Defensive Personnel Analysis

I think our starting personnel on defense can be sorted into three distinct categories. A 4-3-4 if you will: four elite players, three good to very good players and four players with question marks. The ability of the latter to place themselves into the categories of the former will go a long way in determining whether we have an elite defense or simply a very good one. So without further ado:

The Elites: Quentin Jammer, Casey Hampton, Shaun Rogers & Lee Jackson. These players will dominate at their respective positions. Hampton and Rogers are the best pair of DT's in college football. Hampton combines extraordinary physical strength (500+ Bench, can squat most European roadsters) with surprising mobility and a motor that never quits (how in God's name does an interior DL lead a team in tackles?); Rogers possesses raw explosiveness with an upside that not even Hampton can touch -- he led the country in TFL by interior linemen. These guys DEMAND a double team and have an amazing knack for making 1st and 10 running plays into 2nd and 12 passing downs.

Lee Jackson is the most underrated player in the Big 12. He's an excellent tackler who brings the wood and, at 6'3" 210, he posesses surprising range. He is the prototype SS. If ignorant sportswriters can't recognize what he's doing out there, [censored] 'em. I love Jackson. Quentin Jammer will, possibly more than any other player, transform our defense from good to elite. He's got the size (just over 6' and around 200) to maul recievers at the LOS and he's got the speed and quickness to make plays downfield. Reese isn't prone to hyperbole and he's positively hyperbolic on this kid. We're going to have a secondary of headhunters folks.

The Goods to Very Goods: Everick Rawls, Rod Babers, DD Lewis. Everick Rawls is our best LB and damn solid in every phase: coverage, tackling, intensity, recognition, consistency. Give me three of Everick at LB and I'll be a happy camper. Rod Babers is strong, quick, fast and despite standing only 5'9", he's built long -- long arms, big hands, tremendous jumping ability. This guy will be a stud soon. BTW, if Ervis Hill beats him out, it's because he'll have raised his game considerably too.

At first I was hesitant to put DD Lewis in this group -- his recognition gaffes are considerable and I was disappointed in his tackle numbers last year, but from what I've seen and heard in the Spring he may have turned the corner. He's also close to 250 now -- maybe the weight will keep him at home even if his reads don't! Lewis is, at the least, a proven player and a team leader.

The Question Marks: Greg Brown, Tyrone Jones, Cory Redding, Jermain Anderson.
These are the guys who have to do it. We all know Brown is solid and heady but can he raise his level of play to that of his secondary mates? Can he make the plays that Jammer, Jackson and Babers will set him up to make? Cory Redding has all of the physical talent in the world, a great attitude, a phenomenal work ethic and nice parents to boot, however, he is not an elite or even proven player yet. He needs work. Don't smother him with expectations which are incongruent with the reality of the gridiron. He may still be a year away from stardom.

Tyrone Jones has some parallels to Redding. He's a physical freak with a good attitude. He's also very young and looks more than a little lost out there. Physical stats don't always equate playmaking. And if they don't for Tyrone, Marcus Wilkins will be starting at SLB. Jermain Anderson is an interesting player who showed a knack for making plays but whether he can hold up against the running game or present enough of an upside in his pass rushing to forgive his run play remains to be seen. A big year from Jermain would mean a lot.

Questions? Comments? Debate?


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