Our 2009 Defense?

[Texasscout96]

Ok I really would like to get everyone's thoughts about how good our defense will be this year. I know Coach Jones is focused on offense first, offense second, offense third, then defense.

Anyone who has been around the game knows that defense is essential to win any kind of championship. I was pulling my hair out last season watching our defense practically stand around and watch the other team score.

I know our recruiting classes have brought in some defensive talent, but what are your thoughts about our defense? Will we actually be able to compete with the defense we have?

Thanks.

[smuuth]

I think we will be much-improved. In this day and age of explosive offenses, if we just just slow-down the opposing offense and we stay close or win the turnover battle and compete well with our great punter/kicker, then we should be fine. Our offense can really help by not having early turnovers, especially in our own end of the field. Giving the other team early momentum and confidence can really hurt a young team looking for positives.We should know early-on.

[Billy Joe]

The defense will be much, much better this year. Almost everybody is back and there are several new players that were brought in that will start. Adding Frazier, Hunt, Moore, and Hudman will greatly improve the defense. I do not believe teams will simply be able to run right up the middle on us as easy as we are much bigger on the line.

[JasonB]

From what I saw at practice, we will be much better. Improvement at linebacker to start, and that will be more prevelant as the season goes on, because at least one frosh will bust into the starting lineup. Depth at corner is way, way better. Castro was the number 3 last season, he isn't on the depth chart now. Saftey depth is significantly better as well, Banjo is going to be a monster and Hudman is a real gain.

Worried about d-line depth, but all in all, we will see significant improvement in team speed this season and the team is much better. Special teams defense because of the speed gain will be much better as well.

We aren't going to be one of the best defenses in the nation or anything like that. But we won't be the worst anymore.

[LeroyThaLumberJack]

The defense will be much, much better this year. Almost everybody is back and there are several new players that were brought in that will start. Adding Frazier, Hunt, Moore, and Hudman will greatly improve the defense. I do not believe teams will simply be able to run right up the middle on us as easy as we are much bigger on the line.

Good because Moses and the Lumberjack dont believe in the run, they will just spread the field and complete passes all night long. Wont be able to stop that.

[jtstang]

I am concerned about our defense. Even "improved" over last year could mean not all that good.

However, I do not worry about d-2 SFASU.

[LeroyThaLumberJack]

I am concerned about our defense. Even "improved" over last year could mean not all that good.

However, I do not worry about d-2 SFASU.

You pretty much have a D-2 defense...

[BUS]

We bought the upgrade to D-2.8

[jtstang]

Okay, see that was funny. A.

SFASU fans take notes.

[MidlandMustang]

I think our defense will be much better - we obviously can't get much worse than last year. The guys up front putting on more weight will help alone.

Leroy,
If you're calling us a D2 team then that would make ya'll a D3 team.

[Dooby]

Our defense will be a little better. People expecting significant improvement will be disappointed. However, and some people hate hearing this, it doesn't matter.

This year is not about defense. It is about offense.

I don't remember where he said it (I think it was around signing day), but June Jones basically said (I am paraphrasing here), "You put the offense in place. You recruit to the offense. You get in some shootouts. You win some games. You prove you can win. Then you can start recruiting better players. Then you start getting better defensively."

I recall in 2005, people where wringing their hands over whether SMU could finally stop Rice's option attack. I noted then that stopping that offense was not crucial to winning that game. What was crucial was running the offense efectively, because the Rice defense at the time was awful and its offense was not effectively keeping them in games.

SMU plays in a league with horrible defenses. Next year, in conference, SMU plays the 41, 74, 84, 100, 102, 106, 111 and 115th ranked defenses.

This year's team hinges on the offense and not the defense. You don't have to like it (I don't like it much either). You don't even have to accept it.

Get in some shootouts; hopefully get a late stop; hopefully win some friggin' games.

Don't plan on getting comfortable with a lead late; don't head for the car or the Boulevard early. The goal is not a shutout. The goal is not to win by 20 (though, we may need a 20 point lead sometimes just to hold on); the goal is just to win.

SMU is not trying to win a national championship right now; SMU is just trying to win six and hopefully finish in the top 6 in C-USA or maybe go to Hawaii. Beat UTEP at home. Beat Rice at home. Beat Tulane at home. Beat Marshall. Beat UAB. Beat that I-AA school at home and you are right there.

[panhandle_pony]

I believe in another post it was stated that Justin Smart, a starter last year, is either second or third team this year. If this is so, is it because of (1) injury, (2) he was beat out or (3) the new 3-4 defense makes him more replaceable ?

[JasonB]

I believe in another post it was stated that Justin Smart, a starter last year, is either second or third team this year. If this is so, is it because of (1) injury, (2) he was beat out or (3) the new 3-4 defense makes him more replaceable ?

The change to the 3-4 hurts in certain respects, but the move from linebacker says a lot about the prospects of the redshirt and true frosh linebackers. Even if he were playing end in the 4-3 at this point he would be running second string.

[panhandle_pony]

JasonB: Thanks for the insight. I think a summary statement might be, we've got more talent this year. hooray !

[San Antonio Mustang]

From all reports we have more speed on defense. But, speed was not as much a problem last year as failing to tackle. What I want to see out of the defense this year is aggressive tackling. If this group will tackle and then if you add speed and a little more finesse in defending the pass, it will be night and day better than last year.