Under Pressure: Wisconsin Defense Must Find Ways to Get to the QB
By Editorial Staff
With quarterback Russell Wilson in the fold, the biggest question surrounding the Wisconsin Badgers entering the 2011 season has shifted to the enormous hole left by second-team All-American defensive end J.J. Watt, who left a year early to play in the NFL following the 2010 season.
The Pewaukee native’s departure leaves the Badgers void of a proven defensive playmaker, specifically one who can create havoc for opposing team’s quarterbacks. In 2010, Watt led the team in tackles for a loss, sacks, quarterback hurries and forced fumbles. He was second on the team in tackles, pass breakups and passes defended. Watt was the heart of the defense and a team leader.
To make matters worse, even with Watt last season, the Badgers did not regularly knock down quarterbacks. The team finished tied for 72nd in the country with 23 sacks, an average of 1.77 a game. And Watt accounted for seven of those himself. The lack of quarterback pressure was particularly glaring in the teams only two losses in 2010, against Michigan State and TCU.
If Wisconsin wants to compete for a Big Ten title in 2011, and perhaps go even further, the team has to find a way to replace Watt’s production and play-making ability. They must figure out how to get consistent pressure on the quarterback.
So, how can they do it?
A New Scheme
One reason to be optimistic the defense will be able to dial up more pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2011 is a new defensive scheme and the attitude the players appear to be carrying with it.
Former Defensive Coordinator Dave Doeren left Wisconsin to take the head coaching job at Northern Illinois. Shortly after the Rose Bowl loss, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema named secondary coach Chris Ash and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge co-defensive coordinators. Ash will call the plays during the games.
Although few particulars of changes in the defensive philosophy have been revealed, it’s expected that Ash will utilize more aggressive play calling, including extra blitz packages and a more physical attitude.
Many Badgers fans will welcome the change, even if it comes with more risk. Doeren was largely criticized for calling soft coverages — often with the corners offering as much as a 10-yard cushion from the line of scrimmage at the snap — and for not utilizing many blitzes, at least successfully. The criticism increased significantly following the Rose Bowl — Doeren’s final game with the Badgers — after TCU repeatedly took advantage of soft coverage and very little pressure on quarterback Andy Dalton. TCU burned the Badgers with quick, short passes on their way to a two-point victory that still stings Wisconsin fans.
The more aggressive attitude of the 2011 defense will also come from Dave Huxtable, Wisconsin’s new linebackers coach. The former Central Florida defensive coordinator told the Badger Herald he left Central Florida to join Wisconsin’s staff because he liked “the toughness of the program, the discipline of the program and that whole style of play.” Huxtable was known for dialing up linebacker blitz packages at Central Florida and should have some nice linebackers to utilize in the rush with Chris Borland, Mike Taylor, Kevin Claxton and spring standout Marcus Trotter.
The first peek at the new-look defense came in Wisconsin’s spring game this April. Ash’s defense blitzed often, did not give up a touchdown, forced four turnovers, had eight tackles for a loss and sacked the quarterback five times in a very impressive performance. Following the game, the defensive players talked about a new energy building on that side of the ball.
“There’s definitely a new swag, a new mentality to just go out there and feel like you’re going to win, you’re going to dominate,” linebacker A.J. Fenton told the Badger Herald. “That’s the confidence they want in us, and I think you saw that today.”
There’s a noticeable buzz among players and staff involved in this new-look defense, and early signs are encouraging. While there will likely be some bumps in the road as the coaches and players install the new scheme, the aggressive style of play could help create more pressure on the quarterback without having to lean on one or two players to pick up where Watt left off.
Chris Borland
If Borland was healthy last year, it’s likely much of the responsibility of replacing Watt’s pass rush would be placed on his shoulders heading into the 2011 season.
Borland flashed impressive play-making skills during the 2009 season, in which he earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. In 2009, Borland recorded five sacks, 10½ tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. He had 54 tackles and regularly made plays with his surprising quickness and nose for the ball. It appeared he was on his way to stardom.
