Cal Defensive Coordinator Breaks Down Where Improvement Is Needed

Following Cal's chilly, rainy practice on Friday, Bears defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon broke down the four units on defense and the improvement he wants to see in each.

Defensive line, three things:

---"Reset the line of scrimmage."

---"Winning the one-on-one's in the run game."

---"Being able to do a better job of transitioning from [defending the] run to rushing the quarterback."

Outside linebackers:

---"It's all about violence and playing the game faster."

---"A lot of that mindset is, we have to continue to play the run better, and then transitioning from RPOs and some of those runs to play-action and how we transition to get on the edge and rush the quarterback."

Inside linebacker, three things:

---"We have to play faster."

---"We have to make an impact"

---"We have to be more aggressive."

Defensive backs, two things:

---"We have to finish plays better."

---"We have to communicate."

"Finishing plays for those guys are when the ball's in the air, the moment of truth, finishing a tackle on the sideline."

Change in Practice Style

Sirmon also talked about the change Cal has made in its practice structure this spring. This year the Bears are creating more of a game-like environment. Instead of drills with no particular outcome and a stoppage, Cal is focusing on putting players in game situations and continuing play. That may involve the defense or offense quickly getting back into position for the next play without a stoppage.

Sirmon explains that philosophy in the video below.

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