Lukus Alderman
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Hornsports is getting you prepped for the Spring Game by counting down the days until kickoff with a daily topic for discussion. Here's the eighth installment in the series...
How will Strong/Bedford utilize the talent on the defense?
When Manny Diaz was defensive coordinator last season, the on-field performance revealed that there was a disconnect that caused the defense to fail. Some reports indicated that the defense that Diaz attempted to implement was too complex.Texas fans didn't need statistics to know there was a major problem.
After Diaz was let go following the blowout loss to BYU, Greg Robinson was called on to "fix" the problem that was the entire defense. Almost instantly the defense started to show results. A close win against Iowa State was followed by a big victory over OU in the Cotton Bowl, highlighted by three interceptions, including one for a TD. The defense was clicking, and it would continue to improve over the rest of the season.
Last season, Texas was very dynamic in its alignments and the way that players were used. Chris Whaley's pick-6 against OU is a prime example of how Robinson confused offenses by constantly moving different players on defense. The Longhorns also had the luxury of senior leadership in the secondary, providing them the flexibility to bounce Quandre Diggs between cornerback and nickel.
This year, Texas is breaking in yet another defensive coordinator in Vance Bedford who will almost assuredly be assisted by head coach Charlie Strong. How big of a role Strong plays in schemes, calling plays, etc. remains to be seen.
With the loss of experienced players like Whaley, Jackson Jeffcoat, Reggie Wilson, Carrington Byndom and Adrian Phillips, Bedford may not have the personnel to support the various defensive schemes that were so successful last year. The defensive tackle position is fairly green with Desmond Jackson and Malcom Brown as the only players with real experience. Continuing that trend, the players at End are also pretty inexperienced.
In other editions of Keys to the Spring Game, I've discussed what Bedford has to work with in the back 7. At linebacker, there are plenty of bodies available, but the secondary is rather short on safety help. It's difficult to say whether or not Diggs will be able to move between corner and nickel this Fall.
Bedford and Strong have a large task to determine exactly how to manage the defensive alignments to best fit the talent on its roster. Since spring games usually use a simplistic game plan on both offense and defense, Saturday is an opportunity for fans to focus on how the coaches are utilizing different players.
How will Strong/Bedford utilize the talent on the defense?
When Manny Diaz was defensive coordinator last season, the on-field performance revealed that there was a disconnect that caused the defense to fail. Some reports indicated that the defense that Diaz attempted to implement was too complex.Texas fans didn't need statistics to know there was a major problem.
After Diaz was let go following the blowout loss to BYU, Greg Robinson was called on to "fix" the problem that was the entire defense. Almost instantly the defense started to show results. A close win against Iowa State was followed by a big victory over OU in the Cotton Bowl, highlighted by three interceptions, including one for a TD. The defense was clicking, and it would continue to improve over the rest of the season.
Last season, Texas was very dynamic in its alignments and the way that players were used. Chris Whaley's pick-6 against OU is a prime example of how Robinson confused offenses by constantly moving different players on defense. The Longhorns also had the luxury of senior leadership in the secondary, providing them the flexibility to bounce Quandre Diggs between cornerback and nickel.
This year, Texas is breaking in yet another defensive coordinator in Vance Bedford who will almost assuredly be assisted by head coach Charlie Strong. How big of a role Strong plays in schemes, calling plays, etc. remains to be seen.
With the loss of experienced players like Whaley, Jackson Jeffcoat, Reggie Wilson, Carrington Byndom and Adrian Phillips, Bedford may not have the personnel to support the various defensive schemes that were so successful last year. The defensive tackle position is fairly green with Desmond Jackson and Malcom Brown as the only players with real experience. Continuing that trend, the players at End are also pretty inexperienced.
In other editions of Keys to the Spring Game, I've discussed what Bedford has to work with in the back 7. At linebacker, there are plenty of bodies available, but the secondary is rather short on safety help. It's difficult to say whether or not Diggs will be able to move between corner and nickel this Fall.
Bedford and Strong have a large task to determine exactly how to manage the defensive alignments to best fit the talent on its roster. Since spring games usually use a simplistic game plan on both offense and defense, Saturday is an opportunity for fans to focus on how the coaches are utilizing different players.
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