Defensive Personnel Analysis

Scipio, Thanks for the great post. I too read these boards religeously and I am so sick of the Aggie flaming and OU sucks crap that goes on here. It isn't funny, is bush league, and I wish they would delete this garbage. I realize that it isn't that easy to monitor a board like this though and they do a great job of it. As far as the defense, I am really interested to see Mr. Colorado #98(I've drawn a frickin bland). He looks to have great size and quickness. I have heard that he is tearing it up in the weight room. Hope this is true. I also have hopes that Reed Boyd will be a player. He is a big kid. I wonder if he is a possible future DE. I also wonder if I am the only one who thinks that Chad Stevens would make a bad *** center.
 
Showtime --

As far as the defense, I am really interested to see Mr. Colorado #98(I've drawn a frickin bland). He looks to have great size and quickness.

Ryan Haywood from Denver Jefferson. Ryan got a shirt, reassessed his attitude a bit and is now supposedly tearing it up. Last I heard, he's around 285 and getting strong. I'm not sure if he'll be playing DE for us or filling in for Shaun Rogers when he graduates. His potential is limitless.

I also have hopes that Reed Boyd will be a player. He is a big kid. I wonder if he is a possible future DE. I also wonder if I am the only one who thinks that Chad Stevens would make a bad *** center.

I think you're wish has been granted: Reed Boyd IS a player right now. He impressed our coaching staff all through Spring and he had a wonderful Spring game. Reed has the best instincts for the ball of our entire LB corps IMO. I don't see him at DE but what the hell do I know?

As for Chad, I agree with you that his future may be as a blocking TE or at C. If he took a shirt this year, he could still have three years to bulk up and make his mark. He's a rugged kid who can maul people lined up across from him. I hope for the best for him.
 
A very good post. My questions are two.1) As you suggest, what could we do to improve the level of play in the question marks? I think Redding will learn and will do well in certain situations. The up sides for this type of player this year are two. First, he won't need to make a lot of plays in the running game. This dramatically simplifies his game...get into the backfield and kill someone. The other up side is that we've got another speed end on the other side that will help with back side pursuit. With both ends that contribute in this way, we'll cover a lot of mistakes spectacularly. Re Jones, he plays well as a pure blitzer...a la Babino in the cotton. This would obviously be best in your standard sets. Re. Brown, we just won't ask him to do a whole lot, and what he does, he does very well. So I do feel good about our down sides because they have good potential and we can cover some down sides with scheme.2) Can we play some games to get our down side risks off of the field? We'll play lots of minutes out of the nickel or dime, and this will enable us to pull a question mark off of the field. We can also get another tackle onto the field against running teams...likely someone like Lee. My point is that different sets are likely to get us to 4-4-3 by your notation...so we just don't have as far to go.Two final points. One is that we've got pretty good depth, so that all of the pressure won't be on an Anderson to produce. There are two other guys of similar ability that may be able to help, and some tackles to throw into the fire if that strategy doesn't get it done. The situation is similar at DB, especially safety where Walker, Pearson, Brooks/Babers/Hill at safety, McClintock or a younger kid at LB. Two, I'm stunned that we have four difference makers on defense. That's insane and explains well why we were a top 10 defense last year against a good schedule.[This message has been edited by bat (edited 07-14-2000).]
 
Just a thought,
I know that the backups for the most part are extremly young, but I wonder how many of them were AA in high school. Anyone have that information?Hook 'Em!
 
