The defense, particularly the secondary, has borne the brunt of many talks about the team over the last two weeks, particularly after Saturday’s loss against Duke, in which quarterback Thaddeus Lewis threw for a career high five touchdowns and 459 yards passing.
Head coach Tom O’Brien said in his press conference on Monday it is time the team stood up, became accountable and start tackling.
“We have worked awfully hard on it,” O’Brien said. “We tackle Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you just can’t do it in a drill.”
Senior free safety Clem Johnson felt the team has been inconsistent when it comes to tackling.
“In my opinion, tackling is just a want,” Johnson said. “If you want to tackle, you’re going to go out there and tackle. There is technique involved. But it comes down to a want. I think guys just really had high expectations for the season. Guys really expected things to be given to them. We really need to start earning the respect, just going out there and proving we can tackle and can get the job done.”
As for fans that are concerned about the performance of the defense, senior defensive tackle Leroy Burgess said the defense and team will come through.
“From seeing us on TV and watching the game and stuff, that’s not us,” Burgess said. “That’s not what this football team is about. That is not what this defense is about. Give us some time, we are going to get it together and get back to winning and trying to win an ACC championship.”
O’Brien believes his team is better than it was a year ago.
“The question still comes is that most of the mistakes we made are self-inflicted; a year ago we had all the injuries, an inexperienced quarterback,” O’Brien said. “But the three drives we started the game last Saturday, you talk about making progress on offense. We went right down the field, one was a 79 yard touchdown, but the other two were well executed, we blocked well, protected well and everything else. So certainly we have made strides, it is just the problem we have had from the start which is not being able to get people on the ground, tackling.”
Someone that could have helped the Pack in the secondary has seen his career end. O’Brien announced Monday redshirt junior safety Javon Walker will need a third knee surgery and will take a medical leave, allowing him to continue to pursue his degree.
Senior back safety Bobby Floyd said his heart goes out to Walker after hearing the news.
“He’s a good friend of mine, we came in together,” Floyd said. “We were actually roommates freshman year so he’s a good friend of mine. It’s tough to hear about that and see that. I know it’s hard on him because I know he loves the game and wants to play.”
Burgess said Walker is still a part of the team.
“He’s still a part of this family,” Burgess said. “We are here for him, and hopefully through the grace of God, we’ll keep praying for him and he will be back out on this field.”
