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As SMU shifts from the 4-3 to the 3-4 in 2009, the Ponies' defensive coaches sought to add more bulk and strength to the defensive line, while employing linebackers who rely more on pure speed.

One of the players on the move is Justin Smart, the Mustangs' second-leading tackler last year as the team's starting middle linebacker. The junior-to-be is moving back to defensive end, where he earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2007.

Smart visited with PonyFans.com to discuss the move, how the move might affect his contribution on special teams, and how the new defensive scheme matches up against the spread offenses employed by many teams in on the Ponies' 2009 schedule.

http://www.ponyfans.com/features/index.php?id=93

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Good job.

nice

I like the move. He showed a lot of promise as a defensive end a couple of years ago. He's got a way to go, of course, but he's got good speed for a DE and he's pretty strong. He seemed more productive there in 2007.

I like that we have what appear to be several options at DE, enabling us to change up the pace throughout the game and keep fresh bodies in there.

With Youri, Kennemer and Fleps at LB along with someone else, I'd feel a lot better about the D if we had 2 or 3 more NTs.

MustangFan wrote:I like the move. He showed a lot of promise as a defensive end a couple of years ago. He's got a way to go, of course, but he's got good speed for a DE and he's pretty strong. He seemed more productive there in 2007.

I agree. I like his aggressiveness, but there were times when he seemed to overpursue, and a running back who could cut back sometimes got through the gap he just vacated. At DE, he can put his head down and go after the QB all day. He looked raw but promising as a freshman — hopefully he can develop at the position this year.

Nice read.

good work