Scipio,I can't remember the last post i enjoyed more than this one. Right now I'm packing my stuff for a move back to Austin after 14 yrs away. I'm having a very hard time containing my glee. Also looking forward to seeing the team in person for the first time since the TT stomp in Austin last season.Till then, a couple of Q's regarding personnel:OJ McClintock: is he working at willie in the 4-3? Any early predictions on his difference-maker potential? I still imagine the guy running like a marcus allen or OJ(!) clone from the backfield, given his great vision and body control as a HS RB. How do those talents translate to his defensive responsibilities/potential?
M Mckay: Thoughts on his potential at DT? With his strength and current size, he seems like a throwback NG to me. Which would be key against the NU offense, no?
C Stevens: What about DE if the fit on offense isn't found? Thinking about Stevens' potential on D brings up a few thoughts regarding the ability to really hit. Lots of big, strong, fast guys lay wood. But some (Westbrook) have a knack for really exploding at impact. Its a combination of many things of course, and Stevens seems to have it. Really, really laying wood from a down lineman's stance, ona guy who starts off just 2 feet from your face is a talent. While that makes him a candidate for a mean OL, it also seems to make a potential LB/DE.Thanks again for the great read.
 
flash --
Welcome back to Austin!

OJ McClintock: is he working at willie in the 4-3? Any early predictions on his difference-maker potential?

Well, we know he can run. No doubt about that. His quickness is also superb relative to any LB. He's solidly backing up Rawls and learning to play Will -- we'll have to stay tuned. Wish he could have had a redshirt. He'll play special teams for sure.

M Mckay: Thoughts on his potential at DT? With his strength and current size, he seems like a throwback NG to me.

Definitely plugs it against the run. I think Tubbs and Lee have passed him though. He's still learning to play DT -- could have an epiphany -- who knows?

C Stevens: What about DE if the fit on offense isn't found?

Nope. Chad's too slow. No DE or LB in his future.

Thanks for the nice comments.

[This message has been edited by Scipio Tex (edited 07-14-2000).]
 
Scipio Tex,
Do you see Cole Pittman at de? Is Rod Baber our other starting cb?All these defensive line problems can be easily solved if Mr. Colorado play up to his potential. I have high expectation for Haywood to contribute next year. Then again, he is only a RS fish.
 
It's hard to add anything to this thread of merit. Everything has already been said, pretty much. Regardless, I still would like to see this hover around the top on the off chance that someone about to post an "I hate the aggies because they **** sheep" thread sees this and has a moment of clarity.As to the unbridled fervor some people are showing towards Greg Brown, I'm a little perplexed. This guy is needed for his leadership and wits, but to say he has yet to reach his potential is something I question. I think he has maxed his potential, and that's a good thing. He will play well this year and may get some postseason recognition locally, but it will be due to hard work more than pure ability. He's the Major Applewhite of the defense and we're fortunate to have him. Also, I'm honestly stunned at the lack of recognition that Rawls, Jackson, and Jammer have received. It's yet further proof that the sportswriters and preseason mag writers are fat, pasty hacks with little clue as to what the word research means. Further, they seem to suffer from the worst case of groupthink this side of BCS. This weeks Sporting News points out ND's Tony Driver as a guy that's switched positions and will make a drastic difference. How many years in a row is he going to be noticed for this? It's easy to make a better case with Jammer. Oh well, like Scipio said, **** them.
 
bamboozle:
Do you see Cole Pittman at de? Is Rod Babers our other starting cb?

No, I don't see Cole Pittman at DE in anything more than spot duty. I'm projecting Roderick as our starting corner but that's coming completely out of my *** --he'll have to beat out two solid guys in Brooks and Hill. If either of the latter hold onto their job, it will be because they raised their level of play. Darwinian natural selection, a process long absent from the University of Texas, is back. Seeing solid starters lose their jobs despite the fact that they're improving and progressing is a very good thing for a football team.

horndfl -
I'm similarly perplexed at the hacks. If you'll recall, Roger Roesler was a first team All-Big 12 selection and All-American at the conclusion of last year. Extraordinary. Based on a sampling of preseason periodicals, I can only conclude that DD Lewis is our best LB, Redding is our best DL and Greg Brown is our top secondary guy. The more poignant question is: knowing what I know, and knowing that their assessments of other teams is similarly misguided, why do I still buy the ******* things?! I'm a heroin addict mainlining Advil in hopes that it will provide a fix.
 
