The Defensive Line Dilemma

August 17, 2009

I'm excited that we have a Defensive Line Coach that knows what he's doing. There are some things that I don't understand but I'll just trust that in the final analysis Coach Nelson will have the right players in the right positions.

We have eight players with potential to make this year a great turnaround defensively:

Eddrick Gilmore

The best of the returning defensive linemen averaging almost three tackles per game, with six passes broken up and three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in nine games. To me, he seemed ineffective when moved inside but was a terror at the end position. Coach Nellson may be right that if he has an NFL future it's as a tackle. However, I believe that he would have to add another 30-40 pounds to have a chance at that position,

Draylen Ross

Draylen played in all 12 games last year but I believe that he only started in one; the last one against Arkansas State. He had more than a third of his 22 tackles in that game. I was also our closest non-winning game. I don't know that Ross can be effective full time but he would be great in a rotation. He looks as if the weight room agreed with him. He seems more effective at tackle and believe that's where they intend to play him.

Brandon Akpunku

AK hadn't played a down lineman until this year. He has great speed and quickness and may be our strongest pound for pound. But, he's still giving away 60-80 pounds to the person blocking him so he won't win any strength battles. His techniques and quickness should make him a very effective pass rusher but the opposition will run at him, making his speed less effective. I don't know how he will be used but I'll be surprised if he starts against balanced or running teams. Still, he should have his moments.

Tevinn Cantly

Cantly is raw. He has the size to play tackle but is talking about losing 20-30 pounds and playing end. I've lost something in the translation here. I'd like to see him keep his weight and perhaps occasionally being move to the outwide. He seems to have the tools to be a good defensive tackle. All he lacks is experience.

Jesse DeSoto

DeSoto is servicable and has his moments. He gets a decent pass rush and had 3.5 tackles for loss in nine games. Probably not a full-time player but very effective in a rotation. He has only played tackle to my knowledge and will continue to be used inside. He is neither exceptionally big or quick but he just seems to know how to get it done.

Shavod Atkinson

Atkinson is strong and quick and highly rated by Rivals. He averaged almost seven tackles per game for Independence CC, ranking him third on the team. Not bad for a down lineman. He is a former state wrestling champion so I'd think that he knows a good bit about leverage. If he is as advertised he should start at one tackle.

Kelvin Jackson

Coach Dodge has stated that Kojack is the strongest man on the team. He is the heaviest of the defensive linemen and he should be a load to try to stop. His 41 tackles (30 solo) earned him 2nd team all-conference at his Mississippi CC. He's another that seems to have the credentials to start.

John Weber

Another fairly high ranked JUCO player and a teammate of Kelvin Jackson. Big defensive end who runs a 4.85 forty. Former all-state defensive end in Louisiana. Had 8.5 sacks last year at Itawamba CC. Steven B. mentioned in the hand-to-hand drills that no one has kept Weber out yet.

Those are the eight that I think are the best at this time. Three are ends and five (if Nelson is intent on Gilmore playing there) are tackles. Another reason why I think that Gilmore should be moved back to end. There are several others, admittedley mostly ends, who can be effective in certain packages. For instance, if you want to play two speed rushers on obvious passing downs look no further that Tyler Washington, another 4.5 speedster. Mack Cole is a good run stuffer. Getting the right combination is the key.

This could/should be the most effective defensive line since the Booger Kennedy days but it make take a few games to really develop. Anyone think differently?

Edited August 17, 2009 by GrayEagleOne

GrandGreen · August 17, 2009

There are a lot of bodies available but although I hope you are right, there is nothing yet to suggest you are.

The guys that graduated last year, Ike Thomas and Davenport started most of the games. Sykes who left the program actually started six. Gilmore started 4 at tackle and ended up started the last two at defensive end. Stewart started 3 games and Cole and Brown started one game each as woefully small defensive tackles. Ross actually started the last two games and Russo one game. So other than Gilmore there is not a lot of experience returning.

