5 Ways to Improve the Texas Defense

[Harrison Wier]

Hey everyone,

While you are watching football on this lovely Saturday evening, I wrote a piece on what I thought needed to happen in order for Texas to right the ship on defense. I did not mention Charlie Strong taking over play-calling, primarily because I tried to keep it to scheme and personnel. Let me know what you guys think and if you have any additional thoughts on what you think needs to happen. This weekend has had a crazy slate of games. Let's chat about them! Hope you are having a great weekend! 

http://www.armchairallamericans.com/105028-2/

 

[RunRickyRun]

Agree with everything! Strong will make the necessary changes and we will win next weekend!

 

[TeamMayhall]

Sometimes common sense isn't so common

 

[Harrison Wier]

Agree with everything! Strong will make the necessary changes and we will win next weekend!

For coach Strong's sake, let's hope so!

 

[Harrison Wier]

Sometimes common sense isn't so common

Unfortunately, agree on that one

 

[dillohorn]

Agree with everything! Strong will make the necessary changes and we will win next weekend!

I won't believe in changes being made until I see it in a game.

 

[Harrison Wier]

I won't believe in changes being made until I see it in a game.

I agree with this. Strong has been hesitant to make moves before. 

 

[Royal 60]

Can't disagree with anything you mentioned But Bedford's history has shown he will not do anything different Unless he is told by CS to do so and has no choice. Get Brandon Jones on the field !!! Get Hager on the field !!! Get Roach on the field !!

 

[Danny Hale]

until our defense looks like they have a clue as to what they are doing I expect the offense needs to plan on scoring 60 points a game. you can`t keep playing this bad unless you are just a bad defense. it really doesn`t help when the most talented players at certain positions never or rarely play

 

[Chris Flanagan]

until our defense looks like they have a clue as to what they are doing I expect the offense needs to plan on scoring 60 points a game. you can`t keep playing this bad unless you are just a bad defense. it really doesn`t help when the most talented players at certain positions never or rarely play

The issue is playing spread offenses, you're going to give up yards. 

Who can move the ball well in the conference? Nearly everyone. Tech, Baylor, Ok State, OU, West Virginia, 

Heck, even Alabama gave up 421 passing yards to Ole Miss a week ago and no one would dare question the defensive greatness of Nick Saban. 

The goal is going to have to be creating turnovers and stops. Ignore yards because teams are going to get them. So if you're looking for the Texas defense to give up less than 300 yards per game, you will be left wanting more. What they need is to stop them from scoring every drive. 

Cal had 15 drives. Here is how every Cal drive ended:

Touchdown

Downs

Punt

Touchdown

Punt

Touchdown

Touchdown

Safety (for Texas)

Touchdown

Punt

Punt

Punt

Touchdown 

Touchdown

End of Game. 

The ones in bold are the 2nd half drives. So half of the drives ended with stops. What did Texas do?

Missed FG

Punt

Punt

Touchdown

Field Goal

Punt. 

So each team had 6 drives in the 2nd half. Texas scored twice and Cal scored twice (officially). Texas didn't answer efficiently as well. Left 3 points at least on the field in the second half. The first 3 drives of the second half, the defense only gave up 36 yards to Cal. That's pretty good. They just didn't close. 

Cal scored touchdowns on 7 of their 15 drives (unofficially 8 since that touchdown was called back). We are going to get into shootouts this year in the Big 12. The defense needs to ensure that teams only score AT MOST on 40% of their drives. Plus, don't commit as many penalties. That's the recipe for success, but this is still a young team that will make mistakes. 

 

[dillohorn]

Horns are not getting the needed takeaways.

