A Defense of Situational Packages: Down With Depth Charts
As much talk as there is about depth charts, for our defense, they are an incoherent way of expressing situational packages.
We have no base defense. We have base players and base schemes. I wrote about this in the Maple Street Press Eyes of Texas before the season and have mentioned it elsewhere, but it bears examination in relation to how depth charts frame our conversations and can lead us astray.
Depth charts serve fans and sports media, not Will Muschamp.
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Nicely done — a very thoughtful, informative piece. I would contend that Muschamp probably has more than 15 starters according to the definition in the article, but that’s picking nits. I might also argue that Gideon belongs in the core group because of his importance as the “QB in the defensive backfield” and notwithstanding any deficiencies he may have in coverage. The fact that he plays nearly all the snaps when the first-team defense is in the game demonstrates the importance Muschamp ascribes to him. At the very least, it’s arguable.
But putting all that aside, this was very thought-provoking analysis. Good stuff.
by CalHorn on Sep 8, 2010 7:57 PM CDT reply actions
Excellent work. You guys have been killing it for the last several months.
by NY Horn on Sep 8, 2010 8:12 PM CDT reply actions
We may not be core, but we are (non-co-)starters at our respective positions. You may be mixing a little of your dream defense in with the defense that we actually run. Nice piece though.
by Chykie and Blake on Sep 8, 2010 8:14 PM CDT reply actions
CalHorn -
Well, first team defense? That’s kind of the point of the article, right? What is our first team defense again? Whoever is on the field for the first snap of the game? Like Dravannti Johnson?
Monitor Gideon’s snaps going forward. I think we have six guys who split minutes, with Gideon at #3 or #4.
Beyond the brains of the D argument, it’s pretty straightforward for me – Gideon is allowed on the field because of the excellence around him and how we play him. A one trick pony from a matchup standpoint is not a core guy by my definition. That doesn’t mean he’s not a starter. Or that he doesn’t add value in some other ways. He just has a very rigid role. Maybe you can argue that his inflexibility aside, he aids the rest of the D being flexible schematically.
Muschamp probably has 20 guys he’s comfortable rolling with. But not in any situation. He loves Jordan Hicks, but he hasn’t seen enough football to just roll out there in any game situation. That’s why our DC carves out little roles for people and then keeps adding stuff when they’re ready for it.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 8, 2010 8:22 PM CDT reply actions
The three things that bear watching:
1. Will Johnson learn from his mistakes vs. Rice and show why Mus is so high on him?
2. Will Scott and Vacarro continue to improve with experience and will that ever cut into Gideon’s playing time?
3. Can Okafor get up to speed and up to weight and help out on the interior or is Howell the best option there? Will Dorsey see more and more PT there?
by Bartoncreek on Sep 8, 2010 8:23 PM CDT reply actions
Chykie –

I have a weird habit of watching the games instead of looking at the depth charts.
And core player does not equal starter. Unless you think we only start 7 guys on D.
Dravannti Johnson is a traditional SLB and we run a base 4-3. Got it.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 8, 2010 8:24 PM CDT reply actions
Barton -
1. Yes. But he’ll do it as a situational player. Or Jeffcoat will take his snaps.
2. Once they get the same level of trust as Gideon in calling the D from the staff.
3. Howell is an enigma. Okafor can give us good snaps against passing teams. He’s also good at taking gaps. Dorsey should see more time. But it’s a mess there.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 8, 2010 8:29 PM CDT reply actions
Looking forward to Tech, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, what do you see being our base defensive packages for each individual matchup?
by CS on Sep 8, 2010 8:39 PM CDT reply actions
Awesome video of Acho. Usually when I watch those things I’m thinking “Enough with the fucking box, I understand where the guy is” but I really needed it here – he’s all over the place.
Nice job of organizing how this all fits together. I’ve long thought that the depth chart just gives us an idea of who will see meaningful snaps, but it never occurred to me how such a system might work.
Aside on Johnson – glad to see that he’s stuck with it to get in the mix. I had feared that he’d be lost after the past couple of years.
by Fritz on Sep 8, 2010 8:41 PM CDT reply actions
Next question: we definitely lose three core guys in the offseason with a fourth (Williams) probable and a fifth (Randall) possible. Who do you see emerging in the next 12 months to both fill those core positions and—in the case of Acho and Randall (if he goes)—providing that multi-role flexibility?
by CS on Sep 8, 2010 8:43 PM CDT reply actions
Good stuff Scipio. Should be required reading for the multitude of incompetent FSN, ESPN and ABC broadcasters who call the Texas games. I can’t wait for Brent Musberger to ask why Texas isn’t playing their starters in a close game.
