Texas 2-gap

You are way overestimating how good the Browns are.

I think our secondary UNIT is top 5 caliber. We still can get burned one on one regularly, though.

I don’t know what Sherrod’s deal was but this is probably the end of the zone-read offense at Texas.

How’s about this Matt Davis kid?

You are way overestimating how good the Browns are.

I don’t think he is, but we can agree to disagree for now. All the reports are that the game has suddenly slowed down for both, but especially Chykie. This is the 3rd year for both guys as starters so a leap wouldn’t be surprising or unprecedented (remember guys like Cedric Griffin their first 2 years?). We’ve all seen them flash greatness at times, the only thing holding #8 back was mental lapses and if indeed the game has slowed for him this year, I expect those plays to be all but eliminated. The fact is, we will find out in less than a month but the smart money is on the corners’ Brown being pretty badass.

First, let’s start with a critical look at the “tool box” from a perspective that isn’t drowning in orange kool-aid.

“1). 2 corners good enough to be the no. 1 coverage man in almost every other college defense along with another who would start anywhere else lined up by a 2 year starter at safety. A 4.6 safety with limited athleticism can still do a lot of damage in college football when maxed out with experience and tricks. See Nic Harris.”

Blake Gideon also doesn’t have the protection of a zone system. As for the CB’s…jeezus, that’s a scary group. Chykie Brown can be abused by upper end WRs, Curtis Brown less so. Aaron Williams isn’t the surest open field tackler (except against pocket passers with middling speed…dammit), and that matters against teams who like to throw passes in the flat to RBs and bubble screens. But that’s picking nits with a coverage demon who can lock down damn near anyone.

“2). An assortment of safeties and linebackers who can run sideline to sideline, strike in the open field, and blitz.”
This is a statement of athletic abilities, not on-field performance skill sets.

“3). 3 league-class 260 pound ends who are versatile as one-gap defenders or pass-rushers.”
Three? You have one: Acho ocho-uno. Damn, he’s good. Again, athletic ability and on-field ability are not the same thing. Okafor and Eddie Jones are unknown quantities who haven’t proven to be “league-class” just yet. I might be willing to defer on Okafor given Muschamp’s proven track record.

“4). A 2-gap Nose-tackle.”
Again, no. Kheeston Randall is a 2-gap NT against Rice, Oklahoma State, and others of the sort. I’m not sure if he meets that criteria against anyone who counts. To be clear, I’m not 100% certain if ANYONE in the Big 12 this year meets that criteria.

Aaron Williams is a very good tackler. He doesn’t have the bad habit of diving at feet like a lot of elite cover corners do.

jc25, I think if we offer Davis as an afalete, that means The Transition is at hand. If Mack and GDGD offer as a straight QB then that might be telling.

Remember, when we sort of cold shouldered Shepard, it was because we had more than a better option in GG. Next year at QB, it’s feast or famine.

If we start hearing about the staff looking at OOS options at QB, like the kid from AZ, you’ll pretty much know where they stand on Davis. Which is too bad, because that kid is bona fide.

Nate-

1. Looks like you agree, kinda sorta. We have one of the top 3 secondary’s in the nation. Do you dispute that? Our athleticism lends us to being versatile as hell.

2. Maybe the safeties aren’t sideline to sideline, but E. Acho and Robinson are.

3. No, we have 3 if EJ is healthy. I forgive your naivete on Jones as he’s been hurt for much of his career, but he’s legit. If Oak makes the logical step, that all defensive players seem to make under Muschamp, then that gives us 3.

4. Again, it’s the “Will Muschamp will make you take the next step” theory. Randall is every bit as talented as Miller, and Houston. Now, with seasoning, I expect him to be as good. His size is more suited to 2 gap responsibilities than Miller or Houston. Again, you’ll just have to see for yourself.

If there’s a better defense next year, I’ll be surprised, especially if Marvin Austin can’t go for N.C.

Anybody doubting Eddie Jones’ ability to be league class should watch his 60-yard TD vs. Baylor – yes it was Baylor, but it was a super athletic play and a great read. He has produced in most of his time the last two seasons, he just hasn’t had a ton of it, playing behind Orapko

^and Kindle et al.

If Robinson can play in traffic, then I’m guessing this will be a great year for him (at least statistically). The DL talent sets up the LB’ers this season. Atypical of the last few years, but better-suited to the roster.

59 tackles, 14 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 1 TD.

That is Eddi Jones’ stat line, in an injury marred career. That is mind bottling production from such limited snaps. He is healthy. The dude is going to be a beast this year.

Great article Nickel.

I read an interview with Robinson’s high school coach where he detailed how much more physical Kennan has become at the point of attack under Muschamp. I’m looking to see that come true on the field.

Eddie Jones had 5 sacks in limited PT. He also caused a ton of pressure. He was basically hell on wheels every snap he got. I think he will kick major butt this year. He plays real hard too. Last year was really his first healthy season.

I like Eddie Jones to lead the team in sacks.
 
He has a better first step than Acho and he has really strong hands. If he stays healthy, he’s a legitimate game-changing force.
 
Okafor is a ripped 265 and starts for 90% of the teams in college football.
 
I have no illusions about where this defense is vulnerable and DE is the very least of my concerns.
 
