UNT defensive line breakdown: Mean Green could have good mix of vets, newcomers

[Harry]

As the 2015 football season approaches, we will look at each position on the Mean Green’s roster. UNT’s defensive line is up today.

A look at UNT’s pecking order:

Defensive tackle
Austin Orr
Mustafa Haboul

Defensive tackle
Sir Calvin Wallace
Sid Moore or 15 T.J. Tauaalo

Defensive end
Chad Polk
Malik Dilonga

Defensive end
Jarrian Roberts
Tillman Johnson

Outlook for the 2015 season:

Read more:  http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/unt-defensive-line-breakdown-opportunities-for-newcomers-evident.html/

[Travis]

I believe we will be much improved in this area over 2014. I am looking forward to good things from this unit.

[Harry]

My only concern with this line is we are fairly small.  SMU runs a two-back hurry up and will spread you out but Morris is a run first play action guy just like Mac.  They are going to look at our d-line and think they can whip em.  I think we need one guy with size to really step forward and plug things up to allow for our linebackers to fill the gaps.  I'm actually pretty bullish on the defensive line prospects this year.  I think with the addition of Combs and if we can stay healthy we are much improved.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Harry

[SilverEagle]

My only concern with this line is we are fairly small.  SMU runs a two-back hurry up and will spread you out but Morris is a run first play action guy just like Mac.  They are going to look at our d-line and think they can whip em.  I think we need one guy with size to really step forward and plug things up to allow for our linebackers to fill the gaps.  I'm actually pretty bullish on the defensive line prospects this year.  I think with the addition of Combs and if we can stay healthy we are much improved.

Fortunately we'll get a good preview of SMU the week before our game. And we'll get a good idea of how strong their running game is.....and how they attack a defense.

[Aldo]

SMUs run game is going to be way better than it was last year (ie, not led by their QB)

[VideoEagle]

Fortunately we'll get a good preview of SMU the week before our game. And we'll get a good idea of how strong their running game is.....and how they attack a defense.

Not sure how much we are really going to be able to see from SMU's performance against Baylor. They are going to be way overmatched! 

[SilverEagle]

Not sure how much we are really going to be able to see from SMU's performance against Baylor. They are going to be way overmatched! 

Well, we'll get a good idea about how their running game attacks a defense. If Baylor shuts them down in the middle, then we'll see how they attack the edges. We'll get a real good look at their strongest blocking schemes......inside and out. 

[Harry]

Baylor will legitimately own the line of scrimmage against SMU... I think SMU thinks they can own it against us.

I  think it is important to note that Morris strongly believes in a run first play action type of scheme. So this game could very well come down to who wins the trenches and can move the ball on the ground.

[North Texas Shep]

Baylor will legitimately own the line of scrimmage against SMU... I think SMU thinks they can own it against us.

I  think it is important to note that Morris strongly believes in a run first play action type of scheme. So this game could very well come down to who wins the trenches and can move the ball on the ground.

SMU always thinks they own us. Boy how we proved them wrong last year. This year the game will be closer. I can see us improved at most positions compared to last year. QB questions is my concern. Defense, not so much.

[DeepGreen]

Size-wise, the players in red are my biggest concern.  Sorry, but those are not FBS weights for a defensive lineman.  And the others are marginal in size too.

 

Defensive tackle
Austin Orr - 6-4, 277
Mustafa Haboul - 6-0, 267

Defensive tackle
Sir Calvin Wallace - 6-2, 296
Sid Moore - 6-1, 257 or 15 T.J. Tauaalo - 6-2, 288

Defensive end
Chad Polk - 6-0, 231
Malik Dilonga - 6-4, 252

Defensive end
Jarrian Roberts - 6-2, 240
Tillman Johnson - 6-1, 243

[Army of Dad]

Size-wise, the players in red are my biggest concern.  Sorry, but those are not FBS weights for a defensive lineman.  And the others are marginal in size too.

 

Defensive tackle
Austin Orr - 6-4, 277
Mustafa Haboul - 6-0, 267

Defensive tackle
Sir Calvin Wallace - 6-2, 296
Sid Moore - 6-1, 257 or 15 T.J. Tauaalo - 6-2, 288

Defensive end
Chad Polk - 6-0, 231
Malik Dilonga - 6-4, 252

Defensive end
Jarrian Roberts - 6-2, 240
Tillman Johnson - 6-1, 243

I see your point, but smaller D ends aren't that much of an issue, especially in passing situations. With a decent rotation ends can be very effective and still be "small". If an undersized player is asked to do too much then you often see them breaking down physically. "Bum" shoulders on undersized DTs come to mind as one example.