Gideon as the brain of our defense, dear Gawd, you might be right. My hatred of Gideon being slow and white has (see Scott Derry and Reed Boyd) blinded me to his value to the defense. He needs need help in every facet of the game except for playing centerfield. Gideon can’t be left alone except in prevent kind of defenses. He does not cover or provide run support well, so he must be teamed with a complimentary player to overcome his weaknesses.
Thank goodness Texas has the depth to hold Gideon’s hand.
I think Earl leaving early is already starting to hurt. This defense is damn near ’80s Miami with Earl. Earl gets a pick 6 pretty easily against Rice.
I wish Vaccaro’s added playing time would come at the expense of the self-proclaimed “shut down corner” Chykie Brown or Gideon, but I’m guessing Christian Scott sees his playing time dipped into. Vaccaro is quickly becoming Boom’s kind of guy.
Yep if Randall goes down, we are booking hotels in Arlington for the Cotton Bowl.
Very different situation, but having 14-15 starters on defense reminds me of the LSU Chinese Bandits of LSU lore. I apologize this is probably the best explanation I could find on the Chinese Bandits: http://vegas68.com/lsu/Bandits.html . Basically, LSU rotated their first and second team defenses regularly to keep the players fresh which achieved great results including a 1958 National Championship.
by billfromlaketravis on Sep 8, 2010 8:43 PM CDT reply actions
Scipio – Good stuff. I was thinking along similar lines w/r to the defense. I settled on 18 guys (same LBs and DBs), but had not parsed the DL positions to the extent that you did.
It’s an example of a “multiple” defense in every sense of the word – you can’t make this stuff work without deep knowlege of concepts and how your choices will affect the other side of the ball, and vice versa. Muschamp really has taken the entire defense to another level – and in surprisingly short order.
One other benefit of this approach is that it gets multiple guys onto the field and gives them meaningful snaps – a way to make an impact beyond just ‘bleeding’ for a couple of years and waiting for elder players to move on. It also helps keep guys fresh and able to play deep into the game.
I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t do the same on the offensive side of the ball.
Theoretically, of course.
By the way, I enjoyed reading your article in the Maple Street mag on the plane today.
by Levander Williams on Sep 8, 2010 8:49 PM CDT reply actions
Scipio —
Point taken — I should have described Gideon’s status differently but fell back into the nasty habit of using a rote term like “first team.”
If schematic flexibility is the hallmark of the “core” group, then I tend to agree that Gideon doesn’t belong. He’s not a guy like, say Earl Thomas, who can play nickel and thrive in man coverage, or Randall, who (as you point out) can play different techniques along the D-line depending on the scheme. OTOH, if the “core” is the group of players around which the fundamental defensive schemes revolve and which stays on the field the vast majority of the snaps on defense, then I’d say Gideon fits in that category.
It would be interesting to see how many snaps Gideon sees and minutes he plays in comparison to the guys you have listed as “core” players. My guess is that he sees the field about on a par with most of the “core” guys you listed.
It’ll also be interesting to see whose snaps/minutes decrease as Vaccaro assumes a greater role in the defense.
by CalHorn on Sep 8, 2010 8:55 PM CDT reply actions
Depending on opponent, down and distance, or situation, Muschamp then chooses from from a group of 14 guys to fill four spots. How he fills those four spots can transition our identity from a big goal line defense to a 3-2-6 dime, a 3-4, a 4-3, or anything else you want to scribble on a cocktail napkin. Pretty cool, if you think about it.
Way cool and Muschamp has to be a wizard to analyze the situation and get the right goes on the field in the right spots for each situation.
by Blueshorn on Sep 8, 2010 8:55 PM CDT reply actions
Great stuff, Scipio. I don’t have any great questions or thoughts. I love this place, I feel like my football IQ rises a little every day thanks to BC. Keep up the great work to you and all the contributors. Also, love the podcast. Very informative.
by Burnt Orange Wookiee on Sep 8, 2010 9:11 PM CDT reply actions
CS -
I expect a lot of mixing and matching. The question Muschamp has to deal with is getting enough size on the field to hold up in the running game while not trying to lose our quickness advantages. It’s early yet on NU – we need to see how their new QB identity takes shape. Their game with KSU will tell us some stuff. All three of those games scream Big Nickel to me. I’d rather have Vaccaro on the field than a third LB because he can bring it, but still give us the flexibility to cover. Texas Tech is a challenge. They’re going to make a concerted effort to work over Randall with their big OL.
As for replacing guys, Jeffcoat and Wilson are your 2011 DE starters. Then we have to hope Byndom, AJ White, and a freshman CB are up to the task at CB.
Fritz -
I really liked that video too. Shows Acho lining up anywhere from a 3 technique to a 9 and it highlights how strong he is for his size as well as his quickness.
CalHorn -
You have improved my thesis. Maybe Gideon gets a schematic core designation. But I’m just thinking more along the lines of Muschamp being able to put someone in multiple spots without sweating a physical or skill deficiency.
Levander -
Thanks. Appreciate it. Good thoughts of your own.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 8, 2010 9:30 PM CDT reply actions
Acho’s explosiveness is on display in the video. That is what allows him to go inside against the bigs. His speed allows him to work outside.
Great work Scipio. You’re in Boom’s head.
by derryl on Sep 8, 2010 10:01 PM CDT reply actions
When I read a piece like this and then think back to the days of Bull Reese and Larry MacDuff, I get a little misty-eyed. Please don’t ever leave us, WM – we would be more devastated than Scipio was when they canceled Designing Women.
by Gilberto Verde on Sep 8, 2010 10:04 PM CDT reply actions
Scipio -
How well can Muschamp do what he does without Akina? I’m not saying Akina is more valuable – he clearly proved the opposite during his one-year reign as DC. I’m just saying, consistently having 1 or 2 NFL level cover players on the team that Muschamp can count on really facilitates our multiplicity.
by Nero on Sep 8, 2010 10:38 PM CDT reply actions
Nero,
I will presume to answer your question although I am not an xs and os fan. Akina is valuable indeed, but should he retire or move on, the same process that brought us Muschamp will bring Akina’s successor. Mack keeps a list.
Again, like a fanboy, I will write how much I am enjoying these columns and this site. I’m at once enlightened by learning and irritated at being so in the dark.
by RomaVicta on Sep 8, 2010 11:11 PM CDT reply actions
Someone has to make sure that the front matches the coverage or vice versa and that the coverage matches the offensive personnel and formation. If you always line up in a 4-3 except in obvious passing situations that’s not a big deal. Figure out the personnel group, the strong side and then call the coverage just about anyone can do it.
If you’re going from a 4-3 under to a 3-4 to a 4-2 nickel, and your running in 5 guys to match the situation, and you only have 30 seconds to do it. You damn sure better have someone in who can make sure you’re not covering the Z with a linebacker/defensive end (or a slow coverage challenged safety).
I get the point about determining core guys from a physical standpoint, but I’m arguing that inherent in the flexibility of a situational defense is a degree of complexity that requires a core guy who can organize the chaos a bit. Mental acuity is more important than physical ability—unfortunately, it’s not so important that BC posters can sign up for the job.
by roach on Sep 8, 2010 11:14 PM CDT reply actions
I just watched the Acho video. I love the body language of the blocker after the last play on the tape.
I can also now see why he is viable playing inside from time to time.
by RomaVicta on Sep 8, 2010 11:24 PM CDT reply actions
Scip,
Great piece, and I think it’s a testament to the old wisdom of Sun Tzu who said that the best warriors shaped their attack or defense relative to their opponent and the circumstances. OU does something similar with the no-huddle hurry up. With ideal personnel, the no huddle forces the defense to either keep base personnel on the field, or make fast risky substitutions that the offense can just shift and take advantage of.
by NateHeupel on Sep 8, 2010 11:37 PM CDT reply actions
It was with this kind of thinking in mind that I watched, with a sick heart, as Kheeston Randall went down early in the Rice game. As he goes, so goes the season.
Chykie is almost as essential. Every great defense needs a clear scapegoat for when things go badly in a gimme game, and there aren’t more than eight or ten guys in the FBS as qualified as Chykie for that.
I guess Kirkendoll might give him a run for his money, if he played defense.
Well, sometimes he does, in practical terms… for the other team. (I remember him playing excellent defense for Nebraska in last year’s Big 12 championship.)
by Louis L'am Jones on Sep 9, 2010 12:15 AM CDT reply actions
Teach a class at Texas, hell. Some team in the NF of L needs to come at you with a job offer. Scipio is god, but this is beyond the pale.
by Just an old guy that loves this forum on Sep 9, 2010 1:08 AM CDT reply actions
Nero -
I think RomaVicta is right. Akina is a fantastic position coach and developer of young men. His former players love him. However, he went through a rough patch pre-Muschamp not just as a coordinator. We were making really bad evals at DB for a 2-3 year stretch and it set us back. I think Muschamp lets Duane focus on coaching and I think that it’s really rejuvenated him.
roach -
All good points. I think you have your definition of core. Mine is in the post. I’m looking for human Swiss army knives. Gideon is a bottle opener.
Roma -
It had a “Please Lord, let this trial by Acho end soon” quality to it.
Nate Heupel -
Thanks. Or Roy Williams. He never really had a position. Just offense wrecker.
Louis -
It got kind of quiet when Randall went down. I’m also a huge fan of scapegoats. I pick one every year to unfairly victimize.
floridian -
I’m sure the college of Liberal Arts can’t wait to create an Applied Football Theory major.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 9, 2010 1:09 AM CDT reply actions
Brian Urlacher or Roy Williams for all-time offense wrecker in college?
I’ll go with Urlacher(was it Franchione?), just told him to line up where ever on the field he wanted, he’d play with 10
by UT wildcatter on Sep 9, 2010 2:13 AM CDT reply actions
I love reading this stuff even though it’s almost all over my head. I understand almost zilch about the details of football. I can only understand the results.
What this makes me understand is how absolutely irreplaceable Muschamp is. Does ANYONE else out there take this approach to defense? Not many can because they won’t have the talent base Muschamp has to work with. Does anyone else out there have the lightning fast reaction time that Muschamp has? He watches a few plays, then makes spot-on adjustments on the fly.
This is almost unique in college football, I think—or pro, for that matter.
If he leaves, I will fall into a pit of despair.
When he’s head coach, will he be able to focus on the defense like he does now?
Well, I’ll just enjoy it now while the enjoyin’ s good.
I WORSHIP THE GROUND YOU WALK ON, WILL!!!
by LurkerintheDark on Sep 9, 2010 4:47 AM CDT reply actions
Swiss army knife, bottle opener. Perfect analogies are worth a thousand pictures.
by NBMisha on Sep 9, 2010 6:48 AM CDT reply actions
Since this is a defensive X’s and O’s wonkish post/ thread, it’s worth giving a shout-out to the NYT’s 5th Down Blog, where a guy from smartfootball has been running a great series on the history of defensive alignments dating back to the 1940’s all week long.
Great stuff and worth reading for the slack-jawed novice or the wizened eminence grise alike:
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-1/
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-2-evolution-of-4-3-front/
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/guide-to-n-f-l-defenses-part-3-the-4-3-front-continued/
by Arriviste on Sep 9, 2010 7:26 AM CDT reply actions
Thanks for the great diagram regarding your point. Our understanding of your point was (not in so many words) that our defense has a core of players that are useful/used extensively and a cadre (corps?) of role-players who are employed more situationally. Hence, a standard depth chart does not adequately capture the essence of who really plays: positions are just tags that may or may not apply to who is on the field for a given play. We hope that our reply was not in vain due to a gross misunderstanding of your point.
OUR point, which we apologize should we have failed to communicate is that, granting your premise, “core” may have to be defined carefully if one wishes to exclude the two of us. You apparently expect our snaps to fall more in line with the situational players, but some feel that the (obsolete now?) depth chart reflects, more than merely an homage to old-school order and press releases, an actual plan to continue to give the two of us snaps more in line with whom you describe as core players. Time will tell.
Cheerio.
by The Dissed DBs on Sep 9, 2010 8:01 AM CDT reply actions
Some guys you want to flagellate yourself for wasting time reading their crap…and then there’s Scipio Tex. Sir, when I read your stuff I feel smarter for it and I’m glad I spent several minutes of my workday purusing your posts. Geat fucking job Mr. Tex!
But one thing puzzles me. Being a relative nube to BC, I’m constantly amazed at the amount of quality content you bring. This can’t be just a hobby, right? I mean, even if I had the depth of football knowledge you have…and, for the record I don’t have a fraction of it…I could never find the TIME to post it all as you do. I thought I read somewhere you have a podcast, so you’re somehow affiliated with the football analysis business, right?
by Gman on Sep 9, 2010 8:07 AM CDT reply actions
Great take. And presented in a concise way that those of us at the high-functioning-retard level of football IQ can apply it to our game watching. Thank you.