What we should fear is what every college defense fears – a run threat QB paired with 4-5 quality wide receivers. DL has to play contain, Gideon has to cover, coverages get simplified and declared pre-snap. See A&M game last year.

Ryan Broyles slips a Aaron Williams tackle and now AJ can’t tackle in the open field. He did play 14 games last year….

Most fans create their opposing player perspective with a n of 1.

It only took me one game to declare the entire OU roster bitches.

Being able to forsee Okafor as a stud DE this year is like forseeing Ronnell Lewis as a stud LB for OU. It’s not a tough leap to make if you pay attention.

Aaron Williams is an elite open field tackler when healthy. Ask that Colorado kid from two years ago.

tote bag?
it doesnt say what he’s talking about. but he is talking.
http://www.zierleinclinics.com/Friday%20Speakers.html

i got high hopes as well this year.
and i also am a firm believer that muschamp makes players great.

This is going to be a good year for defense. We’ve got potential to be the best in the country. It’s like last year’s defense, but our corners have one more year of experience.

“My God, I actually pity those poor bastards we’re going up against. My God, I do.”

I’m worried Rice will actually collapse and surrender under the pent-up rage that Muschamp’s boys unleash on them in the first game of the season.

Good call Scipio, sadly Texas might face 2 versions of that scenario. I’m not really worried about Baylor but A&M’s spread is nasty. If it was just their power game it wouldn’t be bad but actually having to defend all 5 receivers and monitor Jerrod’s movement…

NateHeupel: See above comments on Randall/EJ/Oak. Blake Gideon has been the one player protected by a zone as he has been used as a deep safety while everyone else has coverage responsibilities.

The sideline-to-sideline safeties are Vaccaro and Scott. Earl Thomas would occasionally cross the field to reach a ball carrier before Gideon got there. I’m hoping/expecting these two to be somewhere close to that.

I’m not sure what your dispute is with my description of the linebackers. How do their abilities not matter in what role Muschamp uses them for? The overall point is that this line is going to occupy blockers and they will need to excel in chasing down guys and tackling.

Aaron Williams is a fine open field tackler. That’s why he plays inside…

Watch for Randall. Year 2 as a starter with Tolleson, and quite frankly, 2-gapping vs. Oklahoma State has been a more difficult task the last few years than against OU.

i think it is a good point that texas will never need a 8 man box in the big-12. not even against nebraska’s “line up 8 on the line of scrimmage and run the rb into their backs” offense. It is still worrysome to only have 1 badass at DT instead of 2 or 3

I’m mind bottling, foo!

Nickel-

A hearty kudos to you my friend! I am really enjoying the not-so-subtle turn in the gravitas and entertainment content of your posts.

Stay thirsty my friend!

Thanks man.

PVogel, you can get the BC “I’m a golf prick” visor or you can produce a transcript or something that indicates what Davis is teaching on to upgrade to the tote bag.

that criterion

To clarify, I never said Aaron Williams was a poor open field tackler, but I stand by the assertion that it’s not his strong suit. If he’s got a relative weakness, that’s it. Emphasis on relative. He’s a coverage guy first, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Oh, and what retard tried to use a performance against Colorado as proof that anyone was good? Brandon Weeden looked like an All Big 12 QB against them last year. Get serious.

As far as EJ and Okafor go, I’ve seen a number of different OU players who are monsters in practice and have done great in limited time, but I refuse to put them in positions they haven’t earned yet. Ronnell Lewis is a perfect example. I can see him making the jump. And Venables has been taking fast athletes and making killer LBs out of them for a decade. But I’m not going to anoint him All Big 12 until I see it on the field.
Sam Acho pulled down 10 sacks last season. He’s legit. Everyone else is hopes and dreams until I see them do it when it counts.

Those LB’s are mostly the same guys who gave Murray a 8 catch, 116 yard receiving day out of the backfield. With Landry Jones throwing, no running game whatsoever, and Murray spraining his ankle in the 2nd quarter. Forgive me if I’m not a believer yet.

magnus,
Yes, I do agree that the UT secondary is the balls. Without question.

Nate, in the last 58 minutes of the game, Murray had 6 catches for 39 yards.

Ronnell Lewis is an animal. That guy has future Pro Bowler written all over him, nevermind All Big 12.

I’d be interested in hearing what adjustments UT made in its secondary for the 2nd half of the RRR.

The set-up: Landry Jones came in cold in the 1st quarter, with zero passes thrown in the previous game vs Baylor and no practice work with the 1s (due to the staff’s frantic attempts to get Bradford ready for UT)…and yet Jones threw for over 200 yards in the first half. An unforced turnover at your 25 (muffed handoff to Murray) and Wilson’s woeful redzone playcalling (Gresham masked that in ’08) minimized the scoring. So what made Jones less effective in the 2nd half?

I don’t know, it’s hard to determine coverages from the TV and live I was concerned with other things.
Pressure might have been better in the 2nd half, I’m thinking Texas played some cover-1 Robber like against most everyone with Earl Thomas free to float and anticipate. His interception might have come in that coverage.
OU runs screens really well and they attacked Texas with a heavy dose of screens, curls and safe stuff to the outside in which Texas defensive backs just had to tackle well. For the most part they did.

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