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I'm reading a lot of differing opinions in several threads about our defense situation for next year. Let's try to collect all these arguments here to preserve the integrity of the other threads' stated topics.

I put forth that we'll be much improved in the bottom line, yards per game, and, thus, W/L record.

D-line - Patrick Handy has been called too small for interior line before. He played this position at Westfield-Spring in Houston and dominated. My Klein Bearkats had consistent trouble with his pass-rushing abilities, even though he was 230 pounds, max, back then. With a massive 1-technique (Serge), you can get away with a smaller, quicker 3-technique.
Serge has taken a leadership role already, according to PonyPride's conditioning reports.
Youri Yenga EXPLODED in the Memphis game at the end of last year. Talk about peaking at the right time for a young player.
I don't know much about Sowe, but I do know about Dizer, who is as athletic a person as I've ever been around (played BBall at Dedman with him and Chris Parham, who's also a beast).

LBs - Bonilla returns with considerable field experience and speed, plus a defensive MVP award.
Smart is back in the role he played in HS at Marshall after multiple sources say he had tremendous gains in the weight room this offseason.
Odiari is an X-factor who will increase competition for the starting spots, elevating everyone's play in the process

Secondary - Rock Dennis has considerable experience (albeit in JuCo)and has been described as an on-field coach.
McCann, according to PonyPride, regularly wins every sprint race he's in. and will be a three-year starter.
With the possible return of Hudman, we'll have another proven beast in the secondary.
And between Bailey, Bell and McElroy you'd better believe we'll find another corner who can play serious ball.

I don't even need to mention coaching.

So there's my stance. I think our D will step up next year and be highly ranked within C-USA, and I've said why.

Beat Rice.

Only one starter who started last year at the same position as he begins this year. Not sure if that's a positive or negative but I know it means QUESTIONMARKS all over the field.

False. Bonilla started at OLB last year, McCann at corner, Hudman at Safety (although still a maybe), and two of the players listed are returning to where they started in HS, Handy and Smart.

There are questions marks but based on their potential, the secondary could be the most interesting part of the defense. Of course, it would be a good idea to generate some sort of a pass rush.

Didn't Elizee start at DT last year? That would make returning starters Elizee, Yenga (started four games), Bonilla, McCann, maybe Hudman. Even if they're all there, that's still less than half of last year's starters returning in their same spots, although I feel OK - I hope - about Smart at MLB and Handy sliding inside to DT. Based on PonyPride's reports, I think Rock Dennis has a chance to be solid right away, too.

I am concerned about our defense.

You should be too.

over/under on receptions, yards and TDs Dilliard has against us?

For those of you who aren't as concerned as you probably should be about our D, I submit the following


www.youtube.com/watch?v=t080kqbZdOg

Lotus wrote:Didn't Elizee start at DT last year? That would make returning starters Elizee, Yenga (started four games), Bonilla, McCann, maybe Hudman. Even if they're all there, that's still less than half of last year's starters returning in their same spots, although I feel OK - I hope - about Smart at MLB and Handy sliding inside to DT. Based on PonyPride's reports, I think Rock Dennis has a chance to be solid right away, too.

If he did not start he certainly had considerable presence as a backup. That goes for a number of the players.

RGV Pony wrote:over/under on receptions, yards and TDs Dilliard has against us?

For those of you who aren't as concerned as you probably should be about our D, I submit the following


www.youtube.com/watch?v=t080kqbZdOg

For a team that couldn't blitz, it amazed me how often we tried, especially in critical situations.

I just hope this year helps me forget last year.

Only a hopeless optimist would be anything but concerned - other teams had consisent best games against us. We will need to see big improvements - especially with the LB's - who were just plain weak last year - to keep our offense on the field.

I think our D will improve greatly but it will take June more then a year to get it done. Rock will be a huge positive.

I think our defense will show improvement from last year. That being said, I'm VERY concerned about our defense.

Some one told me that there was plenty of beer and good times on the boulevard.
This is my greatest faith for the 2008 season.

Presumably our LB's and Secondary should be improved over last year from a talent standpoint. Especially, if newcomers like Odiari and McElroy make the contributions we're expecting. However, there is no denying that our defensive line is a weakness that can expose this team. That's terrific that Patrick Handy dominated in HS, but he is absolutely undersized for a division 1 tackle. Recall that the last year that we had any degree of success was with a line that featured Haywood and Bonds at tackles, flanked by Muse and Rogers....each one of those players would instantly be the best player on this year's line. Yenga has some potential and Serge is a solid player, but I still don't see much push up front, nor do I see LB's that have had much success blitzing and very well may get swallowed up like they did last year. No pass rush = bad defense.