I’m also a huge fan of scapegoats. I pick one every year to unfairly victimize.
So, who’s it gonna be this year? Besides Nkwopara.
by Magnificent Bastard on Sep 9, 2010 8:19 AM CDT reply actions
Great work as always. /obligatory
Maybe I’m missing it, but what package is Gideon right for? Just when we need ‘brains’ on the field? Is that what we are saying? Or is it when we want a centerfielder? We describe him as a one trick pony, but I don’t know what that trick is.
by PatronSaint on Sep 9, 2010 9:14 AM CDT reply actions
Nkwopara is not a scapegoat. He’s the key to our gremlin packages.
by kevwun on Sep 9, 2010 9:29 AM CDT reply actions
Muschamp is only confined by the fact that he can only put 11 on the field at once.
Maximutilitist, IMO.
by Art Vandelay on Sep 9, 2010 9:32 AM CDT reply actions
I recorded the rice game because I only got to see the first half live.
When I got home, I already knew the score, so for about twenty plays in a row, I exclusively kept my eyes glued to the offensive and defensive lines to try to understand some of the shit this blog is always talking about.
And there it was – I could see it with my own eyes. David Snow getting off the ball, holes opening up, our running backs getting through them or not getting through them….
My point is, that is something I never would have done before reading this blog. I feel so much more enlightened. I spend so much damn time following college football, I might as well actually understand some of the Xs and Os.
So, thanks guys.
by Nero on Sep 9, 2010 9:52 AM CDT reply actions
This is probably the wrong time to do this, but I’d like to see if there’s any way to measure Muschamp’s impact on LB recruitment and development (or, put another way, “the impact of having only one @$&#ing DC for more than one year at a time on LB recruiting and development”).
As much as Muschamp may be hanging the moon as a DC, it does seem that our drought since Derrick “Superman” Johnson has ended, and that cannot be an accident.
Ah, crap, I forgot to snark. Uh … noun verb Tyson King ha ha ha.
by spider on Sep 9, 2010 10:01 AM CDT reply actions
Looks like we have to give Chykie a pass for his performance early in the game against Rice, supposedly he had just received word that his uncle had passed. They were apparently quite close.
by Jigglebilly on Sep 9, 2010 10:10 AM CDT reply actions
I guess I was the only one who wondered if Randall was on the ground because the defense needed a blow/chance to sub. Rice was no-huddling them all the way down the field.
Then it took awhile, and I figured it was legit.
by Bob in Houston on Sep 9, 2010 10:37 AM CDT reply actions
Scipio just articulated my thoughts on Gideon better than I’ve ever been able to.
He is not the athlete and he may not be able to do as many different things well as his counterparts, but the real question is this: Is the overall defense better and is Muschamp able to do more with the defense when Gideon is in the game compared to the other safeties?
by Horncasting on Sep 9, 2010 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
Bob – I wondered that myself, but then figured that out of all of the guys on the field why make him miss a play?
by Horncasting on Sep 9, 2010 11:06 AM CDT reply actions
good stuff Scip. Now I will always think of gideon as the bottle opener nailed to my wall.
“I could never find the TIME to post it all as you do.”
Scip must not be married. Please keep it that way so you can continue the scribing!
by ballrific on Sep 9, 2010 11:26 AM CDT reply actions
Great work, Scip, as always. Couple of points:
First, I agree that Vacarro is core but he really seems on an upward trajectory. He was hitting guys Saturday like they were law students. I’m not as down on Chykie as some people — sorry about his uncle and all — but if he doesn’t concentrate better I think KV will get additional roles at his expense. We all know Boom loves energy and toughness and attitude, and KV brings intangibles.
