8timechamps
9/14/2013, 08:21 PM
I've seen a few posts talking about how the defense didn't look so great today, especially in the last part of the fourth quarter.
There's a few things to note about that:
1. Our best defensive player didn't play today.
2. A lot of young guys got into the action early.
3. Injuries -or- being cautious.
1. Obviously, Colvin wasn't on the field today. Whether it's Tulsa or Baylor, taking away half of the field is a major deal. Without Colvin, that's gone. Although, I thought Stanvon Taylor did a good job for a kid that was playing high school ball this time a year ago. He's going to be a solid CB, but clearly needs more time in the program to be close to the level of Colvin.
2. I can't remember a game when OU played so many young guys, or 2nd teamers on defense, so much of the game. Matt Dimon, Dominique Alexander, Hatari Byrd, Cortez Johnson, Jordan Wade and Stanvon Taylor played a lot of meaningful snaps today. A lot. These guys are all going to be very good players for OU eventually, but right now they are inexperienced freshman or guys that haven't seen much playing time. There were several third down plays that Tulsa converted because a guy was out of position, or misread the receivers route/didn't fill their gap. That stuff happens, and you want it to happen in a game like this. Mike is putting money in the back with these guys that will pay dividends later in the season.
3. After listening to Stoops after the game, it was clear they were taking a very cautious approach to this game (as it related to personnel). Lynn could have re-entered the game, but the coaches wanted Byrd to get some action. Colvin could have played (if needed), but why risk it? While it affects the overall defensive performance, it's great to have a chance to get these guys in, and get them adjusted to real game conditions. The bonus in this game was that they didn't just play in garbage time, they went against the Tulsa starting offense for most of the day.
I left off the rotation along the defensive line, but that was also a big change from the past two games. Jordan Wade saw a lot more action today (as did Matt Dimon), which kept our best defensive linemen on the bench for a fair amount of the game. I've notice the biggest difference when Phillips is out of the game (especially for run-stopping). Our biggest concern going into this year was that position, and he's played lights out so far. There is a noticeable step down when he comes out of the game.
After this bye week, it could be a while before some of these guys see the field again (for meaningful snaps), so the coaches took full advantage of this game. Sure, it cost some "beauty points", but the experience they got today was well worth it.
At the end of the day, the defense gave up 321 total yards. and less that 100 of those were rushing yards. All in all, a pretty damn good outing.
There's a few things to note about that:
1. Our best defensive player didn't play today.
2. A lot of young guys got into the action early.
3. Injuries -or- being cautious.
1. Obviously, Colvin wasn't on the field today. Whether it's Tulsa or Baylor, taking away half of the field is a major deal. Without Colvin, that's gone. Although, I thought Stanvon Taylor did a good job for a kid that was playing high school ball this time a year ago. He's going to be a solid CB, but clearly needs more time in the program to be close to the level of Colvin.
2. I can't remember a game when OU played so many young guys, or 2nd teamers on defense, so much of the game. Matt Dimon, Dominique Alexander, Hatari Byrd, Cortez Johnson, Jordan Wade and Stanvon Taylor played a lot of meaningful snaps today. A lot. These guys are all going to be very good players for OU eventually, but right now they are inexperienced freshman or guys that haven't seen much playing time. There were several third down plays that Tulsa converted because a guy was out of position, or misread the receivers route/didn't fill their gap. That stuff happens, and you want it to happen in a game like this. Mike is putting money in the back with these guys that will pay dividends later in the season.
3. After listening to Stoops after the game, it was clear they were taking a very cautious approach to this game (as it related to personnel). Lynn could have re-entered the game, but the coaches wanted Byrd to get some action. Colvin could have played (if needed), but why risk it? While it affects the overall defensive performance, it's great to have a chance to get these guys in, and get them adjusted to real game conditions. The bonus in this game was that they didn't just play in garbage time, they went against the Tulsa starting offense for most of the day.
I left off the rotation along the defensive line, but that was also a big change from the past two games. Jordan Wade saw a lot more action today (as did Matt Dimon), which kept our best defensive linemen on the bench for a fair amount of the game. I've notice the biggest difference when Phillips is out of the game (especially for run-stopping). Our biggest concern going into this year was that position, and he's played lights out so far. There is a noticeable step down when he comes out of the game.
After this bye week, it could be a while before some of these guys see the field again (for meaningful snaps), so the coaches took full advantage of this game. Sure, it cost some "beauty points", but the experience they got today was well worth it.
At the end of the day, the defense gave up 321 total yards. and less that 100 of those were rushing yards. All in all, a pretty damn good outing.