Simply a tremendous post and thread. Thank you Scipio. One thing that has been brought up is Greg Brown being a heady player, such a vital component in a safety. Coincidence: What do Dak Pearson, Braden Johnson and Kendal Briles have in common? I am noticing a pattern beginning here, or am I jumping to a conclusion based on too little evidence? ------------------
"All great nations behave like gangsters and all small nations behave like whores." Stanley Kubrick
 
What do Dak Pearson, Braden Johnson and Kendal Briles have in common? I am noticing a pattern beginning here, or am I jumping to a conclusion based on too little evidence?

I have a post on the recruiting board called The Importance of a Brain Trust in which I suggest the same thing. Carl Reese MUST have a smart guy in his secondary to call the coverages. The people who think that 40 times are the only determinant in your four starting DB's have probably never played a down of football in their lives and are mystified at why Brown starts at FS. Recognition and proper alignment are huge factors in secondary play.
 
Scip--getting some great responses on this thread.To raise another question: What are the likely substitution patterns in the nickel and dime packages vs Tech and OU's passing formations?OU--How will we match up with a classic run-and-shoot offense? In the nickel, the best bet is that DD and Rawls will be the 2 backers in this set. Now who comes in as the extra DB? I suspect Brooks or Hill would come in and match over the #1 priority slot receiver. Now in the case of the dime package, which LB do you pull--DD or Rawls? Rawls may be better in coverage but DD has more experience patrolling the middle. Also which DB do you add to the mix? Do you insert another CB-type like Brooks or Hill or do you go with more of a safety type like Pearson, Walker, or Wyndham? Maybe you go with Brooks or Hill as the 6th DB but also shade Jackson closer to the line as essentially an extra backer.Tech--Now I heard that Leach isn't going to use just a pure run-and-shoot formation but also utilize a 3-wide set with a TE who may also motion out. Can anyone vouch about this? Whatever formation Tech lines up in they will still have a better running threat than OU. This of course makes it more interesting how UT will play this offense. In the nickel do you go with a Brooks or Hill and forego some run support or do you break in a saftey type who can provides more of a mix of coverage without giving some pop in run support? Or as stated above maybe you go with the smaller CB type and compensate with Jackson having added responsibility in run support. And will there be any extended use of the dime package against Tech?
Interesting that both Tech and OU will be running some sort of Leach pass-happy O but with enough tweeks and personal difference to greater different threats.The great depth and talent in our defensive backfield is a great boon in facing these types of teams but I am intrigued in how Reese is going to actually utilize his match-ups.What last question:Who do you think is going to be the leading sacker from the defensive backfield? My intutition says Babers with 3.
This is going to be a fun year to watch!
 
Horny --

These are fun questions and I have a feeling that Bull Reese is dreaming up permutations as we speak. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some of this sorted out in August when the coaches get a chance to look at our personnel in different situations.

How will we match up with a classic run-and-shoot offense? Now in the case of the dime package, which LB do you pull--DD or Rawls? Also which DB do you add to the mix?

We match up beautifully in the secondary with any passing offense in America. There are only a handful of teams in college football who have the quality of depth that we have at every position.

In the case of the dime, I think Rawls gets pulled but Rawls and Lewis will rotate. Lewis brings more heat on the interior blitz because of his superior strength.

Our nickel and dime back choices are down to three people IMO: Dakarai Pearson, Ahmad Brooks, Ervis Hill (and maybe the dark horse, Phil Geiggar). Pearson is the best athlete in our entire secondary and Hill/Brooks are old trustworthy vets. All three of them could line up to jam a slot WR and all three can freelance.

I favor Ahmad Brooks as our nickelback (experience) and Dakarai Pearson as our dimeback. Who knows? That's why we have them compete in August. Remember, everyone is going to rotate anway, so we'll see at least 7-8 guys when we play a Tech or OU.

