Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football
Morgan Seeing His Defense Coming Together
August 22, 2017
4,548
The biggest question mark surrounding Notre Dame entering 2017 was on the defensive line. The Irish boast a young and talented unit, but there just wasn’t much experience. To this point in camp, the defensive line has exceeded expectations, and linebacker Nyles Morgan has taken notice.
“The biggest thing is they are flying off the ball,” the senior captain said on Sunday. “With us (linebackers), we are coming downhill so fast that someone is going to come off free whether it’s a linebacker or a defensive lineman. We can really work more with those guys. We can play off of them or play with them. Everything is working out well.”
With the defensive line playing at a higher level, the Irish run defense has taken a step forward thus far in camp.
“It’s a lot cleaner,” explained Morgan. “It’s surgical clean. The offensive line has to come off, or the linebackers are in the backfield all day. We’re just getting the backfield. We aren’t waiting to see what the offense is doing, and we are finding the ball. A lot of guys are swarming to the ball.
“Coach has a philosophy of getting into the backfield as fast as you can. If you’re in the backfield, you’re making plays.”
New defensive coordinator Mike Elko has made sure to make his scheme one his players can understand and execute. The confidence in the defense has allowed for guys to take a step forward and it’s on them to make the play.
“Our strength is playing together,” stated Morgan. “Everyone knows their role, assignment, and on their jobs, which makes everyone else’s job easier. When everyone is doing their job, the game is pretty simple. We just have to find the ball.”
Morgan enters his fourth and final year in the program, but he even admitted his understanding of the game and his job has increased since Elko and linebackers coach Clark Lea arrived.
“My knowledge is better,” Morgan said. “I understand how the game works and the scheme works.”
Elko and Lea started building from the ground up in the spring with fundamentals and tackling drills. During Sunday’s scrimmage, the time dedicated to the basics of defense showed itself as the Irish missed few tackles on the day.
“We have been working on a lot of tackling drills and fundamental drills,” Morgan stated. “It’s pretty much executing your assignment, and it becomes surgical. We’re doing what we do best.”
Morgan has bought into what the coaches have preached all offseason, but he has also embraced his leadership role. The team has also embraced each captain, and it’s clear there is a new mindset around South Bend.
“I feel like guys are locked in and focused on this season,” explained Morgan. “We have the right guys leading the team and the charge. Guys are really bought in. Usually, in camp, guys are tired or worried about this and that. Guys are really about the team and bought in. It’s showing up on the field.”
As for the outside questions about the defense, Morgan isn’t paying attention to it.
“I don’t think anything about it,” said Morgan. “Everything will come into play on September 2nd. That’s all I have to say.”
“The biggest thing is they are flying off the ball,” the senior captain said on Sunday. “With us (linebackers), we are coming downhill so fast that someone is going to come off free whether it’s a linebacker or a defensive lineman. We can really work more with those guys. We can play off of them or play with them. Everything is working out well.”
With the defensive line playing at a higher level, the Irish run defense has taken a step forward thus far in camp.
“It’s a lot cleaner,” explained Morgan. “It’s surgical clean. The offensive line has to come off, or the linebackers are in the backfield all day. We’re just getting the backfield. We aren’t waiting to see what the offense is doing, and we are finding the ball. A lot of guys are swarming to the ball.
“Coach has a philosophy of getting into the backfield as fast as you can. If you’re in the backfield, you’re making plays.”
New defensive coordinator Mike Elko has made sure to make his scheme one his players can understand and execute. The confidence in the defense has allowed for guys to take a step forward and it’s on them to make the play.
“Our strength is playing together,” stated Morgan. “Everyone knows their role, assignment, and on their jobs, which makes everyone else’s job easier. When everyone is doing their job, the game is pretty simple. We just have to find the ball.”
Morgan enters his fourth and final year in the program, but he even admitted his understanding of the game and his job has increased since Elko and linebackers coach Clark Lea arrived.
“My knowledge is better,” Morgan said. “I understand how the game works and the scheme works.”
Elko and Lea started building from the ground up in the spring with fundamentals and tackling drills. During Sunday’s scrimmage, the time dedicated to the basics of defense showed itself as the Irish missed few tackles on the day.
“We have been working on a lot of tackling drills and fundamental drills,” Morgan stated. “It’s pretty much executing your assignment, and it becomes surgical. We’re doing what we do best.”
Morgan has bought into what the coaches have preached all offseason, but he has also embraced his leadership role. The team has also embraced each captain, and it’s clear there is a new mindset around South Bend.
“I feel like guys are locked in and focused on this season,” explained Morgan. “We have the right guys leading the team and the charge. Guys are really bought in. Usually, in camp, guys are tired or worried about this and that. Guys are really about the team and bought in. It’s showing up on the field.”
As for the outside questions about the defense, Morgan isn’t paying attention to it.
“I don’t think anything about it,” said Morgan. “Everything will come into play on September 2nd. That’s all I have to say.”
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