3-4 Defense in the Plans?

#26
#26
I'm just messing with you.

I think it comes down to the lesser of two evils. We don't have a dominant guy in the middle but DT is a concern now matter how you look at it. I don't know. It seems like we've had this conversation for the last several years. I doubt anything comes of it. Although, you know Chief has got to come up with something...as bad as our run defense was last year.

Yeah, I agree - Chavis has almost always had a good run defense (minus 2006). So I think I'd trust him if he went to a 3-4, but I'd be skeptical.
 
#27
#27
Let's just say the heck with it and play a Wide Tackle 6 with only one safety and let Hefney and Berry cover the whole secondary.
 
#28
#28
Let's just say the heck with it and play a Wide Tackle 6 with only one safety and let Hefney and Berry cover the whole secondary.

Actually, Jerry Claiborne ran it fairly effectively at Kentucky. With the speed that linebackers have now, teams often have eight men on the line against running teams anyway.

BTW, if J.T. Mapu has hit the weights and got his game legs back like I think he will, he could be a very good nosetackle, in my opinion.
 
#29
#29
He was a 1-gapper type guy before he left. He could bust through the line and get after the QB, but I don't remember him being a clogger.
 
#32
#32
He was a 1-gapper type guy before he left. He could bust through the line and get after the QB, but I don't remember him being a clogger.

You want a "clogger"?......take Dan Williams. 6-3 and 310 lbs. If he is not strong enough to stuff the opposing center then we should fire the strength coach.
 
#33
#33
I think Dan Williams is going to be an awesome DT. It wouldn't surprise me if he was playing more than the starters by the end of the year.
 
#34
#34
You want a "clogger"?......take Dan Williams. 6-3 and 310 lbs. If he is not strong enough to stuff the opposing center then we should fire the strength coach.

A local guy is a walkon at UT, Jordy Harrison...roster shows him at 6-4, 325. Did someone mention clogger?
 
#35
#35
Right, because size is all that matters when you look at DL.

Just because someone is 6'4" 325 or 6'3" 310 doesn't mean they have the leverage or technique to be a 2-gap NT.
 
#36
#36
Right, because size is all that matters when you look at DL.

Just because someone is 6'4" 325 or 6'3" 310 doesn't mean they have the leverage or technique to be a 2-gap NT.

Well they all cant be a Joe Klecko...the best NT that I can ever remember.

Point is if we cat get them behind the LOS with stout DTs, then lets at least hold them to 2 yard gains with an extra LB. We are taking our chances either way and YES, I would prefer a 4-3...but this year, I like our chances better with the 3-4
 
#37
#37
Right, because size is all that matters when you look at DL.

Just because someone is 6'4" 325 or 6'3" 310 doesn't mean they have the leverage or technique to be a 2-gap NT.

Size matters!! Just ask any female.:whistling:

Actually, one of the best middle guards at UT was Jimmy Noonan (until he got a stress fracture in his leg). He was about 5-11 and 250#.
 
#38
#38
Size matters!! Just ask any female.:whistling:

Actually, one of the best middle guards at UT was Jimmy Noonan (until he got a stress fracture in his leg). He was about 5-11 and 250#.

Dang! Now I feel old cause I remember when he played.

Can someone pass the Geritol?
 
#39
#39
Lets state the obvious. If Mapu doesn't play well enough early to draw some double teams, Bolden and Williams will both need to have some inner beast this year.

Mayo and McCoy have reported speed to avoid blocks from centers and guards, but zone blocking schemes sometimes eliminate the need for a block because a screen can be just as effective. If Ryan Karl was a little quicker I would have a little more confidence in our ability to run the 3-4.

Success this season will boil down to Mapu drawing double teams and Williams, Bolden, Fisher, and Nelson being ready to play. Right now one could assume they will all perform at least slightly better than they did last year. Will it be enough?
 
#40
#40
Lets state the obvious. If Mapu doesn't play well enough early to draw some double teams, Bolden and Williams will both need to have some inner beast this year.

Mayo and McCoy have reported speed to avoid blocks from centers and guards, but zone blocking schemes sometimes eliminate the need for a block because a screen can be just as effective. If Ryan Karl was a little quicker I would have a little more confidence in our ability to run the 3-4.

Success this season will boil down to Mapu drawing double teams and Williams, Bolden, Fisher, and Nelson being ready to play. Right now one could assume they will all perform at least slightly better than they did last year. Will it be enough?

Lex, if those guys have any talent, I'm confident that Dan Brooks will get it out of them. IMO, he is one of the best DL coaches in the country. How we have kept him all these years is a mystery.
 
#41
#41
Lex, if those guys have any talent, I'm confident that Dan Brooks will get it out of them. IMO, he is one of the best DL coaches in the country. How we have kept him all these years is a mystery.

I would say that he is the most proven staff member that they have. However, I really believed they expected Bolden to be a little further along. These guys could come out and play much better than expected.

The rumblings on the Hill about the trepidation of this group is not overplayed. This DL is the biggest concern on this team.
 
#42
#42
Lex, if those guys have any talent, I'm confident that Dan Brooks will get it out of them. IMO, he is one of the best DL coaches in the country. How we have kept him all these years is a mystery.

That really is true. A lot of guys in the NFL owe Dan Brooks commission.
 
#43
#43
I feel better about the DL than I do about the secondary, especially early in the season. All these lineman are upperclassmen (Williams RS soph.).
 
#44
#44
I feel better about the DL than I do about the secondary, especially early in the season. All these lineman are upperclassmen (Williams RS soph.).

Doc, that is understandable. I think part of your confidence lies in the fact that for the last 15 years the DL has been the most dependable unit on the team. My thought is that even if UT had the most talented defensive backfield in the conference, if they cannot stop the run and force QBs into bad decisions it is all for naught.

You can only cover a talented receiver for so long....
 
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