ADVERTISEMENT

I'm giving credit to Jim Leonhard vs Purdue QB play & our coaching. Now, on to Nebraska.

MilwaukeeBoilerFan

All-American
May 29, 2001
7,369
3,871
113
Simply stating that Jim was having none of that 3 QB system rotation and pressed us harder knowing that Plummer and Burton were not going to throw. When Plummer wanted to, he was pressured to get rid of it.

I will add one additional note: For the naysayers of Walk-Ons, Jim Leonhard was a walk on at Wisconsin, 3x All-American, 3x First Team all Big Ten & 10 year veteran in the NFL. A walk on!!! Hard to believe and very rare, but some walk-ons are damn good at what they can accomplish.
Mark this tape, Jim Leonhard will be a Power 5 Head coach sooner than later because he knows what good defenses looks like and doesn't panic.

Career highlights and awards
  • 3× All-American (2002, 2003, 2004)
  • 3× First Team All-Big Ten (2002-2004)
 
Simply stating that Jim was having none of that 3 QB system rotation and pressed us harder knowing that Plummer and Burton were not going to throw. When Plummer wanted to, he was pressured to get rid of it.

I will add one additional note: For the naysayers of Walk-Ons, Jim Leonhard was a walk on at Wisconsin, 3x All-American, 3x First Team all Big Ten & 10 year veteran in the NFL. A walk on!!! Hard to believe and very rare, but some walk-ons are damn good at what they can accomplish.
Mark this tape, Jim Leonhard will be a Power 5 Head coach sooner than later because he knows what good defenses looks like and doesn't panic.

Career highlights and awards
  • 3× All-American (2002, 2003, 2004)
  • 3× First Team All-Big Ten (2002-2004)
JJ Watt walked on as well...it is not a case of just because a guy is a walk-on that he in turn "can't play"...that said, hard to imagine a guy as good as either of those two having to walk on...some guys are willing to walk-on to play where they wanted to absent a scholarship...some are able to financially do so...who knows what the story is in Jim's case...regardless, he was really good as a player, and, has been just as good as a coach.
 
Leonhard is a guy I'd be afraid will be happy to be a very good DC at his alma mater for some time. He's already rich so it's not like he's chasing money or fame.
 
You can give credit to Jim Leonhard, but he's running Dave Aranda's defense. Its Aranda's scheme, and its really pretty ingenious.

In a sense, the Wisconsin defensive scheme offers 144 different pressure possibilities on any down and distance, and they have virtually no situational tells outside of a maybe a goal line defense on 1st and short.

The teams that give them fits are teams that have QBs and RBs with speed who can get to the perimeter and force their linebacker pressure to be out of position.

Now... they can also play this defense because of some personnel:

1. Their Nose Tackle needs to be freak who is skilled in hand to hand combat. This guy may end up with only 15 tackles by the end of the season but will be their most valuable player. He commits assault on every play and gets away with it.

2. Their linebackers are often former Sprinters who can add weight and play in the 225 to 240 range. They take a 6'1 to 6'3 190 to 210 lb dude who can run a 10.7 to 11.2 100 and they turn him into a speed guy who has one job- Run. They want send the dude to fill a gap on virtually every play. If there is someone there, you bring pain. If not, no problem. Just try again on the next play. Oh.. and they will need to know 20 different gap responsibilities on any play.

3. They need big and physical corners and safeties who can run support and be physical on the LOS. If they cover well, that's a plus, but they are willing to get beat deep solely because they can create pressure.


Now, I'm sure Jim Leonhard is a terrific motivator who is a fantastic coach. But that scheme is all due to Aranda.
 
You can give credit to Jim Leonhard, but he's running Dave Aranda's defense. Its Aranda's scheme, and its really pretty ingenious.

In a sense, the Wisconsin defensive scheme offers 144 different pressure possibilities on any down and distance, and they have virtually no situational tells outside of a maybe a goal line defense on 1st and short.

The teams that give them fits are teams that have QBs and RBs with speed who can get to the perimeter and force their linebacker pressure to be out of position.

Now... they can also play this defense because of some personnel:

1. Their Nose Tackle needs to be freak who is skilled in hand to hand combat. This guy may end up with only 15 tackles by the end of the season but will be their most valuable player. He commits assault on every play and gets away with it.

2. Their linebackers are often former Sprinters who can add weight and play in the 225 to 240 range. They take a 6'1 to 6'3 190 to 210 lb dude who can run a 10.7 to 11.2 100 and they turn him into a speed guy who has one job- Run. They want send the dude to fill a gap on virtually every play. If there is someone there, you bring pain. If not, no problem. Just try again on the next play. Oh.. and they will need to know 20 different gap responsibilities on any play.

3. They need big and physical corners and safeties who can run support and be physical on the LOS. If they cover well, that's a plus, but they are willing to get beat deep solely because they can create pressure.


Now, I'm sure Jim Leonhard is a terrific motivator who is a fantastic coach. But that scheme is all due to Aranda.
Wow. Do you ever, like, provide pertinent game information to those individuals that like to place friendly wagers on sports outcomes? Asking for a friend.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT