'The Goon Squad'

[smupony94]

'The Goon Squad' key to SMU's offensive success

01:46 AM CDT on Thursday, November 4, 2010

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

UNIVERSITY PARK – A couple of SMU's offensive linemen decided this spring that they needed to brand themselves. They came up with "The Goon Squad."

"It's kind of an underground thing," left guard Bryce Tennison joked.

According to the dictionary, goon is defined as a "hired hoodlum or thug" or an awkward person.

But what the linemen were going for had more to do with playing with intensity, or the "seven seconds of violence" preached by Adrian Klemm, SMU's line coach who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

"If every play is controlled chaos, good things are going to happen," said Klemm, who played one season under SMU coach June Jones at Hawaii.

SMU's line is responsible for more than just pass blocking in SMU's pass-based Run and Shoot offense. As the Mustangs' passing game has struggled for stretches this season, SMU (5-4, 4-1 C-USA) has often turned to the run for a boost.

Sophomore Zach Line has rushed for a Conference USA-best 918 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry – in part because the pass sets up the run. But at times, such as last week at Tulane, the run game helped spark SMU's entire offense, as it scored 28-straight points late and the Mustangs went on to a 31-17 come-from-behind win. SMU plays Saturday at UTEP.

Line is closing in on becoming just the second collegiate 1,000-yard rusher under Jones. Former SMU player Shawnbrey McNeal became Jones' first last season.

"We don't get as many running plays," center Blake McJunkin said. "When we do, we're like 'let's get this and have a great block.'"

SMU's goal on running plays is to reestablish the line of scrimmage immediately. The holes don't have to be perfect for Line, a powerful runner who can break tackles.

"He'll surprise me when he pulls away from guys," Tennison said. "I always tell him he's slow. Then he'll just run over six guys on the next play."

SMU linemen said they also take a physical approach to pass blocking, thinking of the line of scrimmage as "the work bench" to prevent the pocket from collapsing at all costs. They know the more comfortable quarterback Kyle Padron – who has experienced ups and downs in his progression as a sophomore – feels, the better he can play.

"If we protect well, he shouldn't have any problems," McJunkin said.

The Goons have specific goon-names. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum, a first-team C-USA preseason pick, is the "Goonologist," because he's considered more analytical. Right tackle J.T. Brooks is "Goonzilla" because he's the biggest. The interior linemen are known as "The Belly of the Beast."

"It gets dirty in there," Tennison said.

The linemen's chemistry has been shaped by Monday dinners at area restaurants and breakfasts on Fridays at Klemm's favorite cafe on Inwood Road. Afterward on Fridays, they'll go through a pre-game walk-thru in the parking lot.

"Everything really does start up front," Beachum said. We have to have that bond as a group."

The linemen said they appreciate that ever-demanding Klemm – demonstrative on the sidelines – has been in their position as a player. Klemm came to SMU as a volunteer coach in 2008 a couple years after retiring from the NFL and took over the line last season. Now 33, Klemm, an aggressive recruiter, has decided he wants to make a career of coaching.

"Coach demands more of us than anyone else," Beachum said. "We take pride in everything – the pass and the run, what's talked about and what's not talked about. We just do our jobs."

[Harry0569]

It's great to see such chemistry on the O-Line. It seems as though these guys are having a great time with each other and with Klemm. Keep giving Line holes and KP time, and we will be set.

BTW, Klemm is single-handedly pulling in big time recruits. I can't begin to imagine when he gets established contacts in Cali and in Texas. My oh my.

[smupony94]

I still like to watch The Goonies

[High Horse]

The "Goonies" are the second and third string guys.

[i phone money]

Wonder what cafe Klemm likes on Inwood?

[ponyboy]

Wasn't this story posted months ago?

[smupony94]

Was on the DMN site this morning

[ponyboy]

I know. But I read it months ago. Or else it's a serious case of deja news.

[smupony94]

I know. But I read it months ago. Or else it's a serious case of deja news.

You have the ability to see the future. Cool super power.

[Mestengo]

Wasn't this story posted months ago?

Kids introduced it at the kick off lunch.

[mr. pony]

I know. But I read it months ago. Or else it's a serious case of deja news.

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