to want a defense that takes unnecessary risks and gives up huge plays, putting the OC in the unenviable position of trying to comeback with a limited skillset offense.

    PennStateFan33 ●

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