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The Bend-But-Don’t-Break Defense is WORKING?

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Just the words of “Bend-But-Don’t-Break Defense” gets some Oregon fans angry. They did not like it a dozen years ago when Nick Aliotti employed it successfully during our first ‘Natty runner-up showing, and were not happy to see it continued in the second ‘Natty runner-up season after he retired. I paused from my research for a good car accident...

 

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Just the words of “Bend-But-Don’t-Break Defense” gets some Oregon fans angry. They did not like it a dozen years ago when Nick Aliotti employed it...

 

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“Don’t break defense” for sure. I’m not as convinced about the “bend”.

 

The defense unit is playing remarkable football and has not yet peaked. If an outstanding defense wins championships as many say, then these Ducks are ready for their championship run.

 

Go Ducks!

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I’m shocked that Coach Lanning and Coach Lupoi haven’t been more aggressive with their blitz packages or simulated pressures, thus far. We did blitz more against Illinois and hopefully they are saving the more exotic looks for the playoffs. 
 

Maybe our coaches just have supreme confidence in our front 4 to generate pressure without having to send an extra man or get fancy.

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Yeah. it's tricky. While this D is not allowing explosive plays, it's not allowing nearly as many 3rd down conversions, so the other teams aren't having as many long drives. BBDB isn't a term I'd use to describe this defense. 

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I would call it a "Limit explosive plays and make life miserable defense" for an offense to go against.

 

I feel that Nick Aliotti did not receive credit for the Duck success during the Bellotti and Kelly years of great offense.  Man could they get after people.

 

Coach Lanning and staff is causing havoc.  I trust in Lanning.

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Ah yes! I remember the Nick Allowalotti defenses very well. I distinctly remember the "pink helmets" game against WSU where he got mad at Leach for scoring at the end of the game even though Oregon was up by 5 scores. 

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Interesting notes on BBDB defense. The biggest difference that I see of today’s defense, compared to the high scoring teams of the Aliotti years, is the time of possession of the offense. 
 

Alioti’s defense was always on the field much longer.  Aliotti also did not have the defensive depth we have today. Therefore, his BBDB defense was scrutinized when our offense wasn’t outscoring opponents. 

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On 10/30/2024 at 4:36 AM, Notalot said:

“Don’t break defense” for sure. I’m not as convinced about the “bend”.

As I pointed out in the article, Purdue went up-and-down the field on us, and people were complaining about the tackling.  After the game there were many who were horrified to learn that Purdue rushed for 208 yards on Oregon, yet the Ducks kept them from scoring.

 

To me, that is the epitome of the Bend-but-Don't-Break Defense...

 

No Letdown As Ducks Beat Purdue, Move to 7-0 - University of Oregon  Athletics

 

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Mr. FishDuck

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On 10/30/2024 at 6:14 AM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

where he got mad at Leach

I supported anybody getting mad at Leach for anything, RIP. 

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My first reaction to the idea of BBDBD was one of recoil!

But isn't that the idea of every defense?

Limit explosive plays, make them work for everthing. 

 

You can't always stop every aspect of a team, giving up 200+ yards seems like a lot, but the defense got a shutout.

 

We are getting a consistently good rush on the qb with just 4, why change it up.

We also haven't faced a truly elite qb yet.

 

It's a long season, and with the playoffs it's really 2 seasons. Maybe DL is playing strategy for the long haul. Save some stuff for later. 

Whatever it is, I really like our D this year.

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On 10/30/2024 at 5:31 AM, OregonDucks said:

I’m shocked that Coach Lanning and Coach Lupoi haven’t been more aggressive with their blitz packages or simulated pressures, thus far.

Agreed.  I've written about that, and I believe it is the two components you spoke of; we are saving the more exotic stuff for the Playoffs, and we are beginning to do well with just four rushing.  With this superb secondary....having seven back on pass defense is a real advantage.

 

I was surprised to see us NOT run overload blitzes in Simulated Pressures against Ohio State...

 

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Mr. FishDuck

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On 10/30/2024 at 10:58 AM, Charles Fischer said:

 

I was surprised to see us NOT run overload blitzes in Simulated Pressures against Ohio State...

Next level mind game? 

 

Are they not showing something right now as they suspect they may need to use it in a rematch later this year? It's possible. 

 

It did feel they were one man short of getting home for some big sacks. However, if Burch is back in the line up for a rematch I think Oregon has a party in the OSU backfield. 

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On 10/30/2024 at 8:07 AM, Drake said:

The biggest difference that I see of today’s defense, compared to the high scoring teams of the Aliotti years, is the time of possession of the offense. 

Great observation. Our offense is ball-controlling a ton in the second half this year, while in Chip's days....we took pride in scoring quickly.  "That drive took longer than two minutes?!"

 

The pressure on Aliotti was much, much greater as opposing offenses were on the field for 2/3rds of the game.

 

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Mr. FishDuck

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The Purdue stats are misleading imo.

 

Giving up 200 rushing would be alarming if it was against a balanced team that had the forward pass as part of their arsenal.
 

Purdue is not that. They are the quintessential caveman B1G team that couldn’t manage to get 100 yards passing for the game. 40 rushing attempts in a game you lose by 35 at home? That’s dysfunctional imo.
 

I’d take those stats every single time.

 

 

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On 10/30/2024 at 4:15 PM, JabbaNoBargain said:

The Purdue stats are misleading imo.

 

Giving up 200 rushing would be alarming if it was against a balanced team that had the forward pass as part of their arsenal.
 

Purdue is not that. They are the quintessential caveman B1G team that couldn’t manage to get 100 yards passing for the game. 40 rushing attempts in a game you lose by 35 at home? That’s dysfunctional imo.
 

I’d take those stats every single time.

 

 

 

There was some bad tackling from the Oregon defense in that game.  Credit to the coaches and players for cleaning it up.  Sometimes you just have to go back to fundamentals during the football season...

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On 10/30/2024 at 12:36 PM, DanLduck said:

We also haven't faced a truly elite qb yet.

 

Will Howard is a very good college QB and the Ducks defense faces one of the best every day in practice. There are only a handful of QBs who may be better (e.g., Cam Ward, Texas's QBs). I have faith in Oregon's secondary.

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I think it should be named the Al Davis defense . . . just win baby, win.

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On 10/30/2024 at 2:34 PM, OregonDucks said:

 

Will Howard is a very good college QB and the Ducks defense faces one of the best every day in practice. There are only a handful of QBs who may be better (e.g., Cam Ward, Texas's QBs). I have faith in Oregon's secondary.

I concur, but my point was that extra blitzes weren't necessary bcuz we hadn't faced an elite qb.

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On 10/30/2024 at 2:31 PM, OregonDucks said:

 

There was some bad tackling from the Oregon defense in that game.  Credit to the coaches and players for cleaning it up.  Sometimes you just have to go back to fundamentals during the football season...

The bad tackling was our hang over... If that's the case and we still pitch a shutout, I think we can all live with that. 

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From your article the fact that the BIG is having to adapt to Oregon, not the other way around means all is good at Oregon again!

 

Bend don't break, fast break offense, call it what ever you want, but when other programs are complaining, OBD are doing it right.

 

Oregon is again adapting, innovating, and leading the way. 

 

One last thought, I put Alliotti with Brooks as two guys whose impacts are most often misunderstood and under-appreciated. This program was built of the shoulders of many giants. Brooks and Alliotti are just two of the greats.

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