Texas Football 2011 Preseason Position By Position: Linebacker

Nice analysis. Thanx.

Scip, did you write up this lineup of LBs in order of height?

In our scheme, this set of guys will give us great flexibility. We’ll be able to get pretty exotic with blitzes and coverages with this kind of experience and ability in space back there. We also have the role players to blitz off of the edge in Johnson and Jackson. Diaz has much more to work with here than he has anywhere else.

“However, do you also see how running directly at him and putting big bodies on him discomforts him?”

Does moving Robinson to the middle concern you?

Watching those films, it’s clear our LB’s were not the reason our defense broke but didn’t bend last year. We’ve been over that ad nauseum, but suffice it to say when Hicks and Cobbs are added to those two I think we are in great, not good, shape at LB. I think we are seeing a theme in these defensive writeups – it always starts with DT. DT commanding double teams to keep guys off our LB’s, DT’s collapsing pockets so our young corners don’t have to cover too long, DT’s controlling the middle so our safeties don’t have to take 3 huge steps toward the line the second the ball is snapped. A good punch at DT covers a multitude of sins.

The other thing that really stands out in that film is how strong a runner Murray was. Emphasis on was.

I do.

If the opposition’s receiver or running back is streaking seemingly unchallenged for the end zone, Robinson can simply pick up Nkwopara, hurl him with deadly accuracy, and bring down the threat.

See also: Colossus, Wolverine, “Fast Ball Special.”

Can’t have a linebacker kennel with nothing but greyhounds.

This.

Let’s see some fucking snot bubbles and torn jocks this year. Not only do we who watch demand it, Manny demands it.

Relentless Attack

Scouting videos ARE NOT highlight videos. Don’t watch it with some bullshit Rivals highlight reel mindset.

OK, but can I watch it with the NFL Films’ soundtrack turned up to mezzo-blastissimo?

Love this group. Nice breakdown, Scipio.

Cobbs has been tearing it up in 7 on 7’s.

I might have posted this before about Nkwopara, but this is his real value as a linebacker:

http://youtu.be/ZcqmYlRcekE

Where’s Vince going to end up?

JR -
 
Thanks.
 
Magnitude -
 
I wrote them up exactly as the Longhorn Network instructed me to. Yes, the conspiracy goes that deep.
 
bat -
 
I agree.
 
nordberg -
 
To put it mildly. It’s not a question of size or strength. It’s a question of mentality, instinct, and technique. Historically, he doesn’t handle big bodies that well.
 
Spirit –
 
Yes, exactly. Particularly with the skill set of this LB group and our safety personnel. If we can let Vaccaro, Hicks, Acho, and Robinson handle most of our tackling without any blockers leaking out on them, we’re going to be happy with the results, we’re going to see forced turnovers, and we’re going to see some knockouts.
 
Murray was a skilled guy with deceptive strength. He got better at breaking tackles in his last year. His overall physical package didn’t blow you away, but he could ball.
 
Louis L’am Jones -
 
That really made me laugh. The 11 year old me remembers the Fastball Special well.
 
Tex Long -
 
Well, if we internet posters write aggressive things in bold, the players can’t help but be motivated.
 
spider -
 
(whispering with judges behind notecards held in front of mouths)
 
 Yes. Yes, you may.
 
Vasherized -
 
Cobbs should be excelling in 7 on 7. There’s no tackling and he doesn’t have to fight through a FB block. It’s all running and coverage. Fozzy Whittaker would excel at LB in 7 on 7s.

Kram -
 
A 7 inch man posted by a guy named Kram has many possible connotations.
 
N.I. –
 
Wrong thread. Change your handle to N/A.

Well, if we internet posters write aggressive things in bold, the players can’t help but be motivated.

It’s a quote. From Manny. I think it’s worth repeating, so I shall: Relentless Attack.

Guerilla Warfare!

GORILLAWAFEH!!!!!

I think Vasherized meant 7&7.

i didnt know acho had been playing mlb

also impressed by acho’s form tackles in traffic. keenan seems to prefer diving at feet

“It may handicap us a bit if the other team wants to get nasty running the ball right at us and commits to doing it for four quarters.”

After last season I expect a lot of teams to do just this. LB have to be able to shed a block.

Great overview, Scip.