Frankly the only one who has shown he can be an effective player so far is Gilmore. None of the others have shown much yet. The coaches seem to be high on Akpunka, Cantly and Ross; and add in Gilmore and I would project this as the starting lineup. The jucos really have not had time to prove themselves and hopefully there will be substantially help there. Desoto seems to be a forgotten man but he seems at this point to be as solid as any.

UNT90 · August 17, 2009

To me, the D-line is the most suspect part of this team (along with the secondary, WR, and QB). At best, I think they could be average this year. At best. Outside of Gilmore, there is not one proven commodity on this D line.

It seems that a lot of folks have put on the green sunglasses and are believing their altered vision. Really hope they are right, but I have serious doubts. To think this line goes from far below average to the best since Kennedy was here just doesn't make alot of sense.

island eagle · August 17, 2009

To me, the D-line is the most suspect part of this team (along with the secondary, WR, and QB). At best, I think they could be average this year. At best. Outside of Gilmore, there is not one proven commodity on this D line.
It seems that a lot of folks have put on the green sunglasses and are believing their altered vision. Really hope they are right, but I have serious doubts. To think this line goes from far below average to the best since Kennedy was here just doesn't make alot of sense.

There are two problems with the defense, that I see. One is they don't play as a unit. Without that, all the skill in the world won't do them any good. Second, they have horrible tackling skills. That is a fundamental and they need to improve in that pronto. Potentially, they could be good, but it is going to take some change. I hope that Nelson, DeLoach and company can make progress with those aspects of the game soon.

Mean Green 93-98 · August 17, 2009

Good summation. As for Gilmore, I'm more confused now than when I first heard that Coach Nelson was insisting that he play inside. As one poster mentioned above, he is a proven commodity at DE on a line that has no other proven commodities. But now he is not only playing DT, but lining up with the 2nd team?!? Yeah, I'm sure he's going to the NFL as a 2nd stringer on North Texas' defensive line. I know Coach Nelson knows a lot more--to put it mildly--about making a defensive line successful than I do, but he's got me befuddled on his handling of Gilmore.

FirefightnRick · August 17, 2009

4 I would add.

Mack Cole: Looked pretty good saturday fighting through traffic and getting to the ball carrier.

Owusu-Hemming: Fast and tackles well.

Jonathon Stewart: Should factor into the rotation. Had a start against Troy last year and gained 14 tackles in 9 games.

Kyle White: I know he's a true Freshman, but he looks good on the field. Should we get into an injury problem he ?Could? be called upon for added depth later in the season.

Word I got saturday was that Kelvin Jackson may be back by the middle of this week. He's the expected badass on this D line, I'm told. For me, Draylen Ross looks to be the best interior D lineman so far. I'm wondering if Nelson is trying some kind of head game with Gilmore right now? I've seen it before? From what I saw saturday he didn't look all that affective at the D tackle spot. Given that, maybe having him and Akpunku lineing up on one side gives us a fast(weakside) to where they plan on working in stunts, giving us a bigger side and a faster side of the D line?

Rick

Edited August 17, 2009 by FirefightnRick

Green P1 · August 17, 2009

Good summation. As for Gilmore, I'm more confused now than when I first heard that Coach Nelson was insisting that he play inside. As one poster mentioned above, he is a proven commodity at DE on a line that has no other proven commodities. But now he is not only playing DT, but lining up with the 2nd team?!? Yeah, I'm sure he's going to the NFL as a 2nd stringer on North Texas' defensive line. I know Coach Nelson knows a lot more--to put it mildly--about making a defensive line successful than I do, but he's got me befuddled on his handling of Gilmore.

The more I think about it the more I begin to think this staff just doesn't like/trust/want him on the field. I have no clue as to why... unless I've got it backwards and he was actually not overwhelmed at DT or surprisingly explosive at DE. Not to mention two of our highest regarded newcomers are CC DTs.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Green P1

untcampbell · August 17, 2009

My recall, from the blog I think, is that Kelvin is back today.

GMG

GangGreen · August 17, 2009

I really can't feel optimistic about these guys. None of them are proven D-1 talents. I hope they can prove me wrong. Before anybody shoots arrows this way, starting one game for the worst team in college football is not proven D-1 talent. Gilmore,maybe, but he seems to have more issues than talent.

Comparing them to Kennedy, Pruitt, Daniels, Awasom, McIver is laughable and superfluous.

NCMeanGreen · August 17, 2009

Comparing them to Kennedy, Pruitt, Daniels, Awasom, McIver is laughable and superfluous.

I sincerely hope your comments come back to haunt you sir...I sincerely do...

SUMG · August 17, 2009

Comparing them to Kennedy, Pruitt, Daniels, Awasom, McIver is laughable and superfluous.

Where on this board....has anyone compared the current group to those guys? Just curious.

August 17, 2009

I sincerely hope your comments come back to haunt you sir...I sincerely do...

First things first. I am not comparing the current players to the defensive lines of the Booger Kennedy era. I'm saying that those since that time have been ineffective.

I suppose that part of the reason for my hope is that Shelton Gandy recruited a couple of the key components. Coach Gandy has done a remarkable job in recruiting. I believe that his first recruit was Cam Montgomery. He was later able to get Alonzo Horton; unfortunately he couldn't qualify for Division I play. I believe that we will see at least six Shelton Gandy recruits starting this year.

We've also added a (very) experienced defensive line coach, another reason for my optimism. I believe that Coach Nelson will get as near the maiximum as possible from these players. Remember though, his system and techniques will be new to even the five holdovers. It may take time to find the best combinations but I have little doubt that this will be a better unit than we have fielded in the past four years.

FirefightnRick · August 17, 2009

According to the practice blog KJ came back as the "Beast" today. I expect to see a different defense when those two are on the field together this season.

Rick

good_ken · August 17, 2009

Playing defensive tackle is not just about being the heaviest defensive lineman. Yes, there is an optimum size; but its not necessarily just about being big. I suspect that, as Harry said, Coach Nelson is trying to get quicker at the tackle postion by moving Gilmore inside.

BIG DAWG · August 17, 2009

Reading the practice blog from today, seems like Atkinson was also a bad ass today...him and Jackson together could be one hell of a tandem

NT03 · August 17, 2009

For me, Draylen Ross looks to be the best interior D lineman so far. I'm wondering if Nelson is trying some kind of head game with Gilmore right now? I've seen it before? From what I saw saturday he didn't look all that affective at the D tackle spot. Given that, maybe having him and Akpunku lineing up on one side gives us a fast(weakside) to where they plan on working in stunts, giving us a bigger side and a faster side of the D line?
Rick

agree , the way Ross has practiced it will be hard to keep him off the field.

I sure hope your right about Nelson just playing head games w/ Gilmore. He should be on the outside where he is most affective.

BIG DAWG · August 17, 2009

Understand this...Gilmore will not see time at DE this season unless there are several injuries.

I also expect a big season from him at DT.

H-towngreen · August 18, 2009

I too am a little confused by the move of Gilmore to DT. You move your best DE to DT, and 2nd string at that???

eulessismore · August 18, 2009

I'm excited that we have a Defensive Line Coach that knows what he's doing. There are some things that I don't understand but I'll just trust that in the final analysis Coach Nelson will have the right players in the right positions.
We have eight players with potential to make this year a great turnaround defensively:
Tevinn Cantly
Cantly is raw. He has the size to play tackle but is talking about losing 20-30 pounds and playing end. I've lost something in the translation here. I'd like to see him keep his weight and perhaps occasionally being move to the outwide. He seems to have the tools to be a good defensive tackle. All he lacks is experience.

The manager where I work asked about North Texas football today. He thinks Cantly is a tremendous football player (His son used to play with Cantly at Arlington Lamar), so I mentioned that Cantly is set on losing the weight and making the move to DE, and is expected to be part of the two deep on the defensive line. Our manager is in favor of all that I told him about Cantly, and thinks that DE is where he should be playing.

Edited August 18, 2009 by eulessismore