Tech--Now I heard that Leach isn't going to use just a pure run-and-shoot formation but also utilize a 3-wide set with a TE who may also motion out. Can anyone vouch about this?[/b]

Yeah, he will. And it's not a departure -- OU had a similar set last year. Just didn't run it much. We'll see some interesting looks from Tech as they try to utilize Shaud and Little Ricky at the same time. Their lack of a dangerous WR corps will prove to be their undoing though. We'll play a nickel and dime against them, but we'll jam all of their WR's at the line and cheat up our safeties to address the running game. I doubt if they can get behind us enough to make us stop.

Who do you think is going to be the leading sacker from the defensive backfield?

No idea, just depends on how Bull schemes it. Babers or Brooks might be quicker off of the corner than Jammer, but if Jammer gets in there from the blindside, it's a kill shot on the QB. We'll run tons of secondary blitzes this year -- it should be a lot of fun to watch.
 
I seem to recall Greg Brown having some trouble against Nebraska in both of last season's contests. I don't know why he was at fault (step slow, read it too late, expected an option play), but it looked like it was his man getting open to me. Specifically, I remember the TE, Winstrom, burning him for two or three long plays.That sort of thing worries me a bit.------------------
An opinion is a direct attack on the politically [email protected]
 
Think of this: were we to do this with the offense, Chris Simms (not jumping the gun or making assumptions, just my gut feeling) would also be a question mark. Thus two of the players (Redding and Sims) that we call question marks were, according to gurus, the national defensive and offensive players of the year coming out of high school. Think about that. In the greater 'horn scheme of things, they are question marks. To everybody else, they were national players of the year.It is good to be a 'horn these days.As far as the OU sucks stuff, well, I have to demur to DIMYH: this is July, the equivalent of football purgatory.Sorry if any of my Lance Armstrong postings on the football board have offended anybody.Cakes
 
jnecakes --
Lance Armstrong is an Austin native, a rabid Texas Longhorn fan and one of the great sports stories of all time -- I don't think it's offending anyone. I'd rather see a board covered in Tour de France posts than the "Look at me everyone -- I got banned at Ags.com for saying RC Slocum is a big queer!" posts. July has little to do with it -- the Fall will bring the magnificent insipidity of stadium yells and "Name the Defense" posts.

gemini --
Brown was toast against Nebraska. It really is a hard offense on free safeties because of the incalcuable number of responsibilities Nebraska's O foists upon you. If you lack great closing speed and quickness, as Brown does, you're going to have some trouble when the TE releases deep after you've been running up the last dozen plays in run support.
 
Scipio-this post reads like the battle plan of the 1st Marine Divsion when we go to 29 Palms for live fire training -exacting, detailed & extremely accurate. Since you were so kind to answer MesoHorny's question I have one for you as well. Can you please define or explain the role that the DT's & DE's play in run support & in the pass rush. A point I do wish pass to you also if I may- There may be some Longhorn fans who do not realize what Carl Reese can do for this defense- For those folks I suggest this: Get the tape of the LSU-FLORIDA game 3 years ago I think & watch what he did with an undersized young defense- 7 sacks & 3 INTs against the Gators-not too bad.ttt------------------
"UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE"- Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, speaking after the battle of Iwo Jima about the Marine Corps.
 
I played MLB for about 4 years. Our coaches taught us to key the backs. The backs were our first and primary read. If we noticed a pulling guard, then go, as you state. But our first read was the ball and the backs. Of course that was 30 years ago at the Jr High / HS level. Not that I necessarily disagree with your analysis above, but it's just not what I recall my coaches drilling into us. Maybe times change. Or maybe our coaches sucked.Redding: I just don't personally see Redding as questionable. Though he did not start until Ark (and then only because of Hump's trouble), the guy had many great plays during the time he was on the field. He was B12 frosh D player of the year. I understand unfulfilled expectations ("if he doesn't come on like Brackens," etc.}, but Corey Redding will be high quality player this year. This is based on last year's performance. I remember a post by bat two years ago where he got flamed for predicting Jammer would break out. Compared to Quintin two years ago, Corey is a no-brainer. What I'm trying to communicate is that I disagree with Redding being placed in category 3. Tell you what -- if Corey DOESN'T come on and come on early, our D is in deep doo-doo.
 
