Are Dejon Benton and Kobe Pepe ready to play? USC played just five defensive linemen against Arizona State. His role evolves into something else over these next few weeks. I think hes in line to have a terrific year and have one of those elite years, head coach Clay Helton said of Taylor-Stuart. The result was a hurried throw from Daniels, an incompletion on fourth down, and a victory for USC. Hands-on coaching was limited to distanced learning. This is where the separation begins.. As defensive coordinator at Houston in 2015 and 2016, he oversaw a defense that finished 20th and 13th in the nation in yards allowed. In an effort to get more speed and versatility on the field, Orlando moved Jefferson to mac linebacker, inserted Johnson, a sprinter, at rover and replaced senior B-backer Naashon Hughes with a sixth defensive back. Through spring and summer, the physical, hard-nosed brand of defense Todd Orlando promised to bring to USC remained strictly theoretical. Herald-Times. Every time USC football scrimmaged, there was one side of the ball that dominated much of the live periods: the defense. It wasnt all about the front either, the use of Match 3 (Rip/Liz) and the rebirth/redesign of the (Dime) Tampa 2, was a big contributor to how teams attacked the Longhorns, Cyclones, and Bulldogs. 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. When youre giving up that many rushing yards, thats not a good thing with us, Orlando said. perspective, he's found Orlando to be a gem of an assistant for a variety of reasons. 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, 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. Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress. 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. 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. Todd Orlando's defense has been getting exposed all year long Share this article 31 shares Matt Wadleigh October 13, 2021 4:15 am PT After the opening weekend for USC, things looked good for. From this ultra-quick 3-2-6 package, the Longhorns then unleashed a small part of Orlando's third-down package with such tremendous force that they started calling it every play against Oklahoma State and then expanded it over the rest of the season into a new base defense. Texas goal is to play fast on defense, forcing opposing QB to play slow. Imagine if this actually happens. It rotated just one inside linebacker (Kanai Mauga) in, and that was only for a handful of plays. FAU brings back a solid core talented defenders in their front seven and have also added numerous former blue-chip transfers to solidify their front seven. The Longhorns seemed to never really find a home base on defense. Theyre not only making plays, but theyre trying to help other guys. Hes at his best when hes trying to get into the backfield, and thats what he was mainly asked to do on Saturday. 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. At Utah State, where he worked in 2013 and 2014, Orlandos defenses also finished in the nations top 20 in fewest points allowed. 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.. The goal of Orlandos defense is twofold: 1. 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. However, although Hill called Orlandos scheme gimmicky, thats not really true Baylor and Iowa State both had highly productive defenses in 2019 with similar schemes. As expected, USC hired Todd Orlando as its defensive coordinator on Friday. 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. Thinking about becoming a VIP subscriber to Owls247? He is the defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida . 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. - Grier hurt himself early in the contest against Texas, but Locks 52.9 completion rate in the Texas Bowl was one of his worst of the year. 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. Once at Texas, though, Orlando was inheriting a defense with great athletes but disparate pieces that hadn't been put together into a cohesive unit. Take a look at those QBs 2017 season, youd see their matchup with Texas as a low-end outlier amid exceptional overall campaigns. The trickle-up effect is in full swing. Coach Todd Orlando of the USC Trojans during USC football practice at the University of Southern California on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Thats what practice is about. We try to take the philosophy of trying to make people one-dimensional, run the football on you and control the clock, because, in my opinion, there are less mistakes made on you when you turn around and hand the ball off and they can get seven or eight yards.. Even for much of spring camp. In turn, this could mean the end of the road for Orlando in Southern California regardless of who takes the job as head coach of the Trojans. Thats where adaptability comes into play. Thats where our emphasis is going to be this week.. That was the biggest thing that we got caught up in, not using our weapons to our full advantage. Is USC defense ready to take a leap in Year 2, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Chase Williams has turned into a leader at the position while delivering physical blows when he attacks the ball. Its very unique, added Texas senior safetyP.J. Most recently, Orlando coached at USC for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Even former Big 12 Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury got a head coaching job with the Cardinals on nothing more than his offensive acumen. Theres a little bit of schematics into it. Arizona State just out-executed the Trojans defense in the run game. 