Tuesday (7/16/13) optional workout notes

[ponyboy]

That's the exactly same thing. Occupy the line, freeing the linebackers to clean up

[Rebel10]

That's the exactly same thing. Occupy the line, freeing the linebackers to clean up

Getting a push or holding your ground is not the same as getting pushed back. Proof is in the pudding. We can predict all we want but we will see visually in the first game if Tech is knocking our D line backwards or not. Coach Jones said on TV that we have more talent now so we will see what happens against a Tech team that is down in talent. Can't to watch the Mustangs hit somebody for the first time since they don't do it in practice. Should be a fun atmosphere.

[gostangs]

i always smirk at the description that our DL's are SUPPOSE to be just occupiers. Thats the same as saying they aren't very good. Anybodies DL's are suppose to be raging hard [deleted] sack and tackle machines. If they are just occupying space then that means your defense is not as good as it needs to be.

[dirtysouthpony]

i always smirk at the description that our DL's are SUPPOSE to be just occupiers. Thats the same as saying they aren't very good. Anybodies DL's are suppose to be raging hard [deleted] sack and tackle machines. If they are just occupying space then that means your defense is not as good as it needs to be.

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So how did a midget like Ray Lewis become one of the most dominant lb's in the NFL?

[ponyboy]

Anybodies DL's are suppose to be raging hard [deleted] sack and tackle machines.

I hear you, but it's a tactical decision to have the DL tie up the front five of the offense in a 3-4. You cannot expect that three to be sack and tackle machines, period.

Having said that, if it were me, I'd have tried Hunt at the OLB spot a time or two. Yes, outside.

[PonyPride]

...They don't have to be huge, but they should be around 270.

How ironic. I bumped into Zach Wood yesterday, and he said he weighed in at ... 270.

[blackoutpony]

Anybodies DL's are suppose to be raging hard [deleted] sack and tackle machines.

I hear you, but it's a tactical decision to have the DL tie up the front five of the offense in a 3-4. You cannot expect that three to be sack and tackle machines, period.

Completely untrue. JJ Watt is a 3-4 end and a horrifying sack machine. So is Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, etc

[jpe747]

Granted the linebackers should be the ones racing in on the qb but I loved watching Hunt breaking by a blocker and destroying an offensive play. I hope we have someone on the d line as quick and strong waiting in the wings.

[Rebel10]

Anybodies DL's are suppose to be raging hard [deleted] sack and tackle machines.

I hear you, but it's a tactical decision to have the DL tie up the front five of the offense in a 3-4. You cannot expect that three to be sack and tackle machines, period.

Completely untrue. JJ Watt is a 3-4 end and a horrifying sack machine. So is Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, etc

Good point. Plus, how are we going to recruit high caliber defensive lineman when all we tell tell they won't be getting at the QB but they will just occupy. No wonder we lost that kid to TCU a few years back because that is what they told him about our DE's. They said that their DE's get at the QB. If we had a higher caliber DE being recruited by SMU as well as others and we tell him he will just occupy what would he think.

[Rebel10]

Granted the linebackers should be the ones racing in on the qb but I loved watching Hunt breaking by a blocker and destroying an offensive play. I hope we have someone on the d line as quick and strong waiting in the wings.

Right, they were not just occupying at the Hawaii Bowl.

[ponyboy]

The nose tackle is an important part of any 3-4 defense. This player is normally a "space-eater".... The nose tackle is asked to absorb double teams.... his job is to free up the middle linebackers to make plays in the run game.

The 3-4 defensive end is a much different position than the 4-3 defensive end. These players are usually larger, slower space-eaters, who again, are asked to absorb more blockers, than to create havoc in opposing backfields.... They are asked to occupy an area on the line of scrimmage, and control that area with their size and strength, often absorbing multiple blockers.

The outside linebackers in a 3-4 are more like defensive ends in a 4-3. They are the players who set the edge against the run, and also rush the passer....

[Rebel10]

I think that occupy mess is just speculation coming from fans. I have never heard an SMU coach say he wants his D lineman to just occupy.

[ponyboy]

Sure you *want* them to do more, but easier said than done when you've got 600 pounds of beef to contend with. At the very least occupy and let the linebackers clean up.

[Rebel10]

Sure you *want* them to do more, but easier said than done when you've got 600 pounds of beef to contend with. At the very least occupy and let the linebackers clean up.

That means we need beef up front as well. Bigger, stronger D lineman. It is just not good to tell a recruit that all he will do is occupy if he comes to SMU. And I am sure the coaches don't lie to the kids.

[jpe747]

Maybe we need to go after weight men on track teams.