Scip-
Incredible analysis. My question will be is are we going to stop giving up the long ball. When we first beat Nebraska last year, we gave it up quite a few times as well against a&m. These were schools without great passing ability but managed to go deep on our team. Do you think that since Jammer is back that he will help with this problem? I think we have incredible depth at DB's but why did we get burned alot last year?? Thanks!Hook'em Horns!
 
Oh- Scipio- are you going to do a post dedicated to the offense as well.ttt------------------
"UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE"- Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, speaking after the battle of Iwo Jima about the Marine Corps.
 
Let me second navblue in saying Mr S needs to get busy with this type of analysis of the O as well. Very nice job and a good football read.Keeping this on the D side of the ball, how does everyone here anticipate D substitutions against the predominate running teams, aTm CU KU etc. Will that change the coverage/players in the backfield and now that Haywood is on tract, is he projected at tackle or end?------------------
"The future's so bright we gotta
wear shades"
 
navblue --
Thanks for the kind words. I don't have time for a big DT and DE post, but I'll give you the short version: DE's contain and DT's get a push.

XOVER --
I think you may have been in a K.I.S.S system which works well in high school ball (particularly in the early 70's) but you might have some problems with that sort of keying in college or even against more sophisticated modern high school programs. The danger of keying off of the backs is that misdirection in the backfield makes you take false steps and when you try to correct, the OL or FB already has you sealed off. Had you looked at the OL initially, you'd know where the play is headed -- irrespective of backfield fakes or counters.

As for Redding, I think he's going to be great, it's simply a question of when. I favor 2001 to be the year. He's still got a lot to learn.

Ibleedorange --
Will we stop the long ball? No! Will we stop it better? Yes! Remember, our DB's are only half of the equation in stopping the long ball. There's no doubt in my mind though that our two starting CB's are going to give opposing WR's major fits. That said, we will give up some deep passes -- it's simply the nature of Reese's defense when you put corners on an island.

echeese --
How will we sub against running teams? I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of Stevie Lee and Ryan Haywood at end. We'll also walk Lee Jackson up, particularly against the TE-less Aggies.
 
Question re Stevie Lee at end. He looked like our best 2nd string DT in the spring game (at least to my untrained eyes). I am very excited about his future. However, as we saw last year, we need better depth at DT to keep our big guys from wearing down. Wouldnt you see him being the 1st guy off the bench for that position? Against the tough running teams, we will need fresh guys at DT on every play.Secondly, assuming that my judgment (concerning Lee's impressive skills) was correct, wouldnt we then move one of our smaller reserve DTs to DE to play the run? I think many of those people who believe Haywood and Pittman are more suited to it base their opinions on their size. I am included in that school, uninformed though I tend to be in football matters.
 
Thanks Scipio for the short & dirty version. I appreciate it very much. Perhaps later when you get a chance you can address the question in depth. HOOKEM & Keep posting!!!!ttt------------------
"UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE"- Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, speaking after the battle of Iwo Jima about the Marine Corps.
[This message has been edited by navblue (edited 07-18-2000).]
 
Scipio,I really appreciate the work you put in on this great informative post. Like others, I would like to see you do one on the offense.Thanks!
 
One of the best threads of the offseason, nothing to add just wanted it at the top of the board. Any additional thoughts on Haywood, he sounded like a stud when we recruited him yet not much discussion of him so far?------------------
"The future's so bright we gotta
wear shades"
 
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