 

[Danny Hale]

because the coaches aren`t rotating guys the defense is getting gassed in 2nd & 4th quarters you can`t play only 3 interior linemen in game where defense is on field for 80-90 plays. all offseason the coaches talked about the added depth would keep team fresh but that added depth still sits on bench. to me the lack of turnovers is because our DB`S & LB`S are rarely close enough to force turnovers on pass plays. I don`t know if players really understand what their assignments are it seems as if at least 1 DB on almost every pass play covers the wrong receiver. and allowing TD on 50% of drives IS HORRIBLE

 

[Harrison Wier]

Can't disagree with anything you mentioned But Bedford's history has shown he will not do anything different Unless he is told by CS to do so and has no choice. Get Brandon Jones on the field !!! Get Hager on the field !!! Get Roach on the field !!

I agree with that. However, Charlie Strong is the head coach. If Bedford refuses to make the necessary changes, then Strong needs to bring authority and assertiveness and take over. If he cannot do that, then he will not be the head coach here next year. 

 

[Harrison Wier]

until our defense looks like they have a clue as to what they are doing I expect the offense needs to plan on scoring 60 points a game. you can`t keep playing this bad unless you are just a bad defense. it really doesn`t help when the most talented players at certain positions never or rarely play

I agree. Arizona State played better defense than Texas did against Cal last night. Had two key interceptions that gave them the game. Texas has no interceptions this season. 

 

[Harrison Wier]

Horns are not getting the needed takeaways.

The turnovers are the biggest factor. That is what swings momentum and wins ball games. Texas will turn the ball over sometimes in this offense. But the defense has to force turnovers.

 

[Harrison Wier]

because the coaches aren`t rotating guys the defense is getting gassed in 2nd & 4th quarters you can`t play only 3 interior linemen in game where defense is on field for 80-90 plays. all offseason the coaches talked about the added depth would keep team fresh but that added depth still sits on bench. to me the lack of turnovers is because our DB`S & LB`S are rarely close enough to force turnovers on pass plays. I don`t know if players really understand what their assignments are it seems as if at least 1 DB on almost every pass play covers the wrong receiver. and allowing TD on 50% of drives IS HORRIBLE

The defense needs way more athleticism in the secondary. In terms of rotation, I don't understand why Bedford has not been giving Elliot & Christmas-Giles their shot. Boyette and Nelson have been average at best IMO, especially against Cal. 

 

[noonan05]

Will i agree with the general tone of the article a few things dont ring true.

1. With basically every big 12 team playing a spread system you can't play a 3-4 defense. The numbers game doesn't work. Your basically limited to 3-3, 4-2 or apexing OLB and playing a 3-2 style and hoping you can hold up against the run.

2. Malik does fine taking on blocks. The issue is too often he is forced to two gap a guard or lead blocker which is an impossible task no matter who you are.

Playing him at fox will hinder his ability to make plays with teams being able to just run away from him

 

[Harrison Wier]

Will i agree with the general tone of the article a few things dont ring true.

1. With basically every big 12 team playing a spread system you can't play a 3-4 defense. The numbers game doesn't work. Your basically limited to 3-3, 4-2 or apexing OLB and playing a 3-2 style and hoping you can hold up against the run.

2. Malik does fine taking on blocks. The issue is too often he is forced to two gap a guard or lead blocker which is an impossible task no matter who you are.

Playing him at fox will hinder his ability to make plays with teams being able to just run away from him

1. I think that the 3-4 could work, but I definitely understand. It would be hard for Texas to run a true 3-4, I wouldn't mind a more 4-2-5 than 3-3-5 if I'm being honest. 

2. I don't know what you've been watching, but Malik is not fine at taking on blocks. He is not good at it. That's fine, but it hinders his ability as a MLB. I don't really get what you are insinuating in the second part. There are several dual-threat QB's in the Big 12, but none that are athletic enough to consistently get away from Malik. If they do run the ball to avoid pressure from Malik, that's great. The DL and LB corps could handle it. However, the team does not have the depth at LB right now for Malik to switch over. 

 

[RunRickyRun]

Elliot and jones at safety. Locke Nickel.Hill and Davis Corner.Freeman and Wheeler at linebacker. Put Malik on the edge with Hager opposite. Poona and Boyette at tackle. Get the shark,Elliot,Roach and Christmas plenty of snaps too! Fowler also if he's ready!