Second, speaking of Boom, he’s been around long enough that he really needs to get more comfortable in his role a head-coach-in waiting and not limit himself so much to the DC role. What I mean is I’d like to see him get more aggressive with Greg Davis. Sure, the play calling against Rice was vanilla — good for him keeping some powder dry. But if Mus could get our OC to focus more on situational packages (not just, e.g., obvious pass plays, jumbo package, etc.) and multi-role players, I think the hurry-up offense would keep defenses more off balance. Also Mr. Davis needs an attitude-ectomy. Rather than complaining about his players’ energy level, why not do something to energize them? These young players are more impressed seeing their coach chest bump Orakpo than have some fat old white guy lecture them about energy levels.
by Drumline on Sep 9, 2010 1:34 PM CDT reply actions
That would require Greg to set up said chest bump, and even if the stars aligned and he managed to engage an actual offensive player making his way off the field instead of a water cooler or some obscure Mack Brown family member notionally related with the program, he’d probably jump sideways causing our player to lurch awkwardly at air and land off balance. Not terribly unlike what he asks them to do with his “schemes”.
by Bobby_Batronic on Sep 9, 2010 1:50 PM CDT reply actions
“I’m looking for human Swiss army knives. Gideon is a bottle opener.”
Gotta ask: If Gideon is what you say, what does that make Killebrew and Derry?
I tried panning the depth chart concept and focusing on packages on another site — and ended up with a muddle of words. I had an idea, lacked the words. Your “core” vs. “situational” breakdown is so perfect I KNOW the TV guys would stumble to understand it. Those guys are so blandly blind that they listed our jumbo package fullback as an offensive starter, at the expense of one of the wideouts.
by edsp on Sep 9, 2010 2:34 PM CDT reply actions
Where do you guys see Okafor fitting into this team in the long term? Last year, I was almost convinced he would be a DE. There were many reports saying that he would be the next Orakpo. I also seem to recall that Muschamp doesn’t usually play tall players (above 6’3) on the inside for better pad level/leverage… can anyone confirm this? I’m trying to figure out where Okafor will fit into our defense this year, and the following years. I definitely see him as a core player next year (if he meets the expectations that were set for him last year). Will he be next year’s Acho?
by rob-oh on Sep 9, 2010 2:39 PM CDT reply actions
wildcatter -
USC used to do with Junior Seau too. Troy Polamalu also springs to mind. Generally, you can get away with one or two of those guys, but if you get too many your defense starts to degrade as a unit. Too much freestylin’, yo.
Dissed DBs -
Point taken. Cheerio. And a good to you sir.
Magnificent Bastard -
I’m going to stick with Nkwopara for a while.
Patron -
Getting us lined up right. A coverage bust costs you 6 just as much as a guy owning someone athletically. Still rings up the same in the tally. And he’s not TERRIBLE. He’s just average. The internet does a poor job of handling average. We’re very good at over-the-top praise or telling someone they suck. We’re not good at average. I’m a prime offender.
Nero -
That’s a high compliment. Thanks.
spider -
Ha, well not to be a smart ass, but how about we measure it in LB play? It’s good now. Used to be bad. Started being good when Muschamp arrived. And since he has been here, we suddenly are signing the best LB classes in the country.
Jiggle -
I read that. Also saw Muschamp’s quote that Chykie created the Acho sack and strip with his press coverage. Don’t you hate it when we can’t make our judgements clean, ignorant, and easy? I thrive on that.
Horncasting -
That’s the question Muschamp has to ask every week. The funny thing is that Vaccaro and Scott would be our safeties if one of them had Will’s trust to get us lined up right. It’s really hard for a DC to let go of a player that he feels can prevent the cheap and easy score, even if the other guys keep flashing better playmaking ability. I don’t envy Muschamp at all. It’s not the slam dunk decision so many pretend it is.
Drumline -
Coaches generally don’t meddle with the guy across the hall. Most coaches are very reluctant to criticize other coaches. It’s sort of a weird code. And just when you start to get cocky about your side of the ball – you get torched by A&M on national television.
And in fairness to Greg, offense is less emotional than defense. There are more things going on and you can’t just unleash. That written, if I see our OL walk placidly back to the huddle again after a cheap shot on Gilbert like the last three years, I will go through my television screen. I’m a huge believer in taking a personal foul so that you can offer a triple team chop block crackback retaliation on the next play. If they play it clean, let’s play it clean. If they want to play dirty, then you’ve dictated the terms.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 9, 2010 3:13 PM CDT reply actions
rob-oh,
My 2 cents on Okafor is that he will not become a core player as Scip defines it. Okafor’s role in 2011 will boil down to need. We lose Acho and Eddie Jones at DE but Jeffcoat and Wilson have come in ready to play right now as true freshmen. They will start at DE (and become core players themselves) next season barring injury. My guess is Okafor’s position will depend on the picture at DT. If Randall stays and the young DT’s develop he may get into the DE rotation. If we are again short of capable inside players he will stay there.
