Skip to main content
texas logo

Spring will answer so much

by:Bridgeland0730•01/22/17
Malik Jefferson, Anthony Wheeler
Malik Jefferson and Anthony Wheeler. (Will Gallagher/IT)
Malik Jefferson and Anthony Wheeler. (Will Gallagher/IT)

Malik Jefferson and Anthony Wheeler. (Will Gallagher/IT)

Sign up here for FREE Inside Texas Premium access for two weeks!

PODCAST: Wells and Boyd – Can’t Stop

Spent a good half hour listening to Justin/Ian podcast and enjoyed their respective takes on the first installment of the Herman takeover at UT. They shared several opinions concerning various subjects in recruiting and possible defensive decisions/player positions. It was entertaining and definitely provided food for thought so here I am pitching a few of my own questions/remarks that intrigue my own sweet self.

One of the discussions opined the position best suited for 46 in the Orlando 3-4 that everyone assumes he’s married to but few envision any possibility that he just might decide to coordinate his base/scheme to fit the talents of his returning defenders. I belong to the camp that believes Orlando’s biggest job/hurdle is to match his first scheme to what alignments his best defenders are able to produce better positive results going forward.

If Orlando finds a displeasure with results from any particular alignment it might be necessary to tweak his plans in order to achieve more success in the short term. He may find our ability to play a quality 4i technique undesirable but since we can stunt well at LB he has the option of changing to more slants and swims as opposed to regular inside eye base (just one example).

He may need to teach the hell out of plugging ILB’s—just a hunch on my part. The main point is teach the crap out of how you want them to attack and then perfect the technique until they can win the battle with attitude and knowledge. It is one thing to tell any player to win his gap but the winning coaches show him how best to accomplish that result. Good coaches take pride in teaching the game to their players and it shows.

My belief is it doesn’t matter one ounce how much the DC knows or how well he believes in a system—the whole enchilada is how well his staff can teach the system best suited for their talents. The secret is the individual coaches are paid to have extended knowledge—players are still learning basic nuggets every single day/drill. I hope Orlando ditches any preconceived final plans until he witnesses the group first hand this spring.

I honestly believe there is an excellent chance many players will cross-train this spring in order to find their best suited position. Justin and Ian covered several guys that could wind up at any of three or more positions/alignments. I totally agree with those opinions. MJ alone could be a LOS weak OLB, a inside WLB, a inside MLB, or even a nickel safety. I think it’s more likely he has a bit part in most or all of those assignments.

Thanks to the guys for the tutorial on podcast. I think we are all ready to get ’em on the grass after the last three seasons. Let’s find out if we have talent that likes this game. Let’s find out how much they really like this game.

Sign up here for FREE Inside Texas Premium access for two weeks!

You may also like