Thought I’d share something that’s been rattling around upstairs for several weeks.

Nearly every post, and much of what has come out of Longhorns practices and interviews, points to a brand new game defensively. We’re hearing — and salivating over — blitz packages, a five-man secondary and a faster, more athletic unit. But since there is little visual evidence . . . and nothing has been done against a real opponent, much of what’s being generated is simply fantasy. Sounds good, but where’s the beef?

As to reality . . .

Last year’s defense was one of the worst of the Mack Brown era. Pass defense, which we felt could not get worse after 2006, got worse. That defense included seven senior starters. I’ll say that again: seven senior starters.

By season’s end, the Longhorns ranked 10th nationally in two major polls, two years after winning a national championship. You’d have thought the NFL would be salivating over seven seniors from the defense of a Top 10 team. You know the grim details: One of the seven was drafted (DT Frank Okam, fifth round). Three of the other six did not manage even free-agent deals. Seven senior starters, one low-round pick, four signings total.

This is not intended to pile on what, by all accounts, was a super group of young men. All contributed to the No. 1 team in 2005. They were good enough to start on a Top 10 team as seniors. I believe all have graduated; that’s the No. 1 reason to go to college. They gave all they had on the field and off.

When the 2008 season kicks off, seven new starters will be in place. This is regarded as a good thing.

But none of these new starters just joined the program. None missed the ’07 season with injuries. That means seven players who weren’t good enough to start in 2007, and were in position to at least make contributions, will be starting.

Think about that.