Our D-line got pushed around some, and the second DB's allowed a lot of passing. It's not as simple as "Beckwith leaves and the defense sucks". A lot of starters were out.
It is that simple. Beckwith leaves and you may as well just play with 10 men because his back up sucks. You think Ronnie Feist is capable? Duke Reilly? Come on man you're smarter than that. The drop off from Beckwith to his backup is 50 times greater than any other position. Just look at what happened last year when Beckwith gets inserted. LSU ends up being the top ranked defense in the SEC. Would that have happened with DJ Welter? Fuuuuuuuck no.
You don't have to be sorry man. It's all good. You were saying a bunch of other 2nd stringers were in too, I gotcha.
A big issue is coverage match ups. I have a lot of faith in White and Tolliver outside covering who ever they are matched against. Those guys are studs. The problem is the third, fourth, and fifth options are often the ones killing us in the passing game. Especially with only an avg pass rush. Thomas should not be seeing the field, he is constantly getting beat when he is in the game, reminds me of the McCray situation years back. What I don't get is Jackson has done pretty well when in coverage and Paris was said to push Tolliver to the end in the battle for the other starting position opposite While. Then why isn't Paris playing more? Jefferson is solid in coverage, as is Adams. Another problem is our LB's either can't cover or they aren't lined up right scheme wise. I think it's a bit of both. I remember a few years back under Chavis a LB often times having to cover a WR in the slot, he will get beat every time. Make adjustments!
On the 2nd string...I haven't reviewed the game personally to confirm but heard that the full 1st team defense was only on the field 2-3 series.
That makes sense, the only point I was trying to make is the drop off from Beckwith to his backup, as opposed to everyone else and theirs. The only other 3 positions I can think of that has even in the same realm would be Godchaux to his backup, White to his backup, and Adams to his. I think the case can be made that Kendall Beckwith is the most important player on this team next to Fournette.
