Starting D-Line

[RGV Pony]

With this new addition, there's definitely a case to be made for some 3-down lineman fronts. Since the guy's played at a competitive level lately (Kilgore), I'm not sure he's not at least on a par with Desmond Mason.

So, Adami....and who else start at DT?

If only we had a Viloria...or a Bordano...or a Swann...man, this defense would be scary. The new DB from AFA whose name I can't spell should be a step up from Jonas.

Who does everyone else think should/would/will be the starting defensive front? I know the new signee is "unproven," but KC plays the likes of TJC, Blinn, etc. etc...Michael Bishop country.

[Stallion]

he didn't play at Kilgore-he redshirted. He was behind two Division 1A prospects at Kilgore-which threw me off at first when BUS first brought this up and someone mentioned he was from Kilgore. One kid was a JC All-American -Byron Smith -who made the papers when Nebraska jerked his scholarship when he was involved in some kind of felony. I know he ended up somewhere else but can't remember. The other kid was Quincey Darley who signed with Arizona St.

[JasonB]

I wouldn't expect the new guy to play much - he hasn't played in a real game for two years.

Jones and Adami are our starting tackles with Denman and Bonds in reserve. This guy might push the two deep in the second half of the season. He and Bonds will fight to replace Adami next year.

[HorsePower]

I'm not sure what to predict for Mouton. He did redshirt last year, but he still practiced against JUCO players, so maybe he's better prepared to step in and play than guys who played last year against HS competition?

However, he's supposed to be awfully quick for a big guy, which is a Bennett-type DT all the way (see his defenses at KState, OU, A&M, etc.) He's always wanted big guys, but more than that, he wants interior guys who can move. And I understand this guy can really move. So maybe he works his way into the rotation quickly. Either way, it's right to err on the side of caution, to allow him some time to get back into the flow.

And RGV Pony - when did (former Oklahoma State and current Milwaukee Bucks) shooting guard Desmond Mason enroll at SMU? Desmond Jones is slated to start beside Adami, at least for now. (Sorry - just busting your chops!)

[Pony4Life]

Bonds, Jones and Mouton are three BIG pieces for the middle of the defensive line. What do you think the chances are that one of the lighter DTs -- Denman, DeLay, Karrington or even Adami -- might get kicked outside to DE? I would think (as much as I love him at DT) that Adami might be the best choice. I believe he's the quickest, and he was a DE in high school, after all. At 6-4 and 275-280, he's go from being an undersized DT to being a beast of a DE, if his quickness would allow him to still get to the QB. And I daresay he might be the best run-stopping DE in the WAC (and beyond) if in fact this move is made.

[RGV Pony]

Touche, Horse Power. Quite ironic, actually, that I would mistype and/or misspeak and mix up my Desmonds. Why ironic? Because usually when conversation turns to Desmond Jones, the first thought in my head is jumping offsides in the 4th qtr of a still undecided game last year. Maybe something's trying to tell me not to be so harsh.

[Ikus]

Seems to me that even if Mouton isn't the dominant force we'd all like him to be, he's another big body who can be plugged in there with Bonds and Jones, thereby creating a rotation to keep some fresh legs going. For the first time in ages, teams might not try to run up the middle as much, because we'll have legitimate size in there, and more than just one-deep.

If they're able to clog up the middle and force more plays outside, look for the OLBs (Rico Harris, Stansbury, Cleveland, etc.) to rack up some high tackles numbers.

[Corso]

Saw something interesting when I peeked through the fence Sunday. Dominic Pryor, the raw-but-athletic DE that the Ponies got last year, was working inside with the DTs. He looks enormous. He was listed last year at what .... 6'5" and 240? 245? He looks like he's added a ton of weight (muscle) since last year. He's not thick enough to get in there and unseat Jones or Bonds or Adami, but if he keeps growing .... at that height, could he carry 280? 300? More? And with that quickness and those long arms coming up the middle -- I like him at DE, but if he can carry enough weight, he might be a really tough DT.

[Stallion]

...or perhaps at 265 or so he could be used in passing situations to get more quickness for a pass rush-a definite weakness

[LA_Mustang]

Corso, I have also heard good things about Pryor. He seems to be working his [deleted] off to get bigger and better. As Stallion said, he could be a nice situation pass rusher.

[MustangFan]

Pryor didn't play football in his last two years of high school, so his footwork is still a work in progress, from what I hear. But his athletic potential is terrific.

[PerunaPunch]

I heard that Pryor moved inside because he's still too raw on his technique and footwork for DE. Inside, he can rely more on his athleticism, plus Pryor has really long arms. So although he has tremendous size and speed for an end, the coaches are also considering how disruptive a 6'5 DT with leaping ability and long arms could be to the opposition's passing game.

[giacfsp]

Good point. With those long arms and his jumping ability (I'm just assuming he can jump, since he was a really good basketball player in HS), he could be tough to throw over.

[JasonB]

I never played on the line, but isn't your footwork and positioning more important inside than out?

[GoRedGoBlue]

All I know is that we finally have some size on that DL...

We started 2 true freshmen 300lb-ers that were out of shape last year.

Now we have them with a year under their belt and can add this guy to the mix as he comes along.