Phil Steele Review, Part Two: Unit Rankings (Defense)

by Peter Bean on Jun 22, 2007 12:53 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns Football

This morning, the offensive unit breakdowns of Phil Steele. Now, the defense.

Defensive Line

Texas #3

Phil's Comment: Texas allowed just 61 ypg rush (2.3) in '06 despite losing DT Derek Lokey (500 bench) to a broken leg after 8. Frank Okam and Roy Miller are one of the top DT duos in the NCAA. Six are back with starting experience and they add in RB Henry Melton (PS#13) and rFr Eddie Jones (PS#1) while true Dre Jones (PS#5) was in for the srping.

I'm with Steele on loving this unit, and his glowing remarks didn't even get include the names Brian Orakpo, Lamarr Houston, Brian Ellis, or Ben Alexander. Andre Jones is a keeper, but with the big three in front of him, I won't be surprised if we see a redshirt.

Phil's Top 10 Defensive Line Units: LSU, USC, Texas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, UCLA, TCU, Virginia Tech, Iowa, Virginia

Linebackers

Texas #9

Phil's Comment: The top 6 LBs all return from '06 and they will have to battle to hold onto their jobs. Sergio Kindle (PS#1) was injured at the start of the year and limited to 21 tackles. Four other VHT backups will steal some time. This is a good sized unit with the top 6 averaging 232 lbs. Depth is abundant on this unit.

Our first big surprise of the review, as Steele buries last year's disappointing season from the linebackers and projects the '07 group as a top 10 unit.

While there are certainly questions about this unit, I think Steele may be right. Especially if Bobino can take a step forward and be more consistent in the middle.

Phil's Top 10 Linebacker Units: USC, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, LSU, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Oregon State, Texas, Virginia

Defensive Backs

Texas Not Ranked In Top 30

Phil's Comment: None.

It's the offensive line on one side of the ball and the secondary on the other. Make or break units for this Texas team, and possibly determinative in terms of BCS bowling. If either or both perform well, Texas should win the Big 12. If both struggle, buckle up - it could be a disappointing season.

--PB--

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Comments

I think your LB corps is overrated

I was unimpressed with your LBS over the past two seasons. However, I thought Gene Chizik was a very mediocre LB coach, and that was reflected in the production of his unit, so we'll see what kind of production the new members of the staff can bring out.

I think they should have put Kindle on the weakside to start out, just to let him use his raw athleticism to make plays. Kindle is very raw and has next to no technique as a LB, so putting him on the strongside and making him fight off a blocker every play just seems asinine.
On the weakside, I think you could have had another Derrick Johnson type.

by Beergut on Jun 22, 2007 6:25 PM CDT reply actions

no one was impressed

with our linebackers over the past two seasons. the consensus around here is that they were the reason (must more so than the secondary) why the team put up such poor pass defense numbers last year.

so it's a good thing steele's ranking is for this coming year. no one's pretending last year's squad was good. and despite the fact that everyone returns, i'm willing to bet that at least 2 of the 3 starters are different (if not all 3). Muckelroy and Kindle were both hurt last year, but are now both healthy and sophomores instead of freshmen. Killebrew and Derry shouldn't be starting for this team. If Bobino can improve some going into his junior year, this unit will be light years ahead of last year's.

which is what phil steele is ranking them on. not last year's crap-fest.

by billyzane on Jun 22, 2007 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't get Killebrew

I think he has some ability, and could be a solid LB with some coaching, but he commits so many personal fouls, he makes Kellen Heard look like an angel.
You'd think one of the coaches would've given him a kick in the ass and told him to shape up or ride pine for the rest of his career by now.
Losing your temper is understandable, but he did it so often, it hurt the team.

by Beergut on Jun 22, 2007 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes and no

Strongside LBs don't exactly grow on trees and it isn't a position that is natural to anyone, much less a true frosh. They have several guys who can play Outside, but it takes a special athlete to play SLB.
Texas had bigtime problems covering TE's/middle field last season and I would want someone like Kindle blanket them. Killabrew has moments and can cover too, but he's a bonehead.

Time will tell -- and you may be proven to be right, because Akina seems to be tinkering with position changes.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Jun 22, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

if you want to cover TEs or the flats

I'd have put Kelson over there. He's a natural safety, so he should be more than capable of covering a TE.
The problem with putting Kelson on the strongside, though, is that he's too light, and would be a liability against the run.

by Beergut on Jun 22, 2007 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions

The glaring attribute of last seasons D

last season the front 7 did a good to great job stopping the run. The same group did a mediocre to poor job of putting pressure on the passer. This what exposed the poor play of the secondary.
The huge difference between stopping the run and stopping the pass might have multiple reasons for the cause but one is overall defensive philosophy that can be laid at the feet at Gene Chizik.
With more teams running a pro style, pass bias offense, stopping the run as a way to stop the oppositions drives is outmoded. This especially true against the elite winning programs in Div I.

some numbers from 2006
opp 1st downs, rushing 53, passing 129.
opp yardadge, rushing 795, passing 3071.
UT passing yardage, 2975,

The Longhorns were out passed, what does that say?

The defensive stopping the run was Pyhrric victory at best

xerxes

by Xerxes on Jun 23, 2007 4:40 PM CDT reply actions