Leave No Doubt Tour 2009--Preview of the Tackling Baptists-Defense

 
When Bears Attack, part 2.

Baylor's Defense runs a 4-3 as their base package ever since last year when Brian Norwood took over last year, changing from the nickel. The productivity has shown instantly, although its hard to tell by last years' ending stats because the Big 12 offenses were insane.  The strength of the bears Defense will be their LB play and DT, but their secondary is very weak and fragile as they gave up 468 yards passing against Missouri last week.  Lets take a look at their starters for this week.

DEFENSIVE LINE: 


-DE: Tracy Robertson. So. 6-4. 250 lbs.  Robertson has really came along well on the line for Baylor this year as early reports didnt expect much out of him because of his lack of experience.  He lit up Missouri last week for 3 TFL and 2 Sacks.  He was in the backfield all day, and I expect him to be somewhat productive this weekend.  He's more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, however his stats show different.

-DE: Zac Scotten: So. 6-7. 270 lbs. Great size and speed, but his moves are very limited.  He only has bull rush and he constanly gets handled by faster tackles in the trenches.  He has the ability to be great in a couple years, but his time is not this Saturday. 

-DT: Phil Taylor: Jr. 6-4. 360 lbs.  Poor man's Terrance Cody.  Obviously has great size and decent mobility, for his frame.  He hasn't had the gaudy stats most Baylor fans expected, but thats because he's double teamed constantly.  Hall and Tanner will be all over this guy all Saturday. 

Phil Taylor on a Hog

-NT: Trey Bryant: Sr. 6-3. 315 lbs.  Trey is the guy who has all the tools to play very well and the fact that Taylor draws most double teams, Bryant has alot of chances to make big plays on the line.  He's polished as any DT Baylor has had in a decade, but he needs to make the next step to become sensational if he wants to play next year on Sundays.  Unfortunately, this year is deep at DT, and he only has a few weeks to impress scouts.

Back-ups:

-DE:Jason Lamb: Sr. 6-7. 270 lbs. Lamb is very versatile and can play inside or out.  He's got great speed and power, and will most likely get the start over one of the above listed DEs just based on his "bleeding for the team".  Thanks Mack.

--Overall D-Line Grade: They have the size but coaching lacks and it shows in their inability to consistently rush the QB.  Grade: C



LINEBACKERS:

-MLB: Joe Pawelek: Sr. 6-2. 240 lbs.  Kid seems like he should be playing for Penn State, because he's in the mold of a clean up guy.  He's almost tallied 400 tackled for his career at Baylor and has done an outstanding job and he deserves praise.  He's not asked to be a pass rusher, but he has good speed and can really lay the wood. He's worked on his pass coverage skills considerably over the offseason and it has shown with a few PBU's.

Mr Clean

-WLB: Antonio Johnson: Jr. 6-0. 210 lbs. Fairly undersized, Jones showes good speed and can cover sideline to sideline if asked.  He's normally a Roverback, switching from Safety to SLB depending on the down and tendency of the offense.  He has a smart football IQ and hits like a brick. 

-SLB: Antoinio Jones: Sr. 6-2. 225 lbs. Bulked up a bit in the offseason, and still shows great range and power.  He's the only LB expected to be blitzing on the QB; however, Baylor doesn't do much blitzing. 

Back-ups:

-LB: Elliot Coffee: So. 6-0. 225 lbs. Elliot has speed, that is for certain.  He lacks experience but his range is great and IF Baylor blitzes much, expect to see Coffee get in the mix early to try and put pressure on Colt.

Overall: The LB corps has loads of experience with some nice players, but they lack big plays.  It seems that all they do is clean up the mess the DL gives them.  Its good to have players like that, but they need someone out there to make big plays that can change the game. Grade: C+


SECONDARY:

LCB: Tim Atchison: Jr. 6-1. 205 lbs. Not expected to start at the beginning of the season, Tim has shown vast imporvement from last year and will get the start at LCB this week.  He has shown an ability to break up passes as good as anyone on the team.  He has great speed and a decent vertical.  Expect him to be matched up against Malcolm.

FS: Jordan Lake: Sr. 6-1. 210 lbs.  Kid can hit.  Predicted to be one of the Big 12's best safeties, he has certainly lived up to his hype. He is a ball hawk and has decent speed, but not great.  He's everywhere on the field making plays, and is usually a shoe-in to lead the secondary in tackles.

Jordan Lake...assuming the position

SS: Byron Landor: Jr. 6-1. 210 lbs.  Byron is a Blinn Cc JUCO transfer and one of the best to come out of Brenham in a whle.  He's in the mold of a Jordan Lake, with great power and speed and is all over the field as well. 

RCB: Antareis Bryan: Jr. 6-2 190 lbs.  Good sized for a CB, Bryan needed experience coming into the season to hone on his skills to be a lock down corner.  He has decent speed but at times can be tricked on a double move.  Danario Alexander had his way with him last week.  He will share snaps with Chance Casey.

Back-ups:

-Safety: Jeremy Williams: Jr. 5-10. 190 lbs.  Fairly undersized, but he compensates for his great speed. 

-CB: Chance Casey: Fr. 5-11. 170 lbs.  I'm a huge fan of this kid.  Casey went to my Alma Mater in Crosby, TX and I've seen the kid play quite alot.  He doesn't have elite speed, but his athletic ability is top notch.  He will be a great corner one day and has alot of time to bulk up.  Keep an eye on this kid. **Ok...getting off my homer soap box now**

Overall: We all know the secondary's strength lies within their safety play, but they need more consistency with the corner.  The do not have a decent lock down corner on the team, which allows great route runners to take advantage of them.  For folks wanting to see Texas chunk it deep, prepare to be disappointed.  Greg will take advantage of the lack of playmaking ability on the corners and I expect them to play off the line.  Short routes galore! Grade: C

 Prediction: Texas 52-0.  I want a shutout like the old days against BU.