I think it’s a general rule that each level of the defense can be more aggressive based on your confidence that the level behind them can clean up any messes. You can have a bunch of one-gap penetrators on the DL if you’re confident that your linebackers can handle themselves if a free OL gets up to the second level. You can have your linebackers shoot gaps/blitz/stunt more often if you’re confident that your safety/safeties can keep the inevitable escapes by the back to 8 yards instead of 80. An attacking, penetrating approach by the DL becomes a different proposition when you’re worried about your LBs getting completely washed away by a free guard or your centerfield safety just completely whiffing and allowing 60+ yard runs by Iowa State (ahem).

It will be really interesting to see how Diaz matches his DL’s actions with his LB’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s easy to envision a front against a single TE set where Randall and Okafor have two-gap responsibilities (Randall head up over the weakside guard, Okafor head up over the strongside tackle) with Jeffcoat and Defensive Tackle X one-gapping (Jeffcoat outside the weakside tackle, DTX between the center and strongside guard), leaving Acho Uno Ocho (strongside backer) as the only LB with a defined gap responsibility (outside the tight end). Theoretically that leaves Robinson (if he’s the MLB) and Hicks free to flow to the ball – which should be helpful with any taking-on-blocks deficiencies, but less so when it comes to false step issues.

It’ll be fun to watch film and try to divine gap responsibilites for the front seven in the first few games and see how Diaz is using the DL to penetrate vs. concentrate on keeping the backers clean, and whether the backers appear to be attacking a gap from the snap or scraping/flowing. Hopefully the Cover Three look that LHS outlined will mean that Vaccaro is frequently close at hand to help snuff out big runs should the other guys end up out of position.

Oh well – I think college football has come around to the same place as the NFL in that you pass in order to win, and run because you’re winning. If I could have a set of LBs geared to disrupt one or the other I’d pick pass every time, but just ONE bull necked, Gary Plummer-style ‘break glass in case of third and two’ type LB really wouldn’t go amiss amongst this bunch.

GORILLAWAFEH!!!!!

You sure you didn’t mean BANILLAWAFEH!!!!!?

“It’ll be fun to watch film and try to divine gap responsibilities for the front seven…”

If that’s your idea of fun…

nobis60, Scip et al. – my concerns with the LB’s ability to quickly and aggressively plug gaps have been somewhat heightened by Longhorn Scott’s last article. LB play against the interior run would seem to be key in a system where the DL are told to attack blockers instead of gaps. In particular it seems that it’d be too easy for the RB to get past the DL on a simple ISO play where the OL are giving the DL easier access over the away-from-the-hole shoulder. I’m hoping LHS will address this in his next post but if any of y’all have some insight, please share.

In fairness to Nkwopara, he is not really invisible. He’s just wearing an elven cloak that makes him appear so.

somebody has a lot of timeeeeeeeeee on their handsssssss

Is Jackson for sure a LB or is he going to get a look at DE?

miketag -
 
He should play situationally on the edge as a youngster, but I don’t think he’s a true DE candidate unless he undergoes a major physical transformation.

When is the next position series going to be posted? Can’t wait! Hook em’!

Luke -
 
Safety and cornerback coming soon.
 
Unless I just want to recycle conventional wisdom, I have to go back and refresh myself watching old games, looking at notes, and re-watching Spring game etc. It takes a little time.

Totally understand! Just pumped the season is so close! You do an awesome job on here.

The Oliver Twist line caught me off guard.

Another installment of Scipio’s Preview by Position. I’ll take it!

My understanding of the plan here is for the DL to get penetration and stretch plays out where all that speed can destroy it, hence Diaz moving outside guys like Chris White and Keenan to Mike. Sort of like how TCU does it, or like the opposite of Bama’s plan.
I think also that the lighter, coverage-capable guys will play a SLB/S role such as Stoops employs with guys like Keenan Clayton, Jefferson, or Evil Roy. I’ve got Hicks penciled in there for now with Diaz using 30 personnel and removing a tackle in nickel situations.

Nickel -
 
Tank Carder has a slightly different mentality than Keenan Robinson in terms of mixing it up with big boys.

Scipio -

Sure, but my point is that Diaz is trying to make the running game horizontal and let Robinson sniff the ball out from a deeper starting point. I foresee that being attempted by getting DL upfield, not having them occupy space. If you want to argue that our tackles are better suited to the latter I’m sympathetic but that strategy doesn’t match Diaz’s Amato-style disciplines.

Skeksis, mmmmmh?

Statesman article with Kheeston Randall confirms what I’m talking about: http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/kheeston-randall-waiting-on-sidekick-at-defensive-tackle-1708928.html

we’re sending the DT upfield. If that results in guards getting 2nd level to Robinson and Acho more often than that could be a problem but that’s the plan nonetheless.