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3 Keys on Defense for Louisville Football in 2018

By Madison Wood

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 Cardinal fans know what kind of firepower a Bobby Petrino led offense brings to the table. But none of us know what to expect from the defense this season.

Louisville Football has been on the cusp of greatness for what seems like a very long time. A fair share of great players, including a Heisman winner, and countless NFL draft picks have passed through the program.

But it begs the question: why haven’t the Cards been able to break through? Ever since Petrino’s return the focus has again shifted to offense and lighting up the scoreboard.

Yes, you must score points to win games, and explosive plays on that side of the ball are definitely fun to watch. But we all know the saying, “defense wins championships”, and as much as we may tire of hearing it… it holds a lot of truth.

For Louisville, consistency has been one of, if not the biggest downfall. Last year, with a new D-coordinator, a slew of injuries and lots of young players, the struggles were evident. This season though, there are reasons for optimism, and I’m gonna give you three of them.

  1. Jonathan Greenard

This guy is going to be selected in the 2019 NFL draft, no way around that. But lucky for us, right now he’s a Cardinal. Last year Greenard led the team with 15.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. As a redshirt junior this upcoming season, he’s a veteran and a vocal leader who never loses his intensity.
This guy is going to be selected in the 2019 NFL draft, no way around that. But lucky for us, right now he’s a Cardinal. Last year Greenard led the team with 15.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. As a redshirt junior this upcoming season, he’s a veteran and a vocal leader who never loses his intensity. /

How many times did we watch an opposing quarterback sit back in the pocket and take his sweet time? But when we did get into the backfield, Greenards’ name was the one being called. Count on him to be even better this year, not just his individual game, but he will elevate the play of the guys around him. Which brings me to…

        2. Dorian Etheridge

In his first year as a Cardinal, Etheridge quietly made plays that showcased just how good he could be in the future. Since the departure of Keith Kelsey, Louisville has desperately needed that presence in the middle of their defense. This year Dorian Etheridge will take that step forward.

He flew a bit under the radar last season, all while leading the team in tackles with 83 – the first true freshman to do so – and ESPN naming him as a freshman All-American. How is a player like that not at the forefront of our minds as fans?

Whether through the air or on the ground, the middle of the field was the biggest weakness for the Cards last season. Look for Etheridge to be disruptive and aggressive, especially in the run game when an RB breaks through our D-line. Speaking of the middle of the field, my third key guy could very well be the most important..

        3. Dee Smith

Not the guy you were thinking of? That’s because this guy is a dark horse to be the biggest impact player for the Louisville defense. We were picked apart over the middle, even by sub-par quarterbacks. As fans, you and I both know how frustrating it is to get beat over the middle, big play after big play. Smith at the safety position is the last line of defense, which makes him crucial.
Not the guy you were thinking of? That’s because this guy is a dark horse to be the biggest impact player for the Louisville defense. We were picked apart over the middle, even by sub-par quarterbacks. As fans, you and I both know how frustrating it is to get beat over the middle, big play after big play. Smith at the safety position is the last line of defense, which makes him crucial. /

Smith played in 12 games last season, but he wasn’t really on the field too much in those games, so his stats reflect that. But Louisville will have to rely on him heavily this season, and I believe he will answer the bell. When you noticed Dee Smith on the field, he was laying the boom on somebody. Heart and intensity are two things he certainly is not lacking.

With a more expanded role this season, I expect (or at least hope) that Smith is used in as much capacity as possible. I envision him playing like Josh Harvey-Clemons – bring him on the blitz or drop him back in coverage – either way he’s not afraid to lay the wood. That is what this defense needs.

Louisville fans have every reason to be optimistic about the Cards this upcoming season. It’s easy to get distracted by all the stars on offense, and rightly so, but don’t overlook the talent on the other side of the ball.

There are play makers at all three levels for the Cards, and these aren’t the only guys who will make an impact. With these guys playing at the highest level though, Louisville’s defense has a good chance to exceed expectations. We’ll have to wait and see how new coordinator Brian VanGorder decides to utilize their talent.

Next: Petrino Making Local Recruits Top Priority in 2019 Class

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