Secondary’s Lack of Playmaking

[BillySee58]

Through 3 games we have defended against 111 passes and don’t have a single interception to show for it. Really not even any almost interceptions.

In 2021 we had 6 interceptions (2 by LB Kevin Wood and 1 by DT Dion Novil)

In 2020 we had 7 interceptions (4 in one game off of UTEP’s backup QB)

In 2019 we had 4 interceptions

I get that we seem to play a bend don’t break defense, and maybe don’t coach our DBs to be as aggressive, but at some point you need guys to make big plays.

[BillySee58]

Also, Nick Nakwaasah (transfer from
FCS Central Arkansas) appeared to be one of our starting safeties in the spring. I don’t even think he has suited up yet. Not sure if it’s injury or what, but I’d like to see someone like him have a chance at giving us a fresh new body back there.

[jtm0097]

4 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

Also, Nick Nakwaasah (transfer from
FCS Central Arkansas) appeared to be one of our starting safeties in the spring. I don’t even think he has suited up yet. Not sure if it’s injury or what, but I’d like to see someone like him have a chance at giving us a fresh new body back there.

I think Vito reported he is out for the year with an injury.

[BillySee58]

Just now, jtm0097 said:

I think Vito reported he is out for the year with an injury.

I missed that. Thanks

[Glory to the Green]

11 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

Also, Nick Nakwaasah (transfer from
FCS Central Arkansas) appeared to be one of our starting safeties in the spring. I don’t even think he has suited up yet. Not sure if it’s injury or what, but I’d like to see someone like him have a chance at giving us a fresh new body back there.

I think he would have been a difference maker. Like Mazin/Trieb, but in the secondary.  Big loss for sure. 

Edited September 11, 2022 by Glory to the Green

[El Paso Eagle]

1 hour ago, Glory to the Green said:

I think he would have been a difference maker. Like Mazin/Trieb, but in the secondary.  Big loss for sure. 

Says a lot about our program when we are mentioning the fact that the FCS transfer would probably be a game changer for us

[Glory to the Green]

6 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Says a lot about our program when we are mentioning the fact that the FCS transfer would probably be a game changer for us

I don’t see it as a negative. Mazin and Trieb have been good additions. He would have been another one.  As long as the player contributes, it doesn’t matter where they were before arriving on campus.  

[El Paso Eagle]

13 minutes ago, Glory to the Green said:

I don’t see it as a negative. Mazin and Trieb have been good additions. He would have been another one.  As long as the player contributes, it doesn’t matter where they were before arriving on campus.  

For comparison use the speed difference when we played smu. We seem to be more content on building a team that can compete with low-level G5's than one that can win at the highest level of G5 and be competitive against p5s

[Glory to the Green]

19 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

For comparison use the speed difference when we played smu. We seem to be more content on building a team that can compete with low-level G5's than one that can win at the highest level of G5 and be competitive against p5s

I can see that point of view.  I see the offers going out to higher rated recruits (not sure about transfer portal, though). There appears to  be a desire to bring in P5’s, but they only seem to bite on offense.  

[aztecskin]

For all of Reffett's weaknesses (inflexible scheme, predictable play-calling) he had a knack for finding secondary dudes. Kemon Hall, Eric Jenkins come to mind. 

[southsideguy]

Hard to make an interception with your back is to the quarterback.

Edited September 11, 2022 by southsideguy

[NorthTexasSportsNetwork]

30 minutes ago, southsideguy said:

Hard to make an interception with your back is to the quarterback.

Happened so many times against SMU and even a few last night. 

Also, Sean Thomas Faulkner is not built to be a safety. Not fast enough whatsoever, and gets burned up the seam and in cover 2 constantly. 

The big problem is, our new defensive staff and really since Kemon Hall, hasn't been able to recruit fast DBs.

[UNTLifer]

On 9/11/2022 at 12:11 PM, BillySee58 said:

I missed that. Thanks

I believe it is an ACL.

[BillySee58]

On 9/11/2022 at 3:14 PM, aztecskin said:

For all of Reffett's weaknesses (inflexible scheme, predictable play-calling) he had a knack for finding secondary dudes. Kemon Hall, Eric Jenkins come to mind. 

I know he wasn’t a Reffett recruit, but Nate Brooks was someone I kind of took for granted here.

He had 6 picks at cornerback his senior season in 2018. All of our cornerbacks in the 3.25 seasons since then have combined to total 3 picks. And beyond that, it’s a pretty clear reflection on how closely covered (or not closely) they have been on opposing receivers.

[GMG_Dallas]

On 9/11/2022 at 1:33 PM, El Paso Eagle said:

Says a lot about our program when we are mentioning the fact that the FCS transfer would probably be a game changer for us

Why? Texas plays a linebacker who transfered in from James Madison. There's plenty of future NFL players who come from the FCS level.

[NT93]

1 hour ago, GMG_Dallas said:

Why? Texas plays a linebacker who transfered in from James Madison. There's plenty of future NFL players who come from the FCS level.

I agree, but I would say it should be the exception and not the rule.

[GMG_Dallas]

1 hour ago, NT93 said:

I agree, but I would say it should be the exception and not the rule.

I guess it depends on what you view as exception vs rule. I certainly wouldn't mind getting a few transfers from NDSU, SDSU, Eastern Washington, and James Madison every year. They've got some really good programs and regularly send players to the NFL.

Edit: just remembered James Madison is now in the Sun Belt. First year in FBS from FCS and they beat MTSU 44-7 with their mostly FCS recruited roster. Tell me why you wouldn't take a few FCS transfers every year?

Edited September 14, 2022 by GMG_Dallas

[greenminer]

Bailey Zappe played hist first three years at Houston Baptist.  Southland/FCS, I think.

[Withers940]

On 9/11/2022 at 3:26 PM, southsideguy said:

Hard to make an interception with your back is to the quarterback.

This! I’m no DB coach but our DB’s never turn their heads to look for the ball. When your running down to sideline and are step for step with him, why not put your hand on his hip and turn to look for the ball?

[BillySee58]

1 hour ago, NT93 said:

I agree, but I would say it should be the exception and not the rule.

Would you prefer getting 3rd string P5 guys who have no college experience as the rule? Those seem to be the two most accessible routes in the transfer portal for a program like ours.

[helix]

I don't know what it is, but I can't think of a season in recent memory where the DBs don't play 10 yards off the receiver. No matter the staff, it always seems to be this way.

I'd really like to see us bring in some aggressive and physical DBs (Cam Manaham of Lubbock Coronado was one player I saw who seemed to check my mental boxes) to pair with an aggressive minded coordinator to see that change.

It also doesn't help that our line isn't getting much pressure to force the quarterback to make hard throws.

[NT93]

55 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

Would you prefer getting 3rd string P5 guys who have no college experience as the rule? Those seem to be the two most accessible routes in the transfer portal for a program like ours.

Valid point.  I’m an underdog kind of guy and I think this type of kid will usually have the attitude that they have to work hard and earn everything that’s given to them.  BUT, a team full of guys from the Lone Star Conference doesn’t get me very excited.  
 

 

[Glory to the Green]

33 minutes ago, NT93 said:

Valid point.  I’m an underdog kind of guy and I think this type of kid will usually have the attitude that they have to work hard and earn everything that’s given to them.  BUT, a team full of guys from the Lone Star Conference doesn’t get me very excited.  
 

 

I wonder how playing time plays into immediate effectiveness. In theory, FCS guys would be All conference starters playing 10-12 games whereas 3rd string P5’s might be 1-3 years removed from any significant playing time.  Just thinking out loud…

[untbowler]

9 hours ago, Glory to the Green said:

I wonder how playing time plays into immediate effectiveness. In theory, FCS guys would be All conference starters playing 10-12 games whereas 3rd string P5’s might be 1-3 years removed from any significant playing time.  Just thinking out loud…

because seeing a P5 Transfer gives many fans thigh sweats even if the P5 Transfer is a joke.

[El Paso Eagle]

11 hours ago, BillySee58 said:

Would you prefer getting 3rd string P5 guys who have no college experience as the rule? Those seem to be the two most accessible routes in the transfer portal for a program like ours.

I understand your logic and always bringing up the p5s who can't contribute. My concern is you continue to see other programs, even FCS programs, get P5 backups who can contribute. We still have a problem getting P5 athletes to come to North texas. Not sure what can be done different but if we continue to get D2 Talent when others are getting FBS Talent it's going to be hard to compete