Unlike Rakim, Elko Sweats the Technique

In the first full practice that was open to the media on Saturday, Chip Long's offense got the better of Mike Elko's defense. There are bound to be days like that in the spring and fall camp. That's just the way it goes.

While Elko is clearly a very competitive guy, it's doubtful he worries about the performance of one practice in the grand scheme of things. He is worried more about the details that can help shape his players into the types of individuals who can play good team defense. That's a process that takes time and he and the rest of the defensive staff are working on the techniques and fundamentals that will help his players succeed on Saturdays this fall.

There hasn't been a ton of blitzing or exotic looks that the defense has showed so far this spring. It's been less about scheme and far more about the little things defenders can do to make them successful.

“The biggest thing we want to achieve is we want them to understand how we want to play defense, which is what I told all you guys when I got here. It’s not scheme. We want to run to the ball hard. We want to come off blocks. We want to be able to tackle. We want to be able to disrupt the football and create turnovers. Those things are as important as anything we are doing right now and making sure we don’t lose sight of that stuff.”

Every new defensive coordinator is going to preach these types of things, but often times it can be an assumption that it will happen if they emphasize the importance verbally. Based on the drills they were running on Saturday in individual and in turnover circuit, it's clear Elko knows that they have to coach these things into the players and not just tell them to do it.

Everything from working on correct technique for shuffle steps under linebacker coach Clark Lea to seeing defenders being taught to literally punch the ball with a closed fist from behind show how specific Elko wants things to be.

Brian Kelly certainly seems to like what he has seen from the teaching that is occurring on the field. While it may not have revealed itself yet, it's more about what it will lead to eventually.

“I can tell we are already doing some things we haven’t done in the past that are going to be good for us,” Kelly said after practice on Saturday. “The defensive line is going to be batting down balls. I think you’re going to see guys stripping the football and getting the ball out. I think those are areas where you are going to see more turnovers on the field."

Turnovers are caused by what Elko refers to as ball disruptions and that is something they have been focused on. It's not enough to remind defensive linemen or blitzers to get their hands up in passing lanes. They are teaching them specifically how to attack things when they are blocked or unblocked in order to deflect the football.

“They are working on that in individual periods," Kelly said. "And they are being coached on that in the meetings. We aren’t jumping or leaving our feet. We are staying on our feet. You see it all the time in college football – guys losing contain. The fundamentals are being taught to a level that I know we are going profit from.”

That is what taking this approach is all about for Elko and the defense. While they improve on things in the short term, they have the goal of long terms gains later on. On Friday he was asked if he has seen the types of traits he wants to see to the level where he is satisfied. His answer shouldn't be surprising considering how he is just getting started with this group of players.

“No, we’re not seeing anything to the level...if I was sitting here telling you four practices in this thing is right where I want it, then you guys should walk out and think you hired the wrong guy," declared Elko. "No, that’s something that every day we’re going to work on.

“Do I see signs of it? Yes. Do I see a want to? Yes. Are we pushing to get there? Yes. Are we there? No. Not even close."

They aren't playing games until September. Until then the process will continue. More scheme will be installed as practices progress leading up to the fall, but before any of that can happen, Elko will be busy sweating the technique of his players and making sure the small stuff adds up in the big picture for Notre Dame's defense.