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. MQ takes a look at Texas 3rd Down pressure package versus Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. So what did game No. Are Dejon Benton and Kobe Pepe ready to play? Then Utah States defensive coordinator, Orlando flew to Columbus, Ohio to interview with Herman for Houstons defensive coordinator job in January of 2015. During his time as defensive coordinator at Texas, his defense forced 65 turnovers and ranked in the top 10 nationally for . Thats not to say those seven months were for naught. In order to acclimate, the Longhorns flipped a script that usually prioritized stopping the run first 95 percent of the time. The Big 12 is not new to the concept of smaller faster players playing on the defensive side of the ball. If that sounds like thinking, its because it is. 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.. Orlando is known run the 3-3-5 defense, which has grown in popularity in college football with the evolution of the spread offense. Its going to be real interesting to see how that unfolds in the Pac-12 with USC and everybody., Its a legitimate question in terms of how Orlando is going to play it early in the season, right? The more you put in, the more you get out.. Todd Orlando, defensive coordinator, Houston. Lack of preparation, scheme and just overall performance is all tied in, but it hasnt been a good effort whatsoever. 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). The Chargers based out of it for a whole game! You know, he was a linebacker previously, and hes really strong, so being able to move in this system is really a high priority, defensive line coach Vic Sooto said. But it can look that way. You get those guys in the program, they make us all look great. Todd Orlando has plenty of experience arriving at a new school and installing his defensive scheme for the first time. 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. Facing an offense that averaged 45 points per game, fourth nationally, Orlando reversed one of the core principles of his defensive philosophy. 3 Kansas. Theres a reason why he was let go. It was during his time at Utah that he learned to assemble the 3-4 pressure package that made him an attractive hire for Herman and then a successful coach at Houston. Last. With Drake Jackson now listed as a linebacker and primarily playing in a standup role, USCs base is essentially a 3-3-5. Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress. Herman isnt shy about issuing compliments to his defensive lieutenant. He said of Orlandos teaching, He has one of those play calls where its constant blitzes. The "mac" or middle linebacker helps call the defense and serves as the "first responder" for the defense against the run, looking to plug gaps and spill blocks to the outside linebackers (or nickel and dime defenders as the case may be) and his partner the "rover" linebacker. The Trojans results against Arizona State were mixed. Eventual Florida defensive end signee Princely Umanmielen cited the three-man front as one of the reasons why he decommitted from Texas back in October. That style of play didnt transfer to the NFL and the NFL didnt understand what type of player this guy was. 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. A good run defense has been a calling card of. The rotation should expand when Pili returns, but at the moment USCs defensive personnel is what it is. Drake Jackson will man the hybrid outside backer position again this season. Orlando utilizes a number of disguised blitzes and coverages out of his 3-4 front, which can cause havoc for an offense trying to sort through things quickly. 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 lost both of his starting inside linebackers after the 2018 season and both were productive in his scheme. The Longhorns were putrid in 2015 and 2016, allowing the third- and sixth-most rushing yards in school history. https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/06/todd-orlando-vs-arizona-state-a-central-pregame-question-for-usc/. One question I am asking to college football experts is this: Should Todd Orlando emphasize complexity of scheme or simplicity of scheme against Jayden Daniels and the Sun Devils on Saturday? Orlando has always been multiple, but it seemed like in the end there was just too much going on which was evident by Head Coach Tom Hermans decision to go with Chris Ash as the DC who is known for a simpler style reflecting Ohio State (with more of a Quarters base). Cornerback is a different situation. Chase Williams has turned into a leader at the position while delivering physical blows when he attacks the ball. Orlando said USC utilized 70 to 75 percent of its defensive package against the Sun Devils. He finished with three tackles and one tackle for loss, which counts as a quiet night for the sophomore linebacker. At Texas, Orlando oversaw a defense that improved from 80th to 24th in points allowed. Weve got to be mindful of the stuff were doing or asking him to do. It didnt matter much. And sometimes they went with a 3-4 look with its normal defensive line (Figueroa, Marlon Tuipulotu and Caleb Tremblay) and Jackson and Hunter Echols as outside linebackers. 