This is not a knock on Okafor in any way. He is a fine player. But, the two frosh DE’s look so good that they will quickly become the sort of mainstays Will builds defenses around.
by hopefulhorn on Sep 9, 2010 3:16 PM CDT reply actions
hopeful -
Great take. I’m very curious to see what a 280+ pound Okafor gives us inside. If he keeps his first step and quickness, he gives a you a lot.
He can take gaps, he’s a 6-5 guy with long arms right in the QBs field of vision, and he would be strong enough to hold up. He could be a batted ball and pressure machine. Get that quick flush from the pocket with Wilson and Jeffcoat standing outside and you’ve got an Austin Sack Exchange.
He can also give you great snaps as a 3-4 DE playing a 5 technique.
Like Nick Saban, I prefer my interior DL between 6-1 and 6-3, but some freaks like Randall can get low and get leverage at 6-5. If Okafor is one of them, that’s a good deal for us.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 9, 2010 3:23 PM CDT reply actions
I should also add Ed Orgeron’s desired dimensions for an interior DL -
6-2 290 with long arms. Under 300, because he wants that motor and pursuit. 6-2 because it’s easier to have leverage. Long arms because it helps your pass rush and to sprawl so cut blocks can’t get at your legs.
by Scipio Tex on Sep 9, 2010 3:26 PM CDT reply actions
Ha, well not to be a smart ass, but how about we measure it in LB play? It’s good now. Used to be bad. Started being good when Muschamp arrived. And since he has been here, we suddenly are signing the best LB classes in the country.
Yeah, that’s about as far as I got, but I didn’t have a metric. I figure there has to be a way to quantify the advantage of the secondary not having to bail out the LB in run support and/or the advantages to the DL in being able to get upfield rather than man a gap and stand their ground.
by spider on Sep 9, 2010 3:55 PM CDT reply actions
The Okafor question is an embarassment of riches situation for us. In most other programs Okafor (as is) is one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball.
I share your curiosity about Okafor at 280 playing inside, Scip. Have read where the coaches think he has the kind of frame that can handle 20 more pounds while maintaining most of his quickness.
by hopefulhorn on Sep 9, 2010 4:50 PM CDT reply actions
Wow, just wow. Great analysis and excellent writing. As someone who has had to suffer through my fair share of corporate bullshit masquerading as “communication” this is truly great. My question, how much is the reflected in Muschamp’s experience in the NFL or working under a former NFL assistant and HC in Saban? Also, I would gladly pay for this level of quality if I had to. Thanks.
by Holy Cow on Sep 9, 2010 7:49 PM CDT reply actions
Great job Scipio, perfect encapsulation of the philosophy of the defense and identity of it’s pieces.
Schematically Texas and OU are a lot closer to each other on defense but philosophically they are still quite different for all the reasons you’ve just outlined. Stoops has generally tried to keep the same personnel on the field. Injuries to their DL may have them scrambling to emulate Muschamp…which would be the first time OU has emulated Texas on defense in I don’t know how long.
by Nickel Rover on Sep 9, 2010 10:41 PM CDT reply actions
Damn, Acho really held the POA from the DT position a lot better than I imagined.
Great read and analysis, thank you.
by Trips Right on Sep 10, 2010 11:17 AM CDT reply actions
To kevwun’s point, should we consider feeding Nkwopara after midnight?
by Trips Right on Sep 10, 2010 1:13 PM CDT reply actions
Dear General S.Tex,
I commend you for taking my scheme of modern warfare (Green Beret style) that I founded during the Second World War and applying it to your great Texas football scheme. The tried and true method of multi cross-training a core group of 7-12 men to be self sufficient and dangerous to complete missions and return with skins is a given to any fighting group of warriors.
Texas football included in that statement.
Please disregard that imposter " Magnificent Bastard" His knowledge is Hollywoods stuff , and take this with a grain of salt. But he also adhered to my concept scheme.
“I’d rather go down the river with 7 studs than 100 shitheads”
Col. “Chargin” Charlie Beckwith Founder 1st SFOD-DELTA
General Tex, Is WM a bad-ass solider or just a great DC ??
by Colonel Aaron Bank on Sep 10, 2010 3:50 PM CDT reply actions
Scipio: “I’m a huge believer in taking a personal foul so that you can offer a triple team chop block crackback retaliation on the next play.”
Hmm, yeah, that would be too good for Kellen Heard. I’m thinking of the same surgical procedure that made Bevo a steer.
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