2009 Best Units: Defensive Line

[CK Sooner]

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/16916/2009-best-units-defensive-line


1. Oklahoma

The Sooners will certainly have something to say this season about the notion that there is no defense in the Big 12. With tackle Gerald McCoy anchoring the middle of the line, Oklahoma should dominate opposing offensive lines. McCoy is an Athlon preseason first-team All-American, and he joins Adrian Taylor and DeMarcus Granger to form one of the top tackle combinations in the nation. McCoy registered 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss last season and was a big reason why the Sooners ranked 20th nationally against the run. Granger was injured most of last year, but he will be eager to prove that injuries are behind him. Adding to the depth at tackle is incoming freshman Jamarkus McFarland, who ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the 2009 Athlon Consensus 100. Getting pressure off the edges should be no problem, especially with the return of Jeremy Beal, Frank Alexander and Auston English. Beal led the team with 8.5 sacks last season, helping the Sooners tie for fourth nationally with an average of three sacks per game. Redshirt freshman R.J. Washington ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the 2008 Athlon Consensus 100 and should see significant snaps in the rotation.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/tannerholmes/OklahomaDL.jpg

[Curly Bill]

I hope Granger can come back and be healthy this season. If he can he'll get paid come draft time.

[Crucifax Autumn]

We're gonna crush skulls!

[CK Sooner]

I hope Granger can come back and be healthy this season. If he can he'll get paid come draft time.

He has some weight to lose still. Hopefully he is able to do that before the season starts.

[JLEW1818]

yep, I've bought 4 magazines already

[Crucifax Autumn]

I have an internet connection.

[Curly Bill]

internet rocks!

[Curly Bill]

internet rocks!

Thanks Al Gore.

[CK Sooner]

You guy's better be careful. I am due to break out in an argument any minute.

;)

[Crucifax Autumn]

Homo!

[Curly Bill]

http://www.primates.co.uk/homo/homo-sapiens.jpgHomo Sapien!

[CK Sooner]

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/EddieKnucks/thread_hijack.jpg

[Curly Bill]

Homo Erectus:
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/942/664837.JPG

[JLEW1818]

LOL

[Curly Bill]

Homo Habilis
http://biblioteca.udg.edu/fl/sahara/gifs/tallan.jpg

[CK Sooner]

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/matt3104/149118-William_Hung-1.jpg

[RedstickSooner]

I guess there's no chance of Stoops going to a five-man line, given how good our tackles are, eh?

If history is any guide, this quality just means we won't drop off in ability when we're constantly rotating in fresh players.

Still, wouldn't it be nice to see us run the 5-2 every so often with what we've got?

[BornandBred]

I guess there's no chance of Stoops going to a five-man line, given how good our tackles are, eh?

If history is any guide, this quality just means we won't drop off in ability when we're constantly rotating in fresh players.

Still, wouldn't it be nice to see us run the 5-2 every so often with what we've got?

It would be nice, but I doubt it happens ever in the B12. There's too much air game, we'll need at least 3 LB-types in the lineup at all times. I lump Beal in the LB-type, so seeing him as a hybrid some this season wouldn't surprise me at all. But switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 can cause serious issues for offenses. I think we'll have the ability to do that a bunch this season.

[RedstickSooner]

It would be nice, but I doubt it happens ever in the B12. There's too much air game, we'll need at least 3 LB-types in the lineup at all times. I lump Beal in the LB-type, so seeing him as a hybrid some this season wouldn't surprise me at all. But switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 can cause serious issues for offenses. I think we'll have the ability to do that a bunch this season.

Yeah, almost seems like we'd *have* to run at least a 4-3. Having only one of our DTs on the field at a time would just be negligent -- surely the Football Gods would hit the smite button if we did that.

[BornandBred]

Does seem like a waste of talent to keep any of them on the bench.

[MojoRisen]

5-2 gainst UF in Pasedena... Tebow can't beat us deep.

[soonerfan28]

Taylor's pretty fit for a guy in the 300 pound range.

[BoulderSooner79]

We could certainly give a 5-2 look with one of the ends dropping into an OLB or zone blitz. The other guys O would have to guess who's dropping off or if they are all coming. These are good problems to have.

[ouleaf]

Any reason English is wearing low cut socks? I hope he doesn't do that come game time. he looks like a kicker, not a DE

[BoulderSooner79]

Any reason English is wearing low cut socks? I hope he doesn't do that come game time. he looks like a kicker, not a DE

Even with the sock issue, we still got the #1 ranking! (I'm guessing he was rushing to dress for the photo and forgot his socks :)

Notice that a certain team we play in Oct. is not listed in the top 10.

[CK Sooner]

Our defensive line is going to make our offensive line be ready this season.

[JLEW1818]

that's my take

[IronHorseSooner]

Our defensive line is going to make our offensive line be ready this season.

Ding, ding, ding!!! And we have a winner! The two, and even 3 deep, on that DL will be unreal. An indication of that is that Washington, McFarlane, and McGee aren't even in the two deep, yet. Add Walker, and that's a darn good DL, AND THAT'S THE THIRD TEAM!

[soonerfan28]

I say we run a 7-2-2 defense.

[madillsoonerfan5353]

I would like to see us line up in like the 1-5-5 Prowl like on Madden 09 with New England, I get to the QB ever time!:D

I just hope they got that Swagger back!