Deception is the name of LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s game, even if Saturday’s spring game showed his implementation is still in its early stages.
With only 15 spring practice sessions to work with veteran defenders and mid-year enrollees, Aranda and LSU coach Les Miles’ goal was to install Aranda’s version of the 3-4 base defense.
After Saturday’s glorified scrimmage, Miles said that aspect has been accomplished, but “probably 40 percent” is left to be done. Still, what’s left to be taught isn’t necessarily a chunk of brand new material, he said.
“It’s not 40 percent, and everybody has got to learn 40 percent,” Miles said. “It’s just an adjustment to the alignment that they’re already playing.”
Aranda echoed Miles’ sentiment, specifically in reference to disguising defensive looks.
“There’s a fair amount that needs to be put in,” Aranda said. “But they’re all kind of sisters and cousins of what we got in, so it’s not going to be a great, big departure. But that part is the exciting part because we’re not creating new things.”
As Aranda explained, LSU will often use some of the core concepts of the base defense, using Cover 3 or another coverage, to execute a myriad of blitzes. It may look like some other coverage, but the only thing that will change will be two defenders’ assignments.
Essentially, one defender takes the coverage responsibility of another when the second defender is called to blitz.
“Instead of the outside backer rushing, it’s the corner rushing,” Aranda said. “Instead of the outside backer rushing, it’s the inside backer rushing. But it’s still Cover 3. For everybody else, we’re just trading jobs with two guys. That piece is coming up with all the coverages – [Cover] 2, Quarters, Man and [Cover] 3. So, that’s exciting to get to.”
With those blitzes, including defensive backs off the edge, Aranda said it slows down the offense’s tempo and disrupts consistent flow.
“That forces the offense to have help and play lateral, as opposed to firing out and playing fast and aggressive,” Aranda said. “There was some of that [which was] real basic today. We like to be able to build more on to it, and that’s our plan.”
Aranda, the former Wisconsin defensive coordinator, will face his old team when LSU opens up the 2016 season against the Badgers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He said he already likes what the current Tiger personnel is capable of achieving, especially in the secondary and defensive line.
But Aranda still wants to establish a scheme capable of flexibility, which requires time, senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture said.
“For us, we have to master one day at a time,” he said. “We have a break now with summer conditioning. I feel like if we go out and master what Coach Aranda is installing for us – when we start going the length of the field – we can really nail it down.”
That mastering involved learning terminology first, which is the most difficult part, senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith said. Other players, like junior Davon Godchaux, are moving to a position they have never played.
Godchaux, who has been working at nose tackle, said he’s embracing the move, realizing his athleticism and speed will be advantageous in that spot.
“You can get a good get-off against much slower guys at the center position,” Godchaux said. “I get to use my quickness a lot and get off the ball.”
Overall, though, Miles believes Aranda’s defense is in the right state to continue to progress.
“I think our defense knows kind of what to expect out of the calls,” Miles said. “We’re now in a position where we add some bells and whistles to the defense.”