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. Innovation comes from desperation, and in the offensive gauntlet that is the Big 12, it has created an evolutionary playground for defensive (and offensive) football. How do you get your players to play hard? Of course, the weight loss and new position might cause some in the fan base to wonder if Jackson is being utilized incorrectly if his production dips, but for now, his responsibilities dont seem much different than last year. He is the defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida . 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. USC defense has different feel in camp after full offseason Due to the pandemic, USC was unable to implement new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando's scheme in person before the 2020 season, so players were learning on the fly as they prepared for the delayed season. After all, he fired Orlando and brought in Ash as an agent of change. 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. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at: @Owls247, @MarinelliShane, and @TheKevinFielder. Pola-Mao returns and has been a stud in camp, causing chaos in blitzing situations and making plays on the ball in pass coverage that he has not made in the past. 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. Then well get an idea of what the defense is truly capable of after losing contributors like DT Marlon Tuipulotu, CB Olaijah Griffin and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Talanoa Hufanga. Echols was the extra linebacker who came onto the field in those scenarios. As spread offenses became a prevalent force in the college game, Orlando knew he needed to adapt. Texas goal is to play fast on defense, forcing opposing QB to play slow. 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 that might just be the way it is moving forward. In the concluding 2019 Pressure Tape review, MQ will breakdown three Longhorn pressures against the now-famous LSU offenses (one of the best in history). After that hell usually return to the picture one last time before moving to the board to draw different concepts out of the same look. 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. Youre in this area and theres some really good high school players in this area, the top guys. He would have. Hes got that mindset. Orlandos scheme isnt complicated at least by memorization standards. The goal of Orlandos defense is twofold: 1. His $1.7 million annual salary is the highest in Texas history for an assistant, and only two assistants nationally earned more in 2017, according to USA Today. The time is now! A four-run fourth inning broke the game open for the Longhorns, but they gave it all back and dropped the series opener. Orlando usually sent four rushers when he used this package early in the game, and Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels took advantage of the pressure on the first drive by ripping off a 38-yard run. After Utah State, Orlando made his way to Houston for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, where the Cougars were top 30 in scoring defense and sacks both seasons he was there. 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. Orlando said that shift occured because of practice habits and strong relationships between the defensive staff and its players. Former Texas DE Malcolm Roach criticizes Todd Orlandos scheme, Quick thoughts from No. 9 Texas hosts No. Safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Isaiah Pola-Mao are expected to take on more active roles in directing the defense. Nothing went right for Texas and the principles Orlando instilled all offseason seemed to evaporate. One it has practiced against every day for months. After the Sun Devils started to have success on the ground midway through the second quarter, USC started employing a 4-3 front at times. 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. Orlando has previously doubled as linebackers coach, a position that USC split last season between Johnny Nansen, who coached inside linebackers, and Joe DeForest, who coached outside linebackers. Orlando's rover is typically one of the team leaders in sacks as a result of this strategy. When Orlando walked out of the room he thought, This is my guy. I mean, there was no question in my mind, Orlando said. When youre giving up that many rushing yards, thats not a good thing with us, Orlando said. This offseason, there were more than a few reports potentially linking Orlando to head coach jobs. And as Saturday showed, thats a group with a long way to go. Defensive coach Todd Orlando of the Texas Longhorns reacts during play against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second . Tackling has been an issue, (as has) lots of defensive miscommunication. Johnson and Wheeler added another 17 run stuffs combined as the linebacker position went from being a major deficit to a team strength. If you dont, its going to be limited. Orlando has a long coaching career with multiple stops across the country. Apr 5, 2021. The Longhorns tried a few different alignments in the secondary, ultimately reverting back to their standard starting group while inserting tweener senior Jason Hall, a 6'2", 220-pounder with physicality and some coverage ability, into the dime role and then expanding that role beyond the robber alignment based off his particular skill set. Theres no favoritism. That was the biggest thing that we got caught up in, not using our weapons to our full advantage. Most recently, Orlando coached at USC for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. If the offense doesn't even know where the overload is coming from or who's dropping into coverage unless they can figure it out after the snap, they're more likely to have their own weak spots exposed than they are to hammer a favorable matchup with a pinpoint pass or run. 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. Not all of its issues were alignment-related though. The following offseason after Houstons Peach Bowl victory over FSU, Orlandos alma mater, Wisconsin, offered him its defensive coordinator role when Aranda left for LSU. Hes a guru, said Texas junior safetyBrandon Jones. Contact drills were reduced to virtual cues. For a coach to sit there and put it on himself instead of the guys that were out there not executing the game plan, it shows he cares.. The way you practice is the amount of plays youre going to get. As expected, USC hired Todd Orlando as its defensive coordinator on Friday. Drake Jackson, who spent last season as more of a strict defensive. Boca Raton, Fla. - Just over 24 hours after FootballScoop.com first reported that FAU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops was heading to Kentucky to coach with his brother Mark Stoops, the Owls have quickly found his replacement in former Southern California defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Todd Orlando, per Bruce Feldman. Now they brought in a new staff, giving those guys the opportunity to rush the passer and show what they have.. The only two Pac-12 schools behind them are Cal and winless Arizona. Odd-front defenses with nickel and dime packages on the back end are en vogue across college football. Aggressive DCs like Orlando weren't having that for long, and his response is to teach his players to show a blitz to trigger the sideline glance and check from the offense before bringing another call entirely. Arizona State still had some success against this front with a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the look. Rigid positional structures are giving way to a more fluid style of play. Herman said Orlando would be the first assistant in his foxhole. Heres the cool part about this, every night after practice we watch every rep of every play that we have. Orlando has proven in previous stops that hes capable of a quick reboot; though, never quite under the current circumstances he now faces. Lincoln RileyandKliff Kingsburycome from the Air Raid tree, but their systems look quite different in the same way Kansas States pro-style, option-heavy scheme varies from Oklahoma States spread. Saban has finally embraced the change as well, throwing the ball more than he ever has before with Tua Tagovailoa. This "lightning" package was built off a "robber coverage" and an alignment that looked like this: Basically, the Longhorns traded a man up front for the ability to play Cover 2 to either side of the formation with a "robber" in the middle who could read the play and then serve either as inside help against the dreaded double-post combinations that Oklahoma State liked to run or as an extra man coming just a touch late in the run game. Preparing for his first season as defensive coordinator at No. Before arriving at Utah State in 2013, Orlando traditionally ran a four-down front. In McVays offense, the use of quick motions, multiple formations, and what seems to be an Air Raid-ish passing game has given NFL defenses fits all year. Todd Orlando looks to bring more physicality to USC's defense this year. It has been an awful showing for USCs defense, and the coaching has to be the sole reason for the blame. 3 overall pick),Baker Mayfield(No. Before heading to Utah State and learning the art of disguised zone blitzes and modern 3-4 defense from the Kyle Whittingham coaching tree in the early 2010s, Orlando was a traditional 4-3 coach. It took a toll on our bodies, Locke said. Were starting to try and create things like that defensively, so at least when theyre coming in there and theyre game planning us, you know, maybe it eliminates some plays youd normally see if youre vanilla. Before joining Tom Hermans staff at Texas, Orlando was viewed as a rising defensive mind in college football. 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. Those four-man fronts are great at plugging gaps and helping a team defend the run, but they also mean one less defender on the second level to stop the pass and run to the football. The defense has numbers and is plus-one on the pulling guard. - Rudolphs Cowboys managed a season-low 13 points (All-American wide receiverJames Washingtonmanaged just 32 yards in the win). Two Former NBA Players Receive Prison Sentences For Fraud Scheme. But after successfully rebuilding the Texas defense in his first season, the Longhorns experienced a sharp defensive downturn in 2019. Some of the stuff he was about to say, I was already thinking. After the opening weekend for USC, things looked good for the Trojans. Texas would not allow more than 29 points the rest of the season in regulation. It's only once that information is digested when a defender will hear how his role factors into the overall play call. Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl), on Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl), View @matchquarterss profile on Instagram, Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl), article discussing how teams attack the Tite Front, Georgia and Texas used the front and similar coverage schemes as a base, BCfToys.coms top 10 in Defensive Efficiency, Using an EXIT stunt to combat a zone heavy offense. Or what type of player they would be getting because of the scheme we ran. The result was a defense that failed to take advantage of the pass-rushing talent of players like Graham, Ossai, and Roach because once the scheme that Orlando spent the offseason developing was no longer effective, its extremely difficult to make those changes once the season begins. There were times when we said the same thing together at the same moment. Contact drills were reduced to virtual cues. Behind them, USC has transfers like Xavion Alford and Chris Thompson, not to mention a slew of freshmen. The coaches threw the entire . He did some things out there that were pretty special.. Since L.T. It rotated just one inside linebacker (Kanai Mauga) in, and that was only for a handful of plays. There has been a critical error on this website. One was down and distance. On Arizona States final possession, Orlando went back to the 1-4-6 look for the entire drive. USC coach Clay Helton says hes noticed benefits from the Trojans unprecedented start to an unusual, pandemic-shortened season. They were delayed for two months from when they would normally have a camp. Visit our online store to order your copyto get more in-depth analysis on the 2018 season. At the three traditional LB spots, converted safety Raymond Scott has grabbed control of the outside backer spot while Kanai and Ralen Goforth return inside. 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. I love TO hes one of the smartest defensive minds I ever played for.. You look toward the tail end of the game, our intent was to bring enough guys we could go at least six (defenders) for six (blockers) on them and force them to throw the football.. Youre going to be based on how hard you run to the football, how you get off blocks and how you tackle.. Though it did prove to be the origin of one of college footballs best coordinator-head coach relationships. Texas didnt do much to stop the onslaught late in the game (no one did), but there are some definite takeaways. Twitter: @tcpfootballIn this video, we learn about the origins of USC Football's Defensive Coordinator Todd Orlando's defense. Schematically, Orlando excels because hes aggressive and prepared. 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. Texas OL spring preview: Here are your big humans, Despite recent struggles, bracketology projections still like the Longhorns, Longhorns Daily News: Former Texas HC Charlie Strong joins Alabama, Nick Saban as defensive analyst, Longhorns Daily News: Texas alum Bijan Robinson is toughest player Alabamas Will Andersons played against in college career. Todd Orlando sees USC defense as work in progress USC defense showed positive signs in opening win over ASU Coach Todd Orlando of the USC Trojans during USC football practice at the. It's a blitz defense that uses eight defensive backs, two. Arizona State realized that early, and its two main running backs, DeaMonte Trayanum and Rachaad White, rushed 24 times for 160 yards against USC. Phone. 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. Two things generally forced USC to shift out of its base defense. You have pass rushers out there, TaQuon Graham, Marqez Bimage, Joe Ossai guys that can get after the quarterback. At the same time, it causes a lot of controversy for the guys on offense.. On the back end, Orlando typically employs a quarters coverage that allows his defensive backs to break aggressively to the football while preventing big plays. If youre thinking in football, youre playing slow.. When you get players who can make throws and can run, you have to be mindful, Orlando told reporters on Wednesday morning. It has been quick to the ball, aggressive in its pass rush situations, effective at creating interceptions and disruptive in clogging the line of scrimmage on run plays. In 2019, that all fell apart. Safeties coach Craig Naivar, whos been working with Orlando since 2015, described the defense with that exact word a few weeks ago. The offseason plan was to mold Jefferson into the next star rover for Orlando, but circumstances over the course of the season resulted in Jefferson moving to the "mac" position to make room for fellow speedster and junior college transfer Gary Johnson. (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). 16.2ASU19.6Washington21.8Oregon23.0Utah23.2OSU23.8Colorado24.8WSU26.5UCLA27.0Stanford27.3USC27.6Cal31.6Arizona, SportsPac12 (@SportsPac12) October 10, 2021. The deepest position on the USC defense is safety. As I wrote in early 2019 after Texas defeated Georgia, Orlando's defense uses hybrid players and different alignments to put pressure on offenses. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. I do think that is the gambit this season with the defense: You have to risk the fact that while there may be some miscommunications, and maybe its getting a little too complicated, also that complication is what could give this defense a leg up from past defenses USC has fielded. 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. LOS ANGELES USC has its new defensive coordinator, Todd Orlando. Texas removed what would often be a disadvantaged linebacker in pass coverage and added a dime safety as a robber in the middle of the defense. DeForest left last month to coach at North Carolina State. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers. One question I am asking to college football experts is this: Should Todd Orlando emphasize complexity of scheme or simplicity of scheme against Jayden Daniels and the Sun Devils on Saturday? Hands-on coaching was limited to distanced learning. That wasnt happening before Hermans arrival in Austin. 20 Southern California, however, has been different because of the coronavirus pandemic. Imagine if this actually happens. Were trying to stay very consistent in terms of our message so we can get better throughout the year.. Continue reading Attacking the Tite Front. Its really hard to screw up a run play. LOS ANGELES It was clear for most of fall camp. Todd Orlando (born March 24, 1971) is an American football coach. There's no better way to demonstrate that than to look at howTexas defended the run. Orlando, 47, is considered a rising head coaching candidate, and his contract reflects that. Aggressive, physical, unfearing. He knows everything thats going to happen. Its really, really crazy to see., Asked to summarize Orlandos system, Texas senior cornerbackKris Boydsaid succinctly: Just run to the ball and hit.. Click here to buy a copy today or visit your local newsstand! This allows the B backer to be a free player and essentially go get the football! The Longhorns base with a true Nickel as well, and align him opposite the Jack, primarily with the passing strength. Through spring and summer, the physical, hard-nosed brand of defense Todd Orlando promised to bring to USC remained strictly theoretical. Will Alabama transfer Ishmael Sopsher be healthy enough to do so? The odd front (three defenders) gave Orlando flexibility. So its difficult to judge just how good the defense truly is at this point. Email. He spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons under Mario Cristobal and FIU, where he won a share of the Sun Belt title and a bowl game victory. But the Trojans just had a full, traditional offseason, from spring football to summer conditioning, creating Scrimmages will be over. Coach Orlando is a real guy, Johnson said. There are a lot of questions about how the Trojans offensive line will perform, but having Brett Neilon at center and Alijah Vera-Tucker at left tackle should help. His defensive system poses an extreme challenge to offenses., You cant practice soft and play hard.New DC Todd Orlando is looking to up the physicality on the USC practice field. The play is ultimately killed. Bastrop Cedar Creek defensive end Alfred Collins said new defensive coordinator Chris Ashs even front as a reason why he signed earlier this month. The former is built on repetitive contact. We have the same mentality, Orlando said. Its going to be exciting.. This season has not gone according to plan for anybody, especially the defense, and major changes will be headed USCs way. You have to look at the film and say, This guy can wreck a game, Orlando said. Enter your email address to follow this blog & make sure to follow on MatchQuarters.substackcom. By Coachlamons @nukeit1981 Dec. Then Utah State's defensive coordinator, Orlando flew to Columbus, Ohio to interview with Herman for Houston's defensive coordinator job. No. You would think its hard to learn, but he made it so simple.. 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. Orlando said the Big 12 is unparalleled nationally when it comes to offensive playcalling. It makes a QB think, said Texas senior defensive endCharles Omenihu. Thats where adaptability comes into play. The image above shows the Longhorns base look against the ever prevalent Y-Off 20 pers. Its three starters (Marlon Tuipulotu, Tremblay and Figueroa) and two backups (Tuli Tuipulotu and Stanley Taufoou) were the only ones who saw action. Theyre helping us as a coaching staff and that stuff, you cant put a price on those things.. Coach Todd Orlando of the USC Trojans during USC football practice at the University of Southern California on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Orlando is now a handsomely paid football coach, in his third year as the Texas defensive coordinator having progressed up the career coaching ladder, from Penn to UConn to FIU to Utah State to. But the concern with this unit is depth. Todd Orlando remembers feeling bad for Tom Herman. Thats what practice is about. 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. A safety begins with his role in installation before even glancing at another spot. He said on the first day of practice that it was clear these guys knew more than they would have coming into a fall camp in a normal year, which is quite a statement when you consider they didnt have a spring. So no matter the look, USCs run defense needs to get better. 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. Theyve been physical in the run game but they all kind of complement each other.. It could afford to, considering Arizona State wasnt making it pay through the air. Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times.