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. 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? Some of the stuff I was about to say, he was already thinking. 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). 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. https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/06/todd-orlando-vs-arizona-state-a-central-pregame-question-for-usc/. Sometimes when youre a good player, youre just worried about yourself and making your plays, Orlando said. Aside from one spring practice, the intricacies of his scheme were installed only over Zoom. A four-run fourth inning broke the game open for the Longhorns, but they gave it all back and dropped the series opener. Theyre helping us as a coaching staff and that stuff, you cant put a price on those things.. Orlando will get his first chance to determine the impact of the tradeoff when the Trojans begin their truncated season . He also coaches the linebackers. He was also inheriting a schedule that included Sam Darnold and USC, Jesse Ertz and Kansas State, Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma, Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma State, Kenny Hill and TCU, Will Grier and West Virginia and ultimately Drew Lock and Missouri -- essentially, some of the cream of the crop in terms of modern spread offense and spread quarterbacking. 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. Though Todd Orlandos (DC, USC) time at Texas came to a screeching halt after the 2019 regular season, one thing is clear, the man can create pressure. Greg Johnson is the veteran returner at nickel back. But when asked what separates Orlando from other defensive coaches, Herman pointed out a single aspect of Orlandos repertoire: Its just his creativity, his adaptability.. 3 overall pick),Baker Mayfield(No. Overall, the rotation was much shorter than what was utilized last year. LOS ANGELES USC has its new defensive coordinator, Todd Orlando. 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We continue to progress in the pass, Orlando said of the group. Clancy Pendergast there wasnt a lot of mystery to his defense. Youre going to be based on how hard you run to the football, how you get off blocks and how you tackle.. With Gary Anderson and Dave Aranda's exit to Wisconsin in 2012, the door opened for then Offensive Coordinator Matt Wells to ascend to the Head Coaching position. Schemes aside, Orlandos defense is built on one thing above all his players flying to the ball. How you practice around here is going to be how many reps you get, Orlando said. The use of small ball to counteract the space created by Spread offenses is understandable. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Their rotation would be a bit deeper, too. The odd front (three defenders) gave Orlando flexibility. As I wrote in early 2019 after Texas defeated Georgia, Orlandos defense uses hybrid players and different alignments to put pressure on offenses. 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. 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. Orlando has proven in previous stops that hes capable of a quick reboot; though, never quite under the current circumstances he now faces. The Cyclones used the Dime look as their base defense for the entire season, leading to victories over high-powered offenses like Oklahoma (#1 in BCfToys Offensive Efficiency) and Memphis (#16). Because nobody will throw the ball on you, theyll just run it. Orlando used it during his media availability on Wednesday, too. 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. Every week is a challenge. Thats in large part due to the variance of the offensive minds. And then Jamars just played that his whole life. But we understood why we were running it. Continue reading Simulated Pressures From a Positionless Defense (2019 Sugar Bowl). When Tom Herman hired Todd Orlando to be his defensive coordinator at the University of Houston, Herman was looking for a coach who could teach the kind of defense that always gave him fits. (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). Echols was the extra linebacker who came onto the field in those scenarios. He joined The Times after six years with the Southern California News Group. Coach Orlando is a real guy, Johnson said. He trains the defense to quickly show one look before audibling to another with merely a glance to the sideline just before the snap. He also spent two years covering preps for the Orange County Register and Torrance Daily Breeze. In fact, Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler combined for 10.5 sacks, nearly a third of the teams total. 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. Twitter: @tcpfootballIn this video, we learn about the origins of USC Football's Defensive Coordinator Todd Orlando's defense. 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). I just feel 3-4 didnt let us showcase our abilities the way we wanted to. Drake Jackson, who spent last season as more of a strict defensive. None of that stuff. If you go out there and you dont know what youre doing after meeting with someone for seven months, that pretty much explains how much you care, Orlando said. A clearer picture of USCs new defense should crystallize in the coming days, with contact no longer limited. But players say Orlandos greatest strength is the ability to break down complicated concepts into digestible pieces. But beyond those six players, USC has question marks. 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. If you take what he says at face value there, maybe they shouldnt be too worried about the additional wrinkles making things confusing or leading to miscommunications. He knows the tendencies of the receivers, the quarterbacks, the linemen, what they have to offer. To me, hes a special player, Orlando said. 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. USC has officially found the new face of its defense. 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. Through spring and summer, the physical, hard-nosed brand of defense Todd Orlando promised to bring to USC remained strictly theoretical. Considering how long players have had to learn the scheme, Orlando made clear he wont be as forgiving when it comes to forgetting assignments. One it has practiced against every day for months. But Barry and USC opted not to continue their discussions, and Orlando became the leading candidate. For example, to counteract the speed of the Ravens Lamar Jackson, the San Diego Chargers went uber-small and put up to SEVEN DBs on the field at a time. With one of the pass-rushing outside linebackers replaced by a nickel DB, the defense is left with only a single edge rusher on the field (the B-backer in Orlando's defense). The Trojans run defense would be better with defensive lineman Jay Tufele, who opted out of the season a few months ago and entered the NFL Draft. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at: @Owls247, @MarinelliShane, and @TheKevinFielder. On Arizona States final possession, Orlando went back to the 1-4-6 look for the entire drive. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Click here to buy a copy today or visit your local newsstand! Spread offenses search for the B gap because that is where the conflicted player usually is for a defense. Written by Ian Boyd (@Ian_A_Boyd)for Athlon Sports. 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. 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Redshirt freshman Max Williams was the extra defensive back on the field in these packages. Orlando needs opposing offenses to be one-dimensional, and against great quarterbacks that means sacrificing numbers in the box. 2. (213) 740-4204. Todd Orlando has plenty of experience arriving at a new school and installing his defensive scheme for the first time. The deepest position on the USC defense is safety. 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. Most offensive schemes in the Big 12 didn't have many built-in answers for a versatile safety floating in the middle of the field and thwarting their route combos or coming unblocked against the run game. If you bring four and they have six back in there to block, its not good numbers for you especially if youre covering the heck out of everybody. 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. He has a system that allows his talented players to play freely, said Baylor head coachMatt Rhule. Orlando first will bring up a picture to show the correct placement for a player. DeForest left last month to coach at North Carolina State. Gambling problem? Orlando, despite his concessions against the pass, said the beauty of the lighting package is Texas numbers up front still cover up against the run. The main difference here is Jackson is playing as a standup linebacker instead of lining up with his hand down like he did most of the time in 2019. There has been a critical error on this website. 3 Kansas in 75-59 win. Those disguised blitzes cause an opposing quarterback to think, which is critical against tempo. Are they going to be too complicated in the first game and have to scale things back, or are they going to keep it simple and then gradually add layers of intricacy? 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? Their camp D was a 3-4, but once the season hit, the packages started to proliferate. Gone were the experienced players in the secondary who could force the quarterback to hold the ball for an extra second or two. Aggressive, physical, unfearing. Last. If you dont, its going to be limited. One of his favorite ways to do this is with his overload blitzes off the edges. The Cyclones and Longhorns most notably did it while using a 3-safety Dime package for parts of the season. The familiarity with the opponent will be gone. Lets start with the base defense. 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. 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. looks seen in many Power Spread offenses. Todd Orlando, who has 16 years of experience as a collegiate defensive coordinator, was named USC's defensive coordinator in January of 2020. Herman just needed to know if the pair would mesh personally. Junior Chris Steele was an unquestioned returning starter, whereas it was an open competition for the second job, with Isaac Taylor-Stuart seeming like the leader entering game week. It left a big void in our defensive line, experiencewise, Pili said. Orlando lost both of his starting inside linebackers after the 2018 season and both were productive in his scheme. When we sat down and started to talk it was just so similar, Orlando told 247Sports. 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.