But a shoulder injury cut his season short last year. Borland played in the season opener at UNLV before sitting out against San Jose State. His season was over after he only made it through six plays in the third week against Arizona State. Fortunately for Borland and the Badgers, the linebacker had not used a redshirt season and was granted a medical redshirt. Borland sat out the rest of the 2010 season, but did not have to burn a year of eligibility.
The Ohio native underwent surgery to fix a broken bone in his left shoulder in October. He also had “proactive” surgery on his right shoulder in December. Borland did not participate fully in spring practices or play in the spring game, but he is expected to be at full strength before the 2011 season begins on Sept. 1 against UNLV.
“Everything is looking good and I’m thrilled,” Borland told the Journal Sentinel in early June.
The Badgers are moving Borland inside to the middle linebacker position, but there’s been speculation that he could also be used as an edge rusher in obvious passing situations to take advantage of his rushing abilities.
“Because he’s so short and he’s got good balance, it’s really difficult for large offensive tackles to bend down and get a good shot at the guy,” Journal Sentinel reporter Jeff Potrykus said on the Mike Heller Show on The Big 1070 recently. “He’s going to be a key, in my opinion, both in the base and in the nickel.”
D-Line Depth
The Badgers lost their best defensive lineman, but Watt was also the only 2010 defensive lineman the team lost. With more experience and an offseason of training, the deep defensive line rotation should improve simply by maturing.
Defensive end Louis Nzegwu (redshirt senior, 13 starts in 2010) and defensive tackles Patrick Butrym (redshirt senior, 13), Jordan Kohout (redshirt sophomore, 7) and Ethan Hemer (redshirt sophomore, 6) gained valuable experience in 2010. While none of them emerged as stars, they were all contributors to solid defensive line play. It’s not unfair to expect each of them to improve in 2011.
Nzegwu, in particular, seems poised to add to his role in 2011. The 6’4″, 245-pound end was second on the team last season with three sacks. He also had 3½ in 2009. Playing alongside O’Brien Schofield and Watt the last two years, the senior-to-be has seen defensive ends step up their level of play considerably in their final year of eligibility. Could Nzegwu do the same? It’s a pipe dream to expect him to reach the high bars set by Schofield and Watt, who will both be playing in the NFL as soon as the lockout ends, but it is fair to believe that we haven’t seen the best of Nzegwu yet.
Redshirt junior Brendan Kelly could be tabbed to take over Watt’s position on the line. The 6’6″, 260-pound defensive end’s career has been marred by injuries, including a nagging groin injury that cost him part of 2009 and all of 2010, but Kelly had a very strong spring game and appears to have the edge on redshirt sophomore Pat Muldoon and junior David Gilbert for the open spot. Kelly is a physical player that impressed coaches enough to get playing time as a true freshman. If he can stay healthy, he could provide pass rush from the opposite side of Nzegwu.
With Muldoon, Gilbert, sophomore defensive tackle Beau Allen and redshirt sophomore defensive end Tyler Dippel also expected to be in the regular defensive line rotation, the Badgers will be operating with very nice depth, which should help keep the linemen fresh and effective. And if one or two of the reserves, or even a player that’s not currently on the radar, can step up and provide consistent pass rush, they will certainly earn more playing time. Dippel, a 6’4″, 250-pound end from Slinger, seems to be the fan-favorite dark-horse candidate to surprise at this point. And before the Rose Bowl last year, Bielema raved about the progress of another young defensive end — redshirt freshman Warren Herring.
“Warren Herring has changed his body physically,” Bielema told the Journal Sentinel. “I think he’s really going to be able to help us next year.”
Rushing to Judgement
Only time will tell if the Badgers will be able to generate more pass rush in 2011, but they certainly appear to have some tools to get the job done. Watt’s production will be almost impossible to replace with a single player, but a new scheme, a healthy Chris Borland and some internal growth should help make up for his loss. And if the front seven can pressure and fluster opposing teams’ quarterbacks regularly, it would help erase another area of concern — a bend-but-don’t-break secondary that signal callers with some